How to Start No Return Mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered

The Last of Us Part II Remastered added a number of bonus features for fans to dive into. Let’s walk through how to start the excellent No Return mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.

How to get No Return mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered

To start, you don’t need to do anything special to unlock No Return mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. However, given the content and random nature of the mode, it is heavily advised you play through the story campaign first. Major plot points and set pieces could be spoiled if you just go into No Return mode before completing the game.

No Return features random encounters strung together into “runs.” The goal is to progress through five of these encounters to face a boss and complete the run. Dying starts the whole thing over. The encounters can feature WLF soldiers, Seraphites, or infected. They can also begin in various states of alert.

There are several characters to unlock, each with a different starting loadout and available upgrades. Different characters can change your run. You want to make sure to prioritize the weapons and style of play the character has upgrades for.

Between each encounter, you return to base to purchase equipment and make upgrades. From here, you can actually select your path to the boss. Sometimes, you will have the choice between two separate encounters. If you find fighting infected easier than humans, you can prioritize encounters with those enemies, for example.

There are also mods and gambits, different modifiers that can apply to encounters. Some encounters even allow an ally character to join you. These are all considerations to take before choosing your encounter.

10 tips to survive The Last of Us Part II Remastered No Return

1. Choose your route based on your strengths and the rewards you need.
2. Be mindful of stage mods. Some are helpful to you, while others can absolutely be run-killers.
3. Every character plays differently. Find one that matches your playstyle.
4. Ammo is everything, so try to use stealth to preserve as much as possible for tougher encounters.
5. Look for perks that heal you when performing melee attacks, as these are always good.
6. Speaking of perks, try a bunch out to see what works. Part of the fun of this mode is playing around.
7. When possible, choose a stage with a companion. It helps more than you think.
8. Make sure you acquire some sort of powerful weapon or explosive to face the boss by mid-run.
9. Don’t forget to use your resources, especially between encounters.
10. Remember, these are not time trials. Take your time and play smart.

Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have a strong start to getting through multiple runs. Of course, there’s a whole lot more that can go into a run. As you unlock more mods, gambits, and characters, the possibilities open up. Play around, have some fun, and enjoy the excellent combat.

The Last of Us II Remastered is available exclusively on the PS5.