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, the HBO series, and where newcomers should start in 2026.

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 FAQ-only.

  • 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

    Joel and Ellie cross a Cordyceps America—series foundation.

    Overview
    Character-driven survival action from Naughty Dog—stealth, crafting, and grounded storytelling.
    In-game setting
    Story opens the canon path. Prefer The Last of Us Part I (2022) for modern play—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Franchise start—Part I is the usual 2026 buy for this campaign.
    Release date
    US PS3 June 14, 2013. Remastered on PS4 (2014); full remake as Part I (2022).
  2. The Last of Us: Left Behind
    Optional

    The Last of Us: Left Behind

    PS3PS4ActionExpansionOptional

    Ellie and Riley—short story set during Part I's timeline.

    Overview
    Story DLC expanding Ellie's past and a Part I interlude.
    In-game setting
    Included in The Last of Us Part I remake—no separate purchase needed there.
    Should you play it?
    Play after (or during) Part I—about 2–3 hours.
    Release date
    US digital February 14, 2014; later in Remastered / Part I bundles.
  3. The Last of Us Part II

    The Last of Us Part II

    PS4ActionMainline

    Ellie years later—Seattle conflict and dual perspectives.

    Overview
    Larger combat toolkit and a split narrative structure.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel—play after Part I. Prefer Part II Remastered (2024) on PS5/PC—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Required second chapter; Remastered is the modern storefront version.
    Release date
    US PS4 June 19, 2020.
  4. The Last of Us Part I

    The Last of Us Part I

    PS5PCActionRemakeMainline

    Full remake of the 2013 game—includes Left Behind.

    Overview
    Ground-up remake with modern visuals, audio, and accessibility—same core story.
    In-game setting
    Replaces 2013 The Last of Us for most players—one Story slot with the original.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 starting point.
    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

    Part II with PS5/PC upgrades, No Return, and lost levels.

    Overview
    Remaster plus roguelike No Return mode and developer commentary extras.
    In-game setting
    Same Part II story—prefer this over the 2020 PS4 version for modern play.
    Should you play it?
    Default way to play Part II in 2026.
    Release date
    US PS5 January 19, 2024; PC April 3, 2025.

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 stay FAQ-only.

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 row for Release history; one Story slot covers that campaign.

Optional & related

The HBO series adapts the games and is FAQ-only on this page—not a Release or Story row. 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.