Highlights

  • The Last of Us 2 is being remastered for the PS5, with new content and improved visuals, including a roguelike mode called "No Return".
  • The remaster will feature lost levels with developer commentary and new outfits for characters to wear.
  • Players will be able to control multiple characters, including Tommy, in the "No Return" mode, giving fans a chance to play as a beloved character in combat.

The Last of Us2 is getting remastered for the PS5, continuing the series ongoing hot-streak. While the PC port of The Last of Us Part 1 was a disaster at launch, the series has otherwise enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years. TLoU2 was well received upon release despite some controversy, and the television adaptation of the series, helmed by a team at HBO, was a smash hit, being heralded by many as the best cinematic game adaptation. While many would have settled for a simple PS5 port of The Last of Us 2, Naughty Dog is instead delivering a fully remaster and exciting new content for the game.

Featured in the PS5 remaster of The Last of Us 2 is a plethora of new content. On top of improved visuals and the addition of current-gen performance features like VRR, the game will feature new outfits to dress characters in and several new modes. The Last of Us 2 Remastered will feature lost levels, each paired with developer commentary, allowing players to tour areas and missions that were ultimately cut from the original release. The most exciting new addition, however, is the new mode entitled "No Return", a roguelike mode that allows players to attempt to survive randomized encounters.

the last of us part 2 remaster future naughty dog games delayed
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No Return Will Deliver a Long Requested Feature

no return gameplay in the last of us part 2 remastered.

The reveal trailer for the remaster of The Last of Us 2 confirmed No Return will feature multiple playable characters and levels. These characters will have their own unique traits and abilities, though the details of these differences have yet to be revealed. So far a small handful of characters have been shown off, though Sony's website promises that even more will be in the game. While almost all the characters so far are from the new game, The Last of Us 2's roguelike mode will finally let players control Tommy, a fan favorite from both entries in the series.

Characters Confirmed for "No Return"

  • Abby
  • Dina
  • Ellie
  • Jesse
  • Lev
  • Tommy

Tommy Will Finally Get His Time to Shine

Tommy has been an important part of The Last of Us, but he has always been an accessory to Joel and Ellie's story. Tommy is Joel's brother whom he survived the beginning of the outbreak with. Eventually, Tommy wanted to do more than survive and joined the Fireflies before departing to form his own community and eventually joining the one in Jackson. Tommy helps Joel and Ellie in their initial journey across the country, and in Part 2, he's the one who tells Ellie where to find Abby, asking her to go hunt her in his stead since his wife doesn't want him to leave Jackson on a revenge mission.

Playing as Tommy Makes Sense

Tommy in the Last of Us Part 2.

Tommy eventually follows Ellie on her journey and proves to be formidable in combat. Not only is Tommy a central character driving many of Ellie's actions in The Last of Us 2, he is a strong fighter, so his inclusion in "No Return" makes sense. While a Last of Us prequel about Tommy is something that some fans have clamored for, his inclusion in "No Return" is the closest Naughty Dog has come to delivering on it. This roguelike mode will likely be devoid of story, but finally making Tommy playable is a great way to pay homage to the long-time fan-favorite character.

No Return Adds a Lot of Value to TLoU2

While Tommy's unique traits, or potential lack thereof, in "No Return" have yet to be revealed, his inclusion is well-earned and will provide extra value to the mode. The array of maps and characters in "No Return" alongside the infinite replayability of roguelikes make the mode one of the most compelling new features in The Last of Us 2 Remastered. Rather than simply providing a better looking game with Dualsense support, Naughty Dog seems to be using TLoU2 as a chance to enhance and build on the original package in substantial ways, which is valuable for fans of the franchise while they wait for a third entry and another season of the HBO show.