The Last of Us 2 Remastered Director Doesn't Get Fan 'Consternation' Surrounding Re-Release

I take it they are mad cause they want a new game rather than a remaster of the last game you released.

When are they gonna remaster Way of the Warrior?

The could have brought bigger visual improvements. If we compare Remaster of first entry on PS4, there is big improvement while here you can barely notice

The important question is why we didn't get Part 1 remake for 10 bucks upgrade!

@Vyrn Im fine with a remaster costing 10 bucks if there's additional content like TLOU2 rn and Death Stranding. Otherwise make it free, especially since with PC never having to pay extra for the best quality.

Maybe it's because we have a current gen console and all we seem to get from devs like naughty dog are remasters and remasters of remasters when we really want something new and is not shackled to the last gen consoles tech. I was not too bothered about about the remasters at first but now I'm starting to get really hacked off with the damn things. Time to move on and let the old games be after all that's why we have backwards compatability isn't it?

@Grimwood because it was a remake, not a remaster. Still way too expensive, but I guess that would be their explanation.

We really need to name these "remasters" correctly : they are ports.
Now, arguably, the added content in this "re-release" could put it in the remaster category, but the game itself is not changed at all.

I would suggest :

• a port : no change of assets and gameplay, simply better resolution and fps -> should be free for those already owning the game due to the current easiness of porting a game to another device
• a remaster : modification of assets (better models, better textures, better lighting, etc) but no significant change of gameplay -> should cost 10$/€ for current owners of previous versions
• a remake : modification of assets and noticeable changes in the gameplay (and even the narrative if applicable) -> should cost 40€/$

Prices to be adapted based on the original price of the game.

Then we would stop feeling conned by marketing departments trying to sell us something that demanded so few efforts and budget

They will probably make most money on the 10 dollar upgrade path, i dont see the full price version selling much, the game is bordering 4 years old now, surely anyone that's wants to play has done so by now

Just goes to show how out of touch these companies are getting

It's the internet and people don't tend to go on the internet to shout about their indifference.
I have the game on the PS4 in my backlog so not really concerned about it but $10 for shinier graphics and some extra levels which could be viewed as DLC seems OK to me.

If Sony (and Naughty Dog) were releasing lots of other stuff for PS5, I'd assume the general feeling around remasters would be better. But apart from Insomniac's output, everything recently seems to be remasters and live-service crap, with little truly new content coming. Like, what is the point of a PS5 right now, other than as a PS4 Pro Pro? There's not a lot of brand new stuff to play.

I dunno.

This one isn't for me anyway so I'm alway gonna have a view of it that it's not worth it (to me) regardless. I was a huge fan of the first, was bored to tears with the second.

But I don't think we need to be doing this for games that are less than 5 years old, even 10 years old.

Take the Resident Evil Remakes. Those I was willing to spend money on, a complete redo of the games, better controls, better graphics, changes here and there to bring them more in line with today standards.

Fantastic Remakes, (even though 3 is meh), worth the money.

This, even for £10, just isn't worth it to me.

I also don't like the definitive way to play arguement. I mean yeah, it's right, obviously, but they can easily trot this out when we hit the PS7 and we are on the 3rd remaster of TLOU 2... Only another £15 if you had the PS4, 5 and 6 version!

I meeean he's right..I don't have to buy this (but I will) and no one who's played this game back on PS4 has to buy it again $10 or not BUT for brand new players to PS ecosystem then yeah one of the best games enhanced and brand new

Just a shame that one of the most highly regarded first party developers are now known for cash in remasters and failed live service games

For an £8 upgrade with an amazing looking Rouguelike, I don't see the problem.

It's probably more to do with this series having so many remasters, but this particular remaster has some decent additional features and can be picked up for a good price.

However, I'd like ND to make something new or get to work on the next Uncharted.

Is it necessary? Not really but it's also only $10 if you already own it and does at least have some new content to make that a fair price and not really something to get annoyed about.

People are just starved for something not TLOU1 or TLOU2 related from ND. That's all.

@themightyant Or people are just tired of Sony putting out 3,652,383 remasters/remakes. It’s like 1/3 of their first party catalogue this gen, maybe more.

I think its just a combination of stuff. If sonys first party output had been better since launch and there communication had been better I don't think it would be such a big deal. Sonys first party output apart from returnal has been mainly seqeuls and remakes/remasters so I think its a bit of fatigue and people thinking Sony in general have no new ideas.

