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Usually, no. You can start with the newest zombie game when it introduces a self-contained premise, a new cast, or an official newcomer-friendly entry point. Play earlier games first when the new release directly continues major characters, relationships, or an unresolved plot.
The safest way to decide is to check four things: narrative dependency, returning characters, gameplay continuity, and the cost of obtaining and finishing the older game. This approach works better than assuming every long-running zombie franchise must be played from its beginning.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Last Of Us Part I Standard - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AamgjdkIL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Last Of Us Part I Standard - PC [Online Game Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![THE LAST OF US PART I - DELUXE EDITION - PC [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G+PW49HpL._SL160_.jpg)
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THE LAST OF US PART I - DELUXE EDITION - PC [Online Game Code] | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The Last of Us: Part I and Part II Scripts | $31.06 | Buy on Amazon |
What “need to play the earlier games” really means
Play order is not a single rule shared by every zombie franchise. “Need” can mean several different things:
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- Emotional payoff: whether earlier relationships, losses, betrayals, or character development make later scenes more meaningful.
- World-building context: whether previous games explain factions, outbreaks, terminology, or historical events that the new game assumes you recognize.
- Gameplay familiarity: whether the sequel expects you to understand systems that were taught in an earlier entry.
- Practical value: whether the older game is accessible on your hardware and worth the additional time.
A sequel can be easy to understand while still rewarding players who know the backstory. Conversely, a game advertised as part of a series may use a new protagonist and setting that make earlier entries optional.
#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.
A four-question test for any new zombie game
Use this test before deciding whether to begin with the latest release.
1. Does it continue an unresolved plot?
A direct continuation of a cliffhanger, missing-person story, or unfinished conflict has the strongest case for playing the preceding game. If the opening assumes that you already know why a character is being hunted or why two groups are at war, an earlier title will prevent confusion.
2. Which characters and relationships return?
A returning protagonist, partner, family member, or rival usually signals continuity. Even when the new game explains the immediate situation, previous interactions may determine how you interpret the characters’ choices. A new cast, anthology structure, or large time jump points toward a more flexible starting point.
3. Does the gameplay carry forward?
Most sequels reteach basic controls, but some assume familiarity with crafting, skill trees, enemy types, or resource-management rules. This rarely makes an older game mandatory, yet it can make the first hours of the sequel smoother and help you recognize what has changed.
4. Is the older game easy to access?
Consider the platform, edition, length, and availability of the previous entry. If an older game requires obsolete hardware or a large time commitment, a spoiler-light recap may be the more sensible route. If a current version is readily available and the story is tightly connected, playing it first usually offers better value.
| Signal | What it suggests | Best approach |
|---|---|---|
| Same protagonist and unresolved ending | Strong narrative dependence | Play the previous entry, or use a detailed recap if access is difficult |
| Returning world but new cast | Moderate context benefit | Start with the new game and consult earlier lore only if interested |
| New setting, protagonist, and premise | Low narrative dependence | Start with the newest game |
| Publisher identifies a game as a newcomer entry point | Intentional accessibility | Use that title as your first game |
| Gameplay systems continue but story resets | Mechanical familiarity is optional | Start with the new game; play older entries later for comparison |
Release order or chronological order?
For a connected story, release order is normally the safer choice. It preserves the reveals, character introductions, and design assumptions that the developers expected players to encounter. Chronological order can put a prequel before the game that originally established its mysteries, weakening twists or making the pacing feel uneven.
Rank #2
- Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
- Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
Use chronological order only when you specifically want the fictional timeline and have checked whether a prequel spoils information from a later-released game. For a first playthrough, the practical default is:
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- Play the earliest entry that is directly connected to the game you want to start.
- Include story expansions when they fill in a central character or event.
- Continue in release order through the direct sequel.
- Treat unrelated spin-offs and anthology episodes as optional unless the new game explicitly references them.
The Last of Us: recommended order, not a requirement
The Last of Us is the clearest example of a series where earlier play improves the experience but is not mandatory. PlayStation’s official FAQ recommends starting with The Last of Us Part I, then playing its included expansion Left Behind, followed by The Last of Us Part II so that players experience the story from the beginning.
The same FAQ also says that players who begin with The Last of Us Part II can appreciate and enjoy it as a standalone, complete, isolated story. It notes that some narrative details, characters, and themes have deeper meaning when players start with Part I. That is a recommendation for maximum context, not a claim that the sequel is inaccessible by itself.
Choose the full order when emotional continuity matters
Play Part I first if you want to understand Joel and Ellie’s journey as it develops, recognize the history behind their decisions, and get the strongest emotional payoff from later conflicts. Play Left Behind after Part I because it adds important perspective on Ellie and is included with the recommended sequence.
Start with Part II when you are testing the series
Starting with Part II is reasonable if you only want to see whether its stealth, combat, and survival systems suit you, or if the older game is unavailable on your current hardware. Expect to understand the immediate plot, while accepting that certain character dynamics and themes will carry less history for you.
