Summary
The PlayStation 5 has been out for a little over three years now, and it doesn’t really feel like it’s aged a day. Capable of delivering 4K, and technically able to dish out 120FPS consistently, the PS5 still gives many gamers all the technical advantages they’d expect from a modern console. And with Sony continuing to deliver a steady stream of excellent first-party exclusives over the last three years - exclusives likeThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered- it’s clear whythe PlayStation 5has been such a resounding success.
Taking an already-phenomenal game and giving it a makeover only the PlayStation 5 could handle,The Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredis refined, beautiful, and bloody, and there’s a whole lot more to this remaster than just a new lick of paint. A fairly fleshed-out roguelike mode, some developer commentary, and some Lost Levels are all the obvious stars ofThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, but there’s one crucial new addition that’s gone under the radar, as it so often does: DualSense support.
The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered Makes Great Use of the DualSense
One of the best new additions to come withThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredis also one that not a whole lot of people are talking about, and that’s the game’s DualSense integration. A defining feature ofthe PlayStation 5 on launch, the DualSense continues to be an unsung hero for the console, andThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredreally puts it to work.
The two most obvious, and best, DualSense features thatThe Last of Us Part 2uses to great effect are the controller’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. As fans have now come to expect from just about every PS5 game, especially first-party titles, theDualSense’s adaptive triggerswork overtime inThe Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, with the left trigger tightening and loosening up with each weapon depending on its in-game weight, and the right trigger requiring quite a bit of force to pull, both of which make every shot feel genuinely lethal.
The DualSense’s haptic feedback is also there at every turn, simulating Seattle’s rainy weather, Ellie’s crawling animations through grass, and the nearby explosion of a deadly pipe bomb. It’s not really anything DualSense enthusiasts haven’t seen before, but for a game striving to be as realistic and visceral as possible,The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s DualSense integrationis far more than just a welcome addition.
The DualSense Continues to be the PS5’s Hidden Hero
The DualSense certainly isn’t every PS5 owner’s cup of tea, but those who love it really love it, so much so that it might even be the factor that tips them over the edge in buying a multi-platform game on PlayStation. And to be fair, the DualSense has enhanced far more than it’s hindered.2023 was an excellent year for the DualSense, with games likeStar Wars Jedi: Survivoractually putting the power of the Force into players' hands, andResident Evil 4 Remakemaking each gunshot and parry feel life-saving. It may not be for everyone, but it’s great to see the DualSense continue to give its all even despite that.
