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For a first playthrough on a newer PlayStation, the remake is usually the better fit if you want updated controls, accessibility options, faster loading, or modern presentation. Choose the original when you specifically value its historical version, original atmosphere, or a feature that did not carry over. There is no universal winner: Sony uses “remake” for several very different releases, and the right choice depends on the game and what you want from it.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us Part I | A first playthrough focused on modern features | Ground-up remake; more than 60 accessibility options | PS5 | Nov 2026 |
| The Last of Us / The Last of Us Remastered | Players seeking the older release or Factions multiplayer | Factions is available through these PS4 releases | PS3, PS4 | Nov 2026 |
| Demon’s Souls (PS5) | Modern console presentation and performance | 4K and high-frame-rate modes; fast loading | PS5 | Nov 2026 |
| Demon’s Souls (original) | Preserving the original release | Original PlayStation classic | PS3 | Nov 2026 |
| Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) | A modern presentation of the game | PlayStation describes it as a remake, not a remaster | PS4 | Nov 2026 |
| Shadow of the Colossus (original) | Preserving the original visual identity and historical version | Original release | Original PlayStation platform | Nov 2026 |
The feature descriptions above come from PlayStation and Sony materials. No current prices are included because they were not established in those materials.
That absence of a price is important when comparing editions. Part I has to be treated as a separate PS5 purchase because Sony does not document an upgrade path from the PS3 or PS4 versions. Sony Direct lists physical PS5 disc editions for Part I and Demon’s Souls, giving a clear format for buyers who prefer discs, but the amount you pay will depend on the retailer and timing.
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An original is the release as it first appeared on its original platform. A remaster generally presents an existing game in an updated form; a remake rebuilds more of the game. Those terms are useful shorthand, but they are not a reliable measure of how much a particular edition changes. For a buying decision, look at the named features and what Sony says was rebuilt—not just the label.
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The examples make the distinction clear. PlayStation calls The Last of Us Part I a “ground-up remake” and says it is “not a remaster or port to PS5 of a previous version.” PlayStation described the PS4 Shadow of the Colossus as a remake, not a remaster, and its development coverage discusses decisions about what to keep and replace. Sony calls the PS5 Demon’s Souls a remake of the PlayStation classic. The labels alone do not tell you whether you will prefer the newer version; the specifics do.
Why the label is only a starting point
A newer edition can change far more than image sharpness. In The Last of Us Part I, PlayStation highlights modernized gameplay mechanics, improved controls, expanded accessibility, DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers, and 3D audio. The PS5 Demon’s Souls feature list emphasizes 4K and high-frame-rate modes, enhanced performance, and fast loading. Those are different kinds of changes, so one game’s remake is not a template for every other one.
Conversely, “remaster” does not mean “the same game with a higher resolution” in every case, and “remake” does not mean every part has been changed. Read the edition’s feature list for the improvements that matter to you: controls, accessibility, performance, presentation, or content. When official descriptions do not establish a specific feature, do not assume it is present or absent based on the label alone.
Five questions to ask before choosing
- What do you want to play? A rebuilt single-player campaign, a legacy mode, or the historically original release can lead to different purchases.
- Which platform do you actually own? The examples span PS3, PS4, and PS5, and an edition tied to one platform is not automatically interchangeable with another.
- Do controls and accessibility matter more than preservation? Part I documents changes in both areas, while the original versions supply the historical reference point.
- Are loading and display modes a priority? Demon’s Souls specifically documents fast loading, 4K, and high-frame-rate options on PS5.
- Is the new edition a new purchase? For Part I, Sony says there is no upgrade path from earlier versions, so an existing owner should evaluate the separate purchase on its actual benefits.
Should I buy the original or the new version?
Choose the newer version if your priority is a convenient first playthrough with current platform features. Choose the original if your priority is experiencing the historical release as it was, preserving its distinct atmosphere, or accessing a specific feature that is tied to an older edition. That is a decision rule, not a claim that every remake is artistically better.
Choose the newer version when these features matter
- Updated controls and mechanics: This is a meaningful distinction for The Last of Us Part I, which PlayStation says modernizes gameplay mechanics and improves controls.
- Accessibility: PlayStation Blog coverage of The Last of Us Part I cites more than 60 accessibility options. That specific count is about this edition; it should not be generalized to other remakes.
- Performance and loading: PlayStation documents enhanced performance and fast loading for the PS5 Demon’s Souls, along with a 4K mode and a high-frame-rate mode.
- Newer controller and audio features: The Last of Us Part I supports DualSense wireless-controller haptics and adaptive trigger effects, as well as 3D audio.
- Modern presentation: The PS4 Shadow of the Colossus is an option when you want a newer presentation, while recognizing that the original may be more appropriate for historical or preservation-focused play.
