If I recalled correctly I played The Last of Us when it came out a month after. At the time I didn't know it was from Naughty Dog until someone told me about it (I was and still is occupied with personal projects) and sold it to me and I am glad I made that choice because this game was, as you said "the most thoughtful" and I still have it on my shelf. As of now I am planning to get a PS4 and the remaster to replay and play Left Behind for the first time. When will I get that? I don't know.

And I just want to add this. This game gave me a phenomenon experience, it also gave me a motivation and inspiration boost for my projects I've been working on.