The Last of Us 2 Remastered added a new game mode, No Return, giving players a chance to try out several characters, and many are wondering which are the best in the roster.
When it comes to the characters in The Last of Us 2 Remastered No Return mode, there are a wide range of options to choose from. Not only does the roster feature the classic trio of Ellie, Joel, and Abby, but alongside that, players also get a chance to play Yara, Mel, Tommy, Dina, Manny, Jesse, and Lev. The great thing about the roster is how well-balanced it is, allowing for greater versatility for different playstyles. While players can't go wrong with any The Last of Us 2 No Return character as such, some are much easier to play than others.
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S-Tier
Abby
While many expected Ellie to be more impactful in the unforgiving No Return game mode, Abby completely overshadows her. Abby's ability to heal on melee kills makes her a force to reckon with, and she can wreak havoc. Considering how easy it is to get outnumbered in this game mode, players will find the healing ability more useful than most other abilities in the game. She starts with the Military Pistol and Hammer, along with the Melee Upgrade Recipe and the Brawler Upgrade Branch. Besides her, Jesse and Joel also occupy the podium in the tier list.
Joel
While Joel's inability to dodge might be a bummer for many, his custom revolver is quite a powerhouse. In fact, his revolver alone makes him one of the best characters in the game. He also starts with the iconic Shiv and Upgraded Melee Weapon (3 Durability), which can prove to be quite useful in certain scenarios. His dodge weakness is counterbalanced to some extent by his resistance against melee.
Jesse
Jesse is quite different from the other two characters, considering that the player might start out a bit slow, but his abilities begin to shine later on in the game. He starts with the Military Pistol, which comes with a Silencer alongside a Pipe Bomb, but the silencer recipe ensures that he is effective over a longer span of time. Additionally, the 30% currency boost and the ability to get unique items at the trading post ensures that players of different playstyles can adapt themselves accordingly.
A-Tier
Yara
Yara's duo with Lev is quite useful, but it can be a bit harder to play if the rolls don't go in your favor. The Semi-Auto pistol is quite a decent weapon, but what works for Yara, apart from her brother being at her side, is the Ally Upgrade Branch. Overall, it's a pretty good choice if players are looking for a simple and effective character.
Manny
Likewise, Manny's ability to craft ammunition can help a lot in crunch situations, but the lack of health recipes pushes it down a tier. That being said, with Manny, players can absolutely bulldoze through waves of enemies, thanks to his combination of Hunting Pistol and Semi-Auto Rifle. While the inability to craft health packs can't be ignored, the 50% more health does help to some extent provided players tread carefully.
B-Tier
Ellie
Ellie might have been a disappointment for many, considering that it can be difficult to play as her at times with a single weapon, the Semi-Auto Pistol. That being said, she is a well-balanced character adaptable to various playstyles. The Molotov Cocktail can be quite handy in situations where players find themselves getting outnumbered. With two upgrade branches, players get a lot more flexibility, but she is still a bit underpowered as compared to some other characters in the game.
Tommy
Tommy is a stealth beast, and he can be a hit or miss for players. Players who can master his sniper rifle will benefit a lot, otherwise they might end up in serious trouble. Just like Joel, he cannot dodge, so close encounters can be an absolute nightmare with him. Considering the nature of the game mode, it can be extremely difficult to play as Tommy, unless players strategize accordingly.
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C-Tier
Lev
Lev's bow is quite ineffective in The Last of Us 2 No Return game mode, to be precise, although he can be quite a fun character to play with if the rolls go your way. For players preferring stealth mode, Tommy provides a much better option. The bow draw speed upgrade and the archery upgrade branch can help to some extent, but unless players have mastered the subtleties of the mode, it can be very difficult to play as Lev.
Dina
Dina suffers from a similar issue since the items players can get depend on RNG, making her exciting crafting ability quite unreliable. Surely, players get some really good recipes in the form of Trap Mine and Stun Bomb, but the unreliability factor makes it a really difficult character to play with.
D-Tier
Mel
Lastly, Mel is a really basic medic character in the game who doesn't have much to offer. While the ability to heal might help navigate certain situations, No Return demands a lot more at times than just healing and shooting. Even the traits are focused on healing, with the healing upgrade branch and speed boost, inhibiting the player's options significantly.
The Last Of Us Part II Remastered
- Released
- January 19, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Franchise
- The Last of Us
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
