The University — The Last of Us Part I Walkthrough

Guide your way through The University in The Last of Us Part I. Face human factions and Infected while managing resources and narrative progression.

As Joel and Ellie press deeper into their search for the Fireflies, their journey takes them to the desolate yet historically significant University of Eastern Colorado. This chapter is a crucial turning point, blending intense combat encounters against both human factions and various Infected with significant narrative developments. Players must navigate complex environments, manage dwindling resources, and prepare for a high-stakes confrontation that will profoundly impact Joel's journey.

Chapter Objectives

• Locate the Firefly research lab within the University campus.
• Navigate through various university buildings, including dormitories, science labs, and lecture halls.
• Encounter and overcome both human enemies (Hunters) and multiple types of Infected.
• Discover crucial information regarding the Fireflies' research and current whereabouts.
• Survive a critical ambush and escape the campus.

Key Locations & Collectibles

The University campus is sprawling and offers numerous opportunities for resource gathering and uncovering lore. Pay close attention to side rooms, offices, and lockers.

• Science Building: The primary objective, containing the Firefly research. Expect heavy resistance.
• Dormitories: Often contain valuable crafting materials, supplements, and notes. Check every room thoroughly.
• Lecture Halls: Can be good for cover during firefights, but also hide Infected.
• University Sign: A prominent landmark at the entrance, often a good place to reorient.

Notable Collectibles in this Chapter:

• Firefly Pendants: Several are scattered throughout the campus. Keep an eye out in less obvious spots.
• Artifacts: Notes and documents provide crucial backstory on the Fireflies' activities and the university's fate.
• Training Manuals: Enhance Joel's abilities, making them highly valuable. Look for them in offices or secure areas.
• Workbench: At least one workbench is available for weapon upgrades. Plan your upgrades carefully.

Enemy Encounters & Strategies

The University presents a dual threat: cunning human scavengers (Hunters) and the relentless Infected. Resource management and adaptable combat strategies are paramount.

Human Enemies (Hunters)

• Types: Standard armed thugs, often equipped with rifles, shotguns, and Molotovs. Some may wear light armor.
• Tactics: Hunters operate in patrols, communicate effectively, and will flank you if given the opportunity. They are less predictable than Infected.
• Recommended Strategy:
  • Stealth is Key: Utilize cover, listen mode, and throwable distractions (bottles, bricks) to thin out groups silently. Shivs are excellent for instant stealth kills.
  • Headshots: Prioritize headshots with firearms to conserve ammunition.
  • Molotovs/Nail Bombs: Effective against clustered enemies or to create choke points.
  • Melee Combat: Use upgraded melee weapons to save ammo, but be wary of being overwhelmed.

Infected

• Types:
  • Runners: Fast, aggressive, and often appear in groups. Can be taken down with melee or a few pistol shots.
  • Stalkers: More cunning, they hide and ambush. Listen for their distinct growls and use listen mode to track them. Shotguns are effective up close.
  • Clickers: Blind but possess acute echolocation. Instantly lethal if they grab Joel. Stealth is crucial; use shivs for silent kills or a shotgun blast to the head if detected.
  • Bloaters: Heavily armored and slow, but extremely dangerous. They throw corrosive spores and have powerful melee attacks. Molotovs are highly effective against their fungal armor, followed by sustained gunfire (shotgun or rifle). Keep your distance.
• Recommended Strategy:
  • Listen Mode: Indispensable for identifying and tracking Infected, especially Clickers and Stalkers.
  • Stealth & Shivs: Prioritize stealth kills on Clickers to conserve precious resources.
  • Crowd Control: Molotovs and Nail Bombs are excellent for clearing groups of Runners or damaging Bloaters.
  • Environmental Hazards: Look for opportunities to use the environment to your advantage, such as luring Infected into traps or narrow corridors.

Walkthrough: Go Big Horns

1. Initial Approach & Dormitories

Upon entering the University grounds, you'll find the area initially quiet. Your objective is to locate the Science Building. Head towards the main campus buildings. The first major area you'll encounter is a set of abandoned dormitories.

