To defeat enemies, players can use long weapons such as rifles, shotguns and bows, and short-barreled guns such as pistols and revolvers; they can also scavenge limited-use melee weapons such as pipes and baseball bats. Bottles and bricks can be thrown to distract, stun or attack enemies. Weapons can be upgraded using collectable parts at workbenches, and Joel’s physical abilities, such as his health bar and crafting speed, can be upgraded by collecting pills and medicinal plants. Equipment such as health kits and Molotov Cocktails can be found or forged from collectable items including rubbing alcohol, towels, and blades. The game does not pause while crafting or swapping unholstered weapons, forcing the player to manage their time effectively in combat.
