Last of Us: Left Behind, zombie apocalypse game prequel
Downloadable prologue to the hit zombie game is another masterful mix of interactive story and brutal action

What you need to know
Critics are calling a new instalment of hit zombie apocalypse video game The Last of Us "masterful" and a "must play for fans". The Last of Us: Left Behind is a downloadable prologue to the critically acclaimed and award winning 2013 game developed by Naughty Dog.
Left Behind fills in the back story of the game's central character, Ellie, by following her early teenage friendship with a girl named Riley. Players follow Ellie as she and Riley explore an abandoned mall in a quarantine zone, track and fight bandits and infected humans and collect supplies.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What the critics like
The game is "another masterful mix of interactive story and brutal action", which still packs an emotional punch, says David Jenkins in Metro. The quality of storytelling is second to none, adding to one of the few video games that has something genuinely profound to say about the human condition.
This is "a thoughtful and meaningful prologue" with a ton of other surprises to boot, says Colin Moriarty on IGN. Left Behind is chock-full of amazing, story-bending, essential moments and a must-play for fans of the original game.
Left Behind is a beautifully crafted addendum to The Last of Us, a game that already stood tall above many of its peers, says Stace Harman on Eurogamer. Its impeccable design takes Ellie and Riley on a trip that is not easily forgotten, underpinned by sparing use of Gustavo Santaolalla's beautiful score.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
What they don't like
The original Last of Us was pretty much perfect in terms of what it wanted to achieve, says Simon Miller on Videogamer. This is an enjoyable and intriguing instalment but it "does nothing to build on or take away from that".
-
Savages: a tragi-comedy set in a 'quirky handcrafted world'
The Week Recommends This new animated film by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Claude Barras is undeniably political, but it has a hopeful message
-
Why 'faceless bots' are interviewing job hunters
In The Spotlight Artificial intelligence is taking over a crucial part of recruitment
-
Who will win the battle for the soul of the Green Party?
An ideological divide is taking root among the environmentalists
-
Friendship: 'bromance' comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson
The Week Recommends 'Lampooning and embracing' middle-aged male loneliness, this film is 'enjoyable and funny'
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever