If there’s one thing that sets The Last of Us apart, it’s how deeply it pulls you in; emotionally, mentally, and sometimes even physically (I don’t think I’ve unclenched my fists during certain scenes). With its multilayered storytelling and constant twists, this franchise does more than just entertain; it makes you feel everything on a visceral level. But let’s be real; between flashbacks, time skips, and multiple perspectives, the timeline of The Last of Us can be a lot to wrap your head around. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Okay, when exactly did this happen?” or “How does this moment connect to everything else?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s why we’re here. Consider this your guided walkthrough of The Last of Us timeline. We’ll untangle the chronological journey of Joel, Ellie, and the world around them, covering all the heartbreak, chaos, and glimmers of hope that make this series unforgettable. So gear up (but leave the Clickers out of this), and let’s dive in.
- Renowned for its cinematic presentation and rich character development, the series redefined narrative-driven gaming.
The Last of Us Timeline: Breaking It Down
To fully appreciate The Last of Us, understanding the timeline is key. From the devastating outbreak that tore apart civilization to Ellie’s bittersweet revenge arc years later, we’ll follow the story step-by-step, tying together major moments from the two games and DLC in the order they unfold.
1. The Beginning: The Cordyceps Outbreak (2013)
Let’s rewind to where it all started: 2013, before the world fell apart. At first, everything seems normal; Joel, a single dad, is living a quiet life, raising his 14-year-old daughter, Sarah. While their bond is strong, we also get glimpses of Joel’s busy, work-focused life. He’s a dad who does his best, but life isn’t perfect.
- It causes global societal collapse, setting the stage for a world where survival, fear, and human conflict define everyday life.
Then, in a matter of hours, everything crumbles. The Cordyceps brain infection begins spreading like wildfire, turning humans into monstrous, mindless creatures. As panic grips society, Joel’s peaceful life is shattered. Alongside his brother Tommy, Joel tries to escape the chaos with Sarah in tow.
And here’s the part that no Last of Us fan ever forgets in The Last of Us timeline: the tragedy. Sarah, Joel’s sweet and innocent daughter, is killed during their escape. She dies in Joel’s arms; a gut-punch no one saw coming. It’s a moment that sets the tone for the entire series: brutal, unforgiving, and painfully human. This loss transforms Joel, hardening him for the years ahead.
2. 20 Years Later: Joel and Ellie’s Journey Begins (2033–2034)
Fast-forward two decades, and we barely recognize the world or Joel. By 2033, civilization is in ruins. Those infected by the fungus roam freely, factions wage war, and the remnants of humanity struggle to survive in tightly controlled quarantine zones. Joel, now a smuggler in Boston, lives a tough, no-nonsense life, doing morally questionable jobs just to get by.
- What begins as a mission evolves into a profound father-daughter bond that challenges their morality and reshapes their identities.
Everything changes when Joel is tasked with escorting a teenage girl named Ellie across the country. Ellie isn’t just any teenager; she’s immune to the infection, and the Fireflies believe she could be the key to developing a cure. At first, Joel sees the mission as just another job, but the longer they travel together, the more their bond deepens.
In The Last of Us timeline, together, they face unimaginable challenges: the brutal death of Tess (Joel’s partner), betrayal from survivors they meet along the way, desperate fights against the infected, and moments of quiet that show glimmers of hope. Slowly but surely, Joel begins to see Ellie as more than just cargo; she becomes his reason to keep going, someone he cares for like a second daughter.
But the final act flips everything upside down. When they reach the Fireflies in Salt Lake City, Joel learns that Ellie’s immunity comes at a cruel cost: to extract the cure, Ellie will have to die. Faced with the possibility of losing her, Joel makes a decision that shakes the foundation of the story; he chooses to save Ellie, massacring the Fireflies and dooming humanity’s chances for a cure.
What’s worse? He lies to Ellie about it. And that lie becomes an emotional time bomb that explodes later in the series.
- His bond with Ellie reignites his lost humanity, but his choices reveal the moral complexity of protecting what you love in a broken world.
3. Ellie’s Backstory: Left Behind (2033)
Now let’s take a step back and focus on Ellie in The Last of Us timeline. The Left Behind DLC adds layers to her story, taking us into her life before Joel and the survival skills she developed along the way. Set in two overlapping timelines, Left Behind shows us two crucial moments:
First, we meet Ellie’s best friend, Riley. The two girls sneak into an abandoned mall, sharing laughs, adventures, and rare moments of joy in a world full of darkness. If you’ve played these scenes, you might’ve felt the bittersweet vibes; you know something is going to go horribly wrong. Sure enough, everything falls apart when they’re attacked by the infected. Both girls are bitten, but while Ellie’s immunity saves her, Riley succumbs to the infection. Her death leaves Ellie grappling with survivor’s guilt; a theme that carries through the series.
