The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PlayStation 5, slated for its release early next year, has drawn mixed reactions from gaming fans. While there’s a sense of excitement from many eager to relive the critically acclaimed title with enhanced features, some are voicing concerns about Naughty Dog seemingly treading water with their existing franchises. To make matters worse, a recent report claims that the studio assigned the remastering effort in the hands of newly recruited staff at Naughty Dog.
According to a report by VGC’s Jordan Middler, the remastered version of The Last of Us Part II is primarily a project for new hires at Naughty Dog. This strategy serves as an introductory phase for fresh talent to acquaint themselves with its game development process. This approach aligns with the industry norm, where remasters and ports often serve as the training grounds for new developers. It allows them to hone their skills on existing frameworks before moving on to more ambitious, original projects.
This revelation should put to rest some of the apprehension regarding Naughty Dog’s focus and resource allocation. It’s renowned for its high-quality, narrative-driven titles, uncompromising in its creative momentum. The assertion that the “main” team, headed by Neil Druckmann is “full steam ahead on an original” is a reassuring sign that the studio, after years of relative dormancy, is cooking up something, as the kids say these days. Whether this will be a new installment in a beloved franchise or a completely new IP remains unclear.
If I was Sony, I would maybe let my S-tier studio that excels at making new IPs and interesting games actually make new games, instead of forcing them to photocopy their previous A+ report card for eternity.
— Ian Stokes (@IanVanCheese) November 18, 2023
Addressing the criticisms directed at Naughty Dog for re-releasing their games, it’s important to understand the bigger picture. High-quality games of Naughty Dog’s caliber require extensive time and resources to make. The remasters are a way to keep the studio’s catalogue relevant on newer hardware but also provide a steady revenue stream. This is a key financial aspect for maintaining a stable work environment and ensuring the team’s well-being between major releases, particularly given the troubled development of the multiplayer spin-off.
Furthermore, the remastered version of The Last of Us Part II is being positioned as more than just a graphical upgrade. It includes a new game mode, additional playable characters, extra content, and, notably, guitar play – all for a modest upgrade fee of $10 for owners of the original game. Such an offering is quite economical, considering the norm in the industry. The upgrade also adds DualSense support, further enhancing the immersive experience on the PS5.
Fears of an unoptimized PS5 port, while understandable, should be left for until The Last of Us Part II Remastered is out. Even if Naughty Dog had assigned the project to beginners, it and Sony isn’t about to risk sullying the reputation of its most prized IP – not after what happened with The Last of Us Part 1 on PC.
If the performance of The Last of Us Part 1 on PS5 and The Last of Us Part 2 on the same console (tit’s available to play as a backwards compatible title on PS5 with a 60FPS patch), the sequel should run well on the flagship console.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to manage expectations. The Last of Us Part II is already lauded for its visual prowess, even on the PS4. The remastered version may not present a drastic visual overhaul but is expected to bring refined details such as improved draw distances, shadow details, and texture resolution, all rendered at higher resolutions and frame rates. These enhancements, while seemingly subtle, contribute to an enriched gaming experience.
The debate surrounding the value of such remasters is subjective. For some, the allure of experiencing the game with its incremental improvements and added features justifies the investment. For others, the existing PS4 version, which is playable on the PS5 with a 60fps patch, suffices.
Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, the fact that Naughty Dog is finally working on something new after basically letting Insomniac Games carry the PS5 generation on its lonesome for years is exciting news.
Neil Druckmann is currently busy working on The Last of Us Season 2 on HBO with Craig Mazin. The production on the next season will start early next year with hopes to release it in 2025. The Last of Us on HBO is expected to last up to four seasons.
