The Last of Us 2 offers a "smorgasbord" of new additions in its attempt to bring players back

GamesActionThe Last of Us 2The Last of Us 2 offers a “smorgasbord” of new additions in its attempt to bring players backWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesActionThe Last of Us 2The Last of Us 2 offers a “smorgasbord” of new additions in its attempt to bring players backWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: SIE) GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January. Game director Matthew Gallant describes No Return as something of an “arcade mode” for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. Far from a description of tone, however – No Return remains just as grounded as the original game – that’s a note on how No Return is “consciously decoupled” fromNaughty Dog’s narrative canon. “We spent a lot of time on the original game really tightly coupling what was happening mechanically and what was happening in the combat so that you were carried on this journey, and you were feeling what that character was feeling. We knew we couldn’t impart that same narrative connection in this mode.” Grounded (Image credit: Sony) That narrative is, of course, found in the main story of The Last of Us 2 Remastered, which has been given a visual overhaul. While it might be missing from No Return, the intensity of The Last of Us Part 2’s combat remains ever present. One developer has already warned players thatthe roguelike is “not recommended for weak hearts” due to how “stressful” this permadeath spin is. You can go back and replay the encounters, but at a certain point you will play those encounters every way they can be played and you’ll have optimized your strategies around them." With No Return, Naughty Dog wants to shake those players up," to shock them, to make them think on their feet, to choose strategies or items or weapons that maybe they didn’t use as much when they played the story." Look to the Light (Image credit: Naughty Dog) But this game is not just its roguelike mode - it’s the re-release of a story that’s not yet four years old, and there have been questions about how necessary a remaster is. In response to that, Gallant suggests the sheer volume of content available in this enhanced version will draw all kinds of players in: “I think there’s going to be a lot of players who are interested in the next-gen tech upgrade, he says. “For players for whom that isn’t a draw, that’s where we have this kind of smorgasbord of other features that I think different people are going to be drawn to.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more That includes the Lost Levels - three missions cut from the original game but now playable in their pre-release state. It includes developer commentary attached to both that cut content and the main game “Even for the music lovers out there, we have a guitar free-play mode,” he adds. “So overall there’s a lot of different things that I think will find different audiences, and hopefully everyone finds something that they like.” And the story itself remains its own “incredible” draw. Whether players are returning to it for the first time in years, or coming to the game for the first time, Gallant says “I think they’ll find it’s a rich story with lots of detail, and it’s well worth replaying.” RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. RELATED:The Last of Us 2 Remastered is one of thesix PS5 exclusives that should be on your radar in 2024– click the link to discover the rest. 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ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal 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