GameTimeline

Release & story order

The Last of Us timeline

The Last of Us from the 2013 PlayStation debut through Part II Remastered (2024)—US release dates, Joel and Ellie story order, Left Behind placement, Part I remake vs original, and FAQ for Factions and where newcomers should start in 2026. For the HBO series watch order see Last of Us HBO.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Naughty Dog shipped each The Last of Us chapter in the US—The Last of Us (2013) through Part II Remastered (2024), including Left Behind and the Part I remake. Factions multiplayer and the HBO series are optional.

  • Newcomers 2026 → Part I → Part II Remastered (Left Behind is bundled in Part I)
  • Original discs → 2013 The Last of Us → Left Behind → Part II, then optional remasters
  • PC / PS5 → Part I and Part II Remastered are the storefront versions
  • Skip Factions / HBO if you only want the game campaigns
Story order tips

One continuous path: The Last of Us / Part I → Left Behind (mid-game Ellie story) → Part II. Remasters retell the same campaigns—use Part I and Part II Remastered for modern play.

  • Core path: Part I → Part II
  • Left Behind: play during or right after Part I (included in Part I remake)
  • Do not play Part II before Part I—major spoilers
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. The Last of Us

    The Last of Us

    PS3ActionMainline

    The Last of Us is Naughty Dog’s PS3 landmark—Joel and Ellie cross a ruined United States after a Cordyceps outbreak.

    Overview
    Cinematic stealth-action with scarce ammo, brutal melee, and character writing that redefined console narrative games.
    In-game setting
    Story opener ~2033. Left Behind DLC expands Ellie’s past; Part I replaces this edition for most newcomers.
    Should you play it?
    Franchise start—prefer Part I remake for 2026 play. Same prestige lane as *Uncharted*. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS3 June 14, 2013. Remastered on PS4 (2014); Part I remake on PS5/PC later.
  2. The Last of Us: Left Behind
    Optional

    The Last of Us: Left Behind

    PS3PS4ActionExpansionOptional

    The Last of Us: Left Behind is Ellie’s mall flashback DLC with Riley—short, essential character context.

    Overview
    Intercuts Ellie/Riley bonding with a mid-campaign interlude that deepens Ellie’s attachment to Joel’s world. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story ~2033 Colorado mall stretch. Play after or during The Last of Us—before Part II.
    Should you play it?
    Included in remastered / Part I packages—do not hunt the standalone PS3 DLC unless collecting. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US February 14, 2014 on PS3; bundled in PS4 Remastered and Part I.
  3. The Last of Us Part II

    The Last of Us Part II

    PS4ActionMainline

    The Last of Us Part II jumps years later—Ellie and Abby’s Seattle cycle of revenge with dual campaign perspectives.

    Overview
    Ambitious perspective swap, denser stealth arenas, and a longer narrative than the 2013 original. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story ~2038 Jackson/Seattle. Spoilers dense—finish Part I + Left Behind first.
    Should you play it?
    Required sequel after Part I. Prefer Part II Remastered on PS5/PC for 2026. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS4 June 19, 2020. Remastered on PS5 (2024) and PC later.
  4. The Last of Us Part I

    The Last of Us Part I

    PS5PCActionRemakeMainline

    The Last of Us Part I is the full PS5/PC remake of the 2013 campaign—rebuilt combat, AI, and presentation.

    Overview
    Ground-up remake (not a simple remaster) with modern accessibility and rebuilt encounters. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Same Story slot as The Last of Us (2013). Includes Left Behind. Lead-in to Part II. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 way to play Joel and Ellie’s first journey. Replaces 2013 / Remastered for newcomers. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS5 September 2, 2022; PC March 28, 2023.
  5. The Last of Us Part II Remastered

    The Last of Us Part II Remastered

    PS5PCActionRemasterMainline

    The Last of Us Part II Remastered brings the 2020 sequel to PS5/PC with Lost Levels extras and graphical upgrades.

    Overview
    Remaster pass adds DualSense features, a free-roam Seattle mode, and developer commentary tools. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Same Story as Part II. Play after Part I. Optional No Return roguelike mode is optional.
    Should you play it?
    Preferred edition for Part II in 2026. Not a new story—same Seattle/Abby arc. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS5 January 19, 2024; PC later. Requires no PS4 disc if bought digitally.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Part I remake, Left Behind, Part II Remastered, and the HBO show.

Release order

Release order is when each The Last of Us game launched in the US (2013–2024)—including Left Behind, Part I, and Part II Remastered. Story order is the fiction path: The Last of Us / Part I → Left Behind → Part II. Remakes and remasters retell the same campaigns; Factions and the HBO series are optional.

Recommended: The Last of Us Part I (includes Left Behind) → The Last of Us Part II Remastered. You do not need the 2013 PS3 original or the 2020 PS4 Part II if you own the remake/remaster. Do not start with Part II.

Story & canon

Left Behind is a short DLC about Ellie and Riley, with scenes that sit during The Last of Us Part I. On Story order it follows the main Part I campaign beat. In Part I (2022) it is included—no separate purchase. Play it before Part II.

Remasters & editions

Part I (2022) is a full remake of the 2013 game for PS5/PC and includes Left Behind. The 2014 Remastered PS4 version is an older upscale of the original—prefer Part I today. This page keeps the 2013 entry for Release history; one Story slot covers that campaign.

Optional & related

The HBO series adapts the games and is not listed as a must-play title here here. Full season watch order lives on Last of Us HBO watch order. Game play order stays Part I → Part II; watching the show first will spoil major game beats.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.