The Last of Us Part II gets chronological mode and more

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Naughty Dog has just released a free update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered that makes it easier than ever to dive back into the game, especially if you’ve been catching up on HBO’s hit series. 

With Season 2 of the show wrapped up and no Part III on the horizon, the studio has given fans a fresh way to experience Ellie and Abby’s intertwined journeys.

Instead of jumping back and forth in time like the original game, this new mode lines up every cutscene and mission in the exact order events happened. 

You’ll see Abby’s chapters and Ellie’s chapters interleaved, so the story flows straight through from start to finish.

If you ever felt a little lost amid the flashbacks and time skips, Chronological Mode smooths everything out. 

It’s perfect for returning players who want to see the narrative in one continuous timeline, or newcomers who want a clear, linear experience.

The patch also spices up No Return, the game’s roguelike survival mode. It adds brand-new achievements to chase, perfect if you’re into post-game challenges.

You can now dress Joel and his brother Tommy in the outfits of Nathan and Sam Drake from Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series, giving these two emotionally guarded brothers a surprising makeover.

Naughty Dog recommends that first-time players tackle the original version of Part II before jumping into Chronological Mode. 

That way, you’ll experience the story as the developers originally intended, with all its carefully designed surprises.

Chronological Mode arrives at a sweet spot: fans waiting for Season 3 of the HBO series, which will explore more of Abby’s backstory, now have another reason to revisit the game. 

It bridges the gap between seasons by letting you relive every twist and turn in a fresh way.

Co-director and creative director Neil Druckmann will not return as co-lead on Season 3 of the show. 

He’s stepping back from television to focus on Naughty Dog’s upcoming projects, including the newly announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

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