Workbenches in The Last of Us Part 2 behave similarly to the original The Last of Us, where players are able to spend sparse mechanical parts they have scavenged throughout the game on weapon upgrades. Upgrades in The Last of Us Part 2 provide visual attachments that retrofit the weapon with an associated part, and the game's immersion is sustained by keeping the weapon's visual upgrades during cutscenes. Please note that this article will have some SPOILERS for The Last of Us Part 2.
Certain upgrades benefit handling and stability, while other upgrades improve the weapon's fire rate and ammunition capacity. Different weapons also have different modifications based on what type of weapon it is. For example, the bow can be upgraded to include a rangefinder targeting scope that marks an enemy's distance on the aiming reticle. Abby is playable in The Last of Us Part 2 during the theater fight between herself and Ellie, and the weapons that Ellie uses appear differently for players based on which upgrades they had purchased. One observant fan has noted these changes and more, celebrating The Last of Us Part 2's attention to detail.
Caitlin has pointed out her observations about Ellie and Abby's first battle in The Last of Us Part 2, noticing unique changes and details that may be different from player-to-player. Caitlin's efforts showcase differences in the game's cutscenes based upon whether Ellie's weapons have been upgraded or not. Ellie's semi-auto pistol is shown as an improved model with upgrades attached, such as the recoil compensator, meaning that cutscenes respond actively to the changes that players make in-game and carry them over. During the fight, Ellie's shotgun is shown with and without upgrades such as the extended magazine tube. Likewise, the bow is also shown with and without its upgrades.
Interestingly, a fan has questioned whether or not upgrading Ellie makes the fight more difficult for players. But it appears as though it does not make a difference to the fight's difficulty, and Ellie is still able to craft and plant trap mines whether or not players have learned how to make them while playing as her. Caitlin's intrepid observations of The Last of Us Part 2 have also led her to a potential answer for whose gun it is that Abby carries. An earlier sequence seems to confirm that the handgun belongs to Mel, or is at least an identical pistol asset.
Some fans state that they may have seen Abby with Owen's revolver, though Caitlin argues they have only ever had the pistol in this fight. Other fans have noted that Abby carries a revolver in Santa Barbara later in the game. Unless there is another The Last of Us gun glitch that has been found, fans may be mistakenly referencing the revolver's appearance with the Santa Barbara sequence instead. Either way, Caitlin's observations have resurfaced fan discussions about how detailed The Last of Us Part 2 is, as well as the game's commitment to immersion in cutscenes.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available now on PS4.