Fortunately, this list is here to provide ten pro tips to make the hellish journey more manageable. It would be unfortunate for anybody to have a bad time during gameplay, making the story less enjoyable due to the frustration of constantly dying. This list will also be spoiler free, even for those who have not so much as made it to the opening title screen.
10 Use Bricks And Bottles
Many of the strategies from the first game also work in this sequel. A tried and true trick is picking up a bottle or a brick, throwing it an enemy, and then running in for the killing blow while the foe is staggered. It helps save ammunition and makes closing the distance between Ellie and an enemy safer. The objects can also be used to distract enemies and sneak past them and are plentiful in most combat scenarios.
9 Use Trap Mines
When spotted, enemies will quickly surround the player. In cases like this, Trap Mines are a good friend. Plant one where enemies see Ellie, sneak out of the area, and wait while the opponents approach their impending doom. This method also works while in stealth and enemies hear a noise. While a cruel trick, just think of what enemies would do to Ellie if they got their hands on her.
8 Search Everywhere
Stealth is only one part of the gameplay equation. Another major facet of the adventure is exploration and gathering supplies. As such, it is vital to constantly search every nook and cranny for supplies during downtime. Some of the areas are more open than in the original Last of Us, so be thorough, since it is easy to skip entire rooms full of valuables.
7 Don’t Craft Everything Right Away
Many of the craftable items share resources, so players have to think about which ones are more important. To this effect, one should not craft something right away once the resources are available.
It is good to have some on hand, but make sure the resources are available to craft on the go during combat. It would be unfortunate to have a surplus of health kits in a situation where a Molotov cocktail would escape a bind.
6 Upgrade Weapon Stability And Damage
At the workbenches, weapon stability and damage are the two most important upgrades. accuracy is vital for pulling those headshots, and damage is essential to taking out infected when they are running at the player. Additionally, scopes are also important for the weapons that have them. Other upgrades are helpful, including bullet capacity, but having a bunch of bullets is useless without some mean damage or stable hands.
5 Use Melee In One-On-One Bouts
The sequel has a slightly more in-depth melee combat system than its 2013 predecessor. Instead of simply throwing punches, the player must also dodge attacks with the L1 button.
It is ill-advised to engage more than one enemy in fisticuffs, but if there is only one more left, go for it. Clickers cannot be attacked in such a fashion, but the regular runners are easily taken out with some punches.
4 Character Upgrades
Collecting medicine throughout the world is used to upgrade certain character abilities, whether it be health, movement while aiming, listening mode, or any other number of gameplay features. There are more options than in the first game, so it can be slightly overwhelming at first. Ultimately, health upgrades and the effectiveness of health packs are the most important, with crafting supplies and listening mode coming it at second and third. As long the player thoroughly explores the environment, they should find enough supplies to upgrade most of the abilities.
3 Get Infected To Attack Enemies
The Left Behind DLC introduced the ability to pit infected against human enemies. More opportunities exist for this in the sequel, and players should take full advantage of these occasions. It simultaneously saves ammo and thins out the heard. These instances can start with something as simple as throwing a brick towards enemy to attract the infected’s attention.
2 Crawl As Much As Possible
Crawling is another new feature of the player’s move set, and it comes in handy during stealth segments. Patches of shorter grass only hide the player if they are crawling, and enemies will not see the player from long distances if they are on the belly moving like a snake. It is definitely slow, but worthwhile if the player is trying to move as stealthily as possible.
1 Play On Hard
This one is not so much a tip as it is a recommendation on the most enjoyable way to play. While normal mode is the second difficulty option available, many who played the first one will find it too easy. Enemies are pushovers and resources are abundant to anybody who pays even the slightest attention to their surroundings. For those who want a more engaging experience without becoming unmanageable, hard mode is perfect.
Next: 10 Questions We Want Answered In Last Of Us 2
