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Riding the wave of a successful HBO drama and a remake of the first game in the series, Sony has delivered a remaster ofThe Last of Us Part 2to PS5 owners. While some may feel a remaster is not needed, Naughty Dog has included new content in this package to help incentivize people to upgrade to the shiny PS5 edition.
One of these new modes is No Return, a roguelike mode where players get to experience Part 2’s combat sandbox in randomized encounters. You start the mode with only Ellie and Abby available as playable characters, but you can unlock eight more that have never been playable before in a Last of Us game.
How To Unlock Dina
Upon starting No Return, it will become clearthere are two distinct unlock paths: one for Ellie and one for Abby. One character unlock challenge will feed into the next, and you’ll constantly be using the characters that you just unlocked to get new ones.
Dina is the first character in Ellie’s path, andshe can be unlocked by completing two encounters while playing as Ellie. She comes prepared with recipes for both trap mines and stun bombs, lending to a crafting-based playstyle.
“Encounters” are not full runs;they are just the individual levels that make up one session of No Return, and once you have completed the necessary number of encounters to unlock a character, you can quit the run.
How To Unlock Jesse
After unlocking Dina, you can move on toJesse, which will require you to play three encounters as Dina. He’ll start runs with a silenced pistol and pipe bomb, with recipes to make more when he runs out, and he also earns 30 percent more currency upon completing encounters, letting him purchase more goods from the trading post in the hub.
How To Unlock Tommy
Tommy is unlocked by completing three encounters as Jesse. He is built for one thing and one thing only: sniping.
He enters runs with his fully kitted rifle, capable of shredding enemies with one well-placed shot.However, he can’t dodge, making him more of a liability at close quarters.
How To Unlock Joel
Joel is the final unlock in Ellie’s path, and requires slightly more than the characters before him;to play as Joel, you’ll need to finish four encounters as Tommy. However, you are rewarded handsomely for your extra effort, sinceJoel is easily the strongest character yet.
He starts runs with a custom revolver, upgraded melee weapon, shiv, an extra sidearm holster, and access to the shiv recipe and upgrade branch, ensuring he can take down foes quietly and quickly.His only downside is he can’t dodge, just like Tommy.
How To Unlock Lev
With Ellie’s friends all unlocked, it’s time to move on to Abby’s path, and the first up isLev, who you’re able to play as after finishing two encounters with Abby.
Lev is the No Return character best built for stealth, starting with a bow, a draw speed upgrade, and an improved listen mode. He also has the archery upgrade branch, letting him get more deadly with the bow as encounters progress.
How To Unlock Yara
Yara is unlocked after playing three encounters as Lev, and she is undoubtedly the most unique character in No Return, sinceshe is accompanied by Lev in every stage. When you choose to attack, Lev will kill enemies alongside you, and you may upgrade how effective your AI companion is between encounters.
How To Unlock Mel
After playing three encounters as Yara, Mel will become available; she is built to focus on healing, starting encounters with a revolver and two health kits.Every time she heals, she receives a speed boost, and she has an upgrade branch to continue increasing her healing efficacy.
How To Unlock Manny
Manny is the final unlock in Abby’s path, and similar to Joel,he requires you to complete four encounters as Mel. Once again, you are rewarded with a beast of a character, starting encounters with a semi-auto rifle.
He also gets 50 percent more parts when finishing an encounter, and has 150 percent max health.His one drawback is that he does not have a health kit recipe, unlike every other character.
