In What Order Should I Play The Last of Us Games?

As a passionate gamer and content creator specializing in the Last of Us universe, I highly recommend playing the games in this order for the optimal story experience:

1. The Last of Us Part I
2. The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC
3. The Last of Us Part II

By starting with the original 2013 release and its prequel expansion, you‘ll be introduced to the post-pandemic world, complex characters like Joel and Ellie, and core gameplay before diving into the sequel. This creates a cohesive, interconnecting narrative that long-time fans and newcomers alike can appreciate.

Below I‘ll provide in-depth background, analysis, and tips to prepare you for each engrossing chapter of this emotionally charged saga. Let‘s dive in!

The Last of Us Part I: The Journey Begins

The game that started it all, The Last of Us first arrived on PlayStation 3 in June 2013 to critical and commercial success. After a fungal pandemic decimates civilization, grizzled smuggler Joel takes on the mission of escorting teenager Ellie across the ravaged United States. What begins as a simple job soon evolves into an emotional journey of survival, sacrifice and cautious bonding.

Here‘s an overview of key info on the original release:

The 2022 PlayStation 5 remake The Last of Us Part I features completely revamped graphics and modernized gameplay while faithfully retelling the original story. With stunning visuals, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options, it‘s the best way to experience Joel and Ellie‘s unforgettable debut outing.

Critical & Player Reception

Both the original Last of Us and its PS5 remake were met with resounding acclaim from gaming publications and players:

"An easy contender for Game of the Year" – IGN (10/10)

"The pinnacle of cinematic storytellying and emotional engagement in games" – GameSpot (10/10)

On playstation.com, The Last of Us Part I holds a 95% player recommendation rate. Fans widely consider it one of PlayStation‘s most impactful, generation-defining releases.

As someone whose played through this masterpiece multiple times, I wholeheartedly agree! The rich worldbuilding and character depth suck you into every gut-wrenching moment.

Joel & Ellie: Forging an Unlikely Bond

The heart of The Last of Us lies with its central characters:

Joel is a ruthless yet vulnerable smuggler hardened by personal tragedies in the early days of the pandemic.

Ellie is a headstrong 14-year old who may hold the key to humanity‘s survival.

Their uneasy alliance forms the emotional core that transcends from mere escort mission to a much deeper connection. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson deliver powerhouse performances capturing every complex layer.

Seeing Joel and Ellie‘s relationship dynamically shift from suspicion to symbiosis to genuine affection forms an unforgettable coming-of-age tale. Their skillful character arcs set up exciting potential for the sequel…

Gameplay & Length

In terms of gameplay, The Last of Us established the survival-action blend Naughty Dog would perfect. Intense cat-and-mouse fights with both infected and human enemies are woven between quieter crafting/looting sequences. Ammo and supplies feel realistically scarce, forcing careful resource management.

Stealth and melee add visceral urgency to each encounter while periodic puzzles and platforming provide nice pacing variation. The gameplay length clocks in around 15 hours by focusing this action/adventure hybrid strongly on narrative. It remains one of PlayStation‘s most cinematic, movie-like game experiences.

Now let‘s continue Ellie and Joel‘s tale in the acclaimed prequel expansion…

The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC

Released in February 2014, Left Behind adds a crucial missing chapter by jumping back to Ellie‘s past. We experience two parallel timelines:

1. Flashbacks reveal Ellie‘s life in quarantine zone military school weeks before meeting Joel

2. The main storyline shows Ellie struggling to survive after Joel is badly injured on their journey.

Filling these gaps lets us better understand Ellie‘s motivations while also expanding The Last of Us universe with more focal characters.

Here‘s an overview table of Left Behind‘s key details:

An Emotional Coming-Of-Age Tale

Where The Last of Us focuses on forging a bond between two strangers in Joel and Ellie, Left Behind explores pre-existing relationships central to Ellie as a character.

The flashbacks reveal her best friend Riley with whom Ellie gradually discovers romantic affection. Meanwhile, the main storyline shows Ellie‘s desperation to save Joel as a father figure barely keeping her together mentally.

These dynamics add layers of emotional weight and complexity fueling Ellie‘s motivations. The LGBT romance and stunted adolescence cut tragically short resonate on a profound level.

Expanding Ellie & The Last of Us Universe

Alongside spotlighting Ellie‘s past, Left Behind peppers in some fascinating worldbuilding lore. Players learn how the brain-destroying Cordyceps fungus overwhelmed society through heartbreaking environmental clues.

