The Ultimate Trophy Hunter Guide for The Last of Us Part II Remastered

The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PlayStation 5 offers one of the most rewarding Platinum trophies in modern gaming. As a trophy hunter guide, this article walks you through everything you need to know to earn that coveted Platinum without wasting time or losing your mind. I have spent over 200 hours in the post-apocalyptic Seattle and Jackson Hole, and I can tell you that the path to 100 percent completion is demanding but absolutely achievable.

Naughty Dog designed this game with layers of challenge that cater to different playstyles. Whether you are a completionist who wants every collectible or a masochist who craves the no damage run, there is a clear route to the Platinum. This trophy hunter guide will help you plan your approach so you can enjoy the story while working toward that 100 percent trophy list.

Understanding the Trophy List

The trophy list for The Last of Us Part II Remastered contains 29 trophies including one Platinum. Most are straightforward: complete the story on any difficulty, collect all artifacts, trading cards, coins, and journal entries, and fully upgrade Ellie and Abby. But a few trophies require specific conditions that demand careful planning.

Naughty Dog has included trophies for completing the game on Grounded difficulty, finishing a permadeath mode playthrough, and performing a no damage run in certain sections. These are the trophies that separate casual players from dedicated trophy hunters. The good news is that you can earn most of them across multiple playthroughs, and you can use chapter select to clean up missed collectibles.

Preparing for the Grind

Before you start your first playthrough, decide on your difficulty. I recommend playing on Moderate or Hard for your initial run. This lets you focus on story and collectibles without the frustration of Grounded difficulty. You can always come back later for the harder trophies. Your first playthrough should be about exploration and getting familiar with the combat and stealth systems.

During this playthrough, keep an eye out for collectibles. There are 45 artifacts, 64 trading cards, 13 coins, 12 journal entries, and 13 workbenches. That is a lot of stuff to find, but the game does a good job of placing them along the main path. Use the in-game chapter select menu to see which collectibles you missed in each chapter. This feature is a lifesaver for trophy hunters because it saves you from replaying entire sections.

While you explore Seattle and Jackson Hole, make sure to open every safe you find. The safes contain weapon upgrades and supplements that increase your health and crafting capacity. Fully upgrading Ellie and Abby is required for the Platinum, so do not skip these safes. The combination for each safe is usually found nearby in a note or journal entry, so read everything you pick up.

The Grounded Difficulty Run

Grounded difficulty is the hardest standard difficulty in the game. Enemies deal massive damage, supplies are scarce, and the checkpoint system becomes your best friend and worst enemy. I have completed Grounded multiple times, and the key is patience and stealth tactics. Rushing into combat will get you killed in seconds.

Use the environment to your advantage. Tall grass, cars, and corners are your cover. The listening mode lets you see enemy positions through walls, so use it constantly. The crafting system allows you to make shivs, health kits, and smoke bombs, but resources are limited. Prioritize stealth kills over gunplay. A silenced pistol or bow is worth its weight in scrap metal.

One mistake I see new hunters make is trying to fight every encounter head-on. On Grounded, you need to pick your battles. Some encounters can be skipped entirely by sneaking past enemies. The game rewards creative pathfinding. Use bottles and bricks to distract guards, then move through areas without firing a shot. This approach saves ammunition and health supplies for mandatory fights.

The boss fights against the Rat King and the final encounter with Abby are brutal on Grounded. Here, weapon upgrades matter a lot. I recommend upgrading the hunting pistol and the assault rifle first. These weapons give you the stopping power you need against infected and human enemies. Save your explosive arrows for bloaters and clickers.

The Permadeath Mode Challenge

Permadeath mode is exactly what it sounds like: if you die, your save file is deleted. You have to start the entire game over from the beginning. This is the ultimate test of skill and patience. But here is the trick: you can complete permadeath mode on any difficulty, and the trophy does not require you to do it on Grounded. I recommend playing permadeath mode on Light or Moderate difficulty to minimize the risk of dying.

Even on lower difficulties, permadeath mode demands a careful playstyle. Do not take unnecessary risks. If an encounter feels too dangerous, use stealth tactics to thin the herd before engaging. The game autosaves at checkpoints, but if you die, that save is gone. You have to reload your last manual save, which might be hours old. So play conservatively.

Some speedrun techniques can help here. Learn the optimal routes through each chapter. Skip optional encounters when possible. Use the accessibility options to your advantage. Naughty Dog included extensive accessibility options in this game, including high-contrast mode and auto-aim. These can make permadeath mode more manageable without invalidating the trophy.

The No Damage Run

The no damage run trophy requires you to complete certain sections without taking any damage from enemies. This sounds impossible, but it is actually one of the easier trophies if you use the right strategy. The trophy only applies to specific sections, not the entire game. You can practice these sections in chapter select until you nail them.

For the no damage sections, use the same stealth tactics as Grounded difficulty. The key is to never be seen. If you are spotted, restart the checkpoint immediately. Do not try to fight your way out of a bad situation. The game gives you a generous checkpoint system, so use it to your advantage. Take your time, learn enemy patrol routes, and move when they are not looking.

One tip: equip the silenced pistol and bow for these sections. These weapons let you take out enemies quietly without alerting others. Save your shotgun and rifle for emergencies. The crafting system can provide additional distractions, but do not rely on it. Just stay hidden and move slowly.

Collectibles and Upgrades

Collecting all the artifacts, trading cards, coins, and journal entries is the most time-consuming part of the Platinum. But it does not have to be a chore. Use a collectible guide from a reputable source to track your progress. The game tracks collectibles per chapter, so you can see exactly which ones you are missing. This is much better than older Naughty Dog games where you had to guess.

The workbenches are especially important because they unlock weapon upgrades. Each workbench gives you a new upgrade for one of your weapons. You need to find all 13 workbenches to fully upgrade every weapon. Some workbenches are hidden in optional areas, so explore every room and alley. The map in the game shows which areas have been fully explored, so use that to find missing collectibles.

The supplements you find in safes increase your health, crafting speed, and listening range. Maxing out these attributes is required for the Platinum. The safes are scattered throughout Seattle and Jackson Hole, so keep your eyes open for glowing numbers on keypads. The combinations are usually in nearby notes.

Final Thoughts

Earning the Platinum in The Last of Us Part II Remastered is a journey that tests your combat skills, patience, and attention to detail. This trophy hunter guide has covered the essentials: planning your playthroughs, mastering Grounded difficulty, surviving permadeath mode, completing the no damage run, and collecting every item. The game supports multiple difficulty options and accessibility options, so there is a path for every skill level.

The story of Ellie and Abby is one of the most emotionally intense narratives in survival horror. Taking the time to explore every corner of Seattle and Jackson Hole rewards you with deeper world-building and character moments. The 4K HDR visuals on PlayStation 5 make every environment stunning, even the ruined buildings and overgrown streets.

If you follow the strategies in this guide, you will have your Platinum in no time. The key is to enjoy the process. Do not rush through the game just for trophies. Let the story sink in. Learn from your deaths. Improve your stealth and combat skills. The trophy list is a map, not a race. Good luck, and happy hunting.