• Exploration: Thoroughly explore each dorm room. Many contain crafting materials (rags, alcohol, binding, blades), supplements, and notes that flesh out the lore. One room often contains a Firefly Pendant.
• Enemies: Expect a few scattered Runners and potentially a Stalker or two within the dorms. Use stealth to conserve resources.
• Resource Management: This is an excellent area to stock up on supplies. Craft health kits and Molotovs if you have the materials.

2. Courtyard & Science Building Exterior

After exiting the dormitories, you'll enter a large courtyard area. The Science Building is usually visible across this courtyard.

• Enemies: This area often features patrols of Hunters. They will be actively searching.
• Strategy: Use the overgrown bushes and abandoned vehicles for cover. Try to pick off isolated Hunters silently. If a firefight breaks out, use the environment to your advantage, retreating to cover when necessary.
• Collectibles: Check the perimeter of the courtyard for hidden items. There might be a Training Manual in a small shack or shed.

3. Inside the Science Building

Gaining entry to the Science Building typically involves finding a specific entrance, often a broken window or an unsecured door. Once inside, the environment becomes more claustrophobic and dangerous.

• Layout: The building is multi-story, with labs, offices, and lecture halls. Your goal is to reach the Firefly research lab, usually on an upper floor.
• Enemies: This area is a mix of Hunters and Infected. Be prepared for encounters where both enemy types are present, sometimes fighting each other, which you can use to your advantage.
• Key Encounter: One section often involves navigating through a dark, spore-filled lab or basement. This is where you'll likely encounter a Bloater.
  • Bloater Strategy: As mentioned, Molotovs are your best friend. Throw one to ignite its fungal armor, then follow up with shotgun blasts or rifle fire. Keep moving and maintain distance to avoid its spore attacks and powerful melee.
• Workbench: There is typically a workbench located within the Science Building, often in a side lab or maintenance room. Use this opportunity to upgrade your weapons.

4. The Firefly Lab & The Truth

Upon reaching the Firefly research lab, you'll find evidence of their work, but also signs of their abrupt departure. Joel and Ellie will discover crucial information about the Fireflies' attempts to find a cure, and their current location.

• Narrative Beat: This sequence is purely narrative-driven. Pay attention to the notes and recordings you find, as they provide vital context for the rest of the game.
• Collectibles: This room will contain several Artifacts (notes, logs) that detail the Fireflies' research.

The Pivotal Moment: Ambush and Escape

After gathering the information from the Firefly lab, Joel and Ellie's attempt to leave the University is met with a brutal ambush. This is the chapter's most critical and high-stakes sequence.

• The Ambush: As you make your way out of the Science Building, you will be ambushed by a large group of Hunters. Joel will suffer a severe injury during this encounter, specifically being impaled by a rebar.
• Ellie's Role: With Joel incapacitated, Ellie must step up and defend him. This is a significant moment for her character development, as she takes on a more active combat role.
• Escape Sequence: You will control Ellie, who must drag Joel to safety while fighting off waves of Hunters.
  • Strategy (as Ellie): Ellie is smaller and quicker, but less resilient than Joel. Use her small frame to duck behind cover effectively. Her pistol is reliable, and she often has a few Molotovs or bombs. Aim for headshots. The goal is not to eliminate every enemy, but to create openings to move Joel forward.
  • Prioritize Survival: Focus on staying alive and getting Joel to the exit. Don't get bogged down trying to clear every enemy.
• Consequences: Joel's injury is severe, leaving him critically wounded. This event sets up the next major arc of the game, where Ellie must take on the responsibility of caring for Joel and surviving on her own. It highlights the brutal realities of their world and Ellie's growing maturity.

Resource Management Tips for this Chapter

• Scavenge Thoroughly: The University is rich in supplies, but you need to explore every nook and cranny. Don't rush through areas.
• Craft Wisely: Prioritize crafting items that address your immediate threats. If facing many Infected, craft Shivs and Molotovs. Against Hunters, focus on health kits and nail bombs.
• Ammunition Conservation: Headshots are crucial. Use stealth takedowns whenever possible to save bullets. Don't be afraid to use melee weapons against weaker enemies.
• Supplements: Use supplements to upgrade Joel's skills, particularly those that enhance listen mode range, shiv master, or weapon sway reduction.

The University chapter is a test of both combat prowess and narrative engagement. By carefully navigating its dangers, managing resources, and understanding the significance of its pivotal moments, You can successfully guide Joel and Ellie through this challenging segment.