Current access considerations
The official PlayStation information identifies The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PlayStation 5 and PC. Check the edition and platform you intend to use, because features and included content can differ between versions.
Rank #3
- Experience the emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters in The Last of Us, winner of over 200 Game of the Year awards.
- Includes the complete The Last of Us single-player story and celebrated prequel chapter, Left Behind, which explores the events that changed the lives of Ellie and her best friend Riley forever.
Resident Evil: use a jumping-on point instead of a marathon
Resident Evil began in 1996 and now spans many games, remakes, side stories, and changes of protagonist. Capcom’s official guide, dated October 18, 2024, acknowledges that this size can leave newcomers unsure where to begin. It quotes Capcom USA staff advice: “If you’re a new player, start out with Resident Evil 2 (2019). It’s a great jumping-on point for the series.”
That recommendation demonstrates why a complete franchise marathon is usually unnecessary. Resident Evil 2 (2019) introduces the survival-horror format, its setting, and its central crisis clearly enough for a new player. Earlier games add historical context and recurring-world details, but they are not a prerequisite for understanding the remake’s campaign.
When to start with Resident Evil 2 (2019)
- You are new to the franchise and want a modern control scheme and presentation.
- You want a self-contained outbreak story with a defined beginning and ending.
- You would rather sample the series before committing to many older releases.
When earlier Resident Evil games are worth adding
Go back to older entries after choosing a starting point if you enjoy tracing how the series’ puzzles, camera systems, enemy design, and recurring organizations evolved. Treat those games as optional context, not homework. Remakes and numbered entries can also differ substantially in tone and mechanics, so “earlier” does not automatically mean “required.”
Dying Light: check the protagonist and premise before choosing an order
Techland’s official site presents Dying Light, Dying Light 2: Stay Human, and Dying Light: The Beast as separate franchise entries. That confirms a multi-entry series, but the available official description does not establish a universal rule that every earlier game must be completed first.
Before starting a new Dying Light title, check whether it follows the same protagonist, directly resolves an earlier ending, or introduces a new setting and survival problem. If the lead character and personal relationships carry over, play the previous game or read a spoiler-light recap. If the cast and premise reset, begin with the newest title and return to earlier games only if you want more of the series’ movement, parkour, and open-world systems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide based on your priorities
If you care most about the story
Favor release order for direct sequels. Character history and unresolved events are difficult to replace with a short summary, particularly in relationship-driven games. For The Last of Us, that means Part I, Left Behind, then Part II.
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If you care most about gameplay
Start with the entry whose controls and systems appeal to you. A newer game may improve aiming, accessibility, checkpoints, or inventory management enough that going backward feels inconvenient. You can play older titles later to see where the mechanics came from.
If you have limited time
Use the four-question test and a spoiler-light recap. Prioritize an earlier game only when at least two signals are strong: a continuing protagonist, unresolved plot, substantial returning relationships, or mechanics that the sequel assumes you know.
If spoilers worry you
Choose release order and avoid detailed videos, wikis, and character summaries for later entries. Chronological order and “everything explained” recaps often reveal twists that the original release intentionally delayed.
If you want the lowest-cost experiment
Begin with the publisher’s identified jumping-on point or the newest self-contained entry. This lets you evaluate the series without buying or completing a full back catalog. Move backward only after you know that the setting and gameplay are for you.
What to do when you skip an earlier game
Skipping does not have to mean starting blind. Prepare a short, spoiler-controlled briefing:
- Read the new game’s own prologue and tutorial without looking up outside explanations.
- Check the developer or publisher’s official story summary, if one is provided.
- Learn only the names, relationships, and events explicitly referenced in the opening hours.
- Do not search for character endings or franchise timelines if you want to preserve future surprises.
- Keep a note of unfamiliar factions or terms and see whether the game explains them later.
If the game remains confusing after its first major chapter, pause and seek a recap limited to the preceding entry rather than a complete series synopsis. This preserves more of the new game’s discoveries.
A practical play-order checklist
- Identify the connection: Is this a direct sequel, a remake, a spin-off, or a new story in the same world?
- Check the lead character: Is the protagonist returning, or is the cast new?
- Look for an official recommendation: A publisher’s stated jumping-on point is stronger evidence than a fan-made “required order.”
- Choose release order for first-time story play: It normally protects intended reveals.
- Measure the time and access cost: An unavailable or very long predecessor may justify a recap.
- Decide what you value: Emotional context, modern gameplay, low commitment, or complete lore can lead to different starting games.
The bottom line for starting a zombie series
You do not need to play every earlier zombie game before starting a series. Begin with the newest release when it has a self-contained premise, a new cast, or an official newcomer entry point. Catch up first when it directly continues major characters or unresolved plot. Earlier games can deepen themes and relationships even when the sequel remains understandable alone, so choose your order according to the kind of experience you want rather than the size of the franchise.
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