The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic third-person shooter, thanks to its great gameplay, unique characters, and fantastic storytelling, winning the hearts of the entire gaming community.
Even a decade after its first release, The Last of Us still gives us to this day countless remastered versions, a second entry, and even a highly successful TV show that recreates the events of the first game.
The game offers a fantastic survival experience with an immersive and dark world, along with two of the most iconic characters in gaming history that develop one of the best relationships ever written. Thankfully, this franchise seems more than alive; undoubtedly, more titles and content will continue to be developed throughout the years.
While we all love this franchise and its characters, we only have two video games and their respective DLCs to enjoy. Because of this, we decided to list seven amazing games like The Last of Us that any fan of the franchise would enjoy.
What Makes The Last of Us Games Franchise So Amazing
Not only does The Last of Us offer an enjoyable, tense, and engaging gameplay experience, but its detailed and deep character development through the story makes you feel bonded to them and this gruesome world in which they must survive.
The game offers fun yet challenging shooting mechanics, an intriguing crafting system, and a resource management style that will have you counting the rocks in your backpack to survive.
To sum it up, The Last of Us is an excellent combination of detailed world-building, deep characters, and some of the best dialog and gameplay mechanics that everyone can enjoy. Let’s explore some of the best games like The Last of Us.
Seven Games Similar to The Last of Us Franchise
These games are similar to The Last of Us franchise in different ways, including some gameplay elements, others on the narrative side, and world design. Yet, they all should have familiar enough feel to them to be worthy of a true Last of Us games comparison.
7. Metro Exodus
If you want a complex horror-survival experience combined with mind-blowing visuals and a good narrative, Metro Exodus is the game for you. The Metro Franchise has set the bar for this kind of game with its previous titles, and Metro Exodus combines all that these games have done right throughout their existence into one outstanding title.
In this game, you will be playing in a post-apocalyptic world where you must survive gruesome creatures that have mutated after the nuclear war, other human factions, and more. This game offers complex resource management mechanics, crafting systems, and lovable characters roaming the dark metropolises of this world.
Related Article: 21 Fantastic Story-Driven Games Like Firewatch You Can Play Now
How is Metro Exodus Similar to The Last of Us
Metro Exodus is set in a post-apocalyptic universe with thousands of dangerous creatures roaming. As the player, you must manage your resources, gather, and craft to survive while progressing through its remarkable story.
Release Date: February 15, 2019
Platforms: PC, Xbox, and PlayStation Platforms
6. Days Gone – One of the Best Games like The Last of Us
If you are looking for zombies like in The Last of Us, stop your search, as we have the perfect alternative game for you.
Days Gone is set in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world where you must fight off horrendous hordes of zombies with whatever you have available in an open-world environment. Some of the main mechanics of this game allow you to explore this world on a motorcycle, enabling you to progress through the game at your own pace and explore its landscapes.
Days Gone is one of the best games like The Last of Us in that it offers a likable main character and survival elements that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the play-through.
How Days Gone is a Great Game like The Last of Us
Days Gone offers an excellent zombie survival experience with survival mechanics, exciting characters, and a good story. It is worth mentioning that Days Gone, just like The Last of Us, was originally a PlayStation exclusive.
Similar to The Last of Us, Days Gone will throw gruesome zombies at you with limited resources to fight your enemies. You will be fighting zombies, bandits, and other human adversaries in this game.
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Platforms: PC and PlayStation platforms
5. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption offers one of the most emotionally and intensely narrative experiences in gaming, with some of the most memorable characters in the industry that will have you rooting for them more than for yourself.
The world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most detailed and complex in the industry, offering players a dynamic and highly realistic environment that constantly changes with thousands of secrets to discover around every corner of the map.
This game will also place you in the role of Arthur Morgan in the middle of a breathtaking narrative set during the late 1800s. You have to take on several missions for a gang you are part of, with several twists along the way.
Furthermore, the game’s gunplay is extremely fun, dynamic, and challenging as you are stuck with revolvers, carbines, and bolt-action rifles. The game offers some of the most immersive gunfights that will make you want to replay missions hundreds of times.
How is Red Dead Redemption 2 Similar to The Last of Us
If you enjoyed The Last of Us’ deep narrative and are looking for something that similarly punches your heart, then Red Dead Redemption 2 has everything you are looking for.
As mentioned, this game has a deep narrative with complex characters and a storyline that will captivate your life. Furthermore, just like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2 contains some of the most stunning and detailed visuals ever seen in gaming.
If you want to jump into Red Dead Redemption 2, get ready to be immersed in a fantasy world that will make you feel like you were born in the wrong year.