If they also at some point over the last couple of years showed what Naughty dog were working on (could just be a 30 second teaser) that would of eased a lot of the negativity as well

@themightyant No one said you had to buy them. It’s just getting old that they put out so many. It’s just not just bad optics, it’s just bad period IMO. It’s obviously just a way for them to milk more money from fans.

What graphical enhancements? Don't get me wrong, I'm not bothered by them releasing this but let's not pretend that it isn't basically identical to playing the PS4 version on a PS5.

Plenty of other games have had PS5 versions release for free and games like Cyberpunk have given me way more significant upgrades on PC without charging me a penny

Well I'm just gonna pay my 10 quid and enjoy my time again with the game ,a tenner is nothing these days ,I personally think its value for money ,people just like moaning about nothing,don't buy it..buy it..thats your choice.

The thing is, I don't remember Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut being called one of the console's major releases the year it came out.

@carlos82 the cyberpunk upgrade was also free on ps5 ,poor example.

I wonder if people would be less against this if it wasn't called a "Remaster" and something more along the lines of "GOTY" or "Deluxe" Edition?

To me, the word remaster sounds like it should be a bigger upgrade visually or a game that isn't already playable on the PS5. But I'll definitely be upgrading for £10, been wanting to replay this for ages.

As someone who hadn’t played the first game when I bought a PS4, I bought the remaster there and was very grateful it existed. So I understand the guy’s point. And for those who have played it on PS4 but want to play it again on PS5, £10 seems more than reasonable to me.

It's the 'Remaster' in the title. Nothing more. Ghost had a somewhat controversial Directors Cut for 10$ that had no meaningful content added. Horizon 2 and GoW 2 had freebie upgrades. TLOU2 was leaked and then skewered alive by overreacting streamers for how greedy the company is 'this and that'. Most of this is just taking cheap shots at Naughty Dog for having no major releases in nearly 4 years and dissatisfaction in some way or other with the company. It's a lot of smoke really.

I think it is fine for them to put this out, will be great for people who have not played it yet. I am not picking this up, I played it and got the plat when it was on PlayStation Now. Still one of the best games I have ever played, but I will wait to play again when it hits PS Plus.

This is a remaster in name only. They did not remaster anything. They ported it to Ps5 with a little extra content. It's not even a remaster, Digital Foundry confirmed it's exactly the same. This guy comes across as completely out of touch

All labeled wrong to help also justify the prices, TLOU1 was a Remaster and not a Remake, TLOUP2 is simply a PS5 Port/Directors Cut and not a Remaster.

I pre-ordered it yesterday. On the back of having bought the original TLOU (PS3 2013), the remaster of that (PS4 2014), the remake of that (PS5 2022) and the original sequel (PS4 2020).

I love Naughty Dog games and feel like my money is well invested. I've replayed both games multiple times. It's up to each person to decide whether their money is well spent on these remasters/remakes, but it is not up to anyone to tell me, or any other person, where I should spend my money. Especially if I feel it's warranted.

In saying that, though, I do think it's time for ND to show us what else they're working on. The multiplayer project got cancelled and they have to move on swiftly. And we need to see what's on the way, even if it's going to take a while to come out. I think it's warranted after the cancellation.

I'm not going to complain to the developer about it. I have no interest in the extra content that was added so I won't be paying the $10 upgrade free - though I do think, in this case, the $10 is warranted as new modes were added.

If ND simply provided the base game with 2 new graphics modes and still asked for an upgrade fee, I'd tell them to pound sand - especially when plenty of other publishers/developers provided free upgrades for shinier graphics.

However, when I think about what Square Enix did with Final Fantasy VII Remake (provide a free upgrade for the base game, but then charged for the Intergrade content), it is a little annoying what Sony is doing.

I was a pretty annoyed after I paid $30 when the Ghost of Tsushima expansion came out to get the PS5 version and there was absolutely no difference between running the game via backwards compatibility and playing the PS5 native version. I should have just paid $20 for the DLC instead.

It is interesting because I was reading a community post on PS Access's YouTube channel and the comments were mostly pretty negative which is surprising because their comment section is normally very Pro PS and positive.
Imo I think PS players have reached a tipping point with all these remasters, GaaS and lack of a showcase/roadmap.
It is going to be interesting if the Horizon remaster is true because that will really cause a scene.

With regards to the TLoU2 remaster, I actually think a £10 upgrade is okay whereas the Part1 remake I did consider a cash grab.

Once through the murder simulator was enough. That story is not something to revisit, still dwelling on the fruitless tale of revenge.