The second timeline picks up during The Last of Us Part I, showing Ellie’s fierce determination as she nurses Joel back to health after he’s gravely injured. These moments highlight Ellie’s resourcefulness and loyalty, cementing her as one of gaming’s most layered (and lovable) characters.
- With dual protagonists and a nonlinear narrative, it challenges players’ perspectives through raw storytelling, intense combat, and moral ambiguity.
4. The Last of Us Part II: Revenge and Redemption (2038–2039)
Fast-forward another five years in The Last of Us timeline, and Ellie is older, colder, and haunted by Joel’s lie. By now, they’re living in Jackson, Wyoming, a peaceful community far removed from the horrors of the outside world. But that peace doesn’t last. Joel’s brutal murder at the hands of Abby, a key character seeking revenge for her father’s death, sets Ellie on a mission driven by rage.
Ellie’s relentless pursuit of Abby takes her across dangerous landscapes, sparking increasingly violent confrontations that take a toll on both her body and spirit. At the same time, Abby’s parallel story unravels, showing how Joel’s decision years earlier directly shaped Abby’s motivations and choices.
It’s not an easy game to get through. The themes of revenge, cycles of violence, and loss hit you square in the chest repeatedly. And by the time Ellie finally confronts Abby in the game’s conclusion, Ellie makes a choice that surprises everyone: she lets Abby go.
Ellie loses two fingers, symbolizing her inability to even play Joel’s song afterward; a powerful image for her emotional loss.
- Through shifting perspectives and emotional nuance, it questions whether redemption is possible in a world built on loss and survival.
This decision doesn’t erase the pain or fix the damage, but it signals growth. Ellie understands that revenge doesn’t lead to healing; it only drags everyone deeper into despair. The question left lingering at the end? Can Ellie ever find peace?
5. Flashbacks: The Pieces That Complete the Puzzle
What makes The Last of Us Part II so compelling is how it uses flashbacks to flesh out the timeline, especially Joel and Ellie’s relationship.
In The Last of Us timeline, one flashback shows Ellie discovering the heartbreaking truth about what Joel did in Salt Lake City, creating a rift between them that hits hard. But another flashback balances this pain with a tender scene where Joel surprises Ellie with a trip to a museum for her birthday (complete with dinosaur exhibits and space shuttle exploration). These moments remind us of the love Joel and Ellie shared, even as their bond became strained.
- We hope that Ellie and Abby will finally find the peace they seek in the next installment of this series.
6. What’s Next for The Last of Us Timeline?
So, what’s next? Naughty Dog hasn’t confirmed a third game (yet), but fans are buzzing with speculation about where Ellie’s journey might go. Some wonder if we’ll see Abby again; others think new characters could take the spotlight. Plus, with the HBO adaptation adding subtle tweaks to key moments, it feels like The Last of Us timeline still has room to grow.
One thing’s for sure: whatever comes next will be emotional, thought-provoking, and as unforgettable as ever.
Finishing Thoughts: Why The Timeline of The Last of Us Matters
The timeline of The Last of Us isn’t just a series of events; it’s a living, breathing map of pain, growth, and humanity. Watching Joel and Ellie navigate loss, betrayal, and love reminds us why this franchise resonates so deeply with players around the world. What’s your favorite moment in The Last of Us timeline? Maybe it’s the heartbreaking beginning, Ellie’s quiet strength in Left Behind, or Abby’s redemption arc. Share your thoughts; we’d love to hear where The Last of Us touched your heart the most. That’s the beauty of The Last of Us: a story deeply rooted in its timeline, delivering heartbreak, growth, and the human experience. Ready to revisit the journey? Let’s keep the conversation going.
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FAQ: The Last of Us Timeline Explained
1. Will Salt Lake City’s events haunt Ellie forever?
Most likely. Ellie’s knowledge of Joel’s lie deeply impacts her actions and relationships in Part II, leaving scars that are hard to heal.
2. Was Riley infected before Ellie in Left Behind?
Yes, both were bitten at the same time, but only Ellie survived due to her immunity. Riley’s infection progressed as expected before her tragic death.
3. Why did Joel lie to Ellie about the Fireflies?
Joel feared losing another “daughter” and believed the cure wasn’t worth Ellie’s life. The lie reflected his deep, selfish love for her.
4. Does the HBO adaptation expand the timeline?
Not entirely; the show adds some new perspectives but stays faithful to the events of the games, keeping most major plot points intact.
