The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered PC Review – A Properly Optimized Port Worth the Wait

After the rocky PC launch of The Last of Us Part 1, Sony returns with The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC—and this time, they’ve clearly done their homework. Our review of the The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC breaks down everything from performance metrics and graphics settings to control options and potential limitations, providing a comprehensive look at whether this port is worth the investment for PC gamers.

This port delivers Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed sequel to PC players with impressive optimization, thoughtful graphics options, and excellent controller support. The narrative-driven masterpiece performs remarkably well on mid-range systems, offering a smooth experience that was sorely missing from Sony’s previous PC port efforts.

Before diving into the PC-specific details, it’s worth briefly discussing what makes The Last of Us Part 2 special. As one of Sony’s final major exclusives before the PlayStation 5 era, this sequel to the beloved original takes players on an emotionally challenging journey through the perspectives of Ellie and Abby. Naughty Dog’s talent for crafting premium single-player experiences shines through with stunning visuals, powerful storytelling, exceptional voice acting, and intense gameplay that keeps players on edge throughout.

For newcomers, it’s worth noting that this is a direct sequel with significant story developments that build on the original game. Players unfamiliar with the first installment would benefit from experiencing The Last of Us Part 1 (also available on PC) before diving into this sequel.

PC Performance

Testing was conducted on a system with the following specifications:

• Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
• 32GB RAM @3600MHz
• AMD Radeon RX 6800 GPU
• 1440p Monitor

Unlike The Last of Us Part 1’s disastrous PC launch—plagued by stuttering, low framerates, and frequent crashes—Part 2 Remastered runs surprisingly well. Using the High preset without any upscaling, the game maintains around 65 FPS, which is more than adequate for a story-focused experience. This demonstrates excellent optimization that doesn’t rely heavily on upscaling technologies.

When implementing AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), performance improves further:

• FSR Quality: 75 FPS
• FSR Ultra Performance: 77 FPS
• FSR Quality + Frame Generation: 130 FPS

The relatively small difference between Quality and Ultra Performance settings suggests diminishing returns at higher upscaling levels. For the best balance of visuals and performance, FSR Quality mode is recommended, as Ultra Performance can introduce noticeable blurriness.

One of the standout features is AMD’s Frame Generation implementation, which provides substantial framerate improvements without introducing significant input lag—a common issue in other titles. Combined with AMD Anti-Lag, the experience remains responsive even with this feature enabled.

Graphics Settings

The port deserves special recognition for its detailed graphics settings menu. Each option comes with clear explanations of how it impacts GPU, VRAM, or CPU usage—an invaluable feature for PC gamers looking to optimize performance based on their specific hardware configuration. This level of transparency isn’t common in PC ports and demonstrates a thoughtful approach to the platform.

However, one notable drawback is the shader compilation process. Unlike many PC games that compile shaders before gameplay begins, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered compiles them during gameplay, particularly when transitioning between cutscenes. This can interrupt the flow of the experience and creates unnecessary delays that could have been handled during initial loading.

It’s also worth noting that the game remains CPU-intensive. Players with older or lower-end processors (Ryzen 3, Intel Core i3, or older generations) may experience bottlenecking and stuttering regardless of their GPU power, as the game relies more heavily on processor performance.

Controller Support

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC offers full DualSense controller support, bringing the PlayStation 5 experience to PC players. The implementation of Adaptive Triggers adds tactile resistance when using different weapons—rifles feel appropriately heavier than pistols, enhancing combat immersion significantly.

The haptic feedback is equally impressive, delivering nuanced vibrations that respond to various in-game actions. From melee combat impacts to the rhythmic sensation of horseback riding and subtle feedback when falling, these tactile elements help draw players deeper into the game world.

For those who prefer mouse and keyboard, the default control scheme is intuitive and comfortable. Button mapping feels natural and optimized, providing a solid alternative for players without a DualSense controller. It’s worth mentioning that a PlayStation Network (PSN) login is entirely optional for The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC. The only benefit to linking accounts is access to extra cosmetic skins for No Return mode, making this one of the less restrictive Sony PC ports in terms of account requirements.

Verdict

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered represents a significant improvement over Sony’s previous PC porting efforts. The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even without heavy reliance on upscaling technologies. The detailed graphics settings menu empowers players to fine-tune performance based on their hardware, while the excellent DualSense implementation provides console-level immersion for those with compatible controllers.

Despite these strengths, the mid-gameplay shader compilation and CPU-heavy performance requirements prevent this from being a perfect PC port. Players with older processors may still experience performance issues regardless of their graphics card capabilities.

Overall, for those who have been waiting to experience Naughty Dog’s emotional sequel on PC, this remastered version delivers a solid, well-optimized experience that respects the platform while maintaining the qualities that made the original release so acclaimed.

Played on PC

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