FF7 Rebirth, TLOU 2, And More Of The Week's Essential Game Tips

Image: Ninja Theory, IO Interactive, Square Enix / Kotaku, Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Kotaku, Naughty Dog / Kotaku

Practice your headshots. The Last of Us Part II is back, and this time it’s remastered. The spiffed-up version dropping on January 19 also includes a wholly new gameplay mode called No Return, if you’re looking to wile away the hours in Naughty Dog’s combat sandbox. And if you’re as excited about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth as we are, we’ve got a rundown of all the essential (and skippable) lore you need to know before hopping into the second part of the trilogy next month. These are this week’s essential tips, guides, and game recs.

Image: IO Interactive

We’re halfway into the first month of 2024, so it’s time to take a look at what’s around the corner for the Game Pass library. February sees some RPG and roguelite goodness hit the service, but sadly Hitman World of Assassination leaves Game Pass after January 31, 2024. - Claire Jackson Read More

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the second chapter in the highly anticipated remake project of the hallmark 1997 PlayStation game Final Fantasy VII is slated to arrive on PS5 on February 29, 2024. Through interviews and trailers, developer Square Enix has shared quite a bit about what folks can expect from Cloud and co.’s next journey. Expect a large game, with open areas, side quests and locations that were never in the original, and much more. - Claire Jackson Read More

Image: Naughty Dog

The Last of Us Part II Remastered’s roguelike mode No Return requires rethinking how you play Naughty Dog’s stealth action game. Some of the standard principles of The Last of Us Part II gameplay are the same, but the randomized encounter structure means you have to get a little creative with how you’d typically fight Infected as Ellie or Abby. So if you’re planning to jump right into the new mode, here’s some sage advice from someone who’s put about a dozen hours into No Return.

Image: Square Enix / Kotaku

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is out on February 29, 2024. But if you haven’t played 2020’s Remake, or any of the other games in the FF7 universe (known officially as the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII), you might be wondering where to start, what order you should play the games in, and whether or not you should play the original first. - Claire Jackson Read More

Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Kotaku

It’s time for a second trip to Seattle in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Originally shipped in 2020, Part II amps up the scope of the series, as well as the violence. The result is a dynamic, stealthy survival horror romp that takes place decades after a world-ending pandemic. It can be a tough game to play, and Remastered also includes a new roguelike mode for those who want an even greater challenge. - Ari Notis Read More

Screenshot: Naughty Dog / Kotaku

Naughty Dog kicked off The Last of Us franchise back in 2013 on the PS3. With a gritty, harrowing tale of survival in a fallen world that captured the attention of fans and critics alike, the sequel, The Last of Us Part II, finally arrived in 2020. The original game received a remake in 2022, shortly before the premiere of the first game’s celebrated HBO adaptation in 2023. Now, in 2024, fans have another reason to dive into the game’s second installment with The Last of Us Part II Remastered, a visual overhaul of the second game that includes new levels and a brand new roguelike mode. - Ari Notis Read More

The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Turnip Boy Robs A Bank, and Another Code: Recollection are also dropping this week