Love it or leave it, The Last of Us Part II: Remastered is happening, and one of the more mysterious aspects of the debatably necessary package is its Lost Levels, which were cut from the original release, and perhaps for good reason.
This reveal comes from the game's updated description directly, which has some fans recalling past trauma, and anticipating more in the future. Lost Levels will enable players to "explore early-development versions of three new levels not seen in the original The Last of Us Part II: Sewers, Jackson Party and Boar Hunt. Enjoy hours of new developer commentary about The Last of Us Part II’s development as you experience the game."
Now, before going any further, we should state aren't exactly sure what format these Lost Levels will take, as from that description, it's hard to say whether this will be bonus content accessed from the title screen or content actually incorporated into the game. Still, it's fun to speculate and see where these scenes would slot into place.
As GamesRadar reports, internet super-sleuths have cross-referenced footage from the reveal trailer, and with this new info, vaguely positioned where these Lost Levels will be placed. Jackson Party seems fairly self-explanatory, extending the section at the start of the game, and Boar Hunt is referenced in Ellie's journal, where she ultimately corners a wounded boar in a general store.
Over on The Last of Us subreddit, fans are already dreading what the Sewers might hold, as Part I's take on that environment was one of the most suspense-filled sequences in the game. Further, it appears like the Sewers would chronologically slot in after the first stalker encounter but before running into Scars for the first time. Players would then immediately hit the Hospital, where probably the second most infamous encounter in the game takes place. We could see how that might have made for an intensely harrowing sequence of events that perhaps needed a lull in pacing.
What do you think of The Last of Us Part II: Remastered's Lost Levels? Do you have any theories of your own? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source reddit.com, via kotaku.com]
Comments 21
I have a feeling it won't slotted into the main game and instead will be in a "lost levels" section or something.
You know i'm actually really excited for the remaster, the new content sounds pretty fantastic and its been ages since i last played the game so i'm very much looking forward to playing it again. At £10/$10 i feel its a very fair price for the upgrade as well.
I’m all for this remaster personally. I’m not sure if the Lost Levels will be incorporated into the main story — but even if they aren’t, I’m okay with seeing how the game evolved from those outtakes. As much as I love the game, I did find the pacing during that certain moment a little rushed, maybe for shock value. I was hoping for more character development in that area. Regardless, this game is a 10/10 masterpiece, and I’m all for replaying the game and getting the platinum trophy again.
It says you'll explore early development versions of cut levels so I doubt they'll be integrated into the story.
I'll take tlou3 with no main characters dying please 😔 and thank u
@Drago201 weak
@Triumph741 hey that maybe true but I'll still take it 😉
These are not lost levels, its not like Naughtydog found them behind the back of the sofa!
Just a nice PR spin for cut content and trying to justify the £10 upgrade price.
I genuinely can't wait to check out these Lost Levels. It super interesting to have heard about sections like the Jackson Party in The Last Of Us Podcast, and now have it actually show up in Part 2 Remastered. Will be great to get some kind of insight into the development process and why they were ultimately cut.
The sewers. A dark, moist environment perfectly suited to molds, fungus and spores. What fun.
I wish more games would cut out their sewer levels.
Really cool to see ND adding something like this back into the game. I always like exploring unfinished levels.
accessed from the menu mostlikely. i wouldn't expect the lost levels to be very polished either — they were a work in progress and eventually cut afterall. i would temper expectations on all the new content but at least they are only charging 10 bucks this time.
Making an already overlong game longer doesn't sound good.
If it's separate, I will buy the upgrade. If not, there is no way I'm playing through the entire game again.
@stefan771 I thought I’m the only one who finds this game too long and therefore ill-paced. But for some gamers longer means better, and publishers want to advertise with superlatives.
For new owners of TLOU2 - it is an awesome proposition and quite enticing for the upgrade path. Most people highly rate the graphics, ambience, and mostly, the slightly aging gameplay the franchise offer. It is uncontroversial and serves so many different purposes.
@Thelegend159 Nintendo literally made a Mario lost levels game from cut content over 30 years ago and it’s still considered one of the best Mario experiences. It actually launched the whole kaizo mario boom.
I'm still confused that they didn't call it a 'Director's Cut' to sync with Ghost of Tsushima and Death Stranding
I dont think anyone was ever against the first remaster. It was the price of the remaster what offended everyone.
Still now that first remaster was not worth the price tag.
I dont see any reason why part 2 shouldn't get a update and with the new content which part 1 never got, its worth the second dip.
Plus with a 10 upgrade payment is a very good deal and I will support that type of business.
Sound like levels that should have been cut for sure. Especially the party at the beginning. The opening of this game is already a grueling walking simulator. Literally walking at a slower pace than normal gameplay, just to deliver some very boring story exposition. Anything that lengthens that terribly paced mess is not welcome in my humble opinion.
Sewers could be cool though, but again it was cut. So there is a reason for that.
It has been confirmed by the dev itself that This entire "remaster" project was actually just a side project for new employees to get used to the engine and tools. So I'm not expecting much here in terms of actually remastering the game. If anything this is just another ND cashing in on old content again with some minor directors cut like lements included.
The rogue mode is just about the only part of this that sounds interesting. The improvements will be minimal and the cut content is meh.
Glad they didn't try and push a no upgrade path release through.
I’ll be getting it day one, looking forward to it. I am still really bummed we might not be getting the multiplayer game tho. Hope we hear more about that one way or the other in 2024.
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