Should You Play The Last of Us Games? Absolutely. Here‘s the Best Order:

If you‘re wondering which Last of Us game to play first, the short answer is to start with The Last of Us Part I. This original 2013 release lays the foundation for the entire franchise. Then play the prequel expansion Left Behind, followed by the sequel The Last of Us Part II. This order ensures you experience the full story arc and background of Joel, Ellie and other characters.

As an avid The Last of Us fan who has analyzed every detail across the games, I highly recommend playing through the entire series in order. Keep reading as I fully explain why each game is special, and the optimal way to experience this groundbreaking franchise.

Play The Last of Us Part I First – The Original Masterpiece

Released in 2013 exclusively for Playstation 3, The Last of Us Part I is the original game that started it all. This title introduced players to Joel and Ellie, two incredibly realized and nuanced characters. Playing as grizzled survivor Joel, you‘re tasked with escorting teenager Ellie across a post-pandemic America overrun with zombie-like creatures.

From start to finish, this game is an emotional rollercoaster. The story grabs hold of your heartstrings and never lets go. Tangible chemistry and bonds form between the characters that elevate this game to true artistic heights. Let‘s look at some key reasons why The Last of Us Part I should be played first:

It Establishes the Core Characters – By following Joel and Ellie‘s full 15+ hour journey across America, you fundamentally understand what motivates these characters. Playing this game first provides the backstory and context needed for future sequels.

The Immersive Worldbuilding – The Last of Us crafts a disturbingly believable post-pandemic world. Experiencing how humanity has collapsed provides greater appreciation for the bleak realities characters face.

It Kickstarted the Franchise – Quite simply, this game started it all. The unique blend of survival action gameplay mixed with a movie-quality narrative was groundbreaking. It makes sense to play the origin story first.

Critically Acclaimed Story – With over 200 Game of the Year awards, the story is considered one of gaming‘s best ever. Its emotional impact comes from slowly seeing relationships evolve over time.

You Play as Joel – In this first game, Joel is the primary playable protagonist. You experience his trauma and growth directly, which is critical knowledge for later story beats.

Memorable Gameplay – Tense stealth, brutal combat and exploration come together for unforgettable sequences. Many iconic moments happen in this game that are referenced later on.

Dramatic Cliffhanger Ending – I won‘t spoil it, but the ending of this game is utterly jaw-dropping. You need the full context from playing Part I to appreciate scenes in the sequel Part II.

Overall, The Last of Us Part I is a genre-defining experience that should not be missed. This game single-handedly redefined storytelling in gaming and cemented the series as an artistic achievement.

The Last of Us: Left Behind – Ellie‘s Powerful Prequel Story

After playing the original game, the next installment you should experience is Left Behind. This critically acclaimed DLC chapter was released in 2014 and is included with The Last of Us Part I.

Left Behind focuses entirely on Ellie before she meets Joel. Set several weeks before the main game, you play solely as Ellie alongside her best friend Riley. Their relationship adds tons of depth and sympathy for Ellie as a character. Here‘s why Left Behind is essential:

• Illuminates Ellie‘s Backstory – Her friendship with Riley and origins of immunity are beautifully illustrated. This personal tale humanizes Ellie.

• Excellent Coming of Age Storytelling – As Ellie struggles with Riley‘s impending military departure, their journey explores love, loss, and adolescence.

• Fleshes Out the Game‘s World – We get to explore new environments like a mall populated with the infected. The setting comes to life with environmental storytelling.

• It‘s a Prequel – Left Behind directly sets the stage for Ellie‘s mindset and motivations leading into the first Last of Us. The added context makes Ellie‘s later journey more meaningful.

• Play as Only Ellie – Unlike the main game, players exclusively assume the role of Ellie for a fresh perspective. Her unique personality shines through.

• More Emotional Story Moments – Stirring scenes like the photo booth and Ferris wheel carry enormous emotional weight. Left Behind tugs at your heartstrings.

• Enhanced Stealth Gameplay – With no adult guardian, stealth and avoidance take center stage. Distraction tools like bricks keep the gameplay tense and engaging.

At 2-3 hours long, Left Behind may be short, but makes an incredible impact. Don‘t skip this prequel – it‘s integral to Ellie‘s overarching story arc.

The Last of Us Part II – A Stunning Yet Polarizing Sequel

Released in 2020 for Playstation 4, The Last of Us Part II continues the story 5 years after the original. This time, players experience the alternating perspectives of both Ellie and Joel‘s former companion Abby.

