The Last of Us: Complete Edition — At This Point, How Many Is Too Many?

Nishar

Apr 11, 2025

It’s 2025. And guess what? The Last of Us is back. Again.

Yes, the Complete Edition is officially out, bundling Part I Remake and Part II Remastered together for the PlayStation 5.

If you're thinking "Wait, didn’t I already play this?”, you're not alone. Fans of the series are now asking the real question:

How many times are Naughty Dog and Sony going to sell us the same story?

Last of Us Releases Over the Last Decade

2013 – The Last of Us releases on PS3. Iconic.
2014 – The Last of Us Remastered for PS4. Makes sense.
2020 – The Last of Us Part II drops. Long-awaited sequel.
2022 – The Last of Us Part I gets a full remake for PS5. Bold move.
2024 – The Last of Us Part II Remastered. Sure, why not?
2025 – The Last of Us: Complete Edition. You get everything! Again.

That’s five separate releases over 12 years. For two games.

Are Fans Really Into This?

Well, that’s complicated.

Die Hard Fans Say —

"This is a masterpiece. I want the best version on every console I own.”

These are the people who buy physical editions for the shelf, digital versions for convenience, and the Collector’s Editions for the artbook and SteelBook. And hey, they’re valid. Naughty Dog games are cinematic, emotional, and well-crafted.

But Critics and Casual Gamers believe —

"This is milking. Period.”

For many, the idea of paying again for slightly better graphics, new modes, or rebranded bundles feels tiring—especially when those upgrades often don’t come free, even for recent buyers. And the timing? Suspiciously close to HBO’s Season 2.

Sony and Naughty Dog clearly know The Last of Us brand sells. Releasing yet another edition just before HBO’s Season 2 (April 13) screams marketing synergy.

And it’s not like this is new behavior:

Skyrim re-released endlessly
GTA V still being sold 10+ years later
Resident Evil remakes one after another

But there’s a difference between bringing something back with purpose and repackaging it repeatedly without true innovation.

So… Should You Care?

If you’re new to the franchise, the Complete Edition is actually the best way to jump in—everything’s polished, optimized, and emotionally devastating (in a good way).

But if you’ve already been there since 2013, you’re probably asking:

"Is this really for me—or just another cash grab?”

The Last of Us is undoubtedly one of the greatest gaming stories ever told. But maybe—just maybe—it doesn’t need to be told this many times in this many versions.

At some point, fans might stop saying “take my money” and start asking:
“What’s next? And why is it not new?”