Surviving the treacherous world of The Last of Us Part 2 requires more than just combat prowess and stealth tactics. Throughout their journey, players can uncover an immense variety of hidden items that expand the narrative lore and provide helpful mechanical advantages. Finding every single item demands a meticulous approach to exploration and a deep understanding of the diverse post-apocalyptic environments.

Tracking Trading Cards and Coins

As you navigate the dangerous streets of Seattle, keeping an eye out for specific pop-culture memorabilia offers a rewarding diversion. Ellie can find dozens of unique superhero trading cards tucked away inside abandoned houses, store counters, and hidden drawers. Each card features detailed descriptions and artwork that offer a fascinating glimpse into the pre-apocalypse world.

When the perspective shifts later in the story, Abby collects unique state quarters scattered across various military and civilian locations. Tracking down these coins requires careful environmental scanning, as they are often sitting on top of rusty machinery or hidden in dark corners. Gathering these sets provides excellent worldbuilding context while contributing significantly to your overall achievement progress.

Uncovering Artifacts and Journal Entries

The core narrative depth of this cinematic experience is heavily supported by written notes and sketches left behind by former residents. Artifacts range from heartbreaking final letters to tactical maps detailing faction movements during the outbreak. Reading these documents helps players understand the complex histories of the WLF, the Seraphites, and independent survivor groups.

Additionally, Ellie regularly updates her personal notebook with unique journal entries whenever she encounters major landmarks or emotional triggers. Discovering these prompt locations allows players to delve deeper into her internal thoughts and motivations. Ensuring you inspect every interactive object guarantees you will not miss these crucial pieces of storytelling.

Cracking Safes and Finding Workbenches

Securing rare upgrade materials and powerful weapons often depends on your ability to locate and open heavily secured safes. The combinations to these containers are never randomized, but finding the clues requires thoroughly reading nearby artifacts or observing environmental environmental cues. Opening these vaults rewards you with valuable ammunition, supplements, and crafting parts needed for survival.

Furthermore, players must locate hidden workbenches to apply these hard-earned weapon modifications and enhance their combat effectiveness. These stations are strategically placed throughout the game chapters, offering a brief moment of safety to upgrade your gear. Missing these benches can make late-game encounters significantly more difficult on higher survival settings.