Look, let’s be real. Most people think getting The Last of Us platinum is just about finishing the game and maybe finding a few comic books. It isn't. Not even close. If you’re playing the 2014 Remastered version on PS4, you’re looking at a grueling, multi-hundred-hour journey that involves dodging sweatlords in a multiplayer mode that refuses to die. Even if you're on the Part I remake for PS5, there's a certain weight to it.
It's heavy.
The Last of Us isn’t just a game; it’s a cultural monolith. Because of that, the trophy list acts like a digital badge of honor that says you survived Joel and Ellie’s hellish trek across America. But the path to that shiny blue icon is littered with missed collectibles, frustrating difficulty spikes, and a multiplayer "metagame" that has caused more than a few broken controllers over the last decade.
The Multiplayer Wall Everyone Hits
You want the truth? The biggest barrier to The Last of Us platinum in the Remastered edition is Factions.
Factions is the multiplayer mode. It’s brilliant, honestly. It’s tactical, slow, and brutal. But for a trophy hunter? It’s a nightmare. You have to complete two separate "journeys"—the Firefly journey and the Hunter journey. Each one takes 84 matches. That is 168 matches total, assuming you don't fail a "100% Population Risk" challenge.
Imagine being on week 11, day 6. You’re almost there. Suddenly, a challenge pops up. If you don't get five downs in the next three matches, your entire clan dies. You reset to zero. All those hours? Gone. Most gamers give up right here. They realize that the platinum isn't just about skill; it's about nerves. You have to manage a virtual camp of survivors by performing well in matches. It’s a meta-layer that makes every single gunshot feel like it actually matters for your trophy progress.
Some people try to cheese it. They skip days by joining a match and immediately quitting. This works, kinda, but it’s risky. Your survivors get hungry. They get sick. If too many die, your clan wiped, and you're back at the start of the 12-week cycle. It is a massive time sink that tests your patience more than your aim.
Difficulty Spikes and Grounded Mode
Then there's the campaign.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Every Bubbul Gem: Why the Map of Caves TOTK Actually Matters
If you are playing the original or the Remastered version, you have to beat the game on Survivor. And if you want the 100% DLC completion alongside your The Last of Us platinum, you need to tackle Grounded. Grounded is a different beast entirely. The HUD is gone. You have no Listen Mode. Resources? Non-existent. You will find yourself counting every single revolver bullet like it’s a family heirloom.
I remember a specific run through the Pittsburgh bookstore. I had two arrows and a brick. That was it. I spent forty-five minutes memorizing patrol patterns because one shot meant death. That’s the level of precision the game demands.
The Remake (Part I) on PS5 changed the game, though. Naughty Dog realized that locking a platinum behind 168 multiplayer matches and a Survivor playthrough was, well, mean. The Part I trophy list is much friendlier. No multiplayer. No difficulty-based trophies. You can platinum the game on "Very Light" difficulty if you really want to. But ask any veteran, and they’ll tell you: the "true" platinum is the one earned in the trenches of the PS3 or PS4 versions.
The Hidden Complexity of Conversations
You’d think the "Optional Conversations" trophy would be easy. It's not. It is notoriously buggy.
There are 37 of them. Some only trigger if you stand in a specific spot for five seconds after a combat encounter. Others require you to look at a specific poster or wait for Ellie to whistle. If you move too fast, the prompt disappears forever. You have to restart the whole chapter. It’s maddening.
The most famous "run-killer" is the one in the University chapter. You have to look at a Firefly logo on a wall. If you trigger the next cutscene before the icon pops up, you're toast. You have to be meticulous. You have to be a digital archeologist.
Why People Still Obsess Over It
So, why do we do it? Why do we spend weeks on a The Last of Us platinum?
🔗 Read more: Playing A Link to the Past Switch: Why It Still Hits Different Today
It’s because of the world Naughty Dog built. Usually, when you go for a platinum, you start to hate the game by the end. You’re sick of the mechanics. You’re sick of the characters. But with TLOU, the hunt actually forces you to appreciate the details you missed.
When you’re hunting for every single Firefly Pendant, you’re forced to look in the corners of collapsed office buildings. You find small environmental stories—a skeleton in a bathtub, a note from a father who couldn't protect his kids. The trophy hunt turns the game into a slow-burn exploration of grief and survival.
Even the "Everything We've Been Through" trophy, which requires fully upgrading Joel with supplements, makes you realize how much the character evolves. You aren't just clicking a button; you’re making him faster, stronger, and more capable of protecting Ellie. There’s a narrative resonance there that most games lack.
Key Differences Between Versions
If you are starting this journey today, you need to know which mountain you're climbing.
The 2014 Remastered version is the "Old School" challenge. It includes all the multiplayer requirements and the difficulty-based trophies. It is a 100+ hour investment. It is prestigious. When you see someone with this platinum, you know they put in the work.
The PS5 Part I version is the "Modern" challenge. It’s focused on the experience. You need the collectibles, sure, but you don't have to stress about dying or playing online. It takes about 15 to 20 hours. It’s accessible. It’s for the players who want to celebrate the story without the stress of "Week 12, Day 7" looming over their heads.
Tips for the Grind
Don't just jump in blindly. That’s how you end up doing four playthroughs instead of two.
💡 You might also like: Plants vs Zombies Xbox One: Why Garden Warfare Still Slaps Years Later
First, use a guide for the artifacts and pendants. There is no in-game radar for these. If you miss one in the middle of a chapter, the game doesn't always tell you which one you're missing. You'll just see "Artifacts: 9/10" and want to scream. Keep a checklist.
Second, for the Remastered multiplayer, pick "Heals" or "Gifts" for your 100% Risk missions. They are the easiest to complete. Don't pick "Headshots" unless you’re a pro. If you fail a 100% mission, your progress is deleted. Play it safe.
Third, if you're doing a high-difficulty run, bricks are your best friend. A brick is a guaranteed kill if you’re stealthy. It’s better than a gun. It’s better than a shiv. Learn the "brick-melee" combo. It will save your life when you're out of ammo.
The Ending Stretch
The final trophies usually involve the weapon upgrades. You won't get enough parts in one playthrough to fully upgrade every gun. You have to play New Game Plus. This is where the game really tests you. You’re playing through the story again, but this time, you know exactly what’s coming. The emotional gut-punches still land, but you’re focused on the toolbox in the corner of the room.
It’s a strange way to experience a masterpiece, but it’s the only way to get that platinum.
To truly master the The Last of Us platinum journey, you have to embrace the frustration. You have to be okay with replaying the "Left Behind" DLC to find every single piece of dialogue between Ellie and Riley. You have to be okay with dying twenty times in the hospital basement.
The reward isn't just a digital trophy. It’s the feeling of having seen everything this world has to offer. You’ve read every note. You’ve heard every joke in Ellie’s joke book. You’ve survived the worst of humanity and come out the other side.
If you are ready to start, begin by deciding which version you want on your profile. If you want the glory, go for the Remastered. If you want the story, go for Part I. Either way, get ready to spend a lot of time in the dark, clutching a brick, hoping there isn't a Clicker around the next corner.
Check your trophy list now to see which "Optional Conversations" you’ve already triggered through Chapter Select. Focus on the University and Pittsburgh chapters first, as these are the most common places for glitches. If you’re playing Remastered, join a Factions match today just to get a feel for the map layout before the high-stakes 100% Risk missions start. Upgrade your holster capacity as soon as you find enough parts; having two weapons ready is the difference between life and death on Survivor difficulty.