The Last of Us Part II Remastered

The first Last Of Us is my favorite video game of all time, and the second one doesn't quite top that! But still is a really great follow up!

This franchise still continuous to show us why the first game was so great, because of the story and the characters. And this game is still able to capture what was so great about that first game and bring it here.

The story direction is an interesting risk.

But I liked the risk once the story came to a close and saw how everything came full circle.

I do like how the game was split in two perspectives. Goes along with the theme of the story!

But I do have a pacing problem, this game is long!!!!

And it feels like two different games, there had to be a way to balance that better.

I also do wish most the flashbacks we need to see towards the start of the game! Yes, some work better at the end! But, some would have told the story better, if they were at the start!

I love story ideas and themes they decided to take this time, but it never reaches the same level of the first games.

Honestly one of my favourite games of all time. The fact this game won game of the year in 2020 should speak volumes. The story is amazing (although I would have liked for some things to play out differently), the gameplay is great and the graphics are beautiful! This game is very bold and a very dark game and at times this game makes you hate playing it but I think that's what makes this game a masterpiece because of the emotions this game is making you feel. Of course it's not perfect but no game is! I really do think TLOU2 is better than the first game but both are absolutely incredible! This remaster is the best way to play this game. A lot of fun things like lost missions and no return game mode. 10/10 experience for me!

Played on PC with max settings. Visually, it's absolutely stunning - one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen. The lighting, details, weather effects, and especially the sunsets are jaw-dropping. Graphics easily deserve a 10/10. It's one of those rare games where you stop just to admire the environment. The soundtrack and sound design are also strong, just like in the first game.

Now, onto the rest. My overall impression is mixed. The story felt too predictable and simple, which was disappointing. It didn't grab me the way I hoped. There were so many missed opportunities to make it deeper, more emotional, and more engaging. I won't go into details (no spoilers), but it really felt like a safer, less inspired version of what it could've been. Still, if you liked the first game, you might enjoy this too - it sticks closely to the same formula, just in a different setting. Overall, I'd rate the story 6/10.

The characters are a bit more of a mixed bag. They're generally well-designed and memorable. You care about them, and their motivations make sense - which is important in a narrative-heavy game like this. But not everyone is given the depth they deserve, which makes some arcs feel incomplete. I'd give character development a 7/10.

Where the game really lost me was the gameplay. Like the first part, it's very repetitive: you loot, walk, kill, then watch a cutscene - and repeat that cycle again and again. While the stealth and combat systems are fluid and well-built, they just don't evolve or surprise you. It becomes a chore rather than a challenge. For me, gameplay is a 4/10 - decent mechanics, but way too monotonous.

Final verdict: If you loved Part I, this might be worth it for you, especially for the visual upgrade. But if you're new to the series, definitely start with the first game - this one assumes you already know the world and characters. Also, I'd strongly suggest waiting for a discount - paying $50 for around 18 hours of repetitive gameplay feels like too much, especially for a four-year-old game.

Overall score: 7/10. Not a masterpiece, unless you're a die-hard fan - but a solid experience with some brilliant visuals.

A great continuation of one of the best franchises of all time. This game impresses in every aspect. The story, the characters, the graphics, the gameplay, the shock value, the emotional weight - absolutely phenomenal. Everything, down to the last minute detail, is perfect. Not a single dull moment. Nothing can, and nothing ever will, top this. You'll be thinking about this game for weeks after finishing it. Naughty Dog is an incredible team of perfectionists, and they're doing amazing things! If anyone ever needed a reason why people buy PlayStation consoles - this is it. Bravo!

The game delves deep into complex themes of revenge, trauma, and forgiveness, challenging players to confront the moral ambiguities of its narrative. People are so used to these heroic deaths where the character dies with meaning, delivers a heroic speech, etc... Real life isn't like that. This world isn't like that. The game powerfully shows how raw, unapologetic, and unforgiving the world truly is.

Don't miss it. 10/10.

I know that "The Last of Us Part ll" is a divisive game and a considerable group of people hate it. But the PS4 version is my favorite video game of all time. The gameplay, the graphics, the audio, the voice acting, the mo-cap, is all perfect. While it never needed a remake, I respect the decision to remaster it, and it does greatly benefit from higher frame rates and just an overall clearer vision of the breathtaking landscapes. The haptics for the controllers are nice too.

The "No Return" mode is excellent. I think that it is a great replacement for a second Factions game, and gives you a chance to play the game without having to just play sections of the game. The different encounter types are a lot of fun to try out. I guess my only problem is that the randomization of encounters could make entire runs like "Hunted against Rattlers", which is immensely difficult. But that just might be my skill level at the moment.

There are no changes made to the story, but there never needed to be. The cosmetics are really nice additions (although having Ellie wear an astronaut outfit while fighting Abby kind of takes you out of the emotion of the scenes, but that just nitpicking), and something that I wanted in the original release.

There's not much else I can say. The $50 price isn't bad, as it's only ten bucks more than the PS4 version is on the PlayStation store, but if you own a physical copy of the PS4 version it is only a $10 upgrade. I'd say that's a damn good deal.

It won't win over the folks who hate the story. But this is the definitive version of The Last of Us Part ll, and if you don't own it, either version deserves a place in your game library. 10/10.