Summary
The Last of Usgames by Naughty Dog is among the most celebrated gaming series ever, blending cinematic and emotional narratives with satisfying gameplay and well-crafted combat mechanics. As Sony expands platform availability beyond PlayStation consoles – TheLast of Us Part 1is already on PC,withThe Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredlaunching April 3– more players than ever can either experience these action-adventure masterpieces for the first time or revisit them to refresh their memories.
Despite being largely linear, bothLast of Usgames offer compelling reasons for replaying beyond their deep combat mechanics. For those planning to revisit the seriesahead of HBO’sThe Last of UsSeason 2 premiere on April 13, here are some ofthe best ways to refresh another playthrough ofPart 1andPart 2. From tackling new difficulties and playstyles to doubling down on collectibles and achievements, longtime players should consider giving these options a try.
1Play on a Different Difficulty
Easier or Harder, Both Have Benefits
This one is a bit obvious; however, the difficulty inThe Last of Usgames is more nuanced compared to many others. Playerscan individually adjust various parameters, such as resource availability and enemy aggression, making each playthrough feel distinct. Playing on a harder or easier difficulty the second time around also has its own benefits, so it’s not just about playing the game on Grounded.
For instance, depending on whether players prefer a more aggressive or stealth-focused approach, selecting the right difficulty beforehand can make a difference. Playing too aggressively becomes challenging when enemies can take down Joel, Ellie, or Abby in one or two shots, not to mention the risk of engaging in full combat with limited resources. Because of this, players should consider their preferred playstyle and approachThe Last of Useither as a tense, stealth-driven survival experience or as brutal, gun-blazing action.
2Kill Everyone or Go for a Pacifist Completion
Become the Ultimate Killer or a Peaceful Survivor
This entry ties into the previous one, as it also depends on players' preferred difficulty and playstyle. SinceThe Last of Usgames offer a flexible approach to clearing levels, it’s entirely up to the player how action-focused the overall experience will be.
Those who enjoy the combat mechanics ofPart 1andPart 2may prefer to eliminate every threat in their path, so selecting a generous amount of resources could be a key factor. On the other hand, some might opt for a pacifist survival playthrough, avoiding enemy kills (especially against humans) and resorting to violence only when absolutely necessary. Just prepare to lie prone in the high grass a lot.
3Melee Only Run or No Melee Run
Survive by Whatever Means Necessary
Another way to add variety to aLast of Usplaythrough is by deciding how toapproach melee weapons and firearms. Favoring one over the other can provide fresh combat experiences and lead to unique gameplay scenarios. Constantly waving the stick might even makeThe Last of Usfeel likeThe Callisto Protocolif players are into it.
Furthermore, relying solely on melee weapons requires careful scavenging to stay armed for future encounters, as well as patience for ambushing enemies in close quarters, retreating when necessary, and striking again at the right moment. Conversely, for those accustomed to melee combat, challenging themselves to complete the game using only a single firearm can introduce an extra layer of resource management and a more strategic approach to combat and survival.
4Change Approach to Skills and Weapon Upgrades
Try New Skill Sets or Play Without Them
BothThe Last of Usgames feature character skills and weapon upgrades, allowing players to tailor their tactics and even experiment with a semblance of combat “builds.” InPart 2,each playable character even has dedicated skill treesthat unlock throughout the game. While not as flexible as in many other action games, these options let players enhance health, extend listening distance, unlock new crafting recipes, perform deadly moves like shiv kills, andimprove firearms for greater efficiency and lethality.
Naturally, these mechanics add another layer to experiment with during a second playthrough. Players may not only want to try entirely different skills and weapon upgrades but also abandon them altogether. More suited for hardcore survival runs on higher difficulties, this approach can make aTLOUplaythrough truly challenging and unforgiving.
5Play Without Crafting
Only Use What You Find
Like many other action-survival games,The Last of Usallows players tocraft useful tools from gathered materialslike scissors, alcohol, and dirty rags. Crafting recipes include medkits, explosives, shivs, melee upgrades, mines, gun silencers, and more. Since resource availability is tied to difficulty, players might choose to hold off from crafting as a way to add an extra challenge. Let’s assume it’s Joel or Ellie’s first time surviving out there, so they’re not yet aware that everything can be fixed with duct tape.
