big remaster treatment in January<\/a>, over three years after it was released for PlayStation 4. This updated version leverages the PlayStation 5\u2019s hardware with graphical bells and whistles like native 4K resolution, improved textures, and unlocked framerate. It also adds new interactive goodies, such as developer commentary and previously unplayable lost levels. But the centerpiece of the package\u2019s new offerings is a new mode called No Return.<\/p>\nIn this new roguelite adventure, players choose from one of 10 playable characters, from main stars like Ellie, Abby, and Joel to previously unplayable faces like Tommy, Dina, and Lev, to battle a randomized series of combat encounters. I traveled to Sony Interactive Entertainment\u2019s office in San Mateo, California, to play several rounds of No Return and speak to the director of The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Matthew Gallant, to learn how and why Naughty Dog implemented this surprising addition.<\/p>\n
My initial assumption was that No Return was an idea intended for the original release of The Last of Us Part II that didn\u2019t make the cut. However, Gallant states the mode was conceived after Naughty Dog decided to update the sequel. \u201cWe’re like, okay, we knew we were going to be doing this next-gen upgrade and offering the PS5 improvements and the fidelity and the performance mode, haptics, and all that really great stuff,\u201d says Gallant. \u201cThat was for sure going to be in The Last of Us Part II Remastered, but then we were thinking, \u2018What else would be really great? What would surprise people, delight people, give them something to make this a really robust offering?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n