The Last of Us Part One, a stunning recreation of the cult PlayStation 3 title by Naughty Dog, brings enhanced graphics and accessibility features exclusive to the PlayStation 5. Whether you’re a seasoned player revisiting this masterpiece or experiencing Joel and Ellie’s journey for the first time, these essential survival tips will help you make the most of your adventure.

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9. Explore Freely

The Last of Us is designed around resource management. Supplies such as healing kits, ammo, and distraction itemsare crucial for survival. Unlike many other games, you rarely return to previous locations, meaning you only have one chance to gather everything.

• Thoroughly search every room, drawer, and abandoned building.
• Use the Listen Mode to locate hidden items or enemy threats.
• Remember, every resource you pick up increases your chances of survival.

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8. Craft Regularly

Crafting is essential in The Last of Us. You can create healing kits, Molotov cocktails, shivs, and more, but your inventory space is limited.

• Always craft items when possible to free up room for more materials.
• Prioritize healing kits and Molotovs, as they are among the most useful items.
• Never leave resources behind—if you’re maxed out, use supplies to make space for more.

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7. Use Supplements Wisely

Supplements, found in the form of plants and tablets, are used to upgrade Joel’s abilities, such as healing speed, listening range, and weapon sway reduction.

• Prioritize Maximum Health and Weapon Sway reduction for better survivability.
• Consider upgrading Healing Speed later in the game when fights become tougher.
• You won’t find enough supplements to max out all abilities in one playthrough, so choose wisely.

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6. Prioritize Holster Upgrades

Weapon upgrades play a big role in combat, and holsters are among the best upgrades you can invest in at workbenches.

• Upgrade both holsters (one for pistols, one for long guns) early on.
• Having four holstered weapons allows for quick weapon switching, avoiding risky inventory management mid-combat.
• Always reload weapons before engaging enemies to minimize vulnerability.

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5. Engage Less – Use Stealth

The Last of Us isn’t a run-and-gun shooter—engaging enemies recklessly can lead to wasted ammo and injuries.

• Scout the area before engaging in combat to avoid getting overwhelmed.
• Use Joel’s Listen Mode to locate enemies and analyze their patterns.
• Stealth kills are crucial—they save ammo and prevent you from being swarmed.
• Set traps and use distractions to lure enemies into vulnerable positions.

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4. Always Have an Escape Plan

Enemies—both infected and human—are relentless in their pursuit of Joel and Ellie. No matter how well you plan, things can go wrong.

• Identify exit points before a fight begins.
• Windows and doors can be used to evade pursuers or gain a tactical advantage.
• Never back yourself into a corner—always leave room to retreat and heal.

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3. Use Shivs More Often

Shivs are one of the most valuable tools in the game, serving both offensive and defensive purposes.

• Shivs instantly kill clickers and can save you from a deadly grab.
• They also unlock hidden rooms containing crucial supplies.
• Prioritize crafting shivs over upgrading melee weapons—their utility is too valuable to ignore.

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2. Pick Up Fired Arrows

The bow is one of Joel’s best weapons, offering silent, instant kills without drawing enemy attention.

• Arrows can often be retrieved from enemies if they didn’t break on impact.
• Upgrade draw speed to make it a viable weapon even in open combat.
• Look for arrows sticking out of enemy corpses before leaving an area.

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1. Save More Often

The Last of Us features frequent auto-saving, but manual saves can be a game-changer.

• Manually saving before difficult encounters allows you to retry fights without losing too many resources.
• If you barely survive a fight but used up too many supplies, reload a previous save and try a different approach.
• Especially on higher difficulties, resource conservation is key—saving lets you experiment with different tactics.

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Final Thoughts

Survival in The Last of Us is all about smart resource management, tactical combat, and adaptability. By exploring every area, crafting strategically, and mastering stealth, you’ll significantly improve your chances of survival.

Do you have any tips that have helped you survive the apocalypse? Share them in the comments below!