The release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, just three years after the original, has sparked debate among fans. While some welcome the opportunity to revisit Ellie and Abby’s story with upgraded visuals and DualSense features, others question the necessity of a remaster so soon. In an interview with VGC, Director Matthew Gallant emphasized the significant improvements and new content offered by the remastered version.
According to the interview, Gallant acknowledges the timing might seem unusual but compares it to the PS4 remaster of the original The Last of Us. This remaster was made a little over a year after the PS3 version. He views the Part 2 remaster as a chance to deliver the “best version” of the game on PS5 that they couldn’t have made on PS4. This is by leveraging its technical capabilities for enhanced fidelity, performance, and haptic feedback.
I think it’s also important to remember that remastering the original Last of Us was an issue of debate back then. It offered very little improvement other than a graphical change and a move to PS4. However, it was so long ago that many people won’t remember that. Games getting remastered too quickly was a growing issue in the industry, so that doesn’t feel like a good reason to use.
Beyond graphical upgrades, the remaster boasts several additions. “The Lost Levels,” features early versions of cut content with developer commentary. There’s also a new rogue-like mode called “No Return” that lets players replay remixed levels with randomized elements and character upgrades, offering a fresh gameplay experience focused on the game’s robust combat system. Additionally, accessibility features like audio-described cinematics have been carried over from the Part 1 remake.
I’m not saying that this is at all the same as the remaster for The Last of Us all those years ago. In fact, the additional content on top of the improvements makes me believe that this was a fan-first choice. Gallant recognizes the potential for criticism but believes the remaster has much to offer.
He views it as a “thrilling” prospect for new players and a chance for returning fans to engage with the game in new ways. Ultimately, he hopes the remaster showcases the “dedication and passion” of the development team and meets the hopes of those buying The Last of Us Part 2.
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