The Last of Us Part 2 is attracting controversy once again, and for arguably the same reasons as before. While some are excited about the new features and enhancements, others question the necessity of a remaster for a game that debuted in 2020. This mixed reception raises the question: Why does it seem like the internet has a contentious relationship with The Last of Us Part II?
Content-wise, the remaster offers plenty. It includes a new roguelike mode, No Return, lost levels added back into the game alongside developer commentary, guitar free play, DualSense integration, and a slew of graphical enhancements, among others. The developers are promising native 4K output in Fidelity Mode and 1440p upscaled to 4K resolution in Performance Mode, among other visual improvements. All of this is to say that Naughty Dog is working on making Ellie and Abby's journey more engrossing. Furthermore, additional accessibility options, including the new Speedrun Mode, further enhance its appeal.
However, the announcement has unearthed plenty of "forgotten" controversies, igniting debate about whether it's the latest attempt to cash in on a franchise that Sony and Naughty Dog have milked plenty. Defenders argue that it's the definitive version of The Last of Us Part II for a console that it should've arguably launched on. This dichotomy in the internet's opinion reflects a broader trend regarding the value and purpose of remastered versions of recent games. But, then again, while remasters have drawn controversy before, there's the element that this is facing backlash simply because it's The Last of Us Part II.