Release Date: October 26, 2018
Platforms: PC, Playstation, and Xbox platforms
4. Spec Ops: The Line
Similar to Red Dead Redemption 2, Spec Ops: The Line is for players looking for a mind-blowing narrative that will have them questioning every decision they make throughout the game.
Even though Spec Ops: The Line is a fairly old game, and its visuals and gunplay haven’t necessarily aged like fine wine, the story is what you play for in a game like this.
At first, this game appears to be your regular military shooter, but as soon as you start diving deeper into the game, you will start noticing that something isn’t quite right, and before you realize it, you will find yourself at the bottom of a dark and gruesome narrative.
The game-play is your regular third-person cover shooter, similar to games like Gears of War, but it does the job well and can be very satisfying.
Why Spec Ops: The Line is a Great Game like The Last of Us
Fans of The Last of Us games will have a great time with Spec Ops: The Line’s complex narrative, as it will place them in a spot that will make them question their in-game decisions, making them wonder if they are the good or the bad guy of the game.
Spec Ops: The Line also offers likable characters and some intense moments that will stay in your mind for years.
Related Guide: 6 Best Single-Player Fantasy Games Like Hogwarts Legacy
Release Date: June 25, 2012
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360
3. The Last Guardian
The Last Guardian is another successful PlayStation exclusive with an immersive plot and a wholesome narrative featuring great characters.
This action-adventure video game has fun gameplay and a lovable companion who will forever bond with your heart. The Last Guardian is an excellent game for those looking for a charming and wholesome story about a kid and an enormous creature that would give its life for you.
The Last Guardian offers an explorable and gorgeous universe with exciting puzzle elements, as well as other actions to interact with the world and your companion.
How is The Last Guardian Similar to The Last of Us
The Last Guardian offers an exciting, dynamic story and gameplay between a lovable companion and the main character as they bond together as you progress through the story.
This title also contains terrific visuals that will have you taking screenshots at every turn, making you feel like the fantasy world you imagined in your childhood has come to life.
We’re confident that those looking for other great games like The Last of Us would enjoy this action-adventure title as well.
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Platforms: Playstation platforms
2. A Plague Tale Franchise
The Plague Tale is a critically-acclaimed franchise, thanks to its strong narrative, compelling characters, and an immersive world featuring unique gameplay mechanics, many puzzles, and tense situations.
The narrative of Plague Tale is its most decisive element, as it will make you dive into the story of two helpless brothers who must survive amidst a lethal disease and merciless humans trying to kill them on sight.
How A Plague Tale is an Amazing Game like The Last of Us
The franchises of A Plague Tale and The Last of Us are similar in gameplay mechanics, thematic elements, characters, and narrative.
Both are set in a destroyed world where players must rely on stealth mechanics, resources, and tense situations to survive in a dark and gruesome world. While A Plague Tale focuses more on puzzle-solving elements, the storyline will be very familiar to fans of The Last of Us franchise.
Both franchises are immersive and emotionally impactful experiences in their own way. If you are looking for other great games like The Last of Us, you will enjoy A Plague Tale.
Release Date: 14 May 2019
Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
1. God of War (2018)
God of War (2018) is an action-adventure game, a sequel to the original God of War series, taken in a different direction.
This game will have you fighting enemies from Norse mythology with, hands down, one of the best combat mechanics ever seen in a video game. Whereas the original God of War games focused more on hack-and-slash, this title offers a more grounded experience where you must be more strategic in your fights.
The game also features stunning graphics, an immersive world design, and an emotional and deep storyline with exciting plot twists. The characters in this game are unforgettable and innovative.
We have no doubt that if you enjoyed The Last of Us, you will instantly fall in love with this game and its world.
How is God of War Similar to The Last of Us
Both God of War and The Last of Us are narrative-focused franchises that started as PlayStation exclusives and instantly became staples of the platform.
Both games have visceral and strategic combat, puzzle-solving, exploration, and companionship mechanics. While they take place in entirely different universes, they share a similar story of two companions that initially have a weak relationship but develop as you progress through the story in a wholesome way.
Release Date: April 20, 2018
Platforms: PC and PlayStation platforms
Last Thoughts on the Best Games like The Last of Us
Just like most gamers, we love The Last of Us games, and they make you crave more games like this once you are finished.
This article can help you find a game to fill the void that this intense and heartbreaking narrative may have left in you. Let us know in the comments below what topics you would like us to cover, and stay tuned for more great upcoming content.
In the meantime, feel free to check our other content, such as our article about 6 of the best survival games like 7 Days to Die.
Good luck, and have fun!
