The PC release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered marks a significant improvement over The Last of Us Part 1’s troubled launch, thanks to Nixxes Software taking the reins instead of Iron Galaxy. While the port is far more stable and optimized than its predecessor, it’s not without its issues—one of which is an aggressively oversharpened image that can be distracting, especially when using DLSS.
Fortunately, a simple mod can fix this problem, restoring the game’s visual fidelity to its intended state. Here’s everything you need to know about the issue and how to resolve it.
One of the most noticeable flaws in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC is an excessive sharpening effect applied to the image. This is particularly evident when using DLSS or FSR, where distant objects and textures appear unnaturally crisp, leading to a noisy, artificial look.
While the game does include an "Upscale Sharpness" slider in the settings, adjusting it doesn’t fully eliminate the issue. The base level of sharpening remains too high, detracting from the game’s otherwise stunning visuals.
Modder huutaiii created a simple yet effective mod that removes the forced sharpening effect. Here’s how it improves the image:
Before the mod: Distant textures and edges appear overly sharp, creating a "halo" effect around objects.
After the mod: The image looks more natural, with smoother edges and better overall clarity.
A comparison screenshot shared by the modder clearly demonstrates the difference:
[Insert comparison image here if available]
Thankfully, installing the mod is quick and easy. Follow these steps:
Visit huutaiii’s Patreon post for the mod: [Insert Patreon link if available].
Under Attachments, download the provided ZIP file.
Locate your The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered installation folder:
Open Steam, right-click the game in your library.
Select Manage > Browse local files.
Extract the contents of the ZIP file into the game’s root directory.
The mod consists of just two files:
winmm.dll
CustomSharpnessII.asi
Once the files are in place, start the game. The oversharpening effect should now be disabled.
The mod may require a restart to take full effect.
If you encounter stability issues, simply delete the two mod files to revert to the original settings.
Keep an eye on the mod’s Patreon or Nexus Mods page for updates.
Since the mod only adjusts post-processing sharpness and doesn’t modify game files, it’s unlikely to trigger anti-cheat systems (though The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered doesn’t use any). User reports on Steam, Nexus Mods, and Patreon confirm that it works without causing crashes or performance issues.
However, as with any mod:
Back up your save files before installing.
Disable the mod if you experience unexpected behavior.
While The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC is in a far better state than Part 1’s disastrous launch, the oversharpening issue is a glaring flaw. Thankfully, modders have already stepped in to provide a fix.
If you’re playing the game and find the sharpening distracting, huutaiii’s mod is an essential download. With luck, Nixxes will address this in a future patch, but for now, this solution works perfectly.
Have you tried the mod? How has your experience been with The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered on PC? Let us know in the comments!