In the world of interactive storytelling, The Last of Us stands as a shining example of how difficulty intertwines with emotional depth. Throughout the series, players are thrust into gripping scenarios filled with perilous enemies, scarce resources, and the constant tension of survival. It’s a game where each bullet counts and decisions carry significant weight—every misstep could spell doom for Joel or Ellie.
The suspense is palpable; the sound of a clicker can make your palms sweat, prompting you to hesitate before venturing through any doorway. Survival relies heavily on meticulous strategy, patience, and the wisdom to choose battles wisely within this franchise.
Additionally, players may find themselves emotionally drained, grappling with the heavy themes that unfold, often questioning their own moral compass due to the narrative’s complexity. With that context in mind, let’s explore ten of the most challenging sections in The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II—a mix of gameplay challenges and poignant story moments.
10 Hillcrest
More Like Hellcrest
The Hillcrest segment in The Last of Us Part II places Ellie in an intense battle against WLF groups while she’s completely alone. The adrenaline is high as players navigate through multiple enemies in open environments, allowing for strategic decision-making—a thrilling experience for those who crave challenges.
During a Survival mode replay through Hillcrest, the experience felt relentless, heightened by adversaries including vicious dogs. Stealth tactics become increasingly frustrating, as confronting these can lead to a moral quandary when facing the decision to eliminate them. This section encapsulates the game’s cruel balancing act of survival versus emotional distress.
9 St. Mary’s Hospital
Snipers and Tears On the Side, Please
Reaching the final gameplay sequence in The Last of Us Part I presents a formidable challenge. Joel faces relentless waves of Fireflies in a compact arena littered with opportunities for stealth attacks, but the confined space allows enemies to easily surprise the player.
This moment becomes particularly gripping as players experience the narrative arc reflecting Joel’s desperation to save Ellie, highlighting a significant moral conflict. The emotional weight of potentially harming those who aspire for a cure creates a lasting theme that resonates with players long after the game ends.
8 Sewers With Sam
Out of Control
One of the most compelling sections in The Last of Us Part I unfolds in the sewers, where players unearth notes that reveal Ish’s backstory as a survivor battling for survival. Accompanied by Henry and Sam, Joel and Ellie traverse an area infested with former survivors turned into Runners and Clickers.
The emotional impact peaks as players confront the remnants of a community lost to the infected, forcing them to recognize the human tragedy behind each encounter. This realization adds tremendous weight to the act of survival, making it a significant challenge emotionally.
7 Stupid Generator
Pittsburgh Sucks
The generator scene in The Last of Us remains a notorious test of nerve. After Joel and Ellie are separated in a dimly lit hotel, players find themselves in a flooded basement infested with Runners, Stalkers, and a Bloater. Activating the generator to escape becomes a desperate gamble, alerting all infected to the player’s presence.
Faced with a timed exit and the choice to either fight or flee, players are thrust into one of the most anxiety-inducing moments of the series—especially as they hear the Bloater’s thunderous footsteps echoing through the basement.
6 Rattler Resort
Far From a Real Resort
The Rattler Resort encounter in The Last of Us Part II creates an intense finale with perhaps the most enemies faced in the game, lined with heavy enemy armor and scarce opportunities for stealth maneuvers. After investing 30 to 40 hours into the game, the player is already emotionally drained from previous encounters.
This section tests players’ abilities and patience as they navigate overwhelming odds. Fortunately, there are chances to use infected creatures strategically, adding a twist to the otherwise daunting challenge.
5 The Forest
Waves of Infected
In The Last of Us Part II, the forest section featuring Abby presents a sudden spike in difficulty. Following an encounter with the Seraphites, players are left to fend off a surge of infected without adequate ammunition, heightening the risk of failure in the struggle for survival.
This segment is a harrowing reminder of the challenges that lie ahead, particularly when a Shambler emerges just as Yara and Lev attempt to unlock a gate. The struggle against the infected with limited resources proves to be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in the game.
4 David Boss Fight
Tiny Little Pieces
As the first installment shifts to Ellie’s perspective, players instantly feel a noteworthy disadvantage—she’s a young girl armed with only knives against the menacing David, the leader of a cannibal faction. The pressure mounts as players must stealthily navigate the environment to find an opportunity to attack.
Listening to David taunt Ellie heightens the tension, making each movement critical while urging players to maintain silence. This thrilling atmosphere emphasizes vulnerability and transforms what could have been a straightforward encounter into one fraught with fear.
3 The Rat King
Infected Megazord
The Rat King, a nightmarish fusion of various infected types, represents one of the most formidable adversaries in The Last of Us Part II. Encountered in a hospital basement, this metaphorical “infected Megazord”is strong and resilient, making the boss fight immensely challenging.
The confined space amplifies the pressure, forcing players to engage closely with this terrifying creature while navigating the intricacies of the gameplay, solidifying its place as one of the most difficult challenges in the franchise.
2 Ending Scene
No Finger, No Hope
As players approach the conclusion of The Last of Us Part II, an overwhelming sense of emotional fatigue sets in. This climactic moment encapsulates the duality of Ellie and Abby as both heroes and antagonists, pivoting on perspective.
The final interaction between Joel and Ellie leads to an emotional crescendo, magnifying the weight of their complex relationship. Coupled with Ellie’s loss of a finger and her inability to play the guitar—symbolizing her bond with Joel—this scene delivers a powerful punch of poignancy, making it one of the hardest emotional experiences in gaming.
1 Ellie vs Abby
Unexpected Boss Fighter
The climactic confrontation between Ellie and Abby encapsulates the emotional and gameplay challenges that define this saga. Facing off against Ellie, players quickly realize her strength and determination for revenge, heightening the difficulty of the encounter.
This unconventional boss fight imposes an intense sense of urgency, with each close attack threatening immediate consequences. It forces players to embody the fear felt by every NPC encountered throughout Seattle, transforming a once naive child into a relentless hunter.
This moment stands as a testament to the series’ ability to create immersive gameplay interwoven with complex emotional narratives, marking it as the topmost challenge in both emotional depth and gameplay mechanics. Personally, I found it so overwhelming that I couldn’t continue once I reached this point during a replay of The Last of Us Part II.
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