The Last of Us might be the most beloved game of the last 15 years, or at least a top contender. Naughty Dog's 2013 magnum opus introduced the world to Joel and Ellie, creating the definitive surrogate father-daughter dynamic in gaming. Simply put, games like TLOU are hard to come by, which might explain why Sony released new versions for both the PS4 and PS5 eras. Besides blending action and horror in a nearly perfect way, a game also needs to have top-of-the-line storytelling and characters to warrant a mention alongside this all-time great. Very few titles qualify.

Still, we can only replay The Last of Us so many times before the urge to move on sets in. As a palette cleanser, the best option would be to play something entirely different, like Ghost of Yotei or Crimson Desert; however, if you want to stay within the same ballpark as TLOU, these titles are the ones that should be prioritized.

6 God Of War Ragnarok

Father And Son Bonding Through Norse Mythology

God of War Ragnarök will be a familiar name to many, as it is one of the PS5's true system sellers. Following the narrative of God of War (2018), the player takes control of Kratos, the titular god of war, as he continues his struggles with fighting the Norse pantheon and raising his son. While Atreus and Kratos' relationship still takes center stage, the sequel focuses a bit less on that aspect than its predecessor, and the campaign even separates the two for extended periods. While the story can get messy at times, Ragnarök is nonetheless grandiose, intense, and even occasionally funny.

While God of War is a much more action-oriented game than The Last of Us, playing as a hack-and-slash action RPG, it has the same feeling of familial relationships as The Last of Us. Just as Ellie and Joel grow close through the narrative of the game, Kratos and his son Atreus find their bond tested as the latter begins to explore their individuality, forcing his father to come to terms with the fact that they cannot control everything.

If you haven't played the 2018 game, please start with that, as it is actually closer in spirit to The Last of Us than Ragnarok. However, the sequel is a native PS5 release, so it was given the spot.

5 Days Gone Remastered

Another Story-Driven Zombie Epic Crafted For PlayStation

Famously getting a mixed reception at launch, Days Gone struggled to step out of the shadow of PlayStation exclusives like The Last of Us, and it released at a time when post-apocalyptic zombie fatigue was at an all-time high. From a 2026 lens, Days Gone comes out looking a bit better than its reputation, aided by a remastered version that clears some of the PS4 release's technical issues.

Set in an open-world, the game's structure is very different from TLOU; however, they share similarities in other areas. Even if the journeys are not that similar, both Days Gone and TLOU have a road trip element to them, and you actually get to experience it first-hand in the former. Both titles focus heavily on their stories, with Days Gone following Deacon, a biker who sets out to locate and save his wife. Although not reaching the same heights as Joel and Ellie's adventure, the story is quite good, particularly its middle act. Their settings are also largely identical, with both bringing to life areas of North America that have become overrun by infected creatures.

4 Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition

Claustrophobic, Apocalyptic Horror

On paper, this game is possibly the furthest apart from The Last of Us, both in setting and gameplay. Metro Exodus is a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter in which the player must survive in the harsh environment of a devastated Russia. Unlike the first two games in the series, which are also worth playing, Exodus offers the player a selection of small open-world sections in which to explore and scavenge.

While not specifically a zombie apocalypse, there are numerous non-human enemies in the game, thanks to the Metro franchise taking place in the aftermath of a nuclear war. The desperate drive to survive, scavenging for ammunition in a world overtaken by destruction, makes Metro Exodus feel kindred to The Last of Us, yet different enough to be a worthwhile, unique experience.

3 A Plague Tale: Innocence (& Requiem)

So Many Rats

Both games in the A Plague Tale franchise are incredible historical romps through the chaos of a plague-ridden France. The first of the two, A Plague Tale Innocence, gives the player control of Amicia and her brother Hugo, once children of the aristocracy, now forced to flee the Inquisition. Through a mixture of somewhat simple combat and surprisingly in-depth stealth mechanics, you must find your way in a world that is collapsing.

The sibling bond between Amicia and Hugo is beautifully written, even if Hugo's voice can get grating at times. The gameplay is fun, although it is the narrative that sets this game apart from the rest. While A Plague Tale Requiem is arguably the better game, Innocence is required to get the most out of its sequel.

2 Alan Wake 2

Become The Champion Of Light

Alan Wake 2 is the only game on this list that is non-apocalyptic. Following the writer Alan Wake, the player must find a way to escape a dark alternate dimension by writing the story of an FBI agent who is trying to solve the case, and they have to do it with the power of a flashlight and a gun. The second game in the series plays more like a survival-horror game than its predecessor, with more intense resource management.

While its story is pretty far removed from The Last of Us, the survival-action-horror gameplay of Alan Wake 2 feels reminiscent of The Last of Us, with two playable characters with unique stories (as is the case in The Last of Us Part II). Alan Wake 2 is a masterfully done horror-mystery and is well worth playing for both those who love The Last of Us and those who don't.

1 Resident Evil 4 (2023)

Where's Everyone Going, Bingo?

Yet another survival horror masterpiece, Resident Evil 4 is the pinnacle of campy zombie video games. Once again, played as a third-person horror game in which the player must scavenge for ammunition, using stealth when running low on resources, Resident Evil 4 is somewhat reminiscent of The Last of Us, albeit with a greater focus on action and spectacle.

Just as Joel must protect Ellie in The Last of Us, Leon must protect Ashley from the crazed villagers and horrific monsters present in rural Spain. While not all fans of The Last of Us will like this game's goofiness, Resident Evil is one of the originators of the action-horror hybrid, and its remake modernized the original game while still retaining its essence.

Resident Evil Requiem is also a good option, and it has better scares than RE4R