The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Is playing in Chronological Mode worth it?
In this post you will learn how to Chronological Mode It alters the narrative in The Last of Us 2 Remastered, offering a linear view of events and unlocking special skins Inspired by Uncharted, for those who complete the campaign.
Naughty Dog has released a new update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered with a brand new feature: Chronological Mode . Available in patch 2.1.0 for PS5 and version 1.5 for PC , this mode offers an alternative narrative experience, organizing all the events of the main campaign in chronological order, quite different from the original format, which alternates between different points in time through flashbacks.
For those already familiar with the intense and fragmented narrative of the original game, this new feature may represent a more fluid and direct way to reconnect with Ellie and Abby's journey in the franchise's post-apocalyptic world.
How does Chronological Mode work in The Last of Us 2 Remastered?
The new mode can be activated as soon as a new game , and appears as one of the initial options, along with the difficulty level and control settings. It reorganizes the campaign structure to follow a linear order, from beginning to end, without temporal interruptions.
In the original version, the plot is intentionally fragmented; the player starts with Joel and then jumps between Ellie and Abby's perspectives, often through flashbacks that directly interfere with the narrative's pacing. In Chronological Mode , everything is presented in the sequence in which the events actually occurred.
For example, instead of starting with Ellie's perspective and Joel's flashbacks, as in the base game, the mode begins with Abby as a child, during her search for her father in the forest, a moment that was originally intended to be shown later. From there, the story unfolds without major time jumps, which can help maintain narrative engagement for those who prefer a more traditional structure.
Who should try this mode?
Despite being an interesting new feature, the developer itself recommends that players new to The Last of Us Part II Remastered opt for the original mode for their first experience. This is because the non-linear structure was carefully designed to intensify the moral dilemmas and emotional connection between the characters.
Chronological Mode is ideal for a second playthrough in New Game Plus progression of events more clearly . By seeing events in direct order, the player can identify nuances that went unnoticed the first time.
Exclusive rewards for completing the campaign in chronological order.
In addition to offering a new narrative approach, the mode brings rewards for those who complete it. By finishing the campaign in chronological order, players unlock special skins inspired by the Uncharted franchise , with Joel characterized as Nathan Drake and Tommy as Sam Drake, available in No Return mode, the roguelite mode of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.
These cosmetics are exclusive and add value to the game's replayability, especially for fans most dedicated to the universe created by Naughty Dog.
Is it necessary to unlock the mode in The Last of Us 2 Remastered?
No. Time Mode is automatically available after updating the game. You don't need to complete the campaign beforehand, nor do you need to perform any specific action to enable it. Simply start a new game and select the desired option.
However, it's important to reiterate: this feature is only available in the The Last of Us Part II Remastered , released for PlayStation 5 and PC . The original PlayStation 4 edition will not receive this functionality.
Is it worth playing The Last of Us Part 2 this way?
If you've played The Last of Us Part II and were bothered by the flashbacks breaking the story's rhythm, this new option will certainly be welcome. The linear mode smooths out the narrative cuts , offers a clearer view of the timeline, and even provides exclusive rewards at the end.
On the other hand, if it's your first time playing the game , the original mode is still the best way to absorb all the emotional intensity, the contrasting perspectives, and the plot surprises. After all, the fragmented structure is an essential part of the experience intended by the developers.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is now available for PlayStation 5 and PC . If you enjoy revisiting stories with fresh perspectives or want to explore the narrative in a different way, Chronological Mode is an excellent opportunity .
