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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesEllie’s story has different timelines in the games and HBO series. In the games, the reliable anchors are the order of the first story, the earlier events in Left Behind, and a five-year jump before The Last of Us Part II. HBO’s adaptation gives its own dates: the outbreak begins in 2003, and Ellie is 14 when Joel is hired twenty years later. Those television dates are not game dates.
Spoilers: This timeline discusses major premise details from both games and the HBO series.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $37.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Last of Us: Escape the Dark Board Game | $72.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Last of Us Remastered Hits - PlayStation 4 | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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PS4 THE LAST OF US REMASTERED (US) [video game] | $21.88 | Buy on Amazon |
Ellie’s timeline in the games
The official game materials establish relative chronology, but do not provide a complete calendar of Ellie’s birth or dated milestones. The clearest way to follow her story is by its narrative anchors rather than assigning unsupported years.
1. The Last of Us Part I: Joel and Ellie’s journey
The first game follows Joel as he is tasked with escorting teenage Ellie across a post-pandemic United States. PlayStation describes this as the central Joel-and-Ellie story and includes Left Behind as a prequel chapter in Part I. The official product page does not establish exact in-world dates for Ellie’s birth or the journey: The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation.
#1 Best Overall
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
2. Earlier events with Riley: Left Behind
Left Behind looks back to Ellie’s earlier life and her relationship with her best friend Riley. Its events precede much of the main journey, but that does not make it the recommended starting point: PlayStation advises finishing the Part I single-player story first because the chapter contains spoilers. Event chronology and first-play order are different.
3. Five years later: Jackson
The Last of Us Part II takes place five years after Joel and Ellie’s earlier journey. The pair are settled in Jackson, Wyoming, before a violent event disrupts their lives. This five-year gap is an official relative anchor; it is not a complete dated calendar for Ellie’s life.
Rank #2
- BASED ON AWARD-WINNING FRANCHISES: Experience the treacherous world of The Last of Us, now a major HBO TV series and a beloved video game from Naughty Dog, in an immersive board game format.
- RICH, NARRATIVE GAMEPLAY: Join iconic characters like Joel and Ellie on a harrowing journey from a Quarantine Zone to Jackson, navigating through iconic locations filled with challenges.
- DYNAMIC CHALLENGE SYSTEM: Powered by the latest evolution of the Escape the Dark system, featuring large, narrative-rich chapter cards that introduce complex scenarios including encounters with FEDRA agents, hunters, and the infected.
- STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING: Survival hinges on crafting and weapon upgrades directly inspired by the video game’s mechanics, requiring players to make strategic use of dice and item cards.
- COLLECTOR'S ITEM: A must-have for fans with high-quality components and detailed artwork that bring the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere of The Last of Us to life. Ideal for 1-5 players, offering 60-90 minutes of engaging gameplay per session.
4. Part II: present events and flashbacks
Part II interweaves Ellie’s and Abby’s present-day events with flashbacks. Naughty Dog later added a Chronological mode, which rearranges the story into event order. The studio recommends the original presentation for newcomers, since that is how the narrative was designed to unfold. Chronological mode is an alternate way to examine the story, not the best default for a first playthrough: Introducing The Last of Us Part II Remastered Chronological Experience.
Ellie’s timeline in the HBO series
The television adaptation states a separate chronology. Sony Pictures places the outbreak in 2003; twenty years later, Joel is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie to the Fireflies. Season 2 begins five years after Season 1’s events. These are dates for the show, not the games: Sony Pictures Entertainment: The Last of Us.
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Rank #3
- 20 years after a pandemic has radically changed known civilization, infected humans run wild and survivors are killing each other for food, weapons; Whatever they can get their hands on
- Explore a brutal post pandemic world, fully realized with the power of PlayStation 4 system
- Delve into Ellie’s past in left ehind, the single player prequel chapter
- Eight new multiplayer maps in the abandoned and reclaimed territories packs
| HBO timeline anchor | What it establishes |
|---|---|
| 2003 | The parasitic fungal infection ravages the planet in the television continuity. |
| Twenty years later | Joel is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie to the Fireflies. |
| Season 2 | The story picks up five years after Season 1’s events. |
Which order should you follow?
For a first playthrough, follow PlayStation’s recommended order. It prioritizes the original reveal and story structure, rather than the strict chronological order of every event.
- Play The Last of Us Part I’s main story.
- Play Left Behind, which explores earlier events in Ellie’s life.
- Continue with The Last of Us Part II.
Within Part II, use the original narrative sequence on a first playthrough. Choose Chronological mode if you have already experienced the story and want to follow its events in time order. PlayStation’s franchise guide gives the recommended game order and describes the five-year jump: Discover The Last of Us.
Why the game and TV timelines should stay separate
The games and series tell related stories, but their dates are not interchangeable. Naughty Dog describes the adaptation as a new version that can deepen related character material, while the game centers its interactive perspective on Joel and Ellie. Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog co-president and HBO executive producer, described their bond as “a metaphor for the connection a parent feels for their child, which is this very primal feeling that can override a lot of other motivations and goals.” The Last of Us: Bringing Ellie and Joel’s Story to Life in Game and Show
Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I play The Last of Us games in?
For a first playthrough, play The Last of Us Part I’s main story, then Left Behind, then The Last of Us Part II. That is recommended play order, not strict event chronology.
Do I need to play Left Behind first to play The Last of Us Part I?
No. PlayStation recommends playing Part I’s single-player story before Left Behind because the chapter contains spoilers.
Quick Recap
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