Should You Play The Last of Us Part II Before Watching Season 2? An Honest Answer

This is one of those rare gaming questions where the “right” answer depends entirely on what kind of fan you are.

If you have been watching HBO’s The Last of Us and wondering whether you should play The Last of Us Part II before diving into Season 2, the short answer is simple:

If you enjoy story-driven games and have the time, play the game first.
If you are a show-first viewer or do not want a 25+ hour commitment, watch the show first.

That is the honest version.

There is no universal rule here. Both paths work. However, one route will definitely feel better depending on whether you value surprise, immersion, or simply getting the full story sooner.

And with how emotionally heavy this story gets, that choice matters more than usual.

Key Points / Quick Summary

If you just want the clean answer before the deeper breakdown, here is the best recommendation by audience type:

If you only take one thing from this article, take this:

The Last of Us Part II is the fuller, deeper version of the story.
Season 2 is the easier, more accessible version.

Neither is the wrong choice.

What Makes This Decision So Tricky?

Unlike many game-to-TV adaptations, The Last of Us is not just adapting plot beats. It is adapting a story that changes depending on how you experience it.

Watching Ellie suffer on TV is one thing.

Controlling Ellie for hours, scavenging, surviving, and pushing through that story yourself is something else entirely.

That is the big difference.

The Last of Us Part II is not a short game. A standard playthrough can easily stretch into the mid-20-hour range, and if you like exploring, it can go longer. That is a serious commitment. Still, it is also one of the most emotionally intense and structurally ambitious stories gaming has ever produced.

So the real question is not “Which is better?”

The real question is:

Do you want the most complete version first, or the most surprising version first?

Why You Should Play The Last of Us Part II Before Season 2

If you are even a little bit comfortable with narrative-heavy games, this is the stronger option.

First, the game gives you the full emotional weight of the story. You are not just watching major scenes happen. You are living through them. That matters a lot in Part II because the story is built around perspective, discomfort, attachment, and moral whiplash.

Second, the show does not tell the whole Part II story in one go. Season 2 only covers part of the game’s overall arc. So if you play first, you are getting the complete experience immediately instead of waiting for future seasons to finish the adaptation.

Third, some of the game’s biggest storytelling choices land harder when you do not already know the shape of the TV version. The show is excellent, but the game still has a kind of narrative force that only interactive storytelling can create.

If you want the version that hits hardest, play first.

Why Watching Season 2 First Can Still Be the Better Choice

Now for the honest counterpoint.

Not everyone wants to commit to a long, tense, emotionally draining survival game before starting a TV season.

That is fair.

The Last of Us Part II is not just story-heavy. It is stressful. It can be brutal. It asks for time, focus, and patience. If you are mostly here for the characters and the drama, the HBO show is the smoother entry point.

There is also one huge advantage to watching first:

You only get to experience the biggest shocks blind once.

And this story has some enormous moments.

If you go into Season 2 without game knowledge, you get the raw surprise factor. That version of the experience is real, and for some viewers, it may actually be the best way to feel the story for the first time.

So if you care most about:

• zero spoilers
• weekly tension
• easy accessibility
• no controller required

Then yes, watching Season 2 first is completely valid.

What If You Already Watched Season 2?

Then the answer gets easy.

Go play The Last of Us Part II.

Immediately.

Season 2 opens the door, but it does not give you the whole journey. If the show left you wanting more — and it probably did — the game is where the full emotional payoff lives.

And importantly, you should not skip ahead or look up “just the rest.”

Start Part II from the beginning.

The game builds its emotional structure carefully. Even if you already know some major moments from the show, the full gameplay experience still lands differently. In some cases, it lands much harder.

Best Order for Different Types of Fans

If you want the cleanest franchise order, here is the version I’d recommend:

If you are new and play games:

Play Part I → Watch Season 1 → Play Part II → Watch Season 2

If you already watched the show but never played:

Play Part I → Then Part II

If you only want TV:

Watch Season 1 → Watch Season 2 → Continue with future seasons

If you watched Season 2 and want the real full story now:

Play Part II from the beginning

That is the safest and strongest order depending on your style.

The Honest Bottom Line

So, should you play The Last of Us Part II before watching Season 2?

My honest Baskingamer answer:

• Yes, if you enjoy games and want the deepest possible version of the story
• No, if you prefer pure TV pacing and want the shock of going in blind

That is the truth.

The game is the richer, longer, more complete experience.
The show is the easier, cleaner, more accessible experience.

Neither one ruins the other.

In fact, the best thing about The Last of Us right now is that both versions are strong enough to stand on their own. The game does not replace the show. The show does not replace the game.

They just hit differently.

And whichever route you choose, you will probably end up in the exact same place:

Wanting more.

So what would you choose — play Part II first, or go into Season 2 completely blind? Drop your take in the comments.

FAQ about The Last of Us Part II

Should I play The Last of Us Part II before watching Season 2?

If you enjoy story-heavy games and have the time, yes. It gives you the deeper and more complete version of the story before the show finishes adapting it.

Is The Last of Us Season 2 enough if I never play the game?

Yes. Season 2 works well on its own for show-only viewers. You will still understand the story, even if the game offers more depth.

Does Season 2 cover all of The Last of Us Part II?

No. Season 2 does not cover the full Part II story, which is why many fans choose to play the game after watching.

If I already watched Season 2, is Part II still worth playing?

Absolutely. Even after watching the show, The Last of Us Part II is still worth playing because the emotional structure, pacing, and immersion are much stronger in game form.

Stay tuned to Baskin Gamer as we bring you the latest updates on game news, releases, and more