Naughty Dog has rolled out a cool update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered, introducing a brand-new Chronological Mode that offers players a fresh way to experience the game’s powerful narrative.
Now available on PlayStation 5 (Patch 2.1.0) and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store (Patch 1.5), this update also includes performance enhancements and a variety of bug fixes.
It's definitely an exciting time to start a fresh playthrough this way. Let's take a look at what was shared by Naughty Dog!
This article contains minor spoilers.
Table of Contents
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Chronological Mode: A New Perspective on a Beloved Story
Chronological Mode restructures The Last of Us Part II’s time-shifting story into a seamless, linear storyline. Simply said, everything happens chronologically. This allows players to explore character arcs and story moments in a more traditional order, revealing connections that might have been missed in the original structure.
For example, when Ellie gets her guitar, you immediately see her start to learn it, it flows way more naturally. And the way Ellie and Abby’s paths cross in Seattle is shown in a clearer way, making it easier to see just how connected their stories really are.
The transition to a linear format was no easy task, given how carefully the original story was crafted. Developers at Naughty Dog, along with their partners at Nixxes, collaborated closely to fans an experience worth revisiting the game for.
The original story order is still surely the best way for first-time players to experience the game, but for those coming back, Chronological Mode gives a fresh take. It adds a new angle to the story and lets returning fans see the characters and events in a different, maybe even deeper.
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Unlockable Skins & In-Game Rewards
To celebrate this new mode and encourage fans to dive into it, Naughty Dog has added exclusive unlockable rewards for players who complete the narrative in Chronological Mode. These include two special character skins in No Return, the game’s roguelike survival mode:
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Joel wearing Nathan Drake’s outfit (Uncharted)
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Tommy dressed as Sam Drake
These nostalgic nods to Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series come as part of the studio’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, offering a fun crossover for longtime fans.
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Patch Highlights: Performance & Bug Fixes
Alongside Chronological Mode, the latest update delivers several under-the-hood improvements:
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Enhanced performance on both PS5 and PC platforms.
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General bug fixes to improve gameplay stability and responsiveness.
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A Thank You to the Community
Naughty Dog expressed heartfelt gratitude to the The Last of Us community for its continued support. From the release of Part II Remastered on PC and PS5 to the enthusiastic response to the HBO series' second season, the studio is thrilled to be sharing this ongoing journey with fans around the world.
As Naughty Dog continues to celebrate its 40 years in gaming, this update represents not just a technical milestone, but a tribute to the storytelling and creativity that have defined the studio for decades.
Final Thoughts
Some fans have expressed mixed feelings about the new chronological mode.
For many, the brilliance of the original experience lay in its deep psychological focus, how the characters’ emotions really connected with what the player was feeling during the game.
The original nonlinear storytelling really added to the depth and made the whole experience hit harder emotionally. Some players get why others might’ve found that structure confusing or frustrating, but for them, switching to a chronological version could feel like it takes away what made the story so special in the first place.
On the flip side, there are fans who thought the original layout was a bit too messy or hard to follow, and for them, the new mode might feel more straightforward and easier to connect with.
At the end of the day, hey, it's just a mode! Having both options lets players pick the version that clicks best for them, which is a win for everyone.
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