How to find and play the best version of The Last of Us video game

If you’ve been watching The Last of Us on HBO and are now all-in on it despite never playing the PlayStation game, welcome! The show may have gotten you curious about playing the original game, and what’s out there is probably more than you imagined.

This is why we’re here to help guide you! There may still be more than half the season to go, but it’s never too early to start being proactive for when the season finale airs and you still need some The Last of Us in your life.

The original The Last of Us was released in 2013 on the PlayStation 3 and is the hardest version to find, mostly because a remastered version was released in 2014 for the next generation of consoles, the PlayStation 4.

There’s also a DLC that was released in 2014, The Last of Us: Left Behind, which fills in a lot of Ellie’s backstory prior to meeting Joel and Tess. This is included in the 2014 remastered version, so you don’t need to hunt it down in the PlayStation store.

Late in 2022, a completely remastered/remade version came out that gives some quality-of-life updates to the game as well as enhanced visuals (and includes the DLC expansion). It’s also coming out on PC in March 2023. Is it enough changes to warrant buying this version over 2014 remaster? Honestly, that’s your personal preference. The visuals in the 2014 version are still absolutely breathtaking despite being eight years old, but if you want the prettiest version, the 2022 remake is your best bet.

Now, The Last of Us HBO series plans to follow the entire first game and the DLC through its first season. But if you’re feeling up for some “spoilers,” you can look into The Last of Us Part II, which was released in 2020. Critically acclaimed, it’s definitely divisive among gamers due to some of the choices it makes, mostly in how it executes the story. You play from Ellie’s perspective, which is a change from the first and we won’t give away any spoilers.

And let’s just say that it keeps the heartbreak going in the same vein as the first game. So don’t expect to cry any less than you did during any part of this first season or playing the first game.

If you’re not a gamer but you still want to experience the game, you can check out this YouTube video that is a full walkthrough with no commentary and all of the cut scenes. It’s ten hours, but it’ll scratch that itch.

Have you been loving The Last of Us on HBO? Did you play the game and have feelings about the adaptation? Let us know in the comments!