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The Last of Us Part II Remastered keeps the original PS4 campaign about Ellie and Abby, but adds a major replay mode, bonus development content, accessibility features, and platform-specific technical upgrades. The biggest new gameplay addition is No Return; the most meaningful differences between PS4 and PS5 are resolution and performance options, faster loading, and DualSense support. The PC edition includes the remaster’s content plus PC-specific graphics and input options.
At a glance: original PS4 vs. Remastered
| What you’re comparing | Original PS4 release | Remastered |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | The Ellie and Abby story | The same campaign, with technical enhancements for newer platforms |
| Additional gameplay | No Return and the other remaster additions are not included | No Return, a repeatable randomized survival mode |
| Development extras | Not included | Three early-development Lost Levels and developer commentary |
| Extra activities and tools | Not included | Guitar Free Play, Speedrun Mode, and expanded Photo Mode controls |
| Platform upgrades | PS4 presentation and controls | PS5 rendering options, DualSense features, accessibility additions; PC edition also adds PC-specific options |
PlayStation describes the remaster as the enhanced way to play the story, but the editions are not different campaign narratives. The difference is the added content and the platform-specific presentation and features. PlayStation’s product page and Naughty Dog’s feature list detail the additions.
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What new gameplay does Remastered add?
No Return is the main replayable addition
No Return is a roguelike survival mode built around randomized combat runs. You choose a route through encounters, face different enemies and modifiers, and work toward boss battles. It also lets you play as characters who are not playable in the campaign.
The mode has received additional content: the PlayStation Store’s update notes for version 2.0.0 list Bill and Marlene as playable characters, four maps, and trophies. See the US PlayStation Store listing for those notes. No Return is the strongest reason to choose Remastered if you want more than another run through the campaign.
#1 Best Overall
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
Guitar Free Play and Speedrun Mode
Guitar Free Play expands the campaign’s guitar activity into a separate space for playing with additional instruments and locations. Naughty Dog says Joel, Ellie, and composer Gustavo Santaolalla can be used. Speedrun Mode records campaign completion times for players who want to replay the story against the clock.
What are the Lost Levels?
Lost Levels are early-development versions of three sequences that were cut from the released game: Sewers, Jackson Party, and Boar Hunt. They are exploratory glimpses at work in progress, not three complete, restored campaign chapters. Remastered also includes hours of developer commentary about the game’s development. Naughty Dog’s feature list describes these extras.
Rank #2
What changes on PS5?
Resolution and frame-rate options
The PS5 version offers Fidelity Mode with native 4K output and Performance Mode, which upscales 1440p to 4K. An Unlocked Framerate option is available for TVs that support VRR (variable refresh rate). A 4K display is required for 4K output.
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Visual details, loading, and DualSense
PlayStation lists improved loading times, increased texture resolution, longer Level-of-Detail distances, improved shadow quality, and increased animation sampling. The official feature pages do not provide controlled side-by-side benchmarks for loading times or measured image-quality gains, so they do not establish a specific number of seconds saved or a consistent performance result across every setup.
Rank #3
- 2-PACK JOEL AND ELLIE FIGURES: Brings the iconic duo to life, each figure meticulously crafted with over 190 unique finishes. Experience the grittiness of their survival journey, right in your hands
- 30+ POINTS OF ARTICULATION: Joel and Ellie each feature over 30 points of articulation, allowing for dynamic posing to recreate intense scenes from the PS5 games. Perfect for displaying their stealth and combat skills
- 19 ACCESSORIES: Joel comes ready with his revolver, shotgun, and machete. Ellie is stocked with her bow, arrow, pistol, and switchblade. Each figure includes multiple swappable hand and a tactical backpack for dynamic posing
- OPEN DISPLAY BOX: Showcase Joel & Ellie and additional PlayStation action figures (sold separately) like from Horizon Forbidden West and God of War in this box design, an official licensed product of PlayStation
- TOYS & GAMES FOR ALL: Presented by Spin Master, the creators of kids toys for boys & toys for girls who love collectibles, toy figures & playsets. Ideal holiday gift, or birthday gifts for all ages
On PS5, the DualSense controller’s haptics and adaptive triggers provide additional tactile and trigger feedback. These are PS5 features, not improvements to the PS4 edition. Remastered also adds Descriptive Audio and Speech to Vibrations; No Return supports the broader accessibility feature suite. The exact options available can depend on the feature and your setup. Details are listed by PlayStation and Naughty Dog.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What extra features does the PC edition have?
The PC release includes the features and content of the 2024 PS5 remaster, along with options tailored to PC hardware. PlayStation lists:
Rank #4
- Flexible design
- High-quality material
- Durable
- Nvidia DLSS 3 Super Resolution and Frame Generation, AMD FSR 3.1 and FSR 4, and uncapped frame-rate options.
- Configurable graphics settings and DirectStorage.
- Ultrawide display formats up to 48:9, including triple-monitor compatibility.
- Keyboard and mouse customization, controller support, and DualSense haptics.
These are PC-specific options; they should not be read as PS5 features. The PC announcement names Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy as development partners. See the PlayStation Blog announcement for its PC feature details.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsShould you upgrade from the PS4 version?
If you want No Return, the Lost Levels, commentary, Guitar Free Play, Speedrun Mode, or the PS5’s technical and controller enhancements, Remastered adds substantial extras around the same campaign. If you only want to experience the story and do not care about those additions, the original PS4 release contains the core campaign.
Upgrade eligibility depends on whether your PS4 copy is digital or disc, and—if it is a disc—whether your PS5 has a disc drive. PlayStation says PS4 owners can upgrade for an additional fee, with local pricing set by the regional PlayStation Store. A disc owner must use a PS5 with a disc drive and keep the PS4 disc inserted to download or play the digital PS5 version. A PS4 disc cannot be used for the discounted disc upgrade on the disc-free PS5 Digital Edition. Check the PlayStation upgrade information and your local store before purchasing.
Prices and promotions vary by region and date. The US PlayStation Store listing showed $22.99, discounted from $49.99, with the offer ending October 8, 2026 at 06:59 UTC; that is a time-limited US listing, not a universal or ongoing price. Check the current US listing or your regional store for the price available to you.
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