Naughty Dog just dropped a surprise update for The Last of Us Part II Remastered, giving players a new way to experience Ellie and Abby’s intertwined fates: in straight-up chronological order. It’s called the Chronological Experience, and for fans who’ve already braved the emotional wreckage, it offers a fresh excuse to revisit the heartbreak—but for newcomers, the studio says: don’t.
The new mode reshuffles the game’s famously non-linear narrative into a straightforward timeline, cutting back and forth no longer required. It’s the storytelling equivalent of seeing the full disaster unfold without any of the artful misdirection. And while that might sound like a gift for players who prefer their pain delivered in a straight line, Naughty Dog was quick to point out that this isn’t how The Last of Us Part II was meant to be played. In fact, the official blog straight-up says new players “should absolutely not use this mode for their first playthrough.”
That’s because the original story structure—revealing key events out of sequence—was painstakingly designed to build empathy, tension, and more than a few gut punches. Playing it chronologically risks flattening that emotional arc into something blunter and arguably less impactful. It’s like watching Pulp Fiction re-edited in order: you’ll understand the story, but you’ll lose the magic.
The update also includes quality-of-life improvements, additional accessibility features, and bug fixes for the PS5-exclusive Remastered edition. But let’s be honest: it’s the Chronological Experience that’s going to spark the most discussion—especially as fans dissect whether it enhances or undercuts the original vision.
For players who’ve already cried their way through the standard version (once or five times), this new mode offers a fascinating way to re-examine the game’s themes, choices, and pacing. For everyone else: stick to the original recipe first. You can’t unsee the spoilers.
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is available on PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The Chronological Experience update is free for all owners.