Ahead of its PC debut, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is receiving a substantial update to its No Return mode, a roguelike survival experience exclusive to the remastered edition.  This challenging mode tasks players with navigating iconic locations from the game while completing a variety of objectives across four distinct challenge types: Assault, Capture, Holdout, and Hunted.

Originally launched in 2020, The Last of Us Part II’s narrative picks up four years after the events of its predecessor.  The remastered version, released on PlayStation 5 in 2024, offered enhanced visuals, a speedrun mode, developer commentary, and more.  The upcoming PC release on April 3rd, alongside the second season of HBO's acclaimed adaptation premiering on April 13th, makes this a momentous period for fans of the franchise.

Naughty Dog has detailed the exciting additions coming to No Return mode in a recent blog post coinciding with the announcement of the PC specifications. Four new maps will be introduced: Overlook, the Seraphites site; School, the scene of Ellie and Dina's battle with the W.L.F.; Streets, featuring the Hillcrest neighborhood of Seattle; and Nest, the Infected-infested building explored by Abby.

Furthermore, two new playable characters are joining the No Return roster: Bill, utilizing a Smuggler playstyle, and Marlene, employing a Risk-Taker playstyle.  Bill boasts a custom pump shotgun from dead drops, receives double rewards from drops, and possesses increased melee resistance, but cannot dodge.  Marlene wields a Custom Assault Rifle, utilizes “All or Nothing” gambits, and can alter her No Return path once per run.  These updates will also be available to PlayStation 5 players via a free patch released concurrently with the PC launch, alongside new Trophies and bug fixes.

These new characters augment the existing roster of No Return mode, each bringing their unique skill sets to the challenging gameplay. While PC players prepare to experience the enhanced features of the remaster, fans can also anticipate the second season of the HBO series, which, mirroring the game's narrative, features a significant time jump and begins adapting the events of Part II. This season will introduce the terrifying Stalkers, a memorable Infected type from the game, significantly raising the stakes and danger level.