The Complete Collectibles Guide for The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Why Collectibles Matter in The Last of Us Part II Remastered

There is a moment in Seattle when you find a child's drawing tucked inside a drawer, and suddenly the whole city feels different. That is the magic of collectibles in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. They are not just trinkets to check off a list. Each one tells a story, often darker and more personal than the main plot. Whether you are playing on Grounded difficulty or just want to see every corner of the map, knowing where to look and what to prioritize can change your entire experience.

I have spent many hours with this game, both the original and the remastered version. The 4K HDR upgrade makes the world feel sharper and more alive, but it also makes the hunt for collectibles more rewarding. You notice details in the lighting, the texture of a handwritten note, the glint of a coin on a counter. That visual clarity turns every search into a small adventure. If you are the type of player who likes to explore without a guide, you might miss half of what this game hides. That is where a complete collectibles guide becomes your best friend.

What Counts as a Collectible in This Game?

Before you start roaming Seattle, you need to understand what you are looking for. The Last of Us Part II Remastered has several categories of collectibles, and each one serves a different purpose. Some are story-driven, others are pure exploration rewards. Here is a quick breakdown of the main types you will encounter:

• Artifacts: These are notes, letters, and documents that flesh out the world and its characters.
• Training manuals: These unlock new upgrade paths for your weapons and skills.
• Collectible cards and coins: These are smaller finds, often hidden in shops, basements, or behind locked doors.
• Journal entries: Ellie writes in her journal at specific spots, and these entries add emotional depth to her journey.
• Safe codes and workbench locations: These are not technically collectibles, but they are tied to the same exploration loop.

Each category has its own rhythm. Artifacts are usually out in the open, but coins can be tucked behind a plant pot or under a bed. Training manuals are often in areas you might skip if you are rushing. A good complete collectibles guide will point out all of them, but you also need to learn how to read the environment. If you see a window that looks climbable or a shelf that seems out of place, go check it out.

The Grounded Difficulty Factor

Here is the thing about playing on Grounded difficulty: the game does not hold your hand. There is no listening mode, no button prompts, and enemies will kill you in two hits. That makes collecting everything a real challenge. You cannot just wander off the beaten path without risking a bullet to the head. You have to balance exploration with survival.

I remember one run where I was trying to get every artifact in the Seraphite territory. The Seraphites are brutal, and they patrol in groups. I had to crawl through a hotel lobby, avoiding a patrol, just to grab a note on a desk. It was tense, but that is the kind of moment that makes a no damage run so satisfying. When you finally pull it off, you feel like you have truly mastered the game.

That is why a complete collectibles guide is so valuable for Grounded players. It tells you exactly where to go and what to expect, so you can plan your route and avoid unnecessary fights. You can time your movements, know when to crouch, and know when to sprint. The guide becomes your tactical map, not just a checklist.

How to Approach a No Damage Run

If you are attempting a no damage run on Grounded difficulty, you are probably a masochist. I mean that with respect. The challenge is brutal, but the payoff is immense. Here is the thing: no damage means you cannot get hit even once. That includes environmental hazards, falling, and even the occasional scripted attack. So you have to be perfect, and that means knowing the game inside and out.

Collectibles play a bigger role than you might think. Some training manuals give you access to upgrades that make you faster or more durable. That can be the difference between escaping a fight without a scratch or getting clipped by a bullet. So even in a no damage run, you want to grab as many training manuals as you can. The problem is that some of them are in dangerous areas. You have to weigh the risk.

Take the workbench in the school, for example. The manual there is behind a locked door, and the code is on a note nearby. If you rush, you might miss it. But if you take the time to find it, you can upgrade your weapon to have less recoil, which helps in long-range fights. That kind of trade-off is central to the game. A complete collectibles guide can help you decide which ones are worth the risk and which ones you can skip.

Seattle, Jackson, and the Stories They Hide

The game takes you from the quiet streets of Jackson to the ruins of Seattle. Each location has its own flavor. Jackson feels safe, but there are still notes to find in the houses. Seattle is a war zone between the WLF and the Seraphites, and the artifacts reflect that conflict. You read letters from soldiers, prayers from cult members, and desperate messages from civilians. It is heavy, but it is also what makes the world feel real.

In the WLF section, you will find a lot of military documents and propaganda. They show how the organization operates, but they also hint at the cracks in their unity. The Seraphites, on the other hand, have their own written culture. You find their hymns and their laws, and you start to understand why they fight so fiercely. None of this is required to finish the game, but it adds layers to the story. A good exploration habit is to check every corner of a room before you leave. That desk with the half-open drawer? Check it. That cabinet in the back of the store? Open it. The game rewards patience.

Using a Guide Without Ruining the Experience

Some players worry that using a guide will spoil the game. That is a fair concern. There is a difference between a guide that tells you exactly where every coin is and one that helps you find them organically. The best approach is to use a guide as a safety net, not as a script. Try to explore on your own first. When you get stuck or you know you missed something, then look it up.

I have used a complete collectibles guide for multiple playthroughs, and it never ruined the experience for me. It actually made me appreciate the level design more. You start to notice how the developers placed a coin just out of sight, or how a journal entry is tucked behind a waterfall. The guide points you to the spot, but the discovery still feels yours.

One tip: do not try to get everything in a single run. The game is long, and some collectibles are easy to miss if you are not paying attention. Instead, do a first playthrough just to enjoy the story. Then do a second run with the guide, focusing on the categories you missed. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

Practical Tips for the Hunt

Here are a few things I wish I knew before I started my collection journey:

1. Use the pause menu to track your progress. The game shows you how many collectibles you have in each area, so you know when you missed something.
2. Listen for audio cues. Sometimes a nearby artifact has a distinct sound, like a radio or a music box, that can lead you to it.
3. Check the environment for visual hints. A beam of light hitting a desk, a slightly open door, a broken window. These are breadcrumbs.
4. Do not forget to check the workbench areas. They often have a training manual or a safe hidden nearby.
5. When you find a safe, write down the code. Safe codes are scattered around, and they are easy to forget if you do not note them.

These tips work for any difficulty, but they are especially useful on Grounded where you cannot afford to backtrack.

The Joy of 100% Completion

There is a special kind of satisfaction when you see that 100% completion screen. It is not just about the achievement. It is about the journey. You have seen every corner of Seattle, read every letter, and heard every story. The game becomes a part of you in a way that a simple playthrough cannot achieve.

In The Last of Us Part II Remastered, the 4K HDR presentation makes the world even more immersive. The rain on the pavement, the glow of a streetlamp, the texture of a torn poster. All of it feels more real, and that makes the hunt for collectibles feel more meaningful. You are not just checking boxes. You are uncovering the history of a broken world.

So whether you are a completionist or just curious, I encourage you to give it a try. Use a complete collectibles guide if you need to. It is a tool, not a crutch. And when you finally find that last coin or that last journal entry, you will know it was worth the effort.

Happy hunting in Seattle, and may your aim be true.