Summary
The roguelike mode included inThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredwill have at least 12 levels, according to a former Naughty Dog employee. This unofficial bit of insight into the upcoming title indicates that thenew gameplay content inThe Last of Us 2 Remasteredwill be even more extensive than its first reveal trailer suggested.
Naughty Dogofficially announcedThe Last of Us 2 Remasteredin mid-November, following numerous leaks and rumors pointing to its existence. The new and improved version of the studio’s 2020 hit is scheduled to be released for the PlayStation 5 on August 03, 2025. Among other novel features, the game will introduce a roguelike mode called No Return.
And while the details about that mode remain scarce, a recently updatedLinkedIn profilefrom former Naughty Dog QA Tester Colin Freeman has potentially revealed one new piece of info about No Return; as first spotted by Spanish YouTuber Joanastic, Freeman wrote that he participated in the testing of 12 “roguelike level layouts” forThe Last of Us 2 Remastered. For reference, the original game had 46 chapters of varying lengths, whereas the announcement trailer for its remastered edition already confirmed that at least some of the roguelike levels will reuse those maps, having revealed five such environments in total.
Freeman’s LinkedIn profile also mentions that all 12 levels in No Return will feature “AI dialogue regions,” albeit without elaborating on the matter. While some studios have been experimenting with AI-generated speech in recent years, this particular tidbit most likely refers to typical scripted and prerecorded dialogue. Freeman’s 18-month stint at the company ended in November, indicating that he was among theNaughty Dog developers who were laid offin recent weeks.
TLOU 2 Remastered No Return Mode Confirmed Levels
Naughty Dog previously said that the roguelike mode inThe Last of Us 2 Remasteredwill offer a variety of playable characters. That roster will include Tommy, Lev, and Jesse, as suggested by the game’s reveal trailer.
No Return won’t be the onlynew feature inThe Last of Us 2 Remastered, with Naughty Dog confirming that the upcoming version of the game will also include a Speedrun mode with global leaderboards, as well as three additional missions dubbed Lost Levels. Director’s commentary will also be part of the package, as will new outfits and a self-explanatory Guitar Free Play mode. Gamers who already own the PS4 original will be able to upgrade to the digital version ofThe Last of Us 2 Remasteredfor $10.
The Last of Us Part 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
