With the reveal of The Last of Us Part 1 remake at Summer Game Fest 2022, many fans are rightfully wondering what the differences might be between that and The Last of Us Remastered for PS4. Given that the original game has already been upgraded once from PS3 to PS4 and that there are many options to obtain The Last of Us Remastered for free or at a very low cost through PSN, it is a tough sell to ask consumers to pay a full $70 for what might seem to be just a graphical update.
The Last of Us Part 1 vs. Remastered: Changes between PS4 and PS5 versions
So then is this upcoming remake really worth it? Well, here’s a list of announced changes the game will have to the PS4 remaster to help you make that decision by the time The Last of Us Part 1 arrives on September 2, 2022.
Improved Graphics
According to Naughty Dog’s official PlayStation blog post, the remake for PS5 will leverage the console’s hardware for “modernized gameplay, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options.” This includes implementation of 3D Audio, haptics, and adaptive triggers thanks to the PS5 DualSense controller. Posted above is just one example of the promised enhanced visual fidelity between the two games. It’s unclear what the “expanded accessibility options” will be, but if it’s anything like those in The Last of Us Part II, there will be additional settings for alternate controls, navigation, motion sickness, and vision, hearing, and motor presets.
PC Version in Development
That said, if you’re looking for an even greater potential for enhanced graphics, then you will want to wait for the PC release of The Last of Us Part 1. No release date has been announced for it yet, but both the blog post and the trailer confirm that it is “in development.” Apart from using the PS Now app on PC, The Last of Us Remastered is not officially available to be played on that platform.
Standalone Multiplayer Game
Naughty Dog has revealed that The Last of Us Part 1 will not have Factions multiplayer at all. It would have been easy to copy the mode over to the PS5 with shinier graphics, but the studio is building up to “something much larger than a mode.”
Instead, it will follow through with a “full-scale, standalone game” that will act as a spiritual successor to the popular multiplayer mode from both the original The Last of Us and its enhanced version in The Last of Us Remastered. In fact, this new game is such “an extremely ambitious undertaking” that the developer has expanded its studio significantly in order to build “its massive scope and immense world.” Naughty Dog promises to reveal more details about this newest multiplayer entry into the franchise at a later time.
By contrast, the Factions multiplayer for The Last of Us Remastered on PS4 is still going relatively strong for a mode that came with the game when it released on July 2014 in North America. So if you’re looking for a tried-and-true multiplayer mode in the franchise, you may want to stick with the PS4 remaster until we know more about this standalone game.
Prices, Bundles, and Editions
At the time of this writing, The Last of Us Remastered for PS4 is only priced at $19.99 on the PSN store. That’s already a great deal. Better yet, the game is included for free in the PS Plus Collection if you are a PS Plus subscriber on PS5. Even with the recent revamp that introduces the new Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers, this Collection has remained intact. And as already mentioned, the game comes included with a PS Extra or Premium subscription, which PS4 owners will appreciate.
If you’re looking for the Steelbook edition for the PS4 remaster, though, you probably won’t find it in stock. That said, The Last of Us Part 1 remake for PS5 will be available in three new editions, each with a different mix of bonuses and collectibles. First you have the no-frills Standard Edition ($69.99 USD MSRP). The Digital Deluxe Edition ($79.99) comes with several unlockables out of the gate including increased crafting speed and healing speed skills, some weapon upgrades, and a speedrun mode. The Firefly Edition ($99.99 USD) is available only through PlayStation Direct and comes with everything in the Digital Deluxe as well as a SteelBook display case and the first four comics for The Last of Us: American Dreams with alternate cover art.
All told, there looks to be enough features here for The Last of Us Part 1 to warrant another remastering for certain audiences, but it’s understandable if you think this remake is largely unnecessary.
For more guides, you can check whether The Last of Us Part 1 for PS5 is free if you own The Last of Us Remastered, and whether you should get the Standard or Firefly Edition of the game.