We also receive hints about the shadowy organization pulling strings behind the scenes that Part II would later explore more. These clues organically deepen immersion in The Last of Us‘ ruined but still shockingly beautiful world.

When to Play

Originally released as DLC, Left Behind is now bundled with all versions of The Last of Us. For new players, I‘d recommend playing it right after finishing the main campaign while story events are still fresh. Left Behind provides that extra layer of emotional closure while teasing exciting possibilities for sequels…

Which brings us to the shockingly divisive but undoubtedly bold follow-up saga.

The Last of Us Part II: Ellie‘s Revenge

Launching PS4 exclusively in June 2020 (with a 2023 PC port forthcoming), The Last of Us Part II leaps ahead 5 years. We rejoin a now 19-year old Ellie who sets off seeking vengeance on a mystical cult called the Seraphites. She believes them responsible for a horrific act of violence that I won‘t spoil here!

This sets the stage for a darker, more violent chapter pushing boundaries of what a big-budget blockbuster game can tackle.

Here are the key details on the sequel:

Mixed Response

As the above table hints, The Last of Part II proved incredibly controversial among fans due to daring creative choices. Professional reviewers widely praised the technical achievements and commitment to raw, inclusive storytelling.

However, some vocal players criticized the dark tone and quite shocking moments of violence. Certain key character choices also proved divisive.

As someone who passionately defends this sequel, I feel these provocative elements drove an vital narrative reflecting real human complexity. While admittedly depressing, Last of Us II pushes interactive storytelling into thrilling new territory well worth experiencing.

But this remains the minority view as public opinion stays fractured between acclaim and backlash.

Gameplay Refinements

One point of unanimous acclaim comes through gameplay. Part II refines the survival-action formula practically to perfection with satisfyingly brutal combat, dizzying tension and unprecedented accessibility options.

Naughty Dog‘s proprietary game engine also enables astoundingly lifelike graphics paired with smooth animation and controls. Simply moving Ellie through her ruined world proves an awe-inspiring technical showpiece, even without considering upgrades for 2023‘s PC port.

Length & Pacing

With a broad expanded scope across Seattle and California locales, The Last of Us Part II runs about 25-30 hours playtime. Sections alternate between white-knuckle action sequences and longer spans exploring the environments.

Pacing drags occasionally as the story contends with Ellisonian sprawl. But patient players will uncover additional worldbuilding and character depth through collectible notes and optional conversations well worth discovering.

For those left wanting more, online multiplayer also arrives in 2024…

What‘s Next: Factions 2 Multiplayer

While unconfirmed officially, Naughty Dog is rumored to be working on a standalone multiplayer follow-up temporarily called Factions 2. This will likely continue the original Last of Us‘ cat-and-mouse competitive battles between survivor groups.

Potential ground-up rebuilding for PS5 could enable drop-in/drop-out co-op integration with the single-player story. But concrete details remain scarce for now.

As an ardent fan myself, I anticipate Factions 2 will arrive end of 2023 at earliest. But anything definitively connecting to universe creator Neil Druckman promises riveting world expansion. This project secures more Last of Us undoubtedly on the horizon!

If you‘re considering diving into The Last of Us saga — either before the HBO show or just to experience an emotional masterwork — I strongly endorse playing the games in numbered order:

1. The Last of Us Part I
2. Left Behind DLC
3. The Last of Us Part II
4. Factions 2 (Eventual Multiplayer)

This unique post-apocalyptic universe only becomes richer when each release builds on those before thematically and narratively. Start with Joel and Ellie‘s fateful first encounter, then expand outward to uncover the full picture in all its scarred, frightening yet undeniably beautiful glory.

As a closing note, no other media property so ambitiously pushes the interactive medium toward unprecedented emotional heights… while somehow sneakily securing our investment through expertly crafted, addictively fun gameplay.

Few works of science fiction — let alone video games — will leave your senses thrilled, mind racing with questions, beliefs challenged on a primal level… before surprising you again just when you think you‘ve pinned everything down.

If that sounds enticing, again I passionately encourage giving The Last of Us saga your time. Just play in numbered order for maximum impact!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about properly experiencing this groundbreaking franchise. I‘m always thrilled to discuss further with fellow fans and newcomers alike!