Choose the original when you have a specific reason
- You want the original version itself: Its historical context, visual identity, and atmosphere are part of what you are choosing—not defects that a newer edition must correct.
- You want a legacy feature: Factions is the documented reason not to treat The Last of Us Part I as a universal replacement. PlayStation’s FAQ identifies The Last of Us and The Last of Us Remastered on PS4 as ways to access the mode.
- You are comparing a remake’s artistic choices: In Shadow of the Colossus, PlayStation’s development discussion frames the remake as a set of choices about what to retain and what to replace. A preservation-minded player may value the original’s version-specific identity.
A quick priority matrix
If your main priority is modern controls or accessibility, start with Part I. If it is loading, resolution, and frame-rate options, Demon’s Souls on PS5 is the clearest match. If it is the original mood and historical context, select the relevant original release. If it is Factions, stay with the PS4 releases identified by PlayStation. If you simply want the newest presentation of Shadow of the Colossus, choose the PS4 remake while understanding that it represents a reconstruction rather than the untouched source version.
Which version of The Last of Us should I buy?
For a new player with a PS5 who wants the single-player story with current features, The Last of Us Part I is the straightforward choice. Pick an older release instead if you specifically want Factions or are seeking the earlier version; Part I should not be presented as a one-for-one replacement for every reason someone might own the PS4 releases.
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What Part I changes
PlayStation describes Part I as a ground-up PS5 remake rather than a remaster or a port of an earlier edition. Its stated additions include modernized gameplay mechanics, improved controls, expanded accessibility, DualSense haptics, adaptive trigger effects, and 3D audio. PlayStation Blog coverage says the game includes more than 60 accessibility options. These specifics make it a strong choice for someone approaching the story for the first time and looking for the modernized single-player edition.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe physical product named by Sony Direct is The Last of Us Part I for PS5. Sony Direct describes the disc edition as including the complete single-player story and Left Behind. That is a useful detail if you are buying a physical copy specifically for the story; it does not change the separate question of whether you need an older release for Factions.
When an older release is the better fit
PlayStation’s FAQ says Factions can be accessed through The Last of Us on PS4 and The Last of Us Remastered on PS4. If that mode is the reason you are buying, choose one of those identified PS4 releases rather than assuming Part I contains it. The documented distinction is about access to Factions; it is not a general claim that the older editions are better for single-player.
There is no upgrade path from the PS3 or PS4 versions to Part I. Treat it as a separate PS5 purchase rather than an edition you can obtain by upgrading an existing copy. That matters if you already own an earlier release: whether Part I is worth buying depends on whether its specific PS5 changes are valuable to you, not on an assumed upgrade entitlement.
What to check on the box or store page
Confirm that the listing says The Last of Us Part I for PS5 if you want the rebuilt edition. A listing for the original game or Remastered is a different release with different feature coverage. If buying physically, verify that the product is the PS5 disc edition and that the included story content matches your goal. The documented inclusion is the complete single-player story and Left Behind; Factions remains the separate legacy-feature question.
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Is the Demon’s Souls remake better than the PS3 original?
The PS5 remake is the clearer pick if you want modern console presentation and performance; the PS3 original is the pick if your goal is the original release. The available official feature descriptions support that distinction, but they do not establish that one is artistically superior for every player.
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PlayStation describes the PS5 version as a remake and documents enhanced performance, fast loading, a 4K mode, and a high-frame-rate mode. Sony Direct lists a PS5 disc edition and describes the game as rebuilt from the ground up. These are the concrete reasons to choose it if your priorities are presentation and current hardware features.
The original PS3 release remains a meaningful choice for preservation: it is the version from the game’s original release, rather than a later reconstruction. If you are interested in how a classic played and appeared in its original context, that is a different goal from seeking a more current console presentation. No universal artistic ranking follows from the technical feature list.
Who should choose which Demon’s Souls?
Choose PS5 when you want the documented display and performance options, quicker loading, and a physical PS5 edition. Choose PS3 when the original release itself is the object of interest, such as studying its historical presentation or comparing the source game with the remake. If you already own the PS3 version, the decision is an intentional purchase for those PS5 benefits, not an automatic upgrade.
Is the PS4 Shadow of the Colossus a remaster?
No. PlayStation described the PS4 release as a remake, explicitly saying it was not a port or remaster. Choose it if you want that newer presentation; choose the original if preserving the earlier visual identity, atmosphere, or historical version is more important to you.
The distinction is more than terminology. PlayStation’s development article describes the work as deciding what to keep and what to replace from the source material. That makes the original-versus-remake choice especially relevant for players who care about the character of a particular release, rather than only whether a newer edition exists. The official material supports a conditional recommendation, not a blanket verdict that one version is the correct way to play.
