Release OrderRecommended
0 / 5 playedTwo stories plus DLC and remakes in release order.
- 1 The Last of Us Original. Or play Part I instead.
- 2 The Last of Us: Left Behind Ellie prequel DLC. Play second.
- 3 The Last of Us Part II Ellie and Abby story.
- 4 The Last of Us Part I PS5 remake of the 2013 game.
- 5 The Last of Us Part II Remastered Same story plus No Return mode.
About The Last of Us
The Last of Us follows Joel smuggling Ellie across infected America in 2013, with Left Behind from 2014 flashing back to Ellie and Riley before that trip. Part II from 2020 jumps four years forward and splits the story between Ellie and Abby in Seattle. Part I from 2022 rebuilds the first game on PlayStation 5, while Part II Remastered from 2024 adds a roguelike mode.
Watch for story in release order since Left Behind assumes the main fall beats. Play the original or Part I once, not both back to back, then Part II. No Part III has been dated despite studio talk, so the 2013 to 2024 set counts as the current complete run.
Good to know
Release order matches story order except Left Behind, which slots as a flashback inside the first game winter chapter. Play Left Behind right after the main game for the intended gap. Choose Part I over the PS3 original on modern hardware for accessibility and AI, since story beats match. Treat Part II Remastered as the same story with extras rather than a sequel, and leave room for Part III.
