While hiding from the enemies in the building, we heard a loud noise that we couldn’t identify, like something was burning. After a few minutes we went outside and saw the fire blocking our way. Molotov cocktails rained down from the sky. That’s when it became clear to us that in No Return, the new game mode that includes The Last of Us Part II Remastered, each game will be different.
From Vandal and El Español We were able to test this remastering exclusively in Spain. The work released in 2020 had gameplay that served the story. Now, thanks to this new modality, his intention is to make it a lot more arcadey. Take full advantage of the highly compelling game base to create new situations focused on hours of entertainment.
Eternal death in roguelike mode
Intense, varied and highly customizable. That’s how Sin Retorno left us feeling, trying it for about two hours, trying to survive in a title that gradually gives you the tools to achieve that goal. Search for supplies, stealth or some classic horror elements in The Last of Us are there and keep us in suspense at any time, especially at higher difficulty levels. Added to all this is the pressure of classic perma-death of the roguelike genre.
The game starts in a lair that changes depending on the character we want to control. For example, if we choose Eli This location will match the Pinnacle Theater Radio Room in Seattle. If we’re going to play with Abby, we’ll start with the city aquarium.
From there, between each round, we can access the well-known desktop that houses the cabinet We can buy new weapons or equipment and a chest in which we will collect rewards what we get.
To advance in the game, we will go to a cork-shaped panel where we can choose the match we are going to play. Each of them has a corresponding scenario, game mode and certain conditions.which are randomly selected when this run is run.
There is an initial mission and a final mission, and between them there are several branches, so we will have to choose which way to move along the board, with several levels that will be mandatory if we choose a certain fork. In these cases, we were left with the feeling that the choice is made more based on how you feel or more pleasure, and not so much because of the difficulties it might entail.
In the time we were able to play, we were pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of options, making each successful attempt at No Return feel a little like the last. We were talking about almost 20 scenarios that we were able to see, ten characters with their own play styles and skills or different enemy factions, with different types of people and infected. We can counter some of them with an ally helping in the fight.
To all this we must add four ways to meet. In attacks, the goal is to kill the enemies that arrive in waves. The second challenge was to survive against rivals who were looking for us on stage. I must say that in this case it was too easy for us, because sometimes the opponent did not even come close to us, which made it an unforgettable experience.
The third modality involves seizing a safe that protects the opposite party. In the last option, we have to protect our ally in the purest original style of Joel and Ellie.
The section that impressed us was the number of modifiers that serve to personalize the game is much more with a differential touch. From the aforementioned rain of Molotov cocktails or certain bombs that enemies drop when they die, to regaining life or slowing down time after killing an opponent. Even certain photomode filters, such as shading a cage or improving enemy health.
Here are some special characteristics that lead to endless possible situations depending on the encounter you happen to enjoy. This is where we appreciate the ambition that characterizes Naughty Dog, and it does No return is something to consider, not just a remastering add-on.
There is the possibility to deviate from the conditions proposed by the game randomly and to be able to design our own games by editing each of the mentioned sections, with a huge variety, to which additional options have been added, such as six difficulty levels that individually affect enemies, allies, stealth, resources or the player.
Once we start, there will be a few seconds in the matter where we can collect resources scattered around the place, in addition to finding a strategic place to start from.
Anyone who has played The Last of Us knows what to expect. Choose your action moments very well and worry about hiding and escaping to survive when necessary. Stealth and search for objects that we can use to our advantagebeing able to craft for weapons or upgrades is key.
When it comes to combat, the animations we love so much from the original title get to shine with all their intuitiveness. Three years after seeing them for the first time, they still amaze us. The combination of all these elements invites you to play like a movie while enjoying yourself.
In some games we will face mythic bosses such as the swollen or more supportive enemies such as dogs or chain infected.
In addition to the main objective, We have specific tasks, such as sneaking someone, using a landmine, or headshots.. These are highly entertaining challenges that add even more substance to each round in addition to the rewards they bring.
On the other hand, in each scenario we can put the objects in the mailbox so that we can use them in the next missions. And between different mission levels, we can open a chest of supplies to help us survive the rest of the encounter.
It should be noted that at any time we can improve our character with specific skill trees for each of them, in which we can advance according to the additions we receive during the game.
At the end of a round, you’re given a score based on factors like elapsed time, damage taken, accuracy or headshots, and more. Depending on our score and performance, new modes and options will be unlocked. This number will later be reflected in the leaderboard, which Naughty Dog wants to encourage by offering a specific game for all players daily.
In No Return, more than ever, survival is everything. If you die, you have to start from scratch without being able to load a previous game. In total, each game includes five encounters in addition to the final round, which from what we’ve been able to play always includes a final boss.
That added tension, along with all the random aspects, make this experience a mode to be reckoned with, much appreciated in something that already feels like more than a simple remaster. It made us want to keep playing, to always be up to date that once the game starts, there is no going back.
