The Last of Us 2 time jump explained: How many years pass between games?

by

In the aftermath of the first game, Ellie and Joel have resided in Jackson. The Second Part of The Last of Us chronicles their journey through the intricacies of a changing relationship, with the guilt of Joel’s deception mounting as it strains their bond.

As their old past resurfaces with force, both Ellie and Joel find themselves confronted by the reality that “each choice comes at a cost”.

2020’s follow-up, created by Naughty Dog and penned by Neil Druckmann and Halley Gross, received widespread praise from critics, multiple accolades, but also sparked controversy among fans.

Lately, a popular post-apocalyptic action-adventure horror game has received an upgrade for the PlayStation 5, become available on PC, and is slated to debut as a TV adaptation in April 2025.

But exactly how much time has passed between The Last of Us 1 and 2? Read on to find out.

The Last of Us 2 time jump explained: How many years pass between games?

In the video game adaptation of The Last of Us Part 2, it’s been four years since the events of the first game concluded.

The Last of Us 2 starts in early spring 2038, almost 25 years after the initial outbreak.

Ever since the finale of that remarkable game, my character Ellie and Joel have found refuge in a tranquil mountain settlement called Jackson, nestled amidst the peaks of Wyoming. It’s one of the rare pockets of safety in this post-apocalyptic world we’re navigating together.

In this game, fans who have nostalgia for a younger Ellie and Joel can experience their story once more through occasional flashbacks. However, for the majority of the game, they will be older versions of these characters.

Shorter time jumps occur throughout the playthrough, meaning the game roughly ends in 2040.

How old are Ellie and Joel in The Last of Us 2 game?

Ellie is 19 years old at the start of The Last of Us 2 game.

In the game The Last of Us 2, Joel is portrayed as being born on September 26, 1981, making him 57 years old when the story begins. This information can be discovered by finding an ID card in the PS5 remaster of The Last of Us.

Over the gap between their adventures, the bond between me and my daughter Ellie has faced tension. As she asserted her autonomy, I found myself entangled in deception, all while carrying the burden of our shared pain. Consequently, we no longer stand as tightly knit as we were when I bid farewell to their story.

The difference in age significantly influences both the gameplay and the narrative. Although Ellie has grown stronger and can handle opponents better, Joel, who’s nearing his sixties, starts showing signs of aging.

In a more conversational style:

The gap in their ages really affects how we play the game and the storyline too. Ellie is now much tougher and can fight off enemies more effectively, but Joel, getting older, is starting to feel the effects of age.

Has the TLOU time jump changed for TV?

Yes, The Last of Us season 2 jumps ahead five years on TV instead of four.

The first glimpses of this season show a banner visible in the backdrop during the season 2 opener, bearing the message “Happy New Year 2029” as Joel stands there.

In the original game, a fungal outbreak happens towards the end of 2013. However, in the television version, the outbreak happens in 2003 instead. Consequently, the primary events portrayed in the first season of the TV show occur in the year 2023 and conclude in 2024.

In the series, the character played by Pedro Pascal, Joel, is four years senior to his video game version. This means that by the start of The Last of Us season 2, Joel would be 61 years old.

In simple terms, beginning on Monday, 14th April 2025, the second season of “The Last of Us” – based on the happenings of “The Last of Us Part 2” – will be aired in the UK.

Read More

2025-04-08 17:04