How to approach the Shadow comparison
Think of the PS4 edition as a modern presentation of a classic whose identity has been actively re-created. That can be exactly what a first-time player wants. A player documenting the original visual identity, atmosphere, or historical context may instead prefer the source release. Neither goal is invalid, and the remake label does not settle the artistic question by itself.
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How should I decide if I already own the original?
Do not buy a remake just because it is newer; compare its documented changes with what you would actually gain. For an existing owner, the relevant questions are whether the new edition changes the way you want to play, whether it adds accessibility or platform features you value, and whether it drops or omits something you rely on.
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- Check the exact game and release. Sony’s examples show that remake labels attach to different kinds of changes: Part I documents control, accessibility, audio, and controller features; Demon’s Souls documents performance and display modes.
- Check content and mode coverage. Factions is available through the specified PS4 The Last of Us releases, so a newer single-player rebuild is not automatically a substitute for that purpose.
- Confirm platform and purchase details. Part I is the PS5 edition, and Sony says there is no upgrade path from the PS3 or PS4 versions. Sony Direct lists physical PS5 editions for both Part I and the PS5 Demon’s Souls; current prices and retailer stock are not established here.
- Decide whether preservation is part of the goal. If you want the original version’s historical place, atmosphere, or visual identity, the original release may be the more appropriate purchase even when a remake has more modern features.
- Set a spending boundary. Because Part I is a separate PS5 purchase, compare its full purchase cost with the value of the features you will use. Do not assume ownership of an older disc reduces the price unless a store explicitly states an offer.
What does Sony’s release history tell you—and what does it not?
Sony Group Corporation’s 2025 report places the original The Last of Us in 2013, the full Part I remake in 2022, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered in 2024. The report also gives more than 37 million cumulative copies for the franchise. That is a franchise-wide cumulative figure, not sales for Part I alone, and it does not indicate which edition an individual player should choose.
The chronology is useful context for understanding why multiple editions exist, but it cannot settle questions of preference. A new release may serve players who want current features, while an older one can retain value for preservation or a mode that remains tied to it. A sales total or release date cannot substitute for checking the version-specific features relevant to your purchase.
What should you buy?
If you are new to these games and want the modernized experience, start with The Last of Us Part I on PS5, the PS5 Demon’s Souls, or the PS4 Shadow of the Colossus remake according to which game you want to play. If you already own an earlier version, upgrade only when the newer edition’s concrete features matter to you. Keep the older The Last of Us releases in view if you want Factions, and choose an original release when the original itself—not merely the game’s title—is what you want to preserve.
In practical terms, make a short list before buying: desired game mode, target platform, presentation priorities, accessibility needs, and preservation goals. Then match that list to the documented edition features. This avoids two common mistakes—assuming every remake is identical, and assuming every original is automatically superior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the physical PS5 edition of The Last of Us Part I include Left Behind?
Yes. Sony Direct describes the PS5 disc edition as including the complete single-player story and the story chapter Left Behind.
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Does the 37 million figure mean The Last of Us Part I sold 37 million copies?
No. Sony Group Corporation’s 2025 report gives more than 37 million as a cumulative figure for the franchise, not as sales for Part I by itself.
Can I use an old PS3 or PS4 copy to upgrade to Part I?
No upgrade path from the PS3 or PS4 versions to Part I is documented; PlayStation’s guidance says there is no upgrade path. Treat Part I as a separate PS5 purchase.
Is The Last of Us Part I a remaster?
No. PlayStation describes it as a ground-up remake and specifically says it is not a remaster or port of a previous version.
Which version of The Last of Us includes Factions?
PlayStation’s FAQ identifies The Last of Us on PS4 and The Last of Us: Remastered on PS4 as ways to access Factions. Do not assume Part I is a replacement for that mode.
Is the PS5 Demon’s Souls remake the best version for performance?
It is the documented choice for modern console performance: PlayStation lists enhanced performance, fast loading, 4K, and high-frame-rate modes. The PS3 version remains the original-release choice.
Is Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 a remaster?
No. PlayStation explicitly describes the PS4 release as a remake rather than a port or remaster. Choose between it and the original according to your presentation and preservation priorities.
Are current prices included in this comparison?
No. The cited Sony materials establish editions, platforms, and features, but not current prices or retailer stock. Check the store listing at the time you buy.
The Bottom Line
For most first-time players on current hardware, choose the newer version when its documented controls, accessibility, loading, performance, or presentation upgrades match your priorities. Choose the original for preservation, historical context, original atmosphere, or a legacy feature such as Factions.
Part I, Demon’s Souls on PS5, and Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 are not interchangeable kinds of updates. Check the exact release, platform, content, and purchase path before spending money.
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