While giving up the ability to craft explosives or silencers isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, the lack of medkits can make things far more punishing. Though medkits can still be found in the world, relying solely on what players find is far more feasible for a stealth-focused playthrough where unnecessary damage is minimized.
6Find Every Collectible
Scan Each Area for Hidden Secrets
Most players miss countless collectibles during their first playthrough ofThe Last of Us, making this achievement worth pursuing in subsequent runs. Both the original and the sequel arefilled with hidden secrets and items to discover, many of which are tied to specific achievements.
From locked safes containing valuables, workbenches, and training manuals that unlock new skills to more intricately hidden but less essential collectibles like coins, cards, and artifacts, careful players can uncover hidden items in almost every chapter. Worry not: both games allow chapter replays for those who miss a few.
7Try Permadeath Mode
Only for Hardened Survivors Who Know Their Game
Granted, this advice won’t suit mostLast of Usplayers due to its sheer extremity, but it’s worth mentioning. Both games feature a Permadeath mode, where players have only one life for the entire playthrough: if Joel, Ellie, or Abby die even once, the game ends. As a result, it’srecommended only for the most die-hard fanswho know every encounter inside and out and can avoid clickers at all costs.
The challenge with Permadeath mode, as in other games with similar mechanics, is that even the smallest mistake can lead to devastating progress loss, not to mention therisk of technical hiccups ruining a run. Still, forTLOUveterans, Permadeath remains a nerve-racking option if players seek true adrenaline-fueled play.
8Go for a Speedrun
Race Against the Clock
Speedrunning is one of the most popular ways to extend one’s time with a game. While neitherLast of Ustitle is particularly suited for this playstyle (both encourage slow, careful progression instead), fans may still challenge themselves toachieve impressively short completion timesforPart 1orPart 2.
Skipping all cutscenes, sprinting through levels, and avoiding both human enemies and infected by running rather than fighting are just some of the strategies required for speedrunningThe Last of Us. With typical completion times around 14–15 hours for the first game and 23–24 hours forPart 2, some players may find it curious to see just how quickly they can reach the end credits.
9Try New Costumes
Unlock and Enjoy New Character Appearances
Like theResident Evilseries, allLast of Usgames feature alternate outfits for playable characters, which can be unlocked and selected from the menu for a fresh look. The originalTLOUfor PS3 included 21 skins for Joel and Ellie combined, whilePart 1expands the selection and even introduces weapon skins to the franchise.The Last of Us Part 2 Remasteredcontinues this trend,featuring 23 outfits for Ellie and 20 for Abby, along with additional skins for other characters.
While not as gameplay-influencing as some of the other methods mentioned above, changing a character’s appearance is still a nice touch to keep the experience feeling fresh, even if clearing stalkers while wearing a space suit seems a bit impractical.
10Use Popular Mods on PC
From Visual Reshades to Extra Outfits
For now, this option is limited only toThe Last of Us Part 1on PC, given thatPart 2is yet to be released on PC for mods to arrive. However, installing mods is generally one of the easiest and most effective ways to shake things up during a second playthrough.
While there aren’t too many groundbreaking gameplay-influencing mods forPart 1yet, players can access new clothing options for Ellie or Joel, install various reshades to enhance or alter the game’s visuals, and evenswitch models to play the entire game as Ellie, further blurring the line between the first game and its sequel.
The Last of Us Part I
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards, now rebuilt from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 console.In a ravaged civilization, where infected and hardened survivors run rampant, Joel, a weary protagonist, is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie out of a military quarantine zone. However, what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal cross-country journey.- Completely rebuilt using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology with advanced visual fidelity, fully integrated DualSense™ wireless controller features, and more.- A total overhaul of the original experience, faithfully reproduced but incorporating modernized gameplay mechanics, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options.- Feel immersed in improved environmental storytelling, effects, facial animations, and enhanced exploration and combat.
The Last of Us Part 2
Play the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, remastered for the PlayStation®5 console. Relive or play for the first time Ellie and Abby’s story, now with graphical enhancements, new gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, full DualSense® wireless controller integration, and more. Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closur
