The Hidden Gems I Almost Missed in The Last of Us Part II

Okay, so I’ll admit something embarrassing right off the bat – I totally played through The Last of Us Part II the first time and missed like, half the cool stuff. I’m talking about secret rooms, hidden collectibles, and Easter eggs that Naughty Dog sneaked in there for us to find. It wasn’t until my second playthrough that I realized just how much content I’d walked right past!

Look, this game is massive. And when you’re stressed about clickers breathing down your neck, you’re not exactly stopping to admire the scenery or check every single door, right?

That Guitar Store Discovery That Blew My Mind

In downtown Seattle, there’s this music store that I walked past THREE TIMES before I actually went inside. Inside, you’ll find Ellie’s guitar – not just any guitar, but the one that becomes super important to the story. What got me though was the safe hidden in the back room.

The code’s written on a note nearby (it’s 55-01-33 if you’re impatient like me), and inside you’ll find some seriously good upgrade materials. I felt like such a dummy for missing it initially because I was too focused on getting through the infected-infested area.

Pro tip from my mistakes:

• Always check behind counters in stores
• Listen for Ellie’s comments – she’ll often hint at secrets nearby
• That white painted symbol on doors? Yeah, those usually mean there’s something worth finding

If you want a comprehensive walkthrough of all the collectibles and secrets, IGN’s collectibles guide is pretty solid and saved me tons of backtracking.

The Workbench Upgrades You’re Probably Missing

Here’s where I really messed up on my first run. There are so many hidden workbenches and training manuals scattered throughout the game that significantly boost your abilities. The one in the Eastbrook Elementary School? Almost missed it completely because I was rushing through the creepy hallways.

The training manuals are game-changers, seriously. Each one unlocks new upgrade paths for your skills and weapons, and some are tucked away in places you’d never think to look.

I remember finding the Explosives Expert manual in Hillcrest and suddenly being able to craft way better bombs – it completely changed how I approached combat encounters. Sometimes the best secrets aren’t shiny collectibles but practical upgrades that make your journey easier.

Easter Eggs That Connect to the First Game

This is the stuff that really gets me excited! Naughty Dog planted so many callbacks to the original Last of Us throughout Part II. In Ellie’s room at the beginning, there’s a Savage Starlight poster – which, if you played the first game, you know Joel was always finding those comics for her.

But here’s my favorite discovery: in the theater, there’s actually a Jak and Daxter arcade cabinet. As someone who grew up playing those games, finding that was like a warm hug from the developers. It’s these little touches that make exploration worthwhile.

The museum flashback sequence is PACKED with secrets too. I totally rushed through it the first time because I thought it was just a story section, but man, there’s so much to interact with and discover that adds depth to Joel and Ellie’s relationship.

Visual Guides That Actually Help

Sometimes reading about secrets isn’t enough – you need to see exactly where to go. This YouTube walkthrough really helped me find everything I missed:

The Last of Us Part 2 – All Collectibles & Secrets Guide breaks down each chapter systematically and shows you exactly where to look.

Safe Combinations I Wish Someone Had Told Me About

Let me save you some time. There are multiple safes throughout the game, and while finding the combinations organically is cool, sometimes you just wanna get the loot and move on. The Weston’s Pharmacy safe code (38-55-23) took me forever to figure out because the note with the hint was in a totally different area!

The trick with most safes is that the combination is usually nearby on a note or scrawled on a wall. But when you’re in combat mode or low on supplies, stopping to read every piece of paper feels risky. That’s exactly how stuff gets missed.

My Biggest Regret: Not Using Listen Mode Enough

Okay, this might sound basic, but I wasn’t using listen mode nearly enough during my first playthrough. It’s not just for detecting enemies – it also highlights interactive objects and secret areas you might otherwise walk right past!

In the Seraphite island section, there’s a building with a secret underground bunker that I only found because I was spam-clicking listen mode. Inside was a whole stash of supplies and a workbench. Worth the extra paranoia, trust me.

Keep Exploring, Keep Discovering

The beauty of The Last of Us Part II secrets is that they reward curiosity. Sure, you can blast through the main story and still have an incredible experience, but taking time to explore every nook and cranny adds so much more depth to an already rich game.

Every player’s gonna find different secrets at different times – that’s part of what makes this game so replayable. Don’t beat yourself up if you missed stuff on your first run (like I definitely did). That’s what new game plus is for, right?

Want more gaming secrets, tips, and honest takes on your favorite titles? Head over to Glitch Lane where we’re always uncovering the hidden gems you might’ve missed. Whether it’s collectibles, Easter eggs, or just better ways to play, we’ve got you covered!