Step-by-Step Guide to Surviving the Last of Us Part II

29 October 2025

The Last of Us Part II is a masterpiece—a survival-horror game that can both break your heart and challenge every ounce of your gaming skills. If you've played any of Naughty Dog's games, then you already know they don’t mess around. But even die-hard fans of the franchise can find themselves struggling to survive in the brutal, unforgiving world of Ellie’s journey.

So, how do you make it through without smashing your controller in frustration? Lucky for you, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the dark alleys and overgrown wastelands like a pro. Let’s dive in and break it all down!

Table of Contents

1. Understanding The Basics
2. Scavenging—It’s A Way Of Life
3. Combat: Fight Smarter, Not Harder
4. Stealth: Your Most Reliable Ally
5. Crafting Tips: Thrive Instead of Just Survive
6. Managing Health & Resources
7. Dealing With Clickers and Other Foes
8. Exploring the Environment
9. Emotional Survival (Seriously)

Understanding The Basics

Before you even start the game, you need to know one thing—The Last of Us Part II is not going to hold your hand. This isn’t your average run-and-gun shooter. Every bullet, bandage, and crafting material is precious, so take your sweet time soaking it all in. If you’re new to the series, consider playing on a lower difficulty to get a feel for the mechanics before cranking it up to "Survivor" mode.

Key Controls to Master

- Use Listen Mode (R1) to track enemy movements—it’s like echolocation for humans.
- Learn dodge timing (L1) for melee combat. It’s a lifesaver when dealing with infected.
- Get comfortable switching between weapons quickly, as combat situations can turn chaotic in seconds.

Scavenging—It’s A Way Of Life

If you’re not scavenging like your life depends on it, well… your life does depend on it! Supplies are scattered throughout the world, and you’ll need every single one to survive. Picture yourself as an apocalypse-powered vacuum cleaner—search drawers, cabinets, lockers, and anywhere else you can shove your hands.

Hot Tip

The game rewards exploration. Off-the-beaten-path areas often hide ammo, medkits, and crafting materials. Keep your eyes peeled for cracks in walls, broken windows, and areas that might seem out of reach.

Think of scavenging like digging for treasure. Sure, sometimes you’ll only find a bottle (yay…), but other times you’ll score a stash of materials that makes you feel like you just won the apocalypse lottery.

Combat: Fight Smarter, Not Harder

Let’s get one thing straight—combat in The Last of Us Part II is stressful. Enemies are relentless and, honestly, downright scary at times. But here’s the kicker: you don’t always have to fight.

1. Know When to Engage

Sometimes it’s better to sneak past enemies and conserve resources. Save your bullets for when you really need them, like dealing with a clicker pack or human foes who won’t quit.

2. Make Every Shot Count

Ammo is scarce, so channel your inner sharpshooter. Aim for the head, and don’t waste bullets spraying and praying.

3. Use the Environment

Use cover! Whether it’s a car, a desk, or overgrown vegetation, staying hidden can be more valuable than a fully-loaded shotgun. Also, throwable distractions like bottles and bricks can turn the tide in your favor.

Stealth: Your Most Reliable Ally

Being loud is basically a bad idea most of the time. If a tree falls in the woods, nobody cares, but if Ellie makes noise, every goon and infected will come running. So stay low, stay quiet, and be sneaky!

How to Stay Stealthy:

1. Crouch often (press Circle). It’s harder for enemies to spot you when you’re low.
2. Use Listen Mode to figure out where enemies are lurking.
3. Use suppressed weapons when you need to take out targets without alerting everyone else.

Stealth kills are satisfying and effective—but be careful. Enemies patrol in groups, and one wrong move can turn stealth into chaos.

Crafting Tips: Thrive Instead of Just Survive

Crafting isn't just a fun side activity; it’s how you’ll keep yourself alive. Whenever possible, craft medkits, Molotovs, and silencers to give yourself an edge.

Prioritize These Craftables:

- Health Kits: In a pinch, these are lifesavers (literally!).
- Silencers: Perfect for taking out enemies without alerting the horde.
- Molotovs: Nothing says “problem solved” like setting a group of infected on fire.

Carry a mix of offensive and defensive items, because you never know what the game will throw at you next.

Managing Health & Resources

Here’s the harsh truth: you’re not invincible. Ellie’s health doesn’t regenerate, and resources are scarce. That means you’ll need to be strategic about when and how you use resources.

Tips for Staying Healthy

- Don’t heal immediately after taking a hit. Gauge the situation first—you might need to save that health kit for later.
- Take cover during combat to avoid unnecessary damage.

Remember, survival isn’t about being flashy. It’s about outlasting your enemies. Every resource you save now is one you can use later when things really hit the fan.

Dealing With Clickers and Other Foes

If you thought regular infected were bad, wait until you meet clickers. These blind-but-deadly creatures can kill you with a single grab, so don’t take any chances.

How to Handle Clickers:

- Use stealth to sneak up and dispatch them quietly with a shiv.
- Stun them with throwable items, then finish them off quickly.
- If all else fails, a shotgun blast will do the trick—but be ready for the noise to attract more enemies.

Human enemies? They’re tricky too. They’re smart, they work in groups, and they’ll flank you if you’re not careful. Stay mobile, keep an eye on their patterns, and pick them off one by one.

Exploring the Environment

The post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us Part II isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in itself. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny. Not only will you find resources, but you’ll also uncover diary entries, letters, and other snippets of lives lost to the outbreak.

These collectibles add depth to the story and make the world feel hauntingly real. Plus, finding trading cards and coins is a fun side activity to break up the tension.

Emotional Survival (Seriously)

Let’s be real, this game isn’t just about surviving physically—it’s an emotional gut punch from start to finish. You might feel drained, angry, or even devastated after certain scenes. That’s normal.

Here’s my advice: don’t rush the story. Take breaks when things feel heavy. Let the narrative sink in, and allow yourself to process the emotional rollercoaster that The Last of Us Part II takes you on.

It’s not just a game; it’s an experience.

Final Thoughts

Surviving The Last of Us Part II isn’t easy, but it’s worth every minute of the tension, heartbreak, and triumph. Take your time, plan each move, and remember—it’s okay to fail. Every death is a lesson learned, and every victory feels hard-earned.

So grab your controller, stock up on supplies, and get ready to dive into one of gaming’s most unforgettable journeys. You’ve got this!