With three available versions of the original The Last of Us, it can be pretty confusing which version fans of the show should grab a copy of.

Interest in The Last of Us games has spiked following the premiere of the HBO series, but with both The Last of Us Remastered and the TLOU: Part 1 to choose from, it can be tricky to know where to start. The first TLOU has three different versions, each with various features, so it’s reasonable to be confused about where to begin. Thankfully, there is a pretty straightforward answer for which version of The Last of Us new fans should pick up.

The Last of Us was first released midway through 2013 as a PlayStation 3 exclusive title. However, the PlayStation 4 would launch just a few months later in the holiday of the same year. Even though The Last of Us on PS3 looked incredible and played very well, the PS4’s tech allowed for improvement. Just over a year after its initial release, The Last of Us Remastered launched as a PS4 exclusive. Nearly 10 years later, in 2022, Naughty Dog released a complete remake of the game, The Last of Us Part 1. This remake is even better than TLOU Part 2 in some ways. This may seem to be the definitive version to play, but depending on the player’s desires, it isn’t as simple as that.

The Last Of Us HBO Fans May Prefer TLOU Part 1

For those who came into the series because of HBO’s The Last of Us, then playing TLOU Part 1 might be the best move. Without a doubt, this is the most definitive version of the story and likely the one that fans of the Pedro Pascal-fronted series will be most interested in. TLOU Part 1 features the highest-resolution graphics and gameplay of any version and makes for the best way to experience the game’s story. There are also a ton of impressive new accessibility features in TLOU Part 1, opening the audience to more than the other versions could reach. However, The Last of Us Remastered has not been rendered completely obsolete.

The Last Of Us Remastered Is Still Important In 2023

The Last of Us Remastered is the best option for those looking to experience TLOU as it was initially released. Of course, the original is also available, but the remaster’s improvements and bonus content all but make the 2013 version outdated. The remaster includes bonus commentary and behind-the-scenes features that are a must-have for die-hard fans. The Last of Us Remastered not only provides players with a look at how the original looked and felt, but it is also the best way to experience TLOU’s incredible multiplayer mode, Factions. The multiplayer mode was omitted in TLOU Part 1, so the remaster has been holding up that dimension of the original game.

The Last of Us Part 2 also neglected to include the Factions mode. Still, Naughty Dog has resolved to release a new standalone TLOU multiplayer game, which is shaping up to be an impressive evolution of the original Factions multiplayer. While TLOU’s story is perhaps the primary reason it has enjoyed such a long life span, Factions multiplayer has been an underrated part of the experience that certainly contributed to the game's initial popularity. Factions alone makes The Last of Us Remastered worth checking out, giving The Last of Us fans something to play in anticipation of the next release.

More: Why There Might Not Be A Last Of Us Part 3

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