The Last of Us™ Part II Remastered Review Summary

Excellent PC port and optimization: The game is well-optimized for PC, offering smooth performance, stable FPS, and impressive graphics. Many reviewers note significant improvements compared to the first game's PC port, with Nixxes Software being frequently praised for their work. The game runs well even on lower-end hardware and Steam Deck.

Highly enjoyable and worth it: The game is highly enjoyable, engaging, and worth the price. Reviewers praise the fun gameplay, excellent graphics, and overall quality, often considering it a masterpiece or one of the best games ever made. Many reviewers express strong positive emotions and satisfaction with their experience.

Stunning visuals and detailed environments: The game boasts stunning visuals, detailed environments, and realistic character models. Reviewers praise the graphics, animations, and art direction, often comparing the game's visual quality to Red Dead Redemption 2. The game's attention to detail and immersive environments contribute to a captivating experience.

Compelling, emotional narrative and characters: The game features a compelling and emotionally charged narrative with well-developed characters. Reviewers highlight the story's depth, complexity, and exploration of themes like revenge, empathy, and forgiveness. The game evokes strong emotions and challenges the player's moral code, with characters like Ellie and Abby being praised for their complexity and realism.

Improved port over first game: The PC port is significantly improved compared to the first game's release. Reviewers note better optimization, smoother performance, and fewer bugs. The developers are praised for learning from the mistakes of the first game's port.

Poor mouse aiming on PC: The PC port suffers from poor mouse aiming implementation, characterized by a large deadzone, input delay, and auto-snapping. These issues make precise aiming difficult and negatively impact gameplay. Some reviewers also noted that the PC version is too demanding for the visual quality it delivers, even compared to the base PS4 version.

Save system malfunctions: The game has significant issues with its save system, leading to lost progress and frustration. Players report problems with autosaves, manual saves, and the game freezing when attempting to save or exit. In some cases, the game requires re-installation to resolve these issues.

Game fails to launch: Some users are unable to launch the game due to various errors, including outdated graphics card messages despite having up-to-date drivers. The game may also fail to fully utilize the GPU or lack support for certain resolutions. These issues prevent players from even starting the game.

Refined, dynamic gameplay experience: The game blends action, stealth, and survival, with refined mechanics and improved AI. Combat is dynamic and tense, with realistic enemy reactions and weighty impacts. The core gameplay loop remains true to its predecessor while introducing new elements, offering players freedom in strategic approaches.

"No Return" roguelike mode: The game features a roguelike mode called "No Return" that adds replayability with varied and intense challenges. This mode allows players to navigate multiple maps in a run with a chosen character, aiming to reach the final map with upgrades and armaments carrying over between maps.

Deeper, challenging stealth mechanics: Stealth mechanics are a core aspect of the gameplay, with refined systems that offer tense and rewarding experiences. The game introduces new challenges, such as dogs that can track your scent, making stealth more difficult in crowded areas.

Adaptive AI, varied difficulty: The game offers difficulty options for both casual and hardcore players, with intelligent enemy and ally AI. The AI adapts based on the difficulty level, providing a challenging experience where player decisions determine the outcome.

Balanced pacing, open-ended exploration: The game balances pacing between action and exploration, allowing for reflection and character development. While progression is mission-oriented, open areas provide freedom in approaching situations.

Performance varies by hardware: The game's performance varies depending on the hardware, graphics settings, and resolution. Some reviewers provided specific examples of frame rates achieved with different GPUs and CPUs. The game can be demanding on hardware, with some users reporting high GPU and CPU utilization.

DLSS/FSR improve performance: DLSS and FSR are available and can improve performance, especially for users with higher refresh rate monitors or those seeking higher frame rates. However, some reviewers recommend against using DLSS on powerful PCs due to reduced image quality, suggesting DLAA instead. Frame generation can also help improve performance, but may require special configuration.

Update graphics drivers advised: Some reviewers recommend updating graphics card drivers to the latest version before playing the game. Updating drivers can improve performance and stability. The game's image quality is generally praised, especially on high-end systems.

High VRAM usage reported: The game utilizes a significant amount of VRAM, with some reviewers reporting usage of 11GB or more. Players with low VRAM are advised to lower texture settings and lock the frame rate. The game can still run on older cards like the RX 580.

Misleading PC requirements?: Some reviewers suggest that the game's minimum and recommended PC requirements may be misleading. An RTX 3060 is recommended for 60 FPS at graphics settings worse than a 12-year-old PS4. A GTX 1650 or equivalent is sufficient to play the game.

Highly recommended masterpiece; must-play: The game is highly recommended as a must-play title, praised as a masterpiece with an unforgettable narrative and emotional depth. Reviewers emphasize its lasting impact and consider it a GOTY contender, urging both new and returning players to experience it.

Divisive narrative; not for everyone: Some reviewers express disappointment with the game's narrative choices, plot twists, and character development, particularly regarding Joel's death. They suggest that those expecting a traditional heroic narrative or who are sensitive to darker themes may not enjoy the game.

Well-made PC port: The PC port is generally considered well-made, especially compared to the first game's port, with reviewers expressing satisfaction with the optimization. Some reviewers hope that Sony will continue to port their games to other platforms.

Play Part 1 first; settings matter: Reviewers suggest playing the first game before the second to fully understand the story and characters. Some recommend specific settings for optimal performance on platforms like Steam Deck, such as setting the screen FPS to 30 or using Vsync.

Praise for Naughty Dog: Reviewers praise Naughty Dog for their storytelling and technical achievements. Some reviewers state that you can only experience a story like this in a Naughty Dog game.

Explores complex themes of morality: The game's narrative explores complex themes of revenge, hatred, empathy, and the cyclical nature of violence, challenging player expectations and prompting reflection on morality and consequences. The story examines how love can turn into hatred, leading to suffering and forcing players to confront uncomfortable truths about vengeance and its impact on characters.

PS account unlocks bonuses: Linking the game to a PlayStation account allows for trophy and achievement syncing between PC and PS. Additionally, logging in with a PS account unlocks an in-game jacket with a design from Naughty Dog's new IP, Intergalactic.

Game has a long playtime: Several reviewers noted the game's significant length. The extended playtime allows for deep immersion in the story and world.

Character model issues (PC): One reviewer reported seeing identical and poorly made character models in Ellie's starting town on the PC version. It is unknown if this issue is present on the PS version.

Requests separate key bindings: One reviewer hopes for a future patch to allow separate key bindings for object interaction and stealth kills, improving control customization.