The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrives on PC with upgrades and controversies intact

The wait is over for fans of one of the most acclaimed video game franchises. Originally released in 2020 for PlayStation 4 and remastered for PlayStation 5 in 2024, The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrived on PC on April 3, 2025, bringing the visceral journey of Ellie and Abby to a new platform. Developed by Naughty Dog and adapted by Nixxes, the title retains its brutal essence and bold narrative, now enhanced with graphical improvements, support for technologies like DLSS 3 and FSR 3.1, and the addition of the roguelike mode No Return. The PC debut marks another step by Sony in expanding its exclusives beyond consoles, offering players an optimized experience that reflects the technical advancements of recent years.

Set five years after the events of the first game, the story follows Ellie living in Jackson, Wyoming, in a community of survivors thriving amid post-pandemic chaos. Peace, however, is shattered by a violent event that propels her into a revenge-driven journey, crossing paths with Abby, a character who divides player opinions. The remastered version keeps this dense narrative intact, which has already earned over 300 Game of the Year awards, while adding layers of accessibility and extra content. For PC newcomers, it’s a chance to experience a gaming milestone; for veterans, an opportunity to revisit the adventure with fresh eyes.

The PC adaptation comes with promises of performance surpassing the troubled port of The Last of Us Part I, released in 2023. Nixxes, known for works like Horizon Zero Dawn and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, took on the task of bringing the game to computers, addressing past flaws and delivering a more stable experience. The launch aligns with a moment when the franchise gains even greater relevance, with the second season of the HBO series in production and set to premiere soon, reinforcing the cultural impact of Ellie and Abby.

A port that learns from the past

Sony’s track record with PC ports hasn’t always been flawless. The release of The Last of Us Part I faced criticism for optimization issues, such as excessive VRAM usage, performance drops, and frequent bugs. This time, Nixxes seems to have heeded the feedback. Initial tests show that The Last of Us Part II Remastered runs smoothly across various setups, achieving frame rates between 60 and 70 FPS on mid-range machines without the bottlenecks that plagued its predecessor. The absence of ray tracing keeps requirements accessible, while support for upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR ensures visual quality on more powerful setups.

Players with cards like the RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, common in the market, can enjoy the game in Full HD at maximum settings without compromising performance. At higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, upscaling becomes essential, but the results impress, with sharper textures and refined shadows. The attention to adaptation shines in the graphics settings menu, offering detailed options for textures, post-processing, and lighting, allowing customization for different hardware profiles.

The integration with DualSense also stands out. For those with a PlayStation controller, the PC version supports adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, delivering the same tactile immersion as the console. Compatibility with the Xbox Adaptive Controller expands accessibility options, a strength of Naughty Dog since the original release. These details reflect an effort to please both purists and newcomers entering the world of The Last of Us via PC.

• Support for DLSS 3 and FSR 3.1: Enhances performance at high resolutions.
• DualSense integration: Adaptive triggers and enhanced vibration.
• Accessible settings: Runs well on mid-range PCs without ray tracing.

A narrative that still divides opinions

The story of The Last of Us Part II remains its greatest strength and, simultaneously, its most controversial aspect. Set in a world ravaged by the Cordyceps fungus, the plot explores themes like revenge, redemption, and the costs of violence. Ellie, now 19, leaves the safety of Jackson after a brutal attack kills someone close to her, sparking an unrelenting quest for justice. Abby, introduced as an initial antagonist, gains depth throughout the game, emerging as a protagonist as complex as Ellie. Naughty Dog’s decision to alternate between their perspectives was the bold narrative choice that polarized players in 2020.

Years later, reactions remain intense. While some praise the courage of Neil Druckmann, director and writer, in subverting expectations, others criticize the excessive brutality and character decisions. The remastered version doesn’t alter the storyline, but director’s commentary, available as an extra, provides a behind-the-scenes dive, explaining the intent behind each choice. The Brazilian Portuguese dubbing, retained from the original, remains flawless, with voices capturing the raw emotion of the narrative.

What’s new in the remaster

The transition to PC brings more than just technical upgrades. The No Return mode, a new roguelike feature, adds replayability, challenging players to survive randomized scenarios with Ellie, Abby, and other characters like Bill and Marlene, unlocked in a recent update. Each run offers rewards like exclusive skins, expanding customization. Cut levels from the original campaign, now playable, reveal discarded segments that enrich the experience without altering the main plot.

