The Last of Us changed what a story could do in this medium. Joel and Ellie’s cross-country trek through a fungal apocalypse paired brutal, scrappy combat with quiet human moments, and the HBO series only widened the fanbase. If you have played through both parts plus the Left Behind DLC and want more games that land the same gut-punch, this list is for you.
These 15 picks each deliver on at least one of the three pillars that make The Last of Us work: tense survival combat, stealth built on scarcity, or a story that treats you like an adult. No filler, no loose “post-apocalyptic” tag-alongs.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Genre | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | The Last of Us Part II | Survival Action | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 2 | A Plague Tale: Requiem | Stealth Adventure | $59.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 3 | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End | Cinematic Adventure | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 4 | Resident Evil 4 Remake | Survival Horror | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 5 | Alien: Isolation | Survival Horror | $34.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
1. The Last of Us Part II
Why it’s similar
It is the direct sequel, so it carries forward the exact scavenge-and-survive combat, weighty melee, and character-first storytelling that defined the original.
What makes it unique
A dual-protagonist structure forces you to play both sides of a revenge story. Prone crawling, dodging, and reactive stealth expand every system from the first game.
Key features
- Dual protagonist campaign
- Expanded stealth and dodge combat
- No Return roguelike mode (Remastered)
- Deep accessibility and photo modes
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
2. A Plague Tale: Requiem
Why it’s similar
Companion-driven survival where you protect someone vulnerable, the same Joel-and-Ellie dynamic, with stealth around threats far bigger than you.
What makes it unique
Amicia and Hugo’s bond drives the story, and rat-swarm set pieces turn the environment itself into the deadliest enemy on screen.
Key features
- Sibling-bond narrative
- Massive rat swarm mechanics
- Stealth and light-based puzzles
- Gorgeous 14th-century France
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
3. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Why it’s similar
Same studio, Naughty Dog, with the cinematic set-pieces, character banter, and polished gunplay that share The Last of Us’s production shine.
What makes it unique
Grapple-and-climb traversal and blockbuster chase sequences trade horror for globe-trotting treasure-hunting adventure.
Key features
- Cinematic set pieces
- Grapple traversal
- Legacy of Thieves PC collection
- Includes The Lost Legacy
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. Resident Evil 4 Remake
Why it’s similar
Third-person survival action built on resource management, crafting, and constant pressure. It is The Last of Us’s combat DNA in a horror shell.
What makes it unique
The Merchant economy and parry-focused knife combat modernize a classic while keeping every encounter tense and readable.
Key features
- Knife parry combat
- Merchant upgrade economy
- Separate Ways (Ada) DLC
- The Mercenaries mode
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
5. The Evil Within 2
Why it’s similar
Survival horror leaning on stealth, scarce ammo, and dread, the same “one bullet matters” tension you feel sneaking past a Clicker.
What makes it unique
Semi-open hub areas let you pick stealth or confrontation, and the psychological STEM world warps reality around you.
Key features
- Semi-open exploration
- Stealth or combat freedom
- Crafting on the move
- Psychological horror setting
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Metro Exodus
Why it’s similar
Post-apocalyptic survival with brutal resource scarcity, weapon upkeep, and a story about protecting the people you travel with.
What makes it unique
A train-hub campaign crosses seasonal Russian wastelands, and manual weapon cleaning forces genuine resource discipline.
Key features
- Train-based journey
- Weapon condition system
- Day and night stealth
- Two story DLCs
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Alan Wake 2
Why it’s similar
Narrative-first survival horror with a heavy cinematic atmosphere and light-based combat that keeps you resource-anxious throughout.
What makes it unique
Two playable characters and a live-action-blended presentation push survival horror into full psychological thriller territory.
Key features
- Dual-character mystery
- Light-as-weapon combat
- Mind Place investigation
- Live-action hybrid scenes
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC (Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming (Epic Games activation).
8. Days Gone
Why it’s similar
Open-world survival against infected hordes with scavenging and resource pressure that echoes The Last of Us’s clicker tension.
What makes it unique
Freaker hordes swarm hundreds deep, and motorcycle fuel and upkeep add a constant survival layer to every ride.
Key features
- Massive Freaker hordes
- Motorcycle traversal and upkeep
- Open Pacific Northwest world
- Remastered Horde Assault mode
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. Tomb Raider (2013)
Why it’s similar
Survival-driven action with crafting, scavenging, and a stealth-or-fight rhythm that mirrors The Last of Us’s scrappy encounters.
