How Long is The Last of Us DLC? A Comprehensive Guide
The Last of Us DLC, specifically Left Behind, is a significant piece of additional content that enriches the story of the acclaimed game. So, how long does it actually take to play through this crucial chapter? The most direct answer is that The Last of Us: Left Behind will take just over two hours to complete if you are focusing on the main story. This is based on data compiled by the video game length compendium, How Long To Beat, and assumes a regular playing pace.
However, the playtime can vary depending on your playstyle. If you’re a completionist eager to explore every nook and cranny and collect every available item, you can expect to spend around 3 hours to achieve 100% completion of the DLC. Essentially, the time it takes to finish Left Behind falls between 2 to 3 hours for most players.
Delving Deeper into Left Behind
Left Behind isn’t just a tacked-on side story; it’s an integral part of the overall Last of Us experience. This DLC delves into Ellie’s past, specifically focusing on her relationship with her friend Riley, which enhances her character’s development within the main game. The narrative is cleverly interwoven, offering a deeper understanding of her motivations and traumas.
The DLC comprises 6 sections, unlike the main campaign that features 12 chapters divided into 29 sections. This difference in structure allows Left Behind to offer a more focused and emotionally driven experience, rather than the expansive, survival-focused gameplay of the core game. It switches between two timelines, one showing Ellie and Riley exploring an abandoned mall before the apocalypse, and another set within the main game’s timeline with Ellie fighting to survive.
Why Play The Last of Us DLC?
The importance of Left Behind goes beyond just its length. It’s not just about adding more content to The Last of Us; it’s about enriching the experience. It provides critical context for the main game, offering insight into Ellie’s character and motivations.
When to Play Left Behind
Ideally, you should play Left Behind just before the winter portion of the main game. This is recommended to avoid any spoilers about the ending. In fact, playing the DLC before seeing the end of the main narrative will likely give it an entirely new meaning and emotional resonance. However, always ensure you don’t play Left Behind until after the end of the Fall chapter in the main campaign.
The Last of Us – Main Campaign Length
It’s worth noting that the main campaign of The Last of Us 1 is considerably longer than Left Behind. On average, it takes approximately 15 hours to complete the main campaign, though this duration may vary depending on the selected difficulty and the player’s focus on collecting all available items. This makes the roughly 2-3 hour duration of the Left Behind DLC a brief but intensely meaningful addition to the core game.
FAQs About The Last of Us DLC
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Last of Us DLC, addressing various aspects of the content:
What is The Last of Us DLC?
The Last of Us DLC, known as Left Behind, is downloadable content that provides an additional story chapter to the main game. It’s exclusively available for download from the Sony Entertainment Store. This DLC explores Ellie’s relationship with Riley and how she learned to survive.
Does The Last of Us DLC spoil the main game?
The Left Behind DLC is designed not to spoil the ending of the main game. It’s best experienced before the winter portion of the primary narrative to add a new layer of understanding to Ellie’s experiences. There are no specific spoilers about the game’s conclusion.
How many sections does The Last of Us: Left Behind have?
Left Behind consists of 6 sections, a much smaller structure compared to the main game’s 29 sections spread across 12 chapters. This allows the DLC to have a tighter, more focused narrative.
Is The Last of Us one of the hardest games?
The Last of Us can be challenging at times. Several sections can be quite difficult, depending on your chosen difficulty level, but it’s not generally considered one of the hardest games. The game’s difficulty is more in its resource management and strategic combat, not necessarily its overall challenge.
How old is Ellie in Left Behind?
In The Last of Us: Left Behind, Ellie is 14 years old, just as she is at the beginning of the main game. The flashbacks show her spending time with Riley before the events of the main storyline.
Who is Riley in The Last of Us?
Riley Abel is a key character in Left Behind. She is Ellie’s best friend and romantic interest. Riley is 16 years old in the DLC and a fellow student at the military boarding school, before she joins the Fireflies.
Are Riley and Ellie a couple?
Yes, Riley and Ellie are depicted as being romantically involved. The DLC shows the two of them kissing and planning a life together, and the game’s creators confirmed they were in love. This relationship plays a significant role in Ellie’s character development.
Did Ellie know Joel lied in The Last of Us 1?
While Ellie does not explicitly confront Joel about his lie in The Last of Us 1, there are implications that she suspects the truth. However, she chooses to believe him, possibly as a coping mechanism. She finds out the truth during a flashback in TLoU2.
Will there be a Last of Us Part 2 DLC?
Unfortunately, there are no plans for a Last of Us Part 2 DLC. Left Behind remains the only story DLC across both games in the series.
How long does The Last of Us Part 2 take to beat?
The Last of Us Part 2 is significantly longer than both the main game and the DLC, with an average playtime of about 24 hours for completing the main story. Like the first game, exploring every nook and cranny and finding all collectibles can extend play time substantially.
What is the scariest part of The Last of Us game?
Many players find The Hotel Basement to be one of the scariest parts of the game, due to its dark and claustrophobic environment filled with deadly infected like runners, clickers, and bloaters.
What is the most difficult part of The Last of Us game?
The most difficult parts of The Last of Us vary based on personal experiences. However, the Firefly Hospital is often considered challenging due to the numerous enemies and the high stakes. Other notable areas include the Winter Fight With David and the Pittsburgh Financial District.
How old is Abby in The Last of Us Part II?
According to the official art book, Abby Anderson is in her early 20s during the main events of The Last of Us Part II.
Who is Ellie’s second girlfriend?
Ellie’s second girlfriend in The Last of Us Part II is Dina, a girl she meets in Jackson, WA. Dina becomes a significant character in Ellie’s life, offering a more tender relationship than her one with Riley.
Is there going to be a Last of Us Part 3?
While there are currently no plans for a Last of Us Part 3 in active development, the game studio Naughty Dog has indicated it is “open” to the idea, especially with the recent success of HBO’s adaptation of the game series.