Without spoiling events, the narrative focuses heavily on the themes of hate, revenge, justice and ultimate forgiveness. Emotions run extremely high in this sequel that subverts expectations. Here‘s an overview:

• Play as Ellie and Abby – The dual perspectives provide empathy by showing both sides of morally gray decisions.

• Expanded Stealth and Combat – New traversal abilities, weapon upgrades, and vicious enemies make for intense gameplay.

• Stunning Visuals and Details – Cutting edge graphics, motion capture, and environmental design bring the world to life.

• Creative Level Design – Each area offers multi-faceted ways to approach combat and exploration. Player choice is emphasized.

• Maturer Themes Than Part I – This story goes to much darker, more adult places compared to the first game. It can be confronting.

• Divisive Story – While critics adored it, some fans disliked the subversive direction. There is valid critique regarding pacing and structure.

• Impactful Payoff – Those who do embrace Part II‘s narrative direction will find it an unforgettable, if polarizing, conclusion to the saga.

There‘s no denying The Last of Us Part II is a technical and artistic achievement that successfully matured the franchise. However, its controversial story beats aren‘t for everyone. Go in with an open mind and appreciate the top-notch production values.

Should You Get The Last of Us Part I PS5 Remake?

In September 2022, Naughty Dog released a from-the-ground-up PS5 remake aptly titled The Last of Us Part I. This provides the definitive way to experience the original game with today‘s cutting edge graphics and modernized gameplay.

Everything was rebuilt for the PS5 console – character models, textures, lighting, animations, environments and more. Gameplay enhancements like advanced haptics and 3D audio further immerse you into this world.

For first time players, I highly recommend playing The Last of Us Part I remake over the PS3 original. The visual overhaul makes the game feel wonderfully current. Here are the biggest improvements:

• Jaw Dropping Visual Fidelity – The ultra realistic graphics must be seen to be believed. Facial animations are of Hollywood quality.

• Modernized Gameplay – Combat, exploration and puzzle solving feel fresh thanks tonew PS5 haptics and adaptive triggers. The DualSense controller pulls you in.

• Expanded Accessibility – There are over 60 accessibility settings to tailor the experience for disabled players. Huge strides for inclusion.

• Enhanced Audio – 3D audio and precise sound effects amp up the horror and tension exceptionally well. The attention to detail is remarkable.

• Faithfully Retold Story – The entire story remains intact, just vividly enhanced. Scenes gain more emotional weight through lifelike performances.

• Higher Framerates – On PS5, the game plays at a flawless 60 FPS for super smooth combat and traversal. No more sluggish framerates.

• Includes Left Behind – This remake bundles the acclaimed Left Behind single player expansion for a complete experience.

As someone who has played through this game multiple times, I was consistently amazed by the remake‘s quality of life improvements. For only $70 USD, it‘s absolutely the best way to play this masterpiece for the first time on modern consoles.

The Last of Us Series Order Summarized

If you‘re looking to dive into Naughty Dog‘s acclaimed series, here is the optimal order to play the games for the intended story arc:

1. The Last of Us Part I (2013 PS3) – The original that started it all featuring Joel and Ellie‘s journey across America.

2. The Last of Us: Left Behind DLC (2014) – Ellie‘s prequel story that enriches her character.

3. The Last of Us Part II (2020 PS4) – The controversial yet ambitious sequel focused on hate and revenge.

4. The Last of Us Part I PS5 Remake (2022) – The definitive, modernized way to experience the first game‘s story.

I wholeheartedly believe The Last of Us franchise represents an apex of video game storytelling. Start with the original Part I and play all the way through to fully appreciate this profound and thrilling tale.

The Last of Us Delivers an Unmatched Gaming Narrative

Across its gripping journey, The Last of Us crafts a layered narrative that leverages the interactive strengths of gaming. Viewed collectively, the series totals:

• 294 Game of the Year Awards – Cementing its status as among the most awarded games ever made.
• Over 37 million copies sold – Showing the mainstream appeal and acclaim of the franchise.
• 94 Metascore Average – Reviews consistently recognize these games for their narrative excellence.
• 15+ hour main story – Packed with memorable character moments throughout.
• 100+ Gameplay Sequences – Offering tense stealth, puzzles, platforming and combat.

For those who appreciate video game storytelling, playing The Last of Us series is absolutely essential. Both newcomers and existing fans should experience these emotive games in full. Just be sure you bring some tissues along for the ride.