Naughty Dog's The Last Of Us helped push the boundaries of video game storytelling. It gave the world two deeply beloved characters, introduced a gnarly infection, and painted a desperately beautiful realization of the post-apocalyptic world. So it was no wonder that The Last Of Us Part II was one of the most anticipated (and controversial) titles of all time.
Sure, the haters tried to stir up some trouble, but most who played The Last Of Us Part II agreed: it's brutal, it's beautiful, and it tells a story with such intensity that it may leave players feeling shaken to their core. So, to everyone who just finished the game, and to anyone in need of something to help with the comedown: here are 10 games that will help dry everyone's tears and move on from Joel and Ellie.
10 Resident Evil 2: Remake
This remake of the Playstation 1 gem Resident Evil 2 is a masterclass in revisiting a classic. It takes the beloved story of the original and adds better visuals, controls, atmosphere, and an even scarier Mr. X. It doesn't matter whether players choose Leon or Claire; they're in for a stylish 2019 retouch of some good ole 90's horror.
The story is just as riveting as it was back in the day, and the horror atmosphere benefits tremendously from modern capabilities. Zombies ooze with gross realism, the walls crawl with shadows, and the streamlined controls allow for an immersive cultivation of creepiness. As it turns out, Raccoon City is just as scary now as it was then.
9 Bioshock Infinite
2k game's Bioshock series has long been touted as the most creative, scenic, and story-driven first person shooter franchise on the market. And after playing Bioshock Infinite, it's hard to argue. The game is gorgeous, the gameplay is addictive, and the story has one of the best twists of all time.
When players step into the floating streets of the sky-borne Columbia, they are starting an adventure of shooting, fireball blasting, time warping, mech-defeating, and crying. The crying is because this tale is an incredibly emotional one, the end is maybe as impactful as The Last Of Us Part II. Maybe. The story is just that good.
8 Shadow Of The Tomb Raider
The Tomb Raider franchise may not be the only action adventure title out there with a strong female protagonist, but very few video game ladies are as iconic as Lara Croft. After all, she's a survival master, she fearlessly climbs, and she uses a bow like a Tolkien elf. And while her appearance has become far less ridiculous over the years, her status as the queen of adventure has never changed.
Shadow of The Tomb Raider carries on Lara's journey nicely, adding character elements that were never present before. The game specifically paints Lara as awkward, introverted, and burdened by her own obsession, which is very cool. She may be an icon in our world, but in this one she's a human, with fears, flaws, and an insanely diverse survival skillset.
7 Uncharted 4
Here's a cameo from the other franchise that dominates the action/adventure genre. The Uncharted Series gave players incredibly immersive environments, tons of climbing and exploring, lovable characters, and the most explosive set pieces games had seen at the time.
Sure, some of the puzzles in Uncharted 4 were lame, but it's a truly exciting way to wrap up one of gaming's blockbuster stories. It's got the witty quips, set pieces, and action that players have come to expect, and a fitting farewell to characters that have come to define