The issue is TLOU2 is a franchise killer that falsely advertised the game by implying Joel would be on a trip with you (Ellie) through out the game but that turned out to be a lie as they kill off Joel very early on in one of the dumbest ways possible when he foolishly shares his real identity with a stranger that is very good at swinging a golf club. The game is visually stunning but the story is crap compared to the first game and they killed off the one character people loved so they could simply force you to play as two female characters, one of which nobody likes, and by the end of the game Ellie did all that stuff to avenge Joel and then she’s too weak to off his killer, making all the people she killed and the friends she lost pointless. Angry Joes review is perfect and highlights just how bad this game is and I’d much rather spend my $10 towards something that is worth playing.

Naughty Dog has the worst PR/communications team. Someone tell these MFs to stop talking already

Look, part of this Remaster is a *.ini file that changes LOD and shadow res.
The other part is completely unaware of the games own message about violence and violent actions.
The whole point of the game is about revenge and brutalitty, then they release a remaster with a game mode that turns violence fun???!!!

Let's be real here its a minority that is crying about it. I have to real this is a small piece of the gaming community here. Plus you all know hardcore community will never be pleased no matter what you do.

@Darth_Stofi Well, the original TLoU was a ps3 game. The PS4 version was just rereleased ps3 version at 1080p. A total remake wasn't necessary for part 2.

@Phelaidar It's a game mode totally detached from the main game. It's not like Valhalla which furthers the story

Could people stop using spoilers in their in their rants there are people that have not played the game even if it's old hide your spoilers of the story please.

I'm not surprised they're trying to get more money from TLoU2. It sold less than half the units as TLoU1 (across both PS3 and PS4, not counting the PS5 remaster), and if they can re-release it at a modest additional investment to try and get a few more million units sold, then why not. The upgrade path seems very fair to those who already have it for the new features, and new fans of TLoU coming off the back of the HBO show and the release of Part 1 Remastered will be getting a lot of video game for the full price.

@themightyant They get to do minimal work for more profit on a game they already sold, that’s for sure milking it for more money. They’re really good at this and yes it’s good business for them. I don’t understand why it’s not OK for people to voice their opinion that they are sick of these. I guess people should just be silent when they’re not in agreement.

It annoys the hell out of me because they are rereleasing a game that is their latest new release. It’s stupid as hell and they aren’t getting even 10$ from me for it.

Because I want a new game to play Neil, not one that will soon be 4 years old.

@themightyant you're talking too much sense in this comment section.

I find myself thinking of the Ricky Gervais joke about guitar lessons increasingly often when checking comment sections of late.

ND and Sony are charging full price for a remaster that looks almost identical to the PS4 Pro version game. This is a cash grab. Buying the ps4 version used and just paying the $10 “upgrade” is a better investment. That’s why people are upset.

The consternation doesn't make sense.

This is the perfect explanation:

"If you’re a new PlayStation owner and new to the franchise we want to get you the best experience with all the hardware features on a PS5 native version of the game. My sense is there’s an audience for this for whom the idea of a PS5 version is thrilling. I’m also speaking for myself. I’m excited we can bring this to the fans, and if it’s not for everyone, that’s fine."

Pretty simple: you haven't had an original idea in over a decade or put out new content in 4 years (which is fine in terms of longer dev times) . Yet in that time you have cashed in on recycled content now three times. Alongside all of that ND put years of dev time into a now failed live service scheme.

It's that simple. You can excuse make for ND all you want, but you are downright delusional if you think the above hasn't greatly affected the timeline of new projects. It's one thing to release a smaller project to add revenue during longer dev cycles. But 3 in 4 years?! Come the F on...

It's becoming somewhat clearer this is all part of a larger recycled content cash grab business plan from Sony studios as is a trend in the industry as a whole.

Eh, I agree with him but we should reintroduce him to the internet, apparently.

Nobodies forcing you to buy a remaster. Don't want it. Don't buy it. Remasters are not holding up new games. They have different teams for different projects. They only develop so many new projects simultaneously, and there's only so much development money to create new projects. A remasters requires low investment and is only drawing a minimal amount of resources while new titles are in early development drawing most of the in-studio focus. Remasters are likely resource management to ensure that all team members are working on developing something that is contributing to making a profit, while newer titles are finding their footing. Remasters are efficient and capitalize on the long-tail profits that an IP can generate, and those profits keep studios in business and fund future games. If there's a market for a remaster a developer would be crazy not to make and miss capitalizing on the demand. Every other media type does this. From movies to music.

