The Shortcut — The Last of Us Part II Walkthrough

Navigate 'The Shortcut' in The Last of Us Part II. Master platforming, combat, and stealth through flooded Seattle with this detailed walkthrough.

The Shortcut is a memorable and challenging segment in Abby's Seattle Day 2 journey, presenting a unique environmental puzzle and a series of tense encounters. This walkthrough will guide you through navigating the treacherous terrain, overcoming the obstacles, and utilizing Abby's distinct abilities to progress through this critical chapter, ensuring you can find your way through the flooded city.

Successfully traversing 'The Shortcut' requires a combination of careful observation, precise platforming, and strategic combat. This section of the game tests your ability to adapt to a flooded urban environment and overcome both environmental hazards and hostile survivors. Follow these steps to emerge victorious from this perilous path.

Chapter Overview: Seattle Day 2 (Abby)

This chapter sees Abby and Lev attempting to navigate the flooded streets of Seattle in search of the Seraphites' island. 'The Shortcut' is a particularly memorable part of this journey, involving a complex route through partially submerged buildings and precarious walkways.

Navigating 'The Shortcut'

The primary objective in 'The Shortcut' is to find a way to reach the Seraphite island. This involves a multi-stage process of traversal and survival.

1. Entering the Flooded Area: You'll begin by entering a heavily flooded section of the city. The water is deep and impassable in many areas, forcing you to seek higher ground.
2. Utilizing Boats and Debris: You'll encounter several boats and floating debris that can be used to traverse the water. Some boats are stationary, while others can be pushed or pulled to create new paths.
3. Platforming through Buildings: The core of 'The Shortcut' involves moving through partially submerged buildings. This requires careful platforming:
• Climbing: Look for ledges, pipes, and exposed rebar to climb.
• Jumping: Leap across gaps between buildings or platforms.
• Crawling: Navigate through tight spaces and vents.
4. Encountering Hostiles: As you make your way through the shortcut, you'll inevitably encounter enemies. These are typically other survivors or members of hostile factions.
• Abby's Combat Style: Remember Abby's strengths. She is a powerful melee combatant. Utilize her brute strength and heavy attacks.
• Weaponry: Abby has access to a different arsenal than Ellie. Use her shotgun and other heavy weapons effectively for close-to-medium range engagements.
• Stealth: While Abby is strong, stealth is still a viable option. Use cover and distractions to thin out enemy numbers before engaging directly.
5. Finding the Path Forward: The path is not always obvious. You'll need to look for environmental cues:
• Open Doors and Windows: These often indicate a way forward.
• Visible Pathways: Look for routes that seem intentionally placed, like scaffolding or makeshift bridges.
• Objective Markers: Keep an eye on your objective marker for general direction.
6. The Rope Swing: A memorable moment involves using a rope swing to cross a large gap between buildings. Time your jump carefully to avoid falling into the water below.
7. Reaching the Seraphite Island: After a series of challenges, you'll eventually find a way to reach the Seraphite island, concluding this section of the chapter.

Key Items and Collectibles

While traversing 'The Shortcut,' be on the lookout for:

• Crafting Materials: Essential for creating health kits, ammo, and throwable items.
• Ammunition: Always a priority, especially when facing multiple enemies.
• Workbenches: If you find a workbench, take the opportunity to upgrade Abby's weapons.
• Artefacts/Notes: These can provide lore and sometimes clues to hidden items or safe combinations.

Tips for 'The Shortcut'

• Conserve Resources: Don't waste ammo on single enemies if you can take them down with stealth or melee.
• Master Abby's Melee: Abby's melee attacks are devastating. Learn the timing for dodges and counter-attacks.
• Use the Environment to Your Advantage: Lure enemies into traps or use explosive barrels.
• Be Patient with Platforming: Take your time to assess jumps and climbs. Falling into the water often means instant death or a difficult recovery.
• Listen for Enemies: Use audio cues to detect approaching threats, especially in the flooded areas where visibility can be limited.

Completing 'The Shortcut' is a testament to your adaptability and combat prowess. It's a challenging but rewarding section that showcases the unique gameplay mechanics of Abby's journey.