You’ve seen it a thousand times in the bargain bins or as a digital tile in your library that you just sort of ignore. The Last of Us Remastered PS4 has become that middle child of gaming. It’s sandwiched between the 2013 PS3 original that changed everything and the shiny, "built from the ground up" PS5 remake.
People talk about it like it's a relic. They're wrong.
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Actually, in 2026, there’s a massive segment of the community that still swears by this specific version. Is it because of the price? Partially. But there’s a weird, technical soul in the PS4 remaster that the newer versions haven’t quite replicated. If you think this is just a resolution bump, you haven't been paying attention to the details.
The Port That Was Basically Hell to Make
Naughty Dog engineers don't usually use words like "nightmare," but for this game, they did.
Neil Druckmann famously admitted that moving the code from the PS3 to the PS4 was absolute hell. The PS3 used this incredibly complex Cell processor architecture. Naughty Dog had spent years learning how to "hack" that specific hardware to squeeze out every drop of power. When they moved to the PS4, they realized they basically had to throw out the playbook.
It wasn't just copy-paste.
They were seeing shadows break. The lighting would just... disappear. The game was crashing every 30 seconds during early builds. Honestly, it’s a miracle it launched at all, let alone just a year after the original.
Why the 60fps Boost is Still the King
The biggest jump isn't the 1080p resolution. It's the frame rate.
Going from 30fps on the PS3 to a silky 60fps on the PS4 changed the combat entirely. In a game where every bullet counts and a clicker can end you in a second, that responsiveness is everything.
- Precise Aiming: Dragging your crosshair over a Hunter’s head feels snappy, not sluggish.
- Input Lag: It’s almost non-existent compared to the original.
- The "Purist" Toggle: Naughty Dog actually left a 30fps lock in the menu because they were worried the 60fps look would feel "too much like a soap opera" for cinematic fans. Almost nobody uses it.
The Factions Factor: The Real Reason to Keep Your Copy
Here is the thing. If you want the full Last of Us experience, you literally cannot get it on the PS5 "Part 1" remake or the PC port.
They cut the multiplayer.
Factions MP is the hidden gem that keeps the PS4 version alive in 2026. It’s a brutal, slow-paced 4v4 mode that forces you to scavenge for supplies just to keep your "clan" of survivors alive. It’s not Call of Duty. If you run into the middle of the map, you’re dead. Period.
The community is still surprisingly active. You’ll find players who have been there since 2014, and yeah, they will probably wreck you. But the tactical depth—using smoke bombs to stun enemies for a shiv kill or placing nail bombs behind doorways—is something the franchise hasn't touched since.
If you want to play Factions, The Last of Us Remastered PS4 is your only gateway.
Small Touches You Probably Missed
The DualShock 4 features were kind of a gimmick at the time, but they add a layer of immersion that’s actually pretty cool.
- The Light Bar: It changes color based on your health. Green is good, orange is "uh oh," and red means you're basically toast.
- The Speaker: When you find a voice recorder in the world, the audio plays directly out of your controller. It’s haunting hearing those last messages from dead survivors right in your hands.
- The Touchpad: You use it to open Joel's backpack. It’s a tiny thing, but it feels more "tactile" than just hitting a menu button.
What about the "Left Behind" DLC?
It’s included right on the disc (or download). You don't have to go hunting for it. Playing through Ellie’s backstory in that abandoned mall hits differently once you know where her story goes in the sequel. The photo mode was also a first for the series here, allowing people to capture those depressing, beautiful vistas in 1080p for the first time.
Is It Actually Better Than the PS5 Remake?
Look, if you want the absolute best graphics, the PS5 version wins. The character models are objectively more realistic.
But there’s a "grit" to the PS4 Remastered version that some fans prefer. The original art direction—the specific way the lighting hit the dust motes in the air—was tweaked for the remake. Some say the PS5 version is too "clean."
Plus, the PS4 version is often $10 to $20. The remake? Usually $70. For a game that is essentially the same story, that’s a massive gap.
Actionable Steps for 2026 Players
If you're looking to dive back in or experience it for the first time, keep these points in mind:
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- Check the Used Market: You can find physical copies of the Remastered edition for pennies at local game shops. It's the most cost-effective way to get the game and the DLC.
- Try Factions Early: If you're new to the multiplayer, don't play it like a standard shooter. Stay crouched, move with your team, and focus on "marking" enemies.
- Toggle the 30fps Lock: Just for five minutes, turn on the 30fps lock in the settings. You’ll immediately realize how much the 60fps upgrade improved the game's feel.
- Listen to the Commentary: One of the best "Remastered" exclusive features is the director's commentary during cutscenes. Hearing Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Neil Druckmann talk about the acting choices adds a ton of weight to a second playthrough.
The PS4 version isn't just a placeholder. It's a complete package that arguably offers more value than its more expensive successors, primarily thanks to the inclusion of a multiplayer mode that refuses to die.
Check your local digital storefront for sales cycles, as this version frequently drops below $10 during PlayStation's seasonal events.</*instruction*>