As Naughty Dog celebrates the upcoming third anniversary of The Last of Us Part 2, they have kicked off the new year with a new remaster of the game. This release comes as a surprise success, especially considering the original sales figures of The Last of Us Part 2.
Remaster Outperforms Original in Early Sales
While The Last of Us Part 2 was a commercial success, it sold 44% fewer copies than its predecessor. However, the remastered version seems to be rewriting this narrative. According to initial sales data, The Last of Us Part 2 remastered has outsold its predecessor’s remake by a factor of two in the UK. “There was a lack of positivity for this remaster at the time of the announcement, making these results a pleasant surprise,” underscoring the unexpected nature of its success.
Last of Us Part 2 sales in the UK are more than double what Part 1 managed. Strong result.
— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) January 24, 2024
Factors Contributing to the Remaster’s Success
The sales data, reported by Christopher Dring of Gamesindustry, indicates a significant interest in the remaster. Notably, the remaster is offered as a $10 upgrade for existing owners, but these sales figures do not count upgrades. The increased PS5 install base, with Sony shipping 50 million units last year, appears to be a crucial factor in the remaster’s impressive performance. In contrast, The Last of Us Part 1 remake had a smaller target audience, as it was released nine years after the original game.
Enhancements in the Latest Remaster
Despite the absence of significant graphical upgrades, the latest remaster of The Last of Us Part 2 brings new content and DualSense support, making it the definitive version of the game. This update has likely enticed new players to experience the critically acclaimed title, contributing to its strong sales in the first week of release.
Community’s Growing Fatigue with Remasters
Despite the success of The Last of Us Part 2 remaster, there is a noticeable trend of growing tiredness within the gaming community towards constant remasters and re-releases. Games like GTA 5 have faced criticism for being resold across three consecutive console generations. Naughty Dog, however, remains unfazed by the controversy surrounding the remaster, stating that “it is not for everyone.” Despite the criticism, the game has performed better than expected.
Naughty Dog’s Perspective on the Controversy
Naughty Dog has expressed some confusion over why the remaster was controversial, emphasizing that it might not cater to everyone’s taste. This stance reflects the studio’s confidence in their product and their understanding of the diverse preferences within the gaming community. The Last of Us Part 2 remaster’s success, despite initial skepticism, is a testament to the enduring appeal of the game and Naughty Dog’s ability to engage their audience effectively.