@KundaliniRising333 They have no obligation to continue serving you, me, or anyone else with “original ideas.” They either will or they won’t. If they do, it’ll be on their own terms/timeline.

If that upsets or annoys you, you’re entitled to feel that way. It still doesn’t make them any more obligated. Sorry.

@ijulianvel never said they were obligated to do anything one way or the other. I merely commented with my opinions on why the consternation mentioned in the article surrounding these releases may exist. It's Not a conversation that is unique to ND either. There are many that are very tired with the growing trend of rereleasing content to widen the potential profit margin.

With 3 recycled content releases in the last 42 months, it really isn't hard to see why some would be disappointed by that even if you aren't right?

There is more to being "The best way to play" something. Your update delta is not strong enough to justify the remaster or the price tag being offered. This just reeks of deeper problems as Naughty Dog should be releasing a new game right now, instead they are rereleasing their old games, remaking their old games, not even their older more deserving games, because the Delta just isn't there (though TLoU's remake is pretty good and I can justify it over the PS4 remaster, the question of it being needed right now is certainly containing merit).

So that's why. If he can't grasp that fact, then he probably should stay way from Directing remasters and remakes.

granted upgrading is 10 bucks to a Digital copy that requires a disc, but fans of the franchise who aren't digital aren't paying 10 dollars. They are paying full price. There is no disc trade in program. They want a physical copy. The digital audience might see less of an issue, but you're asking 10 dollars that as far as they are concerned should be free, because the delta doesn't justify 10 bucks. Being definitive, doesn't make your newest version that much better.

Seriously, is someone messing with the water in California, why are all these people at Sony saying stupid nonsensical things like this.

@KundaliniRising333 Oh, I totally understand your disappointment and the trend is rife in film, tv, gaming, and even books. It also tends to be cyclical and this isn’t the first or last time we’ll see this type of output. It’s not always a bad thing but I can see how it gets tiring. However, we will still see our fair share of original ideas in the coming years. Some expected. Some unexpected.

As for this PS5 “remaster,” it was only a matter of time and I’ve been waiting for it despite having played the PS4 original multiple times in its PS4 and PS5-compatible iterations. TLOU is my go-to series for replayability at this point so that’s my bias.

I’m grateful for a native PS5 experience, but I will likewise be disappointed if this is all we hear from ND this year aside from additional news about TLOU S2 on HBO.

@AdamNovice Iki Island was available on PS4. The PS5 Directors Cut was an odd upgrade which, according to Digital Foundry, was in some ways a downgrade for PS5.

Funny thing about using the Remaster title. You can only use it or Remake once and get some commercial success.

Or Rebirth...
Or Reimagining.
Or Regurgitated....

@Nem and the game doesn't really do enough to earn the word "Remaster". It's closer to a Director's Cut.

Calling the game a Remaster when it looks mostly the same with a small bump in resolution is kinda disingenuous at best.

@Grimwood Money. Part 1 was more popular so they gotta milk that money from the fanboys who will buy it anyway.

Doesn't take a genius to realise that the TV series got everybody excited about the Last Of Us, release a remaster of The Last Of Us 2 before season 2 of The Last Of Us is nothing but a cash grab from Naughty Dog 🫤🫤🫤

Don't get me wrong, I love the Last Of Us but the constant remasters need the stop, Make new games OR DLC/ add ons for the games

@themightyant
Thanks for your insight grounded in reality!

@Nem You mean a remaster of the remaster of course.
Its their IP and their money to make; but I can't help but think they could have done so much more with their time and money.

If people stopped buying them, they'd stop making them. But people can't resist.

@Bunchesopuppies right? This game is straight up torture porn. It seems to delight in the pain and suffering it inflicts on its characters and the player. I honestly felt gross after playing it and never finished it.

Full disclosure: I was a huge fan of the first game, so not finishing part2 was kind of a big deal to me.

There’s just no pleasing some people…

@TIEMs I reluctantly finished it, the revenge plot just gets tired after awhile, but the game never shies away from it. Thankfully I don’t think we’ll see the Ellie and Abby story continue as the story concluded.

@NotSoCryptic

Even if you were to get only get a couple hours of game play from the NO Return mode, it's still a deal for $10. Gaming has some of the best "value" when measuring cost per hour of entertainment. I may one of the few that would agree with where it seems Rockstar is heading with pricing for GTA6. I'd be that baby's pappy for $99 easy, if it has 20 hours + of quality game play. $5 per hour is value to me.