Naughty Dog has made a new free update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered and has transformed the way players experience the story. With the introduction of chronological mode, players now have the option to follow the narrative events following the exact order in which they occur.
This is a change that promises to directly impact immersion in history. In addition, Update brings new visual rewards and incentives to the franchise veterans, also celebrating the studio's 40th anniversary.
New chronological mode alters the way of experiencing the narrative
Critics and players praised and questioned the nonlinear narrative structure of The Last of Us Part II since its original release. The story alternates between the views of Ellie and Abby, interspersing flashbacks with moments of the present. With the new chronological mode, the player can experience events linearly, which provides a new perspective on the emotional construction of the plot.
According to Naughty Dog, this reorganization reveals more subtle connections between the characters and their ways intertwined in Seattle. Details such as the moment when Ellie gains her guitar and evolution as a musician gain more organic fluidity, while tensions between the two narrative arches become even more evident.
The developer guides the new players to follow the original narrative before experiencing the new mode. The reorganization of events anticipates certain mechanics before tutorials, which can make learning difficult. Chronological mode works only in PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) versions, without compatibility with Speedrun, Permaath, or PlayStation 4 edition.
Uncharted skins and new exclusive trophy in The Last of Us 2 Remastered
Another attraction of the new update is the extra content. In completing the campaign in chronological mode, players unlock two exclusive skins for RogueLike mode on Return, inspired by Uncharted franchise characters. Joel wins a costume based on Nathan Drake (Uncharted 4), while Tommy receives a dress -inspired dress.
The update also includes a new Golden Trophy, entitled “I Willd of It All Over Again”, which is granted to those who finish the campaign in the chronological order. This element adds an extra incentive for achievement hunters to return to the game and explore this new approach to history.
Tribute to Naughty Dog's 40th anniversary
According to the developer herself, the new additions are part of the studio's 40th anniversary celebrations. The choice of skins honors Naughty Dog's legacy, establishing a direct connection between The Last of Us and Uncharted, two of the company's most striking franchises. Although there is no special costume for Abby in this update, the company has made it open the possibility of new future additions.
The new update, identified as version 2.1.0 for PS5 and 1.5 for PC, can already be downloaded for free. The content reaffirms Naughty Dog's commitment to keep The Last of Us 2 alive even years after its original release. For new or old fans, this is an opportunity to revive or reimaginate one of the most impactful narratives of modern games.
