Naughty Dog has released a surprise update forThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredthat adds a novel “Chronological Experience” mode, a brand-new way to experience the game’s story. Available now on both PS5 and PC, the feature arrives as part of a free update that also includes bonus content and gameplay tweaks forThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.
WhenThe Last of Us Part 2first launched in 2020, its complex, non-linear storytelling format attracted both criticism and praise in enormous quantities.The Last of Us Part 2plays a lot with time and chronology, alternating between protagonists Ellie and Abby and weaving in emotionally charged flashbacks. This structure was central toNaughty Dog’s storytelling philosophy forThe Last of Us Part 2, designed to maximize the emotional impact of character revelations and thematic beats.
However, some fans have long wondered what the experience would be like if it unfolded linearly, and others even findThe Last of Us Part 2’s storydifficult to follow due to this exact approach. Naughty Dog has now catered to them with the new Chronological Experience mode inThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s latest update on PS5 and PC, which restructures the game’s story so thatevents unfold from beginning to end in timeline order. Players will now see Joel gift Ellie her guitar before she learns to play, and follow the events in Seattle with a clearer understanding of how closely Ellie and Abby’s paths cross.
Alongside the Chronological Mode, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Adds Uncharted-Inspired Cosmetics
Collaboratively developed by Naughty Dog and porting experts Nixxes Software, Chronological Experience is touted as a “fascinating new way” to enjoyThe Last of Us Part 2’s story, withnew trophies for completing the game in this modeas well. Additionally, the update enhancesThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s roguelike No Return modeby introducing two new character skins, which come from none other than theUnchartedseries. Players can now equip Joel with Nathan Drake’s iconic blue Henley shirt, shoulder holster, and brown pants, while Tommy receives an outfit styled after Sam Drake. Numerous bug fixes and performance improvements across PS5 and PC are also included in the update.
Interestingly, Naughty Dog has cautioned first-timeThe Last of Us Part 2players against jumping straight into the remaster’s Chronological Experience mode, and instead recommends experiencing the game’s story “as was originally developed.” This, then, is purely for the fans who are well-acquainted withThe Last of Us Part 2’s story, and it should be interesting to see what they think of everything unfolding chronologically. While the surprise update forThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredis more than welcome, there’s quite a lot of anticipation bubbling aroundIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Naughty Dog’s next game. With the studio celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, only time will tell if it drops somenew details aboutIntergalactic: The Heretic Prophetover the coming months.
