The Last of Us: When the Shadow Returns (2025)
Between remasters, the HBO series and a complete revival, the post-apocalyptic saga is back on PS5, PC and our screens.
Some games come to an end. And then there is The Last of Us. Twelve years after its first bite, Naughty Dog’s franchise is resurfacing: a remake of the first game, a remaster of the second, a PC release, a “Complete” bundle and a new HBO season. But behind the gloss of the reworks and enhanced graphics, one question lingers: why return now? And above all: what is it really hiding?
I. The Silence Before the Storm — Part I: The Return of the Memory
The menu appears, motionless. The machines hiss like a breath on the verge of suffocation. The Last of Us Part I, the complete remake of the 2013 game, was released on PS5 in September 2022, before arriving on PC in March 2023. But this overhaul is no simple dusting-off: it is a resurrection, pixel by pixel, wound by wound. The textures almost bleed with realism. Faces tremble. Every creak of the floorboards is a threat. And when you hear the infected’s first growl… your heart tightens.Good to know: the remake includes the Left Behind DLC, complete photo and accessibility modes, and runs at up to 4K/60 FPS on PS5.
II. The Bite Begins Again — Part II Remastered
January 2024. PS5 players thought they had experienced every shade of pain. Then The Last of Us Part II Remastered arrived. A misleading name: this is not a polished version. It is a nerve-shredding reimagining.- No Return mode: a roguelike loop where every death leaves a mark.
- Native 4K rendering, reworked HDR, DLSS/FSR on PC (released on April 3, 2025).
- Almost nonexistent loading times, with DualSense vibrations imitating the breath of danger.
Comparison: PS5 vs. PC
| Platform | Maximum resolution | Framerate | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | 4K | 60 FPS (Performance mode) | Haptic feedback, 3D Audio, calibrated HDR |
| PC | 4K+ / Ultra Wide | Unlimited | DLSS 3, FSR 4, dynamic textures, mods |
III. The HBO Series: Faces Behind the Ashes
The light goes out. The screen comes on. And suddenly, it is Pedro Pascal. It is Bella Ramsey. You are no longer directing Joel or Ellie: they are looking back at you. The first season, broadcast in 2023, won over critics and players. But it is the second season, scheduled for April 13, 2025, that awakens the nightmares. It adapts The Last of Us Part II—the most devastating, most human story. The series does not copy the game; it distorts it. It twists the narrative, prolongs the silence and reveals wounds we had not seen. Each episode is an alternate chapter, a broken mirror in which the reflections no longer align.Quick Buying Guide
- New players: start with Part I Remake (PS5 or PC).
- PS4 veterans: upgrade to Part II Remastered.
- Collectors: wait for the Complete bundle (April 2025), with bonuses and a physical edition.
- Series fans: watch season 1, play Part I, then continue with Part II Remastered just before season 2.
