As players embark on their journey in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, they are presented with a crucial choice: selecting the appropriate difficulty level. This game features a diverse array of difficulty settings designed to accommodate various skill levels. The chosen difficulty will significantly influence your experience as you navigate the perilous world filled with clickers and hostile enemies. Fortunately, the game offers flexibility by allowing players to adjust these settings mid-game if needed. Let’s delve into the different difficulty options available.
Comprehensive Overview of Difficulty Options in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The game offers six distinctive difficulty levels, each tailored to enhance the gameplay experience according to the player’s preferences. Below is a detailed breakdown of each preset.
Difficulty Option | Description | Ideal For |
---|---|---|
Very Light |
Designed for relaxation, this mode minimizes combat challenges, featuring automatic camera and aim assists. |
Perfect for those who wish to immerse themselves in the narrative without the stress of difficult combat. |
Light |
A step above Very Light, this setting offers a moderate challenge with more abundant resources and less aggressive enemies. |
Ideal for players seeking a narrative-rich experience while enjoying slightly more engaging gameplay. |
Moderate |
This balance presents a fair challenge with limited resources, appealing to players wanting a well-rounded experience. |
Recommended for those who appreciate a mix of combat and resource management. |
Hard |
Aimed at those craving a significant challenge, resources are scarce and enemies are significantly more dangerous. |
Best suited for players eager to test their skills against tough foes and master survival tactics. |
Survivor |
This grueling setting pushes players to their limits with extremely scarce resources and lethal enemies. |
For seasoned players looking for an intense survival simulation. |
Grounded |
The most challenging and realistic gameplay option, stripping away HUD elements and altering listen modes. |
Perfect for veterans who have completed the game at least once and are ready for a deep, strategic challenge. |
Beyond these six core difficulties, players can amplify the challenge by enabling Permadeath. This feature restricts manual saving and limits how much progress is retained after defeat, adding a thrilling layer of risk to the gameplay. There are three Permadeath modes to choose from:
- Whole Game: The entire game resets upon death.
- Per Act: Players restart at the beginning of an act, requiring extensive replaying (up to 2-5 hours of gameplay).
- Per Chapter: If defeated, players begin again from the start of that chapter, spanning roughly 30-60 minutes of gameplay.
Successfully completing the game with any Permadeath setting enabled unlocks the coveted You Can’t Stop This trophy in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered.