Usually, no. You can start with a newer zombie game when it has a self-contained plot, a new cast, or an official newcomer-friendly entry point. Play earlier games first when the new release directly continues major characters, relationships, or an unresolved ending. Earlier titles can add emotional and thematic context even when the sequel remains understandable on its own.
There is no universal play order for zombie franchises
“Zombie game series” covers several very different designs. One franchise may tell a tightly connected story across numbered chapters; another may use the same setting for mostly independent survival-horror adventures. A third may reboot its continuity or retell an older game for modern hardware. Treating every series as one long sequence leads to unnecessary homework and, sometimes, spoilers.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Last Of Us Part I Standard - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AamgjdkIL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Last Of Us Part I Standard - PC [Online Game Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![THE LAST OF US PART I - DELUXE EDITION - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G+PW49HpL._SL160_.jpg)
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THE LAST OF US PART I - DELUXE EDITION - PC [Online Game Code] | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Last of Us: Part I and Part II Scripts | $31.06 | Buy on Amazon |
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The practical question is not whether a game has an earlier installment. It is whether the new game depends on that installment for information you need immediately. Check four things before deciding:
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- Narrative dependency: Does the new game resolve a previous cliffhanger or assume you know a major past event?
- Returning characters: Are the same protagonist, family, friendships, or rivalries central to the story?
- Gameplay continuity: Does the sequel expect familiarity with systems, terminology, or an unusual control scheme?
- Access cost: Can you obtain and finish the earlier game on your current hardware without an unreasonable time or money commitment?
If at least two of those areas indicate strong continuity, play the prior entry or use a spoiler-light recap. If most indicate a reset, start with the new game and treat older titles as optional background.
#1 Best Overall
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
When playing earlier games first is worth it
A direct sequel continues unresolved events
A game that opens immediately after a previous ending will often assume you remember who survived, what a faction wants, and why the protagonist is making a particular choice. A recap can cover the facts, but it cannot reproduce the pacing and emotional buildup of playing those events yourself. This is especially important when the earlier game established a relationship that the sequel repeatedly tests.
The same characters carry the emotional arc
Returning names alone do not make a prerequisite. The stronger signal is a continuing relationship: a parent and child, former partners, a betrayed friend, or a rival whose history shapes every conversation. If the new game’s central conflict depends on your feelings about that history, the earlier title provides value beyond plot exposition.
The sequel assumes mechanical knowledge
Most modern games retutorialize essential controls, but some sequels expect you to understand resource scarcity, enemy behaviors, crafting logic, or a distinctive progression system. Starting with the previous game can reduce friction. This is a convenience benefit, not a universal requirement; unfamiliar systems are usually learnable from the sequel’s own tutorials.
The earlier game is easy to access
When a prior entry is available on your console or PC, has stable performance, and fits your available time, playing it is the most complete way to prepare. If obtaining it requires obsolete hardware, an expensive collector edition, or dozens of hours you do not have, a reputable story recap may be the better trade-off.
When you can start with the newest game
It has a new protagonist or setting
A new cast gives writers a natural onboarding point. The world may contain references to earlier incidents, but the immediate motivations and rules are introduced for the new audience. You may miss an easter egg or recognize a returning location later than longtime fans; that is different from being unable to follow the main plot.
It is a reboot or remake designed for newcomers
Remakes often preserve the broad premise while changing chronology, characterization, and mechanics. Do not assume that playing the original is mandatory preparation. Read the publisher’s description and check whether the remake is presented as a fresh entry point.
Rank #2
- Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
- Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
The publisher identifies a jumping-on point
An official recommendation is strong evidence that a game is intended to welcome first-time players. It does not mean earlier games have no value; it means the selected title supplies the context needed to begin.
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If your priority is cooperative survival, exploration, combat, or a particular difficulty mode rather than a continuous drama, start with the game whose mechanics appeal to you. You can return to older stories later if the setting interests you.
The clearest example of “recommended, not mandatory”: The Last of Us
PlayStation’s official FAQ recommends a specific order: start with The Last of Us Part I, play its included expansion Left Behind, and then play The Last of Us Part II to experience the story from the beginning. The same FAQ also states that players who begin with Part II can appreciate it as a standalone, complete, isolated story. It adds that some details, characters, and themes have deeper meaning when Part I comes first.
That combination is the useful distinction. Part I is the best choice for readers who want the fullest emotional payoff from Joel and Ellie’s journey. Part II is a valid starting point for someone testing the series, provided they accept thinner context and potential spoilers for the earlier story. The official description identifies Part I as the start of Joel and Ellie’s journey and lists Part I and Part II Remastered for PlayStation 5 and PC, so check the edition and platform that match your system before buying.
Suggested orders for different priorities
| What you want | Order | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Complete character and thematic buildup | The Last of Us Part I → Left Behind → The Last of Us Part II | The recommended sequence from PlayStation’s FAQ. |
| To sample the newer game quickly | The Last of Us Part II first | Understandable as a standalone, but earlier details, characters, and themes will carry less weight. |
| To minimize spoilers while deciding | Play Part I, then decide whether to continue | Part I establishes the central relationship without requiring a franchise marathon. |
Resident Evil shows why a long series can have a safe entry point
Capcom’s official Resident Evil: Where to Play guide, dated October 18, 2024, acknowledges that the franchise began in 1996 and now spans many games. Its purpose is to help newcomers decide where to jump in rather than require a complete historical playthrough. Capcom staff specifically advise: “If you’re a new player, start out with Resident Evil 2 (2019). It’s a great jumping-on point for the series.”
