Quick Verdict: The Last of Us Part I is the better pick if you want the tighter, more universally beloved original story, and it’s the natural starting point for newcomers. The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the better pick for extra content and value, bundling in the No Return roguelike mode, restored Lost Levels, and a PC port critics called “a miracle,” all for $10 less than Part I. Part I costs $59.99 on Steam, Part II Remastered costs $49.99, and both already have their own “how to get it free” guide linked below.
The Last of Us Part I and Part II Remastered are both Naughty Dog remasters of two of the most decorated games ever made, but they land very differently with players. Part I retells the original, near-universally praised story of Joel and Ellie. Part II Remastered continues it with a structurally ambitious, genuinely divisive sequel. This guide breaks down where each one wins.
The Last of Us Part I vs Part II Remastered at a Glance
| Category | The Last of Us Part I | The Last of Us Part II Remastered |
| Release Date | March 28, 2023 (PC) | PC in early 2025 (PS5 Remastered in early 2024, PS4 original in 2020) |
| Price on Steam | $59.99 | $49.99 |
| Developer | Naughty Dog | Naughty Dog (Nixxes Software / Iron Galaxy for the PC port) |
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Original Game Accolades | Over 200 Game of the Year awards | Over 300 Game of the Year awards |
| Bundled Content | Left Behind prequel DLC | No Return roguelike mode, three restored Lost Levels, full director and cast commentary |
| Best For | Players who want the tighter, more universally beloved original story | Players who want more content and value from a more ambitious sequel |
Story and Structure
The Last of Us Part I follows Joel and Ellie’s journey across a post-apocalyptic America, told from a tightly focused, singular perspective that helped it win over 200 Game of the Year awards. The Last of Us Part II Remastered picks up five years later, intertwining Ellie’s pursuit of vengeance with Abby’s opposing point of view on the same events, a structurally ambitious choice that drove considerable discussion among fans. Edge: The Last of Us Part I, for a tighter, more universally embraced narrative structure.
Price and Bundled Content
The Last of Us Part I costs $59.99 and includes the Left Behind prequel DLC. The Last of Us Part II Remastered costs $49.99, ten dollars less despite being the newer release, and bundles in significantly more extra content: the No Return roguelike mode, three restored Lost Levels with developer commentary, and a dedicated Guitar Free Play feature. Edge: The Last of Us Part II Remastered, for more bundled content at a lower price.
Critical and Community Reception
The original Last of Us story that Part I remakes won over 200 Game of the Year awards and remains one of the most acclaimed narratives in gaming. The original Part II won even more, over 300 Game of the Year awards, but its PS5 user score sits at just 7.3, “Mixed or Average,” reflecting a genuinely divisive reception among the game’s own fanbase despite the critical acclaim. Edge: The Last of Us Part I, for a more consistently embraced reception among players specifically.
Technical Quality of the PC Port
The Last of Us Part I is a genuinely demanding AAA remake that asks real questions of your hardware, particularly at higher graphical presets. The Last of Us Part II Remastered’s PC port from Nixxes Software and Iron Galaxy was specifically praised by critics as “a miracle,” running incredibly well on both desktop PC and Steam Deck, with ultrawide support and DLSS plus FSR upscaling. Edge: The Last of Us Part II Remastered, for the stronger, more specifically praised PC port.
Replay Value
The Last of Us Part I is primarily a single story campaign plus the bundled Left Behind prequel, offering limited reasons to return once you’ve finished it. The Last of Us Part II Remastered’s No Return roguelike mode adds randomized encounters and unlockable characters, giving it genuine replay value well beyond its story campaign. Edge: The Last of Us Part II Remastered, for meaningfully more content to return to after finishing the story.
Which One Should You Play First?
- New to the series and want to experience the story in order: start with The Last of Us Part I.
- Want the tighter, more universally beloved narrative: start with The Last of Us Part I.
- Want more bundled content and extra replay value at a lower price: start with The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
- Want the best-performing PC port with genuine post-story replay content: start with The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
Overall Verdict
The Last of Us Part I remains the safer, more universally beloved starting point, and the natural entry for anyone new to the series. The Last of Us Part II Remastered costs less, bundles in significantly more extra content, and boasts a specifically praised PC port, but its ambitious dual-perspective story remains genuinely divisive among the fanbase even years later. If you want the tighter, more acclaimed original, start with Part I. If you want more content per dollar and don’t mind a more polarizing narrative, Part II Remastered delivers real extra value.
Get Both For Less
Both games already have their own dedicated guide on this site covering legitimate ways to get them below full Steam price. Read How To Get The Last of Us Part I Free and How To Get The Last of Us Part II Remastered Free for the full breakdown of both routes.
FAQ
Which is better, The Last of Us Part I or Part II Remastered?
The Last of Us Part I is the better pick for a tighter, more universally beloved story and is the natural starting point for newcomers. The Last of Us Part II Remastered is the better pick for extra content and value, though its story remains more divisive among fans.
Is The Last of Us Part II Remastered cheaper than Part I?
Yes. Part II Remastered costs $49.99 compared to Part I’s $59.99, a ten-dollar difference despite being the newer release.
Do I need to play Part I before Part II?
It’s recommended. Part II Remastered picks up five years after the events of Part I, and its emotional weight depends heavily on knowing what happened to Joel and Ellie in the first game.
Which has more bundled content, Part I or Part II Remastered?
Part II Remastered has more. It includes the No Return roguelike mode, three restored Lost Levels with developer commentary, and a Guitar Free Play feature, compared to Part I’s single bundled Left Behind DLC.
How well does The Last of Us Part II Remastered run on PC?
Very well. Critics specifically praised its PC port as “a miracle,” noting strong performance on both desktop PC and Steam Deck, with ultrawide support and DLSS plus FSR upscaling included.
