Well, the PC master race may have got their invite extremely late, but Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II finally arrives on PC in its Remastered form, and it’s nothing short of a triumph. Released on PS4 in 2020 and remastered for PS5 in 2024, this PC version brings enhanced features, visual fidelity, and new gameplay modes that make it feel like more than just a port—it feels like a full rebirth. Hell, I’ll go one further: It feels like an interactive movie!

Picking up some 4 years after the original game, The Last of Us Part II Remastered continues the epic story of Ellie and Joel as they continue to navigate the new world and fight for their survival. A lot has changed in four years, with tensions mounting between survivors, the infected, and even Ellie and Joel. But, when a rogue group invades Jacksonville, everything Ellie and Joel took for granted will be tested…

The Remastered version introduces a few standout features, notably the No Return survival mode. This addition is more than a side dish—it’s a compelling gameplay loop that’s brutally fun and keeps you coming back for more. Featuring randomized encounters, 10 unique playable characters, each with unique traits, and escalating difficulty, it’s a great complement to the emotional weight of the story campaign.

For veterans, the Guitar Free Play mode lets players freely explore Ellie’s musical talents with unlocked instruments and effects, allowing for some surprisingly moving or silly creative moments. Further unlockable features include playing as Joel and Gustavo and an unlockable banjo used by Gustavo.

With the PS5 Pro version recently updated in October 2024, the PC-specific enhancements follow suit. Unlocked frame rates, adjustable FOV, and ultra-wide monitor support now give players a more flexible experience. These updates (compared to the original TLOU2) make the game feel smoother and more responsive, whether you’re sneaking through enemy territory or engaging in intense firefights.

The only downside to the delay of the PC release was that, after all this time, Naughty Dog have still not released any additional story-based DLC. Plus, having waited all this time, this game is quite a beast to its minimum/required system requirements. Slightly out-of-date/older rigs may struggle to run this at a pace they feel comfortable with.

Mouse and keyboard support has received its modern-day, up-to-date full remapping options and precise aiming that feels just right. Gone are the days of lagged input or moving the mouse ever so slightly with too much accidental sensitivity, which would result in you emptying your clip into a nearby shrub.

For those preferring a controller, DualSense is supported with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers (when connected via USB), keeping that immersive PS4/5 console experience intact. Accessibility settings are also front and centre, presenting game start-ups that are even more customizable thanks to the PC’s versatility.

Visually, The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC showcases what modern hardware can do. With ray-traced lighting, improved textures, and support for 4K resolutions, environments feel more alive than ever. From the overgrown remnants of Seattle to dimly lit interiors teeming with tension, every scene is dripping with atmosphere. DLSS and FSR support also allow for great performance scaling across various setups.

Animations are fluid and lifelike, benefiting from Naughty Dog’s impressive motion capture work. It’s not just a pretty gloss-over or facelift; it is genuine cinematic storytelling elevated by up-to-date, cutting-edge tech. The “devil in the detail” here is when a character cries during a cutscene; their tears fall and dampen their clothes. Things we would expect to happen, forget when we’re so invested in the moment, only to then see play out in a VIDEO GAME sets this game, its motion capture and, at its core, its graphics in a world of their own.

The sound design remains one of the game’s crowning achievements. The remaster enhances spatial audio, making every creak, breath, river plunge, bullet blast, and arrow whistle feel hyper-realistic. Gustavo Santaolalla’s melancholic score remains immersive, soul capturing and ever so haunting, whilst the environmental foley sounds (rain pattering on broken glass, distant infected hums, screams and moans, the rustling of grass and you rush, or stalk, through) are delivered in stunning clarity with surround, or 3D audio, setups.

Voice acting is just as powerful as ever, and some of the audio has been cleared so that the actors’ already stellar performances continue to impact, carry, and convey the emotional weight of the story.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC isn’t just a technical upgrade: it’s a masterclass in bringing a console port to a new platform with care, polish, and respect for its audience. With refined gameplay, deeper customization, and some gorgeous graphical upgrades, it’s a must-play for fans, new and old.

Written by: James Fraser-Smith