Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay star as the power duo in HBO’s The Last of Us who are trying to survive a zombie epidemic while sorting out a vaccine for the same. The pseudo-father-daughter team has been warming hearts all over with this compelling narrative — so much so that fans have now gotten interested in playing the game that inspired the show.
If the show was not enough of an incentive to make you try out the game, you should know that The Last of Us is considered to be one the best games ever made, winning multiple awards including Game of the Year by many institutes.
While the game itself is straightforward to play once you get the hang of the controls through a third-person POV, you might be wondering what is the best order to play the games in. Here’s your guide:
1. Chronological Order
If you’d like to play The Last of Us in chronological order, you’ll have to start with the DLC (Downloadable Content) as one of the two storylines it contains takes place before the game starts.
There’s one problem here, however. The first DLC storyline contains a prequel story, wherein Ellie is with her best friend Riley in an abandoned mall, which takes place before the game can begin.
The second storyline shows Ellie reminiscing about Riley in a mall in Colorado while she’s looking for supplies when Joel is injured. This event clearly takes place in between the main game’s storyline and is a slight spoiler. You’ve been warned!
Here’s the chronological order:
- The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC (2014)
- The Last of Us (2013) / The Last of Us Remastered (2014) / The Last of Us Part 1 (2022)
- The Last of Us Part 2 (2020)
PS: The remake of the original 2013 game is termed as the “definitive way” to play The Last of Us. You can play that instead of the original as well.
2. Release Order
If you’d like to play the game by its release order, it’s quite simple. According to me, this is also the best order to experience the game!
Here’s the release order:
- The Last of Us (2013) / The Last of Us Remastered (2014) / The Last of Us Part 1 (2022)
- The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC (2014)
- The Last of Us Part 2 (2020)
3. Do you need to play The Last of Us games in order?
As The Last of Us has only two Parts and one DLC, playing the game in either chronological order or release order is the best way to play the game. This way, the story won’t confuse you and you can complete the game tasks better.
I’m not saying that you can’t start by playing Part 2 before everything else, but you will have a tough time catching up with all the details needed for the gameplay. Let’s not forget there’s a carefully crafted narrative here that’s crucial if you want to complete the game successfully.
Playing Part 1 is a must as it explains the lore and the characters properly. Without this, you won’t understand the sequel all that well.
On the flip side, if you want, you can skip The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC as it won’t affect the main narrative. Think of it simply as bonus chapters that give you more of an insight into Ellie’s life. A treat of a side quest to players, if you may!
4. Will there be The Last of Us Part 3? When will it be released?
As of yet, no information has been released about The Last of Us Part 3. However, it is expected that Part 3 may be released by 2026 or 2027.
The game creators have given us no indications about Part 3 coming out soon or if it’s even in the pipeline. However, back in 2021, co-creator Neill Druckmann did make a wishful statement in NME that gave fans a lot of hope!
I did write an outline for a story, that we’re not making – but I hope one day can see the light of day – that explores a little bit what happens after this game. We’ll see.” Neill Druckmann
Fans are holding onto every word from this interview and so are we. After all, more video games also mean more The Last of Us seasons on HBO!
5. About The Last Of Us
The Last of Us is an HBO TV series adaptation of the award-winning video game of the same name originally developed by Naughty Dog.
It is set in 2033, as a fungal infestation plagues humans, turning them feral and blind before finally finishing them off. The series follows Joel’s journey to escort an immune 14-year-old Ellie to the Fireflies, who hope to study her to procure a vaccine.
The cast comprises Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, both famed for their roles in Games of Thrones, along with Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Nico Parker. The show was renewed for season 2.
No Comments on Your Complete Order Guide to Playing The Last of Us