It's official. The Last of Us Part 2 will be playable on the PlayStation 5 when it launches. A lot of gamers had wondered if it would be after learning that it would release in the same year as the next-generation Sony console.
Jim Ryan — the CEO of Sony Interactive Intertainment — confirmed the news in a recent interview with CNET. The two parties had been discussing the upcoming "Future of Gaming" event happening for the PS5 when the conversation ended up on soon-to-be-released games like The Last of Us Part 2.
In regards to the title, Ryan claimed that he hoped it would become "a defining game for this generation," which sounds as though he hopes The Last of Us Part 2 will help the PlayStation 4 go out with a bang. He then went on to say that the version releasing for the PS4 will play on the PS5 with no problems.
It sounds as if the game will be a part of what Sony calls the "forward compatibility" category, which is good news, as fans won't have to buy the game for a second time when the PlayStation 5 releases. They also won't have to resort to waiting on the PlayStation 5 to experience it. The game has already had two delays, so an even longer wait would be a nightmare.
That said, some might be wondering if a remastered version of The Last of Us Part 2 will release on PlayStation 5, but Ryan didn't say anything on it. He only stated that the PS4's Part 2 would be playable on the console. The Last of Us Part 1 received a remaster for the PS4, though, so it's possible.
Speaking of The Last of Us Part 1, it's unclear if the game will make it onto the PlayStation 5 with its successor. It would be a shame if it didn't since the two games tell an overarching story. It's technically possible to play one without the other, but anyone that does will be missing out.
Since this information comes from a discussion on the upcoming Future of Gaming event, maybe The Last of Us Part 2 will have more gameplay shown on the PS5. It's not likely, but if Sony plans for the game to be one of the highlights of the PlayStation5's launch, then it is possible. If not, at least there's still the recent Last of Us State of Play that just aired. It has all kinds of new footage fans would be interested in if they haven't seen it yet.
The Last of Us Part 2 launches for the PS4 on June 19, 2020.
Source: CNET