Is The Last of Us Part 2 worth playing in 2025?

The Last of Us Part 2 is an experience worth replaying in 2025, owing to its gripping gameplay and compelling narrative. Director Neil Druckmann has always been intrigued by how humans react to certain tragedies, and this controversial sequel has taken beloved characters down a dark path that hardcore fans should at least experience once.

Naughty Dog took a risk with this project, and the initial reaction to it was mixed, to say the least. Regardless of where fans stand about the plot, this should not shroud other desirable aspects introduced by the game developer. The Last of Us is one of those franchises that will be remembered for evoking certain reactions, with the sequel still being talked about to this day.

Disclaimer: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.

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The Last of Us Part 2 is not the story most fans expected

This project was an emotional rollercoaster, and then some (Image via Naughty Dog)

After the thought-provoking ending of The Last of Us Part 1, the gaming community anticipated a sequel was not far behind. Naughty Dog ended the first game on a cliffhanger, and while some would argue it did not need a sequel, the developers felt differently.

Director Neil Druckmann enlisted co-writer Halley Gross to pen the story, and the duo made history. Sony Interactive Entertainment supported Druckmann's creative decisions to replicate the first game's success; however, the director did not only want to surpass it but to take the audience on an emotional journey through The Last of Us Part 2.

Introducing Abby into the mix was a bold move (Image via Naughty Dog)

Fans expected this title to continue the blossoming relationship between Joel and Ellie; however, it was the opposite after Abby came into the picture. Joel was a hardened survivor who had to make tough decisions to get his hands dirty and survive, while Ellie was an innocent kid with a sailor's mouth coming to terms with her immunity as a potential cure.

The sequel could have been simple; however, if game developers played it safe and gave the fans what they wanted, it would not challenge the players' sensibilities. Regardless of what people think about Abby and her actions, she is an integral character to the franchise moving forward.

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The No Return mode flexed the best part of the game

If the narrative isn't for you, No Return is all about the combat and gameplay mechanics (Image via Naughty Dog)

The Last of Us Part 2 was remastered for the PlayStation 5 in 2024. Naughty Dog took advantage of the haptic triggers on the DualSense controller and improved the image quality for a smoother gaming experience. Other than remastering the entire story, the developers included a new game mode called No Return, a creative spin on the rogue-lite genre.

Players can select a handful of characters, including Joel, in each run. The goal is to survive 6 randomized encounters with limited resources and to fight another day. No Return features four different game modes:

• Assault - Players must survive multiple waves of enemies.
• Holdout - In this game mode, players must hold the line until the timer runs out.
• Hunted - Instead of being the hunter, the players will be the prey and must survive.
• Capture - Players must cut down enemy guards defending a safe of resources.

Other interesting additions in the remastered version are cosmetic items that can be used during The Last of Us Part 2 campaign and a guitar-free mode. Players can select Ellie, Joel, or Gustavo Santaolalla, the composer of The Last of Us franchise, to immerse in a realistic guitar simulation.

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The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is heading to PC

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered is no longer a PlayStation exclusive (Image via Naughty Dog)

The game will turn five years old in late 2025 and has only been available on the PlayStation 4 and 5. Naughty Dog ported the remake of The Last of Us Part 1 to PC, and it took a while for the sequel to follow suit. However, the timing is impeccable, especially with the release of the live-action adaptation's second season on HBO.

For those who didn't want to play this title on a PlayStation so they could experience it on their high-end gaming rigs, the time to get into the story of The Last of Us Part 2 is only a few short months away.

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Conclusion

The Last of Us Part 2 may not have been the game most fans expected, but it was the game Naughty Dog wanted to make. Some might argue that the story butchered the characters, and to an extent, they may be right; however, Druckmann had a clear vision for the over-arching story with a third game that might be the final chapter. While the game certainly has its issues, the technical achievements alone are a good reason to revisit this title in 2025.