Released on June 19, 2020, The Last of Us Part II expands on every aspect of the first game's gameplay. Everything from the movement to the interaction with the environment is made smoother and more in-depth in this jaw-dropping sequel. Given the breadth of the gameplay, there are plenty of little tricks and maneuvers players may not realize are in their toolset.
Fortunately, this list covers all the ground some may have missed while surviving the arduous journey through Seattle. Hopefully this makes the gameplay easier and more enjoyable so players can fully appreciate and absorb the magnificent story Naughty Dog crafted.
Updated on October 12, 2021, by Jason Wojnar: It took seven years for fans to get a sequel to the Last of Us. While it was the subject of some controversy before and after release, most people who actually played it agree that it is a worthy successor to the 2013 PS3 opus. With its recent inclusion on the PS Now subscription service, plenty of people are getting their hands on it for the first time. Those new to the game should take a look at this list for an idea of some of the more hidden bits in the 2020 title.
13 Play An Improved Version On The PS5
Anyone who played the game upon release on the PS4 has a brand new reason to play it again. In 2021, Naughty Dog released a patch for PS5 owners that dramatically improves performance to take advantage of the newer console's power.
The best part of it is the patch is completely free of charge. On the PS4 fans had to buy a whole new copy of the first Last of Us to experience an improved version. This one is playable as long as players have a copy of the game.
12 Leaving Encounters Before Killing Everyone
Last of Us Part 2 forces players to kill a lot of people. However, Ellie does not have to obliterate everyone in her path. Some encounters simply require players to get through another area.
She does not have to kill everyone before moving on to the next area and can simply sneak towards the goal. This is especially helpful in areas with dogs. There is one dog that players have to put down during a QTE, but other canine friends can be spared.
11 Fully Explore Seattle
Once players enter Seattle, they are given the chance to explore a large open area filled with supplies and hidden narrative moments. Players are encouraged to explore every nook and cranny of this area before moving on to the next story beat.
One can pass through this area in five minutes or spend well over an hour going to every spot. Some of the game's more interesting secrets are here, including a sweet moment where Ellie plays the 80s classic "Take on Me" for Dina on guitar.
10 Completely Customize The Difficulty
Curiously, none of the trophies are associated with difficulty modes. As such, players can change the difficulty during the story without any penalization. The developers even went a step further and allow the player to completely customize the difficulty.
Each aspect of the gameplay, from the resources to enemy resilience, is separately changeable from the easiest setting to the hardest, allowing for a fully customizable experience.
9 Open Safes Without Finding The Combination
Many valuable resources are locked behind safes scattered throughout the world. The combination usually sits somewhere close by or the players can deduce what it is through environmental hints.
However, patient players can figure out the combination without finding the code in the game world. Like a real safe, turning the dial to the right number will trigger a subtle clicking sound. Players have to listen extremely carefully for it, but its presence shows the developer's dedication to detail.
8 Play Different Songs On The Guitar
Guitars play an important role, with the story literally opening on a shot of Joel cleaning one. Characters sing tunes occasionally throughout the game, and the player can fool around with it during downtime in the world. Musicians will immediately notice the virtual instrument's accuracy.
Players have already started playing full songs on it and posting videos to YouTube. It also sounds beautiful, which may not be so realistic for an instrument that has potentially sat around unplayed for over twenty years.
7 Use Accessibility Settings To Find Collectibles
The game has an astonishing amount of accessibility settings to help differently-abled gamers enjoy the story. For gamers who want to find all the collectibles without referring to guides on the internet, they can use these options to better highlight collectibles in the environment.
The high contrast option paired with enhanced listening mode gives both visual and audio hints to collectibles' locations. Don't let anybody tell anyone else that this is cheating; everyone should play games the way they want to play them.
6 Stealth Kill From The Front
Stealth is the player's best friend during combat encounters. Sneaking up from behind, grabbing an enemy, and silently disposing of them is the best and most resource-efficient method of dealing with foes.
Players do not have to grab enemies from the back all the time, however. While in cover and an enemy turns a corner towards the player, they have a chance to grab them before the opponent enters full alert and calls their buddies.
5 Air Takedowns
Verticality plays a bigger role in this entry than the series' debut. The open combat arenas allow the player to climb vehicles or snipe enemies from the balcony of houses.
From these heights, players can also jump down on an enemy for an impressive aerial kill. It is just as messy as one would imagine it in real life, with both Ellie and the victim tumbling to the ground. This is not easy to pull off, but it looks incredibly cinematic.
4 Putting A Hat On Joel
One flashback sequence sees Joel and Ellie visit a museum shortly after they arrive in Jackson following the end of the original title. Players can pick up a hat and put it on various fossils around the museum.
Be sure to pick it up each time and put it on every object in the area. Eventually, players will be able to put the hat on Joel, leading to a sweet moment and a trophy.
3 Enter Stealth After Being Spotted
Do not give up hope if enemies spot Ellie during combat encounters. It does not mean the rest of the bout must be a full-frontal assault. Players can re-enter stealth by running away and having enemies lose Ellie's trail.
Take this opportunity for some creative kills, like planting a trap mine where the enemies saw Ellie, only for them to happen upon a deadly explosion, ending their post-apocalyptic careers.
2 Unleash Infected On Enemies
A few areas have both humans and the Infected out for blood. Ellie should take this opportunity to pit the two against each other. Take a brick or bottle and toss it towards the humans to draw the Infected's attention.
The zombies might not take out every human foe, but they will at least thin the herd. It is also entertaining seeing the AI interact with each other.
1 Shooting From Prone
Gunshots and certain melee hits occasionally knock Ellie to the ground. Players do not have to immediately stand up, however. They can stay on the ground and aim from this prone position.
In fact, it may be advantageous to remain on the dirty floor and take out surrounding foes. Ellie is a harder target to hit from this position and the player feels like Solid Snake.
Last of Us Part II is out now for PS4, with a PS5 patch available for the new console