10 Exciting Ways to Refresh Your Replay of The Last of Us!

Summary

Both The Last of Us games allow players to shake things up during a second playthrough, not just through adjusting difficulty settings.
Players can choose between killer or pacifist playthroughs, leaning toward aggression or stealth, using specific weapons or not, as well as experimenting with upgrades and skills.
Additional ways to freshen up one’s Last of Us experience include speedrunning, Grounded and Permadeath modes, and PC mods.

The games in the series “The Last of Us,” created by Naughty Dog, are some of the most acclaimed video game franchises due to their combination of compelling and emotional storytelling with enjoyable gameplay and intricately designed combat systems. With Sony extending accessibility to its platforms beyond PlayStation consoles (as “The Last of Us Part 1” is already available on PC, and “The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered” will launch on April 3), a greater number of players now have the opportunity to either discover these action-adventure gems for the first time or reacquaint themselves with their memories by playing them again.

Regarding the Last of Us games, although they are primarily linear in structure, there are numerous compelling factors that make replaying them an enticing prospect. For gamers preparing to revisit the series before the release of HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 on April 13, here are some of the top strategies for revitalizing a playthrough of Part 1 and Part 2. From experimenting with fresh difficulties and gameplay styles to focusing more on collectibles and achievements, seasoned players may want to explore these possibilities.

1. Play on a Different Difficulty

Easier or Harder, Both Have Benefits

In The Last of Us series, the level of challenge isn’t straightforward like in many other games. Instead, it offers a more intricate balance that can be customized according to player preference. For instance, options like resource scarcity and enemy hostility can be tailored separately, ensuring each gameplay session is unique. Moreover, revisiting the game on different difficulty settings provides its own rewards, so it’s not solely about choosing Grounded mode.

In The Last of Us game, the choice between a more aggressive or sneaky strategy can significantly impact the player’s experience. If players opt for an aggressive approach, they might find it tough when enemies are capable of quickly defeating Joel, Ellie, or Abby with just one or two shots. Additionally, engaging in combat with limited resources could pose a risk. Therefore, players should reflect on their preferred playstyle and approach the game as either a nerve-wracking, stealth-oriented survival adventure or a brutal, high-octane shootout.

2. Kill Everyone or Go for a Pacifist Completion

Become the Ultimate Killer or a Peaceful Survivor

The current topic connects with the last one because both rely on the player’s chosen level of challenge and play approach. In other words, since the games in “The Last of Us” series allow for a customizable method of completing levels, the degree of action in the entire game experience is entirely determined by the player.

People who appreciate the battle mechanics from both Part 1 and Part 2 might lean towards eliminating any danger they encounter, meaning having ample resources could play a crucial role for them. Conversely, others may prefer a non-violent survival experience, steering clear of killing (particularly humans), and using force only in dire situations. Be ready to spend plenty of time hiding in tall grass.

3. Melee Only Run or No Melee Run

Survive by Whatever Means Necessary

A fun way to keep your “Last of Us” gaming experience diverse is by choosing whether to rely more on hand-to-hand combat or firearms. Emphasizing one over the other can result in unique battle encounters and gameplay situations. Continuously opting for melee attacks could even give “The Last of Us” a feel reminiscent of “The Callisto Protocol,” especially for players who enjoy that style of play.

Additionally, solely depending on melee weapons necessitates cautious foraging to ensure you’re always prepared for upcoming confrontations. It also demands patience when trapping enemies in close quarters, knowing when to retreat, and striking back at the optimal time. On the other hand, those familiar with melee combat may find testing themselves to finish the game using only a single firearm adds an additional layer of resource management and encourages a more strategic approach to both combat and survival.

4. Change Approach to Skills and Weapon Upgrades

Try New Skill Sets or Play Without Them

In the The Last of Us series, both games offer character abilities and weapon enhancements that empower players to customize their strategies and even dabble in various combat “specials.” This is especially true in Part 2, where each playable character boasts unique skill trees that evolve as the game progresses. Though not as adaptable as in numerous other action games, these choices enable players to boost their health, extend hearing range, discover new crafting recipes, execute deadly attacks like shiv kills, and ameliorate firearms for heightened effectiveness and deadliness.

Certainly, these mechanics provide an additional dimension to explore during a repeat game. Players might not just be keen on testing out fresh abilities and weapon enhancements, but also opting to discard them altogether. Ideal for tougher survival modes on increased difficulties, this strategy can transform a TLOU session into a genuinely demanding and unyielding experience.

