The game was released worldwide on June 19, 2020, for the PlayStation 4 console. It received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. It had the biggest launch of 2020 for both physical and digital sales, selling over four million copies in its release weekend and becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation 4 exclusive. The Last of Us Part II broke the record for most Game of the Year awards set by The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015); it was later surpassed by Elden Ring (2022). The game was awarded from outlets and shows such as Den of Geek, Digital Trends, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Empire, Entertainment Weekly, Game Informer, PlayStation Blog, Push Square, and the Titanium Awards. it was named runner-up by several other publications. The Last of Us Part II was ranked among the best games of its generation by Game Informer, GamesRadar+, and IGN.
