Naughty Dog Lets You Play 'The Last of Us Part 2' in Order – But Why Would You?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Naughty Dog has released a free update for *The Last of Us Part 2* that lets you play the story in chronological order, prompting some to wonder if it's a genuinely insightful new way to experience the game, or just a clever marketing ploy to keep the franchise relevant. Either way, it's more *Last of Us*, so fans will probably eat it up.
Right, so you've blasted your way through *The Last of Us Part 2* on the PS4, then again on the souped-up PS5 Remastered, and maybe even a third time on PC. You're thinking, "What fresh hell can Naughty Dog unleash upon me now?" Well, according to Eurogamer, they've dropped a free update for the PS5 and PC versions that lets you play Ellie and Abby's intertwined tales... chronologically.
Now, I'm all for a bit of narrative experimentation, but the non-linear storytelling was kind of the *point*, wasn't it? Naughty Dog themselves admit that the original structure was "very intentional and core" to the game's themes. So why mess with a good thing? (Unless…are they subtly admitting it *wasn't* a good thing? Nah, couldn't be.)
They reckon this chronological caper will give players "a deeper understanding and insight" into the narrative. Fair enough. You'll see Ellie get her guitar from Joel and then learn to play it in a slightly less jarring fashion. And you'll witness just how close Ellie and Abby came to bumping into each other in Seattle, which could add a layer of dramatic irony that was previously… well, still there, just presented differently.
Apparently, it wasn't a walk in the park to stitch the story together like this. No kidding! The original narrative was meticulously crafted, so unpicking it and reassembling it in a linear fashion must have been a right headache. But hey, they've even thrown in some new trophies for your trouble. Because, you know, bragging rights are paramount.
And the fun doesn't stop there! The update also includes two new skins for the roguelike mode, No Return. Beat the game chronologically, and you can dress Joel up as Nathan Drake from *Uncharted*. Tommy gets a Sam Drake skin, because, why not? (Although, fair dinkum, I'd rather see Ellie in a Chloe Frazer getup.)
Speaking of Naughty Dog, studio head Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross (co-writer of *The Last of Us Part 2*) are stepping back from the TV adaptation. Now, I'm not saying there's a connection between that and this update, but it does make you wonder, doesn't it? Is this chronological mode a genuine attempt to offer a new perspective, or a way to keep the franchise in the headlines while the TV series goes through some behind-the-scenes shuffles?
Either way, if you're itching to dive back into the world of *The Last of Us Part 2* yet again, this update might just scratch that itch. Or, you know, you could just go outside. Your call, mate.
Tags: The Last of Us Part 2, Naughty Dog, PS5, PC Gaming, Story Mode
Original article: Eurogamer