Joel and Ellie have arrived at the University of Eastern Colorado, where Tommy said the Fireflies were supposedly at. After months of trekking across the United States, it would seem that Joel and Ellie's journey might be finally coming to an end - or so they thought. Because while the University might seem to be exactly what Joel and Ellie have been looking for, it may turn out to be much more dangerous and deadly than either of them has anticipated.
The University is, for the most part, one of the more relaxed chapters of The Last of Us Part 1; as one of the shorter chapters in the game, it mostly consists of exploring the campus grounds. This means that there are plenty of secrets and collectibles to discover along the way, along with a powerful new weapon. But while the University may be peaceful for the most part, that doesn't mean there aren't any dangers Joel and Ellie will have to face.
Go Big Horns
Before going onto the University campus, turn around and head up the road. At the end of the road will be a crashed car right in front of a truck. Check the passenger seat to find a comic book.
Go back and head onto campus grounds. Once in the parking lot, head straight until there's a cement roadblock. From here, turn right and press the triangle button to dismount from Callus, the horse. Joel can go inside and search for supplies in the building. In the room straight ahead, the player can find a flamethrower leaning against the yellow forklift, as well as a workbench and other various supplies.
When done, head into the hallway on the left side and up the stairs. On the balcony, outside., there will be more supplies as well as an artifact.
Head back downstairs and mount onto Callus. Head toward the roadblock and press the X button to jump over the roadblock while riding. The building on the left will have a picture of the university's mascot; look up at it to have an optional conversation with Ellie.
Go straight up the stairs. Turn right to find a firefly pendant hanging from a tree. Shoot or throw a brick or bottle at it to knock it down.
Turn around and head forward. Ellie will point out the science building straight ahead. Then turn left to go inside the building.
Walk down the hallway, then turn right, where a gate will be blocking Joel from the rest of the building. Press the triangle button to push open the gate. As Joel does, infected will be heard on the other side of the building. Directly in front of Joel on the opposite side of the room will be various supplies and an artifact.
In order to open the gate, Joel will need to turn on the power generator, which is up where the infected are. Turn around and go upstairs. The infected will be in the room on the right side from the stairs.
The room will be full of runners, so it's unlikely that the player will be able to take them out stealthily. Get rid of the runners, then go up to the power generator and turn it on.
Head back downstairs, where Ellie will be pushing the gate open and entering. Go up to the power switch and press the triangle button to switch it on. The main gate will lift; mount Callus and continue riding.
Head straight and then turn left up the stairs. Before jumping over the barricade, dismount Callus and climb the blue dumpster next to the building on the right. Inside the upper room will be a firefly pendant.
Go back outside, mount Callus, and jump over the stone barricade. In the building on the right, there will be an open window on the bottom floor. Climb inside and climb up the stairs until there is another open window. Climb outside onto the roof and turn left to go into the next open room. Inside will be supplies and a training manual.
Continue riding to the other end of the courtyard. Some firefly graffiti will appear on the wall. When Ellie comments on it, Joel can have another optional conversation with her.
On the other side of the building will be another locked gate, this time with the generator on the other side. Go to the doorway on the right and crouch down to get into the next room. There will be various supplies inside, along with an artifact on the desk.
Head up to the second floor and go down the hallway. Check inside the dorms for supplies. In the drawer of one of the dorms will be another artifact.
Eventually, there will be a large hole in the floor with spores below. Joel will have to drop below, where several clickers and a bloater will be waiting. Use stealth to get past the clickers; the bloater will be asleep, so use this to Joel's advantage. Kill the bloater to get a firefly pendant.
At the other end of the hallway near the bloater will be a door to a stairway, where Joel can exit. Press the triangle button to begin opening the door, then press the square button repeatedly to force it open.
It is possible to get past this section without killing any clickers or the bloater. If the player moves quietly and avoids the clickers, Joel should be able to get past them without any problems. When the player goes to open the door to leave, the bloater will wake up and run towards Joel. Though the game gives the player just enough time to open the door before the bloater arrives.
