Ellie and Joel are both somewhat musical geniuses. So, if you fancy a break from killing Clickers, you can strum up a few creations of your own and learn how to play the guitar in The Last of Us 2.
By picking up a working guitar, players can control Ellie and play the guitar. Once you’ve picked up a guitar, you’ll see a circle on the screen which is divided into six sections, each containing a different note.
Players can use the left or right control stick on their PS4 controller to point to a chord on screen. Once a chord has been selected, simply swipe your finger over the touchpad to strum the guitar. If you want to pluck individual strings, simply tap the pad.
How to Play Your Own Songs on Guitar
When you pick up a guitar in The Last of Us 2, you’ll usually have to play the song that the game wants you to. Once you’ve finished playing, players can choose to practice with the guitar, choosing to play any song they want.
This is where the fun starts! It’s time to forget the Shamblers and grab Ellie’s guitar to create your own jams. Alternatively, players can play any song they know in the real world, like the ones below.
List of Playable Guitar Songs
Here’s a complete list of the songs you can play on the guitar:
Johnny Cash – Hurt
The Eagles – Hotel California
Bob Marley – Redemption Song
Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
Pearl Jam – Future Days
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
Nirvana – About A Girl
The Cranberries – Zombie
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Metallica – Enter Sandman
Why the Guitar Matters in The Last of Us Part II
The guitar is more than just a fun little extra in The Last of Us Part II. In fact, it plays a massive part in Ellie’s story, connecting her to Joel and reminding her of their bond through Joel’s love of music. That is one of the reasons why players loved this feature so much. It is not just about the music, but also about the message behind it.
It also gives players a brief moment of calm, offering them some often-needed respite from the regular chaos which is thrown at them through the infected.
Community Creations and Covers
One of the greatest things about this feature is how much creativity it has spurred in the community. Users have recreated their favorite songs, uploaded original music, and even used the mechanic as performances online in their entirety. If you dig deep enough on YouTube, you’ll find covers of everything from Hallelujah to Take On Me on guitar alone using the game. It’s a great reminder of the ways that games can inspire creativity outside of the screen.
Whether you’re looking to create a new masterpiece or simply want to take on a cover, playing the guitar in The Last of Us Part II is a great way to spend your time if you’ve had enough of tackling hordes of infected and instead would rather simply enjoy some downtime jamming to your favorite tunes.
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