We previously reviewed The Last of Us: Part II Remastered upon its Playstation 5 release last year. A review of the original game is also available here, dating back to its initial launch in early 2020. This review focuses specifically on the PC version of the title.
My experience with The Last of Us: Part I came later than many. However, once I began playing, I found myself immediately immersed. The narrative felt akin to a masterfully crafted television series. The depth of investment in the characters, story, and overall environment was remarkable. Fortunately, the wait for the sequel was shorter for me, and I was eager to delve into it soon after finishing the first installment.
The Last of Us: Part II, unfortunately, proved to be a significant disappointment, primarily due to its narrative direction. The carefully constructed foundation of the first game was undermined early on, causing the sequel to deviate substantially and, in my opinion, falter in its storytelling.
This is particularly unfortunate given the improvements made to the gameplay mechanics compared to the original. The controls are intuitive and responsive, offering players greater freedom of action. The seamless transition between firearms and melee weapons allows for dynamic and engaging combat scenarios. Furthermore, the enemy AI is intelligently designed, adding a layer of complexity and, at times, prompting reflection on the act of survival within the game’s context.
The recommended PC specifications for The Last of Us: Part II Remastered include an Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, a minimum of 16 GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700. The game also requires a substantial amount of storage space, necessitating 150 GB of available hard drive capacity.
Unlike my experience with the PC version of the first game, I encountered fewer initial bugs. However, a significant patch was released shortly after launch, likely addressing further issues that I had not yet encountered.
While mouse and keyboard controls are available, I advise against using them. The game was not designed with these inputs in mind, leading to a significantly more challenging experience. A gamepad is strongly recommended for optimal gameplay.
In conclusion, I would still recommend The Last of Us: Part II for PC. Despite reservations regarding the narrative, the gameplay remains exceptionally well-crafted. The PC version allows for portable gaming on capable laptops, providing an excellent experience on the go.
Playstation provided a review code for this evaluation. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial objectivity.
