Usually, when Naughty Dog comes out with a new game, the community celebrates its excitement in the most heartfelt ways. The studio has come a long way since games like Jak and Daxter found a home in adventure/action genres with storytelling that speaks louder than words.
But, more often than not, certain philosophies and core values need a refresh, and that’s something the studio has been struggling with for the past few years. For creators who wholeheartedly believe in ‘simple stories, complex characters,’ Naughty Dog sure has been recycling the same stories over and over again.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered hints at talent exhaustion, burnout, and inevitable greed coming from some of the most remarkable game makers in the industry.
Here’s a Look at the ‘New’ Features in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered
To begin with, there are two versions of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered you can get. The standard (base game) edition lets you experience the following:
- Lost Levels
- No Return Mode
- Speedrun Mode
- Guitar Free Play Mode
- New Outfits
- New Weapon Skins
- Unreleased Director’s Commentaries
- Enhanced Graphics
- Native 4K Support
The Collector’s Edition (W.L.F.) includes:
- All Base Game Features
- SteelBook Case
- Four Enamel Pins
- 47 Society of Champions Trading Cards
- 8 Limited Edition Holographic Cards
- W.L.F. Patch
- Additional Digital Content
Keep in mind that there’s no extra content locked behind a paywall in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. Even with the base version of the game on PS5, players can enjoy the graphical overhauls and new modes. If you already own a PS4 copy of the game, you can get the upgrade for just $10.
The Controversy Surrounding The Last of Us Part 2
Note: Spoilers for The Last of Us Part 2
When The Last of Us Part 2 came out, the community was divided into two groups: those who cherished the game for all it had to offer and those who despised the fact that Naughty Dog chose to go with a narrative that was brutal and uncalled for.
The ones who tried to remain diplomatic were often pushed into having an opinion; either they loved the game or they didn’t. The internet sort of broke down, and users were often found throwing a fit for everything they hated about the game – the switch in perspectives, the ‘forced’ sense of empathy players had to feel for Abby, and, of course, Joel’s cruel demise.
After things were burned down to the ground and ashes of controversy still remained, The Last of Us Part 2 was objectively seen as yet another successful title for Naughty Dog. Despite all the mixed reviews (including a 92 Metascore), the game had sold 10 million copies by 2022.
The Expected Outrage Over the Remaster
For the past few weeks, there had been enough speculations and rumors that suggested that a remake was in the works. This already set expectations, but when the news officially broke out, communities online were simply shaken by the blatant nature of ‘another’ (often termed unnecessary) remaster by Naughty Dog.
The trailer for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered showcases key moments from the game. However, the community doesn’t seem too excited about this. Given the lack of new content and almost similar graphics, players have been expressing their disappointments. X user gorbinosquestt comments:
a remaster for a game that’s only a couple of years old is insane
On a Reddit post that’s discussing the same, user SongusStormus comments:
Hilarious to me that if you’re playing on PS4, you play:
• The Last Of Us Remastered
• The Last Of Us Part 2
But if you play on PS5, you play
• The Last Of Us Part 1
• The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered
While there’s no denying that The Last of Us is an incredible franchise with masterful storytelling, there’s a line that needs to be drawn when developers start selling the same content over and over again with premium pricing.
Granted, owners of the PS4 version of The Last of Us Part 2 don’t have to pay as much, but that doesn’t take our attention away from the undead elephant in the room – greed.
Remasters and Remakes: Where Do We Draw the Line?
Naughty Dog’s withering potential seems to be evident. Before we dive into any kind of criticism, it needs to be pointed out that The Last of Us Part 1 was a lovely remake of the original game that truly showcased the original game’s underlying subtext – a video game with exceptional storytelling. Not only did this game bring new audiences (PC gamers) to the fan club, but it also evoked a new wave of interest in the franchise that ultimately gave rise to HBO’s hit adaptation.
That being said, The Last of Us Part 2 was the last original project by Naughty Dog. It’s been almost four years since, and there’s no sign of a new IP anytime soon. Well, at least not officially. There is a multiplayer spin-off in the works, and a few speculations suggest a sci-fi game being conceptualized. Regardless, it’s been a few years since the last game came out.
This is the sensitive time frame where a remaster feels ‘too soon’ and the lack of a new title (or news around it) feels frustrating.
In our article that delved deeper into why Rockstar Games’ next Grand Theft Auto was taking too long, an important perspective came to light. New games take time and money to make. And sometimes developers need to bring out half-baked projects and re-dos of older games in order to make that extra buck. At this point, Naughty Dog has entered that hemisphere too with The Last of Us Part 2, and it won’t be surprising to see more triple-A studios join the grind.
There are few titles like Resident Evil 4, which, in all fairness, do remakes right. But for that to happen, there needs to be a safe amount of time between both the original and the remake for the title to even make sense.
While Neil Druckmann Wins an Award, the Community Is Left Disappointed
The timing of all this couldn’t be any worse. A few days ago, the New York Videogame Critics Circle (NYVGCC) officially announced Neil Druckmann as the next Andrew Yoon Legend Award winner. Neil has been the co-president of Naughty Dog for a while now and has a career in video games that spans over two decades.
While many celebrate Neil’s remarkable feat in the industry, it’s unfortunate to see the not-so-good parts of the same industry lurk in the shadows. The Last of Us 2 Remastered isn’t the studio’s brightest idea ever, and now that Neil is practically becoming a legend in his own right, we can only imagine the pressure of being the ‘best in the business.’
While there’s no official word from Naughty Dog about its next big idea, it won’t take long for fans to hit a burnout with The Last of Us Part 2 and eventually come to a point where they need the studio to come up with new ideas. Even if it’s a multiplayer spin-off, we can only hope it’s mind-blowing enough to rekindle the community’s interest in the franchise.
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