The Last of Us Part II: Types of Difficulty Levels
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This article discusses the difficulty levels in The Last of Us Part II. Learn to tweak the game to your liking by using our guide!
©Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Created and developed by Naughty Dog, LLC.
Difficulty Levels
Types of Difficulty Levels
| Difficulty Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Very Light | For players who want to explore the story and world. By default, both camera and aim assist are enabled, making the battles relatively easy. |
| Light | Easier than Moderate difficulty level. Resources are abundant and enemies are not very strong. |
| Moderate | A balanced mix of story and combat. Limited Resources. |
| Hard | For players seeking a greater sense of achievement. Stronger enemies and resources are even scarcer. |
| Survivor | An unforgiving and harsh difficulty level. Resources are extremely scarce and terrifying enemies await. |
| Grounded | The most brutal and realistic difficulty level. Listen Mode, HUD display, and certain gameplay elements are disabled. |
The game offers six difficulty levels: Very Light, Light, Moderate, Hard, Survivor, and Grounded. You can change the difficulty through the chapter select menu or in the options menu while playing.
Difficulty Levels With A "+"
Completing the story unlocks the New Game Plus mode, where each difficulty level gets a "+" upgrade, making them more challenging than the first playthrough.
| Things to Do After Beating the Game |
Grounded Mode Added
Grounded mode provides a more realistic challenge by disabling Listen Mode and HUD elements. It amplifies the difficulty further with features such as instant death from two hits and increased enemy detection.
| Updated Information on Grounded Mode |
Differences Based On Difficulty Level
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Player's strength | ・Damage taken from enemies. ・Frequency of creating checkpoints. |
| Enemy's strength | ・Accuracy of enemy's attacks and projectiles. ・Frequency of enemies flanking. ・Complexity of enemy's melee combos. ・Movement speed of strong enemies. ・Adjustments in specific battles. |
| Ally's strength | ・Aggressiveness during combat. ・Frequency of allies defeating enemies. |
| Stealthiness | ・Enemy's visual, auditory, and olfactory senses. ・Grace period until enemies alert their allies. ・Conditions for grabbing enemies during stealth. |
| Amount of resources | ・Quantity of scattered ammunition and items. ・Durability of melee weapons dropped by enemies. ・Number of specific crafting items. |
Freely Adjust Difficulty Settings
Even if you have already chosen your preferred difficulty level, this game allows you to adjust specific aspects like player attributes, enemy characteristics, ally dynamics, stealth mechanics, and resource availability through the options menu. Craft the perfect challenge to match your playstyle!
No Bearing on Trophy Acquisition
Difficulty levels have no bearing on trophy acquisition. Choose Very Light, the lowest difficulty level, if your sole purpose in playing is to get trophies.
Recommended Difficulty Levels
If you want to enjoy the story, choose Very Light
For those seeking a relaxed and immersive playthrough, start with lower difficulty levels such as Very Light and Light. These levels have lower combat difficulty and less scarcity of resources.
| Recommended Controls and Settings |
| Tips for Combat and Stealth Gameplay |
If you want to feel tension, choose Hard or Survivor
Hard and Survivor modes have higher combat difficulty and resource scarcity. Enemies will also become more alert and can most likely detect you, which creates tension in battles and stealth gameplay experience.
Change Difficulty Level Anytime
The Last of Us Part II lets you tailor the difficulty to your preferences. Adjust the settings anytime during your playthrough. If the game gets too hard, don't hesitate to change modes for more enjoyable gaming.
If you seek the ultimate challenge, choose Grounded
Grounded mode is the best option for experienced players seeking the ultimate challenge! This post-game level will lock certain gaming features and offer a nerve-wracking playthrough.
| Updated Information on Grounded Mode |
How to Change Difficulty
Changeable from the Options Menu
The game has a flexible difficulty system that lets you adjust the settings from the options menu at any time. It won't impact the story but be prepared to start from your last checkpoint when you make a change.
