For a first playthrough, play The Last of Us Part I, then its Left Behind expansion, then The Last of Us Part II in its original story structure. Although Left Behind includes earlier events, it also contains spoilers for Part I’s main story. PlayStation recommends this newcomer order in its Part I FAQ.
What order should you play The Last of Us games in?
- Play The Last of Us Part I from beginning to end.
- After the main story, play Left Behind.
- Play The Last of Us Part II in its original, nonlinear structure.
This is the spoiler-conscious order, not a strict in-world chronology. The remakes and remasters are alternate editions of existing stories; they are not extra chapters you need to fit into the sequence.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Last of Us: Escape the Dark Board Game | $72.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Last of Us Remastered Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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PS4 THE LAST OF US REMASTERED (US) [video game] | $21.88 | Buy on Amazon |
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Where does Left Behind fit?
Left Behind tells part of Ellie and Riley’s earlier story, alongside material connected to the first game. That prequel material can make it tempting to play the expansion first, but PlayStation warns that it contains spoilers for Part I’s main story and recommends finishing the main story before starting it. It is included with all editions of Part I, according to the official Part I FAQ.
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The release history can be confusing because the first game has an original release, a PS4 remaster, and a PS5/PC remake. Those versions retell the same first-game story rather than adding separate chapters. Choose one edition of the first game; you do not need to play all of them.
#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.
| Release or edition | What it is | How to treat it |
|---|---|---|
| The Last of Us (2013) | The original first game. PlayStation describes its setting as 20 years after a pandemic changed civilization. PlayStation product page | The first game’s main story; an older way to play it. |
| The Last of Us: Left Behind | Single-player expansion with Ellie and Riley backstory and story material tied to the main game. PlayStation Part I FAQ | Play after the main story if this is your first time. |
| The Last of Us Remastered (PS4, July 29, 2014) | PS4 edition of the first game; includes Left Behind. PlayStation product page | An older edition of the first game’s story. |
| The Last of Us Part II (PS4, June 19, 2020) | The sequel, set five years after Joel and Ellie’s journey in the first game. PlayStation product page | Play after Part I and Left Behind. |
| The Last of Us Part I (PS5, September 2, 2022; PC, March 28, 2023) | A ground-up remake of the original, with Left Behind included. PlayStation lists it for PS5 and PC and says there is no upgrade path from the PS3/PS4 versions. PlayStation Part I FAQ | A straightforward first-game edition for newcomers with access to PS5 or PC. |
| The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PS5, January 19, 2024) | Remastered edition of Part II; PlayStation lists PS5 and PC. PlayStation product page | Play this edition if choosing the remastered sequel. |
| The Last of Us Complete (PS5) | Digital package released in 2025 combining Part I and Part II Remastered. A physical Collector’s Edition was announced for July 10, 2025; it includes discs for both games. PlayStation Blog announcement | A two-game PS5 package; check current regional availability. |
The original game’s precise launch day and Left Behind’s standalone launch day are not stated in the official pages cited here, so they are omitted.
What is the story timeline?
The first game’s central journey takes place 20 years after a pandemic transforms civilization. Part II is set five years after Joel and Ellie’s journey across the United States, according to PlayStation’s Part II synopsis. These relative markers explain the broad gap between the stories; they do not establish exact in-world calendar years.
Rank #2
- BASED ON AWARD-WINNING FRANCHISES: Experience the treacherous world of The Last of Us, now a major HBO TV series and a beloved video game from Naughty Dog, in an immersive board game format.
- RICH, NARRATIVE GAMEPLAY: Join iconic characters like Joel and Ellie on a harrowing journey from a Quarantine Zone to Jackson, navigating through iconic locations filled with challenges.
- DYNAMIC CHALLENGE SYSTEM: Powered by the latest evolution of the Escape the Dark system, featuring large, narrative-rich chapter cards that introduce complex scenarios including encounters with FEDRA agents, hunters, and the infected.
- STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING: Survival hinges on crafting and weapon upgrades directly inspired by the video game’s mechanics, requiring players to make strategic use of dice and item cards.
- COLLECTOR'S ITEM: A must-have for fans with high-quality components and detailed artwork that bring the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere of The Last of Us to life. Ideal for 1-5 players, offering 60-90 minutes of engaging gameplay per session.
Left Behind contains earlier story events, but its placement for a first-time player is governed by spoilers, not just chronology: finish Part I’s main story before playing it.
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Not on a first playthrough. Part II was originally developed as a nonlinear story, interweaving Ellie and Abby’s motivations with flashbacks and events in the present. Its original sequence is the intended first experience.
Rank #3
- 20 years after a pandemic has radically changed known civilization, infected humans run wild and survivors are killing each other for food, weapons; Whatever they can get their hands on
- Explore a brutal post pandemic world, fully realized with the power of PlayStation 4 system
- Delve into Ellie’s past in left ehind, the single player prequel chapter
- Eight new multiplayer maps in the abandoned and reclaimed territories packs
Part II Remastered received a free Chronological mode update for PS5 and PC. It rearranges the game’s events into chronological order, but Naughty Dog recommends that players new to the game experience the original structure first. The mode is an optional alternate way to revisit the story, not the default newcomer route. Naughty Dog’s July 8, 2025 announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition should a new player choose?
If you have PS5 or PC access and want the most straightforward route, choose Part I, the ground-up remake, then play the included Left Behind expansion after the main story. Follow it with Part II or Part II Remastered. The PS4 Remastered edition is another way to play the first story, but it is not the same product as the PS5 remake.
For PS5 players considering a single package, The Last of Us Complete combines the two games. Its availability can vary by region and over time, so check the current listing before buying. If you already own a first-game edition, there is no need to replay another version just to follow the story.
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