Debating Accessibility and Competition in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Exploring the controversy surrounding the accessibility features and their impact on competitive play in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered's No Return mode.
Debating Accessibility and Competition in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Highlights

  • The challenging No Return mode in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered introduces Gambits, adding to the difficulty, and presents a significant challenge on Daily Runs.
  • The game's exceptional accessibility options cater to diverse player needs, but their potential to make runs easier raises concerns about their impact on the Daily Run leaderboards.
  • The debate revolves around whether the use of accessibility options in Daily Runs accurately reflects player skill and challenges the integrity of the leaderboards in No Return.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered serves as a commendable remaster, with its most notable feature being the roguelike No Return mode. This mode offers considerable depth and presents a daunting challenge, especially on higher difficulty levels.

Gambits introduce terrifying modifiers, intensifying the already formidable gameplay. Daily Runs further elevate the challenge, pushing players to their limits. While players can tailor the difficulty to their preference, the ease of access raises questions about its impact on competitive leaderboards.

The Accessibility Dilemma

Exceptional Accessibility Options

The accessibility options in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered encompass various aspects of gameplay, including combat. These options include:

  • Hostages Don't Escape
  • Allies Don't Get Grabbed
  • Enemies Don't Flank
  • Reduced Enemy Perception
  • Reduced Enemy Accuracy
  • Enhanced Dodge
  • Invisible While Prone
  • Weapon Sway
  • Slow Motion
  • Tinnitus Sound

These options offer invaluable support for players facing difficulties, reflecting the developer's commitment to inclusivity. However, concerns arise when these options are used to make runs easier, potentially undermining the integrity of the game's challenges.

Impact on Daily Run Leaderboards

While accessibility options are available to all players, using them in Daily Runs can create disparities. Despite the inherent difficulty, leveraging these options can lead to a divergence between players with and without accessibility settings, impacting the fairness of the leaderboards.

This issue sparks a debate about the authenticity of player skill representation and the relevance of leaderboards in a mode where accessibility settings can significantly influence outcomes.