Now, that is an fascinating sport to assessment. Solely 5 years since its unique launch, The Final of Us Half 2 Remastered is right here. A sport you swear you solely performed a short time in the past, again with a vengeance. Phrase on the road is it is shinier than final time, with some additional goodies added to tempt you and your pockets into the fray.
However is it price enjoying the sport once more on PC for people who have already invested time in it earlier than? What about those that’ll end the brand new season of the HBO present and have to decide on between this remaster or the unique bundle? I used to be skeptical at first, leaning into the camp of these unconvinced that such a contemporary sport wanted freshening up, I’ve obtained to say it is a excellent improve to the unique bundle.
TLOU2 is a cinematic story of vengeance and the price of single-minded revenge, masterfully exploring the psychological (and bodily) value of searching for justice in a world the place such ideas now not exist. It is visually beautiful, throwing gamers right into a derelict, pessimistic USA, overtaken by nature, the place previous societies and their norms have lengthy since died. The sport is aware of it seems to be good, too. You are given ample time to take all of it in, your journey accompanied by wonderful performances and emotionally charged dialogue that forces you to care in regards to the characters and their struggles.
In your arms, it is a incredible testomony to violence. The fight itself is brutal. Gunshot wounds rupture individuals in a really actual, borderline-uncomfortable vogue. This sends their pals frantically ducking behind cowl whereas crying out the names of the useless. You are rewarded for utilizing your mind in The Final of Us Half 2 – working and gunning is enjoyable, however pricey. Taking a extra methodical strategy, managing your sources and choosing off foes one after the other, is extremely morish. I felt drawn to the motion with the identical ferocity as I did half a decade in the past; there is not any different sport doing this fairly nearly as good as Naughty Canine even at the moment.
So. All this was nice in 2020, and it is nonetheless nice now. What The Final of Us 2 Remastered on PC brings to the desk is available in two components: technical enhancements and new methods to play, just like the rogue-like sport mode: No Return. Each deliver added worth to the sport, even when you’ve performed it earlier than (say, on PS4 Professional, in the course of the pandemic – this new model is healthier, particularly when you’ve obtained a juicy PC). 5 years is not too way back, actually, so The Final of Us 2 Remastered inevitably has to work more durable to persuade people to purchase it when a less expensive copy of the sport could be grabbed at your native gaming retailer on PS4. Particularly when that cheaper copy that largely will present the identical expertise.
Let’s contact on these technical enhancements, first. Wanting higher and with faster loading instances, it is all actually a welcome addition. Even for myself – somebody who, frankly, continues to be completely proud of how the unique sport seems to be and performs – it is one thing you discover. I imply hey, when you’re paying for a remastered model of the sport, you’d hope so proper? The sport does take a while to compile shaders between new settings, one thing that is not an enormous deal throughout the primary story, however actually is a extra outstanding presence enjoying No Return. When you’ve obtained a correct nuts PC, it’s best to see the sport at its sharpest.
It is not all peachy. Throughout my time enjoying the sport, I bumped into a number of crashes, and a momentary freeze right here and there. For me, crashing passed off once I tried crafting stuff, and it was an actual bummer. Fortunately the sport checkpoints you nicely, so not a lot progress is misplaced every time, it is nonetheless not one thing you need to see from an enormous price range triple-A remaster. I am not enjoying on a potato both, so this may occasionally very nicely be one thing gamers should confront making their method via the story.
As for these additional modes, whereas the choice to speedrun the sport and strum away at guitar in free play are each good touches, the actual star is No Return. It had lots using on its shoulders, being the primary draw for many who had already performed the sport and did not actually fancy sitting via the story once more. On this mode, you choose a personality and take off via numerous ranges, gathering crafting materials and combating in your life. If you full a mission, you are given scrap, dietary supplements, and forex to improve your “construct” to raised energy via the run.
This mode is an absolute scorcher. The best way it thrusts you into difficult encounters, throws randomized weapons at you so every run is totally different, and does not shrink back from sticking you in an actual jam is absurdly enjoyable. I consider the Remaster ought to get factors for implementing this additional exercise in a method that does not really feel ham-fisted. It is not an afterthought. It is a significant addition to the sport and, as somebody who performed the 2020 model, I have to admit, a much bigger draw than really enjoying the story itself as of late.
Particular shout out to all of the challenges, enjoyable unlockable cosmetics, and understanding nods to each The Final of Us Half 1 and a couple of through playable characters. You begin with Ellie and Abby, protags of Half 2, however can get your arms on extra gamers than that. I shan’t spoil who right here, although, and I’d completely suggest you observe the recommendation the sport provides you and beat the story first if that is your first time round.
When you’ve performed the unique model of Half 2, and need to expertise it once more in an envigorating method, this PC re-release good for that. When you’ve by no means touched the sport earlier than in any type, it is an amazing alternative to hop on board. The timing, with The Final of Us Season 2 about to hit HBO, is right.