What makes it unique
Lara’s origin story frames every kill as hard-won, and the semi-open island rewards curiosity with upgrades and tombs.
Key features
- Survival crafting
- Bow-focused stealth
- Semi-open island
- Series reboot starting point
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
10. God of War Ragnarök
Why it’s similar
An emotional parent-child core, a cinematic single-shot camera, and weighty combat make it the closest AAA match for The Last of Us’s tone.
What makes it unique
Norse mythology and puzzle-filled realms surround a story about Kratos learning to let Atreus grow up.
Key features
- Father-son narrative
- Weighty axe and blade combat
- Nine realms to explore
- Valhalla roguelite DLC
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
11. Ghost of Tsushima
Why it’s similar
Story-driven action-adventure with a deep character arc and an atmospheric world you sink into, Jin’s quiet mirror to Joel’s.
What makes it unique
Wind-guided navigation and stance-based sword combat make both exploration and fights feel deliberate and earned.
Key features
- Stance-based combat
- Wind navigation
- Iki Island DLC
- PC Director’s Cut
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Dying Light 2: Stay Human
Why it’s similar
First-person survival in an infected city with crafting, scavenging, and day-night danger that scales The Last of Us’s tension citywide.
What makes it unique
Parkour traversal and infected-heavy nights turn the whole map into a stealth-or-run gauntlet after dark.
Key features
- Parkour traversal
- Day and night infected shift
- Choice-driven story
- Ongoing free updates
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. Death Stranding
Why it’s similar
An emotional, atmospheric journey across a broken America with a narrative-first design that rewards patience over firefights.
What makes it unique
Cargo-hauling and terrain traversal replace shooting as the core loop, and the story goes gloriously strange.
Key features
- Terrain traversal loop
- Asynchronous online building
- Star-studded cast
- Director’s Cut extras
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
14. Resident Evil 2 Remake
Why it’s similar
Survival horror built on limited resources, backtracking, and dread. It is the purest “every bullet counts” fix outside The Last of Us.
What makes it unique
The Raccoon City Police Station is a masterclass in interlocking level design, and Mr. X hunts you without mercy.
Key features
- Two campaigns (Leon and Claire)
- Mr. X pursuer
- Puzzle-box map design
- The Ghost Survivors DLC
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
15. Alien: Isolation
Why it’s similar
Stealth survival horror where hiding beats fighting, delivering the same white-knuckle tension as sneaking past a Clicker in the dark.
What makes it unique
A single, unscripted Xenomorph learns your habits, so no encounter ever plays out the same way twice.
Key features
- Adaptive Alien AI
- Craft-and-hide survival
- Retro-future Sevastopol station
- Full 20-hour campaign
Price: $34.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Genre | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | The Last of Us Part II | Survival Action | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 2 | A Plague Tale: Requiem | Stealth Adventure | $59.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 3 | Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End | Cinematic Adventure | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 4 | Resident Evil 4 Remake | Survival Horror | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 5 | God of War Ragnarök | Cinematic Action | $59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 6 | The Evil Within 2 | Survival Horror | $29.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| 7 | Alien: Isolation | Survival Horror | $34.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 8 | Resident Evil 2 Remake | Survival Horror | $39.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 9 | Days Gone | Open-World Survival | $49.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 10 | Metro Exodus | Survival Shooter | $39.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 11 | Dying Light 2 | Survival Parkour | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 12 | Alan Wake 2 | Survival Horror | $49.99 | PC (Epic), PS5, Xbox |
| 13 | Tomb Raider (2013) | Survival Action | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox |
| 14 | Ghost of Tsushima | Action Adventure | $59.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
| 15 | Death Stranding | Narrative Adventure | $39.99 | PC, PS4, PS5 |
Conclusion
The Last of Us fans have plenty of directions depending on what hooked them. Want more of that Naughty Dog polish? The Last of Us Part II and Uncharted 4 are the obvious next stops. Craving survival-horror tension? Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Alien: Isolation, and The Evil Within 2 make every bullet count.
Chasing the emotional weight? A Plague Tale: Requiem, God of War Ragnarök, and Death Stranding put relationships first. And if it was the broken, overgrown world that stuck with you, Days Gone, Metro Exodus, and Dying Light 2 deliver distinct takes on the apocalypse. Every game here earned its spot through real survival, stealth, or storytelling craft, not just a shared setting.