5. Play Without Crafting

Only Use What You Find

Similar to numerous action-survival games, such as The Last of Us, players can create useful items from scavenged resources like scissors, alcohol, and dirty rags. These crafting recipes encompass a variety of items, including medkits, explosives, shivs, melee enhancements, mines, gun silencers, and more. Since the availability of resources is linked to difficulty level, players may opt to abstain from crafting in order to heighten the challenge. In this scenario, we can imagine that Joel or Ellie are newcomers to surviving outdoors, unaware that duct tape could fix many problems.

Forgoing the creation of explosives and silencers might not automatically rule out an option, but the absence of medical kits can significantly heighten the challenge. Although you may encounter medical kits in the game world, depending solely on what you scavenge is more practical for a stealth-oriented gameplay style that aims to minimize damage.

6. Find Every Collectible

Scan Each Area for Hidden Secrets

Many gamers often overlook numerous hidden treasures while playing The Last of Us for the first time, rendering these achievements quite rewarding to accomplish in future playthroughs. Both the initial game and its sequel abound with secret items and locations waiting to be discovered, several of which are linked to specific achievements.

As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for secrets tucked away in the game world. Safes filled with valuable loot, workbenches for upgrading my skills, and manual guides to new abilities – these are just some of the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in almost every chapter. And if I happen to miss something during my first playthrough, both games offer the chance to replay chapters, giving me a second shot at finding those elusive items.

7. Try Permadeath Mode

Only for Hardened Survivors Who Know Their Game

To clarify, this strategy may not be suitable for the majority of players of “The Last of Us” series given its extreme nature, but it’s still worth noting. In fact, both games include a Permadeath option where each player gets just one life throughout the entire game. This means that if Joel, Ellie, or Abby perish even once, the game is over. Therefore, this mode is best suited for the most dedicated fans who are intimately familiar with every encounter and can successfully evade clickers at all times.

In games with Permadeath mode, such as The Last of Us (TLOU), the slightest error can result in significant loss of progress, and there’s always the potential for technical glitches disrupting a gaming session. However, for experienced TLOU players, Permadeath continues to be an exciting choice if they are looking for a truly heart-pounding gaming experience.

8. Go for a Speedrun

Race Against the Clock

One common method to prolong gameplay enjoyment is through speedrunning. However, the “The Last of Us” series doesn’t typically lend itself to this playstyle as both games advocate a slow and deliberate approach. Nevertheless, enthusiasts can set personal goals to complete either “Part 1” or “Part 2” in record-breaking short times.

In speedrunning The Last of Us, strategies such as bypassing dialogue scenes, running instead of fighting enemies (both human and infected), and sprinting through levels are essential. These techniques help players finish the game as fast as possible. With typical playtimes ranging from 14 to 15 hours for the original game and 23 to 24 hours for Part 2, speedrunners aim to beat these times and see how quickly they can make it to the end credits.

9. Try New Costumes

Unlock and Enjoy New Character Appearances

Just like in the Resident Evil series, each installment of The Last of Us offers alternate costumes for playable characters, which can be unlocked and chosen from a menu to give them a new appearance. The initial game on PS3 had 21 costumes for Joel and Ellie combined, whereas the first part expanded this selection and added weapon skins to the series. Consistent with this trend, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered offers 23 outfits for Ellie and 20 for Abby, as well as additional skins for other characters.

Changing a character’s appearance, though not as impactful on gameplay as other options discussed earlier, remains an enjoyable feature that can make the gaming experience feel new and exciting, despite the seemingly odd scenario of eliminating stalkers in a spacesuit.

10. Use Popular Mods on PC

From Visual Reshades to Extra Outfits

Currently, modifications are only available for “The Last of Us Part 1” on PC, as “Part 2” has yet to make its debut on the platform. Installing mods can be an effortless and powerful method to add variety during a replay, offering a fresh perspective.

For now, there aren’t many mods that significantly change the gameplay in Part 1, but players can still enjoy additional outfit choices for characters like Ellie or Joel, apply various visual enhancements or modifications to the game’s appearance through reshades, and even switch character models to play the entire game as Ellie, thus creating a more seamless experience between the first game and its sequel.

2025-03-20 11:36