Top 10 Coolest Things About Ellie (The Last of Us)

Playing as Ellie in The Last of Us offers a richly detailed experience for attentive players. The game features unique gameplay elements connected to Ellie’s character, and story developments that change how you tackle challenges, all of which feel carefully designed and special.

This list explores everything about Ellie within the games themselves. It details how gameplay mechanics, design elements, and story details define her character in the original game, the ‘Left Behind’ DLC, and ‘Part II’, and explains how these elements function during actual gameplay.

Immunity that drives the mission

Before the story begins, Ellie is bitten, but surprisingly, she doesn’t become infected. A medical test confirms she’s clear, and the bite remains just a scar. This unique immunity makes her valuable, and various groups try to transport her through dangerous, restricted areas.

In the Left Behind story, Ellie is bitten while at an abandoned mall with Riley. This event is crucial because it explains why Ellie needs protection and why the Fireflies consider her so important in the first game.

Playable evolution from companion to lead

Okay, so in the first game, Ellie starts out as my AI buddy, pointing out enemies, throwing me ammo when I need it, and even tossing bricks or bottles to distract the bad guys. But then, when we get to the Winter chapter, things change! I actually *get* to play as her, and it’s awesome. Because she’s smaller and has different gear, it totally changes how I approach fights and move around levels.

Left Behind builds on the gameplay by focusing on stealth and environmental puzzles while Ellie is on her own. In the second part of the game, players primarily control Ellie for extended periods, and she has a range of abilities including dodging, crawling, squeezing into tight spaces, and using ropes to navigate the world.

Switchblade stealth without shiv crafting

As Ellie, I’ve got this switchblade, and it’s awesome for quiet takedowns. Seriously, I don’t need to waste resources crafting those one-time shivs anymore when I’m trying to sneak around. It lets me move faster and feel way more agile, which is a huge plus for my playstyle.

This weapon allows her to conserve resources for things like health packs and grenades. This creates a unique playstyle, as she doesn’t need to constantly use up items to stay hidden, unlike other characters.

Listen mode and awareness upgrades

Ellie can use a special ability called ‘listen mode’ to briefly see the outlines of enemies, even when they’re behind walls. The farther away enemies are, or the more they move, the harder they are to see, so players need to move slowly and plan their routes carefully, especially in close quarters.

In the second part of the game, players can use supplements to improve their abilities, increasing how far they can hear and how quickly they can concentrate. Along with the option to lie low, this makes it easier to carefully follow enemy movements while hiding under cars or plants.

Crafting that supports flexible tactics

Ellie can make useful items like medkits and Molotov cocktails using materials she finds, such as rags, alcohol, and explosives. She can quickly create these items even during fights, allowing her to easily switch between healing herself or controlling the battlefield without interrupting her momentum.

In Part II, players can now use trap mines and create temporary silencers for some pistols. These silencers don’t last forever—they wear out after a few uses, giving you brief opportunities for silent takedowns before you need to rely on stealth or switch to noisier weapons.

Bow mastery and quiet eliminations

Ellie’s bow lets you silently eliminate enemies from a medium distance. Holding the bow for a full draw increases damage and makes arrows travel straighter, but quicker, partial draws are useful when you need to shoot fast.

You can often find arrows stuck in enemies or the environment, which lets you keep using your bow for longer without needing to reload. Improving your workbench allows you to draw and aim the bow faster and more steadily, making it a great option for quiet takedowns and controlling fights from a distance.

Environmental problem solving with a smaller frame

Ellie’s small size lets her access vents, crawl spaces, and tight areas that other characters can’t reach. Game designers use this ability to build hidden paths, allow her to circle around enemies, and create puzzles that encourage players to explore.

I’ve noticed a lot of puzzles and areas where you need to really *work* with the environment – moving pallets around, pulling ladders into position, and even boosting Ellie through tight spaces to unlock doors on the other side. It’s awesome because it lets you sneak past tough spots and find clever ways to set up ambushes without always having to fight head-on. It’s all about using your surroundings to create opportunities for stealth!

Encounters shaped by scent and dogs in Part II

The second part of this section focuses on patrol dogs that can find Ellie by following her scent, which shows up as a weak trail when you use listen mode. To avoid these dogs, you’ll need to keep moving, circle around to use the wind to your advantage, or create diversions when enemy units are searching.

This game encourages you to keep moving after defeating an enemy, making hiding in tall grass or under vehicles only a short-term tactic. Success depends on skillful movement and timing, not just finding a good hiding spot.

Guitar system with fully playable chords

Ellie can play a guitar in the simulation by strumming with analog controls and choosing chords from a wheel. The system lets you play fingerstyle, hold notes, and switch chords while you’re playing.

During certain parts of the game, players are encouraged to explore and even shape how things unfold. This feature shows up during calmer story sections, offering a relaxing change of pace from finding things and fighting.

Left Behind structure that intercuts past and present

Left Behind tells two interconnected stories. We see Ellie on a dangerous mission for supplies in a snowy mall, looking after a wounded friend, and also experience flashbacks to a memorable night she shared with Riley at a different mall, before the events of the main game.

The game’s flashbacks offer fun side activities, such as a photo booth, a text-based arcade game, and a water gun fight. These moments help players learn more about Ellie’s past, while the main game focuses on improving her skills in stealth and finding resources when she’s on her own.

Tell us about your most memorable Ellie moments from the game in the comments! We’d love to hear what details you all picked up on and compare notes.

2025-10-06 10:46