If you own The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PlayStation 5 or PC, Patch 2.1.0 (PS5) or Patch 1.5 (PC) is available today and adds the all-new Chronological mode. This new mode does exactly what it sounds like: it allows players to experience Part II’s story in chronological order as opposed to a series of flashbacks and time jumps.
Imagine starting the game with Abby instead of Ellie. Imagine seeing Abby’s tragic motivations develop at the onset before inevitably clashing with Ellie and Joel. From remasters to a TV series, The Last of Us’ story has been presented to consumers in various forms over the last few years. If Naughty Dog’s blog announcement is to be believed, Chronological mode now offers a unique opportunity for fans of the series to experience Part II and its often polarizing characters in a profoundly different way.
“Through the new Chronological mode, we believe players will gain even deeper insight into Part II’s narrative,” Naughty Dog explains in the announcement. “Players will be able to see how Ellie being gifted a guitar flows so neatly into her learning to play, for example, while the journey through Seattle will showcase the fascinating parallels between Ellie and Abby’s crisscrossing journeys. You’ll see just how close they come into running into each other, how their actions impact each other, and more.”
In addition to the Chronological mode, today’s update also brings bug fixes, new trophies, and new skins in celebration of Naughty Dog’s 40th anniversary. Players can unlock Joel’s Nathan Drake skin and Tommy’s Sam Drake skin by completing Chronological mode; the skins can then be used in Part II Remastered’s No Return mode.
For more on today's update, check the patch notes for PS5 and PC.