Go up the stairs and into the hallway. Turn around and head into the dorms, where Joel can look for supplies. On the desk in the first dorm will be an artifact.
When done, go back and travel to the other end of the hallway to leave the building. Ellie will still be waiting on the other side of the gate. Go towards her, then walk up to the generator and press the triangle button to grab ahold of the car it's resting on. Push it towards the left side of the gate, where Joel will plug in the generator. Then power it on; as the gate opens, Ellie will walk through with Callus. Mount Callus and continue forward.
Ride through to the other side of the building, then turn right and jump over the stone barricade. In this next area, Joel and Ellie have to turn left and ride to the other end. The player can dismount Callus at any point to search the various tents for supplies. In the tent at the farthest end of the area will be a firefly pendant.
Once the player reaches the opposite end of the area, turn right and jump over the stone barricade. The area needed to get into the science building will be blocked off by another gate. Before going down to the gate, dismount Callus and turn around. There'll be an orange dumpster sitting around. Press the triangle button to grab ahold of the dumpster and move it toward the gate. Eventually, the garbage bin will roll away from Joel, forcing open the gate.
Next, grab ahold of the dumpster again and roll it over to the white truck. Use it to climb up onto the truck and into the science building.
The Science Building
Inside the various science labs, players will be able to find supplies. As soon as Joel enters the science building, turn left and head into the next room to find a workbench.
Walk into the next room adjacent to the room with the workbench and look around for supplies. Go into the hallway. The rooms to the left will have more supplies. One will require a shiv to open, though will be worth it as it contains level 4 tools and a training manual.
When ready, return to the hallway and walk down. Some yellow wires will be on the floor leading to a closed door; open the door and walk across to the stairway on the other side of the balcony. A few containers will be sitting in front of the stairway. Press the triangle button to have Joel look over a clipboard, triggering a noise from upstairs.
Walk up to the third floor and travel across the balcony into the next hallway. Check around the various labs for supplies. In the room on the far-left side of the hallway will be another artifact.
To proceed forward, walk down the hallway in the direction that the lights are facing, following the yellow wires on the floor.
In the room on the other end of the hallway, turn left and towards the windows to find another artifact.
Then turn around and head through the door. In this next room, there will be another artifact on the table closest to the whiteboard. On the lab table to the left will be a firefly pendant.
Go into the next room and look around for supplies. Then go up to the closed door and press the triangle button to grab onto the handle. Press the square button to force the door open, triggering the next cutscene.
After the cutscene, stay crouched down and leave the room. Two hunters will run up and attack Joel as Joel enters the main hallway. There will be a few moments before the other hunters arrive, so use this time to head down the hallway and hide behind cover. When these hunters are taken care of, a few more will come in through the door on the other end.
After all the hunters are killed, head through the last door and down the stairs. Two hunters will run in and attack Joel while one waits behind cover across the balcony. Kill the first two and shoot the third, then proceed forward across the balcony. Press the triangle button to open the door. As soon as Joel opens the door, another hunter will burst in and attack Joel. Press the square button repeatedly to hold him off.
Eventually, the two will crash through the glass banister and Joel will fall onto a metal pole. When Ellie climbs down, more hunters will burst through the double doors. Joel will automatically aim his gun; shoot both of them. Ellie will then help Joel up; though now Joel is mortally wounded.
From this point forward, Joel will walk much slower and won't be able to hear as well. Fortunately, there aren't nearly as many hunters to deal with while Joel is injured. Simply follow Ellie through the building. As she and Joel climb through a window, Joel will fall to the ground and against a table. Another hunter will come through, slowly making his way towards Joel. Wait for Ellie to shoot at him. He'll turn his attention towards Ellie, giving Joel the perfect opportunity to aim and shoot at him.
At this point, all the player needs to do is to keep following Ellie. Eventually, Joel will need to lean on Ellie for support. Keep walking towards the exit of the University to complete the chapter.
The Last of Us Part 1 is available on PC and PS5.