The Last of Us 2 Remastered is bringing more than just a performance and resolution bump for PS5 owners, as it was announced that it would also feature a new roguelike survival mode called “No Return.” Plenty of details about the mode have already been revealed, though we also may now know how many levels it features for players to playthrough.
As spotted by X user Joanastic, a former Naughty Dog QA tester had listed new details around The Last of Us 2 Remastered and its No Return Mode on their Linkedin profile work history (now edited), giving us further information on the mode.
Here’s what was listed:
- Created, implemented, and tested Al dialogue regions in-engine across 12 different No Return roguelike level layouts in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.
- Created, modified and tested render regions in-engine by adjusting lighting levels to fit visual filter aesthetics throughout 135 tasks in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered story mode.
- Tested and modified extraneous audio regions, and adjusted PAT tags on surfaces and object throughout 12 different No Return roguelike levels in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.
Do note that this doesn’t confirm that there are only 12 levels or level layouts but that this employee had worked on 12. Even so, it’s hard to judge precisely what levels are, and while roguelikes tend to keep them short, these could be lengthy ones for all we know.
Regardless, it does seem like the mode will have plenty to offer for players as in addition to the 12 levels, players will also have the following. as summarized by Okami Games.
- Choose from a host of playable characters, both new and returning (Dina and Lev confirmed)
- Compete and survive in randomized encounters
- Unlock more characters, skins, and more as you progress
- Each character comes with their own traits
- Chart your course on each run, choosing between stealth and combat encounters
- Encounters can have unique modifiers Global leaderboard confirmed
The Last of Us 2 Remastered is launching on the PS5 on January 19, 2024.