Visually, the remaster enhances what was already stunning. Seattle’s dense vegetation, the details of the infected, and characters’ facial expressions come alive with high-resolution textures. Gustavo Santaolalla’s soundtrack, complemented by a guitar composition mode, reinforces the melancholic atmosphere. For fans, these extras justify a revisit, while newcomers get a definitive version of the game.

A standout technical adaptation

Unlike the port of The Last of Us Part I, which demanded up to 11 GB of VRAM at high settings, Part II Remastered is leaner. At 1080p with max settings, it uses about 8 GB of video memory, making it viable for popular cards like the RTX 3060. Graphical bugs, though rare, appear sporadically but don’t detract from the experience. Stability impresses, with fast load times and consistent performance even in intense action scenes.

Nixxes also addressed past accessibility issues. Beyond controller support, the game retains options like adjustable subtitles and visual assistance, solidifying its commitment to inclusion. The addition of four new maps in No Return mode, released with the port, expands multiplayer possibilities, though the focus remains on the solo campaign.

The cultural impact of Ellie and Abby

Since its launch, The Last of Us Part II has transcended gaming. The HBO series, adapting the first game, is gearing up for its second season based on this title, slated for 2025. The franchise’s popularity is evident in the numbers: the original sold over 10 million copies by 2022, and the PS5 remaster was exceeding expectations before its PC leap. The duality of Ellie and Abby fuels debates on forums and social media, keeping the story relevant.

The PC release broadens this reach. Platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store report high pre-sale demand, with an initial price of R$ 199.90, affordable for a AAA title. The modding community is already exploring the game, promising customizations like themed skins and gameplay tweaks that could extend its lifespan.

Timeline of the journey to PC

The path of The Last of Us Part II to computers followed a deliberate plan:

• June 2020: Original launch on PS4.
• January 2024: Remaster debuts on PS5.
• December 2024: Official PC port announcement at The Game Awards.
• April 2025: Arrival on Steam and Epic Games Store with updates.

This timeline reflects Sony’s effort to refine the experience, avoiding past mistakes and delivering a polished product.

A post-pandemic world in detail

Seattle, the game’s main setting, captivates with its faithful recreation of a ruined city. Vegetation overtakes abandoned buildings, while factions like the WLF (Washington Liberation Front) and Seraphites vie for territory. Vertical exploration, with jumps and rope mechanics, adds depth to gameplay, granting access to previously unreachable areas. The combat system, brutal and strategic, demands stealth and improvisation, with weapons ranging from knives to powerful rifles.

The infected, like Runners and Clickers, remain terrifying, with enhanced AI reacting to sound and light. The constant tension between humans and monsters mirrors the desperation of a world where survival is the sole goal. Each encounter tests players’ skills, balancing action and narrative.

Why revisit The Last of Us Part II

For those who played on PS4 or PS5, the PC remaster offers a refreshed experience. No Return mode introduces unpredictable challenges, while graphical upgrades highlight subtle details, like wear on Ellie’s clothes or Abby’s scars. Playing on ultrawide monitors or with refresh rates above 60 Hz boosts immersion beyond what consoles offer.

Newcomers, meanwhile, get a complete package. The roughly 25-hour campaign blends cinematic storytelling with refined gameplay, while extras add dozens of hours of content. The Brazilian dubbing, featuring voices like Luiza Caspary as Ellie, retains the quality that won over fans at launch.

Curiosities that enrich the experience

The production of The Last of Us Part II involved fascinating details:

• Motion capture used over 2,000 hours of real actor recordings.
• Seattle was recreated based on real photos and maps of the city.
• No Return mode drew inspiration from roguelikes like Hades and Returnal.
• Santaolalla’s score won a Grammy in 2021.

These elements showcase Naughty Dog’s care in crafting a work that transcends entertainment, leaving a mark on the gaming industry.

A milestone in AAA gaming

The arrival of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC reinforces its status as one of the decade’s greatest titles. Its blend of bold narrative, engaging gameplay, and top-tier production keeps it a benchmark among AAA games. Nixxes’ adaptation proves Sony has learned from its mistakes, delivering a port that honors the original’s legacy while expanding it to new audiences.

Ellie and Abby, with their intertwined journeys, continue to move and provoke. The brutality of revenge, the weight of choices, and the search for humanity in a broken world resonate in every scene. On PC, this story gains new life, ready to captivate a generation of players who can now explore Jackson, Seattle, and beyond with unprecedented freedom.