The Last of Us 2 Play Style Guide: Stealth or Aggressive

Here we will talk about the two approaches, that is, stealth and aggressive, in The Last of Us Part 2, and which would work best for you.

Stealth and Aggressive playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2
Stealth and Aggressive playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2 (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Resero/YouTube)

The Last of Us Part 2 is a thrilling experience from the get-go, offering players a rollercoaster ride of emotions. While surviving to fare through the game is a must, the method to conduct this very path of survival is of your choosing. You have the liberty of choice when it comes to being a stealthy assassin or an aggressive beast.

Let us take a look at each: the stealth and aggressive playstyles and the pros and cons of each in The Last of Us Part 2.

Stealth Playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2

Stealth playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2
Stealth playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2 (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Resero/YouTube)

This playstyle can arguably be considered the method The Last of Us 2 was devised to be played by. The stealth style of gameplay lets you play the game at your own pace, without having to worry about running around mindlessly. You would not be forced to try your best to reach within an executable radius to survive the wrath of bullets. On the contrary, you sneak up and follow until you are in the right place without the chance of being caught by other enemies.

Stealth takedowns are quiet and effortless. It is a satisfying feeling to see the groups of enemies decay one after the other, leaving you with fewer chances of being in a vulnerable position. Resources are scarce in the game, making each use feel heavy on the heart. With this method, you tend to use less ammunition, as there is less dependency on spraying bullets and more on being precise with your shots. The weapons used mostly are silenced pistols and bows and arrows. Even in this case, arrows can be recollected, further saving on resources.

You also use your environment wisely by distracting enemies. Bottles and bricks can be used to lure your enemies away from detectable areas, making the execution action seamless. As they say, the best battles are the ones we avoid. And that applies pretty well in this approach. There are a lot of scenarios where the need to engage in combat is completely unnecessary. This liberty can be solely enjoyed and appreciated by being stealthy. You also get to save resources by not using them at all. Sweet deal, right?

Pros of Stealth Playstyle:

  1. Can accumulate resources for a rainy day. Fewer resources are used due to reliance on silent melee assassinations.
  2. You can take your time and plan lengthy strategies. Take note of an enemy’s pattern and devise a plan to take out the entire group at your own pace.
  3. The Listen mode further assists you in getting a read of the environment, giving you an upper hand in any situation.

Cons of Stealth Playstyle:

  1. Time-consuming, especially if you do not have the patience to wait for the right moment.
  2. Stealth gameplay has a high tendency to depend on the environment. So sometimes, planning strategies according to the environment can prove overwhelming.
  3. If spotted, it could turn your entire plan into chaos, quickly shifting gears too fast for you to adjust to the new setting.

Aggressive Playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2

Aggressive playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2
Aggressive playstyle in The Last of Us Part 2 (Image via Sony Interactive Entertainment | Resero/YouTube)

If being stealthy is not your go-to option, don’t fret, as we have your back. While being stealthy is a playstyle a majority of players consider utilising, it is not necessary. You can choose to encounter your enemies, guns blazing like a cannon on the loose. This approach completely disallows the use of melee weapons unless you are surrounded by enemies, and short-distance firing is out of the question. The weapons you should consider using and upgrading are shotguns, Molotovs, and pipe bombs. Such weapons work best against large groups of enemies.

Dodging is a skill you need to master from the get-go. Knowing exactly when to execute this action is key, as you are bound to face larger groups of foes. It is also important to keep melee weapons capable of inflicting damage on multiple foes together handy. Weapons such as pipes, machetes, and baseball bats are highly recommended.

Another key action to keep in mind is to charge into battle. When such an action is performed, it helps create chaos and panic among the enemies, disorienting them and forcing them to make mistakes, especially in a group setting. They tend to break group formations and leave their covers, exposing their whereabouts.

Pros of Aggressive Playstyle:

  1. Quicker completion of rounds due to fast-paced action and execution.
  2. Faster understanding of enemy locations.

Cons of Aggressive Playstyle:

  1. Tendency to exhaust resources such as ammo, crafting materials, and healing items. This is due to the constant firing of bullets, the use of throwables, and the chances of being shot more.
  2. You have high probabilities of being cornered and taken down if your strategy is not well thought out.

Now, how you would like to engage in war depends upon your style in general. Whether it be lurking through the shadows and eliminating threats on the go or just being the cavalry. The Last of Us 2 is built in a manner where both stealth and aggressive playstyles can be executed. Happy zombie hunting.


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