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThat recommendation makes Resident Evil 2 (2019) a practical first choice for someone who wants the series’ survival-horror style without studying every prior installment. Earlier games can explain recurring organizations, outbreaks, and characters in greater detail, but the 2019 game is presented as an accessible beginning. After finishing it, choose older or newer entries according to the characters and tone you enjoyed rather than following an inflexible marathon.
Rank #3
- Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
- Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
How to choose a Resident Evil follow-up
- If you liked the police-station investigation and paired protagonists, look for entries that continue those characters or locations.
- If you prefer isolated mansion, village, or laboratory scenarios, select by setting and gameplay style rather than numerical order.
- If continuity matters more than mechanics, use release order after your first game so references and reveals arrive as intended.
Dying Light: verify the new game’s relationship before ordering the series
Techland’s official site presents Dying Light, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, and Dying Light: The Beast as separate franchise entries. That confirms a multi-entry series, but the available official information does not establish a single detailed story-order rule for every player. Do not automatically conclude that all earlier games are required.
Before starting a newer Dying Light title, check whether it follows the same protagonist, directly resolves an earlier ending, or introduces a new playable character and premise. A returning character or explicit continuation favors playing the relevant predecessor. A new lead and self-contained objective favor starting with the current game, then returning to older entries for optional world-building.
Release order or chronological order?
Use release order when you care about intended reveals
Release order generally preserves the way writers introduced mysteries, mechanics, and character changes. It also prevents a prequel from revealing information that a later-released game expected players to discover gradually. For a tightly connected franchise, release order is the safest default unless the publisher gives a different sequence.
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Chronological order can make the fictional timeline easier to follow, especially when a prequel stands alone. It can also create awkward pacing: an older game may have clumsier controls, and a prequel may spoil a twist from a later release. Choose chronology when you value in-world dates more than reveal structure, and verify that the order does not undermine major surprises.
A five-step method for deciding what to play
- Identify the connection. Read the new game’s official synopsis and note whether it names a previous protagonist, ending, or event.
- Score narrative dependency. Mark “strong” if the game directly continues a cliffhanger, “moderate” if it revisits a setting or faction, and “low” if it introduces a new conflict.
- Check character carry-over. Count the returning relationships that matter to the main plot, not just cameo appearances.
- Check mechanical and access costs. Confirm platform availability, edition differences, save-transfer requirements, approximate time you can commit, and whether the sequel teaches its systems again.
- Choose preparation. Two or more strong-continuity signals mean play the relevant predecessor or watch a spoiler-light recap. Mostly low signals mean start with the new title.
Do not confuse a large lore database with a required backstory. A game can contain decades of fictional history while telling a complete story about one outbreak and one group of survivors.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What you miss by skipping earlier games
- Emotional weight: A reunion, betrayal, or death may be understandable but less affecting without the earlier relationship.
- Reference recognition: Locations, organizations, and recurring imagery may feel familiar to returning players while remaining unexplained to newcomers.
- Thematic development: A sequel may deliberately challenge an idea introduced in the predecessor; playing both reveals that progression.
- Mechanical fluency: You may need a few hours to learn resource management or combat rhythms that returning players already know.
Skipping does not automatically mean you will miss the main story. It means you are choosing less context in exchange for reaching the game you want sooner. A spoiler-light recap can restore names and major events, but it cannot recreate the original pacing; avoid detailed videos if discovering twists yourself matters.
Rank #4
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Starting with a spin-off without checking its role
A side story may assume knowledge from the mainline games or may be deliberately standalone. Read how the publisher labels it before treating it as your first entry.
Assuming every numbered sequel is equally dependent
Numbering signals a franchise relationship, not a universal homework requirement. Test the four continuity axes instead of relying on the number.
Following a fan-made timeline that spoils later games
Fan timelines often optimize fictional chronology rather than first-time discovery. Prefer the publisher’s stated order or release order when you want to preserve reveals.
Buying an incompatible edition
Remasters, remakes, expansions, and bundled versions can have similar names. Confirm the platform, included expansion, and whether the version contains the story chapter you intend to play. For example, PlayStation’s recommended Last of Us sequence specifically includes Left Behind with Part I.
Forcing yourself through an unavailable classic
If an older game is difficult to obtain or its controls make the experience miserable, use a concise recap and start with the accessible entry. The goal is understanding and enjoyment, not completing an archival checklist.
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Quick recommendations by player type
| Player priority | Best approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Story and character payoff | Play the directly preceding narrative game in release order. | Preserves relationship history and intended reveals. |
| New to the franchise | Choose an official newcomer entry point, such as Resident Evil 2 (2019). | Designed to introduce the world without a full back-catalogue. |
| Limited time | Start with the newest self-contained title or use a spoiler-light recap. | Reduces preparation while retaining access to the current game. |
| Gameplay-first player | Start with the mechanics and setting you prefer. | Mechanical enjoyment does not require complete lore knowledge. |
| Completionist | Play in release order, adding expansions where they fit the publisher’s sequence. | Offers the fullest context and minimizes accidental spoilers. |
The practical verdict
Start the newest zombie game when its premise and cast are substantially new or when the publisher names it as a jumping-on point. Play earlier games first when the new release is a direct continuation built around unresolved plot and relationships. If you are uncertain, compare narrative dependency, returning characters, gameplay continuity, and access cost; two strong continuity signals justify playing the predecessor or using a recap. This approach gives you the context that matters without turning every long-running franchise into mandatory homework.
Quick Recap
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