The Last of Us Remastered Review

Dan Webb

I’ve always found it tricky to wade into a HD remake and offer an updated opinion. Even worse is actually sticking a score on it as well… of course it’s going to be better, so surely it deserves a better score? Well, no... Usually the review revolves around the new additions, how it’s aged and what not, but The Last Of Us Remastered is a completely different kettle of fish.

This isn’t a HD version of Ratchet and Clank, it’s a super HD version of a game that was out last year – and I use the phrase “super HD” lightly. This is not 4K, this is 1080p and 60 frames per second, the foundation for what we’re still calling next-gen.


POW!

First things first. I’m not going to sit here and waste your time explaining what The Last Of Us Remastered does so well, like its storytelling and its sense of atmosphere. No, instead, I’m going to sit here and tell you why the Remastered version is or isn’t worthy of your hard earned cash.

Readers of this review are going to fall into two camps essentially: camp one, those who’ve not played it. If that’s you, go and buy the Remastered version now. Seriously, I can sit here and wait for you while you do. Want more convincing? Then read our PS3 review of The Last Of Us. So go on, go buy it, I’ll grab a bite to eat while you’re gone.

Right, now they’re gone, the people left over are those who’ve already played it and are looking to revisit. If you don’t have a PlayStation 4 yet, is the Remastered version good enough to warrant buying a console? No, but there are loads of other titles out there that warrant your purchase of a PS4. Is it worthy if you own the console? Sure, why not? After all, it’s a good price, a stunning game and represents value for money. Is the experience going to be as memorable as the first time you got swept up in the powerful story? No, but it will still be a memorable experience.

So what exactly makes The Last Of Us Remastered worthy of a purchase? Well, first things first, it’s a hell of a lot prettier. With 1080p visuals running at 60 frames per second, you’d be hard pushed to find a better-looking game out there on the PS4. It may only be a lick of paint as far as higher resolution textures go – well, that’s what it seems like – but it forms a much more vivid picture than the PS3 version, which is nice.

That’s essentially the main reason why people are going to be playing the Remastered version, that and it represents the best value for money version of the game, what with the Left Behind DLC and all of the multiplayer DLC thrown in for good measure. Plus, it looks beautiful. Not sure I mentioned that.

The true The Last Of Us fans, however, will want to play for an entirely different reason, and that’s the fan service which comes in the form of a developer commentary. Now, that sounds great, but unfortunately the commentary is only done for the cut-scenes. We kind of envisioned walking around with Neil Druckmann, Creative Director, and Bruce Straley, Game Director, being the voice in our ear talking about why this was done and why that was done.


Photo Mode is cool Check out this sepia number.

That’s not the case. To ease that blow though, Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson do get in on the act, and the developer commentary is a neat, and more importantly, entertaining, addition to what is already a superb game. Oh, and there’s a new Photo Mode, which is… well, nice, I guess. It doesn’t really add a lot, but there’s a ton of cool effects you can add and use to annoy people on Twitter and Facebook.

While The Last Of Us Remastered is easily the definitive version of the The Last Of Us, other than the fancy new visuals and some interesting developer commentary, it’s hard to definitively say that everyone should go out and buy it. If you’ve not played it, absolutely go and buy this version. If you have, then returning players might be slightly let down by the lack of additions from Naughty Dog. Still, it’s a bloody fabulous game that everyone should play, whether it’s on the PS3 or the PS4.

 

Still the same amazing experience for the ears. Throw in some cinematic developer commentary and it’s even slightly better.

Absolutely gorgeous, but then again, the PS3 version was some hot stuff. This is just refined, shinier, and 1080p, 60 frames per second… It's stable as well!

It’s largely untouched from the PS3 version.

It’s The Last of Us, but prettier, and with all the DLC. The Photo Mode and developer’s commentary is a nice touch, but we kind of expected more.

Yes, the trophies are still a pain in the ass and lack any sort of creativity.

Quite easily the definitive version of The Last Of Us, but other than some fancy new visuals, all the DLC and some classy developer commentary, there’s not much else to it. Regardless of that, The Last Of Us is a stellar game that everyone should experience at least once, whether it’s last-gen or new-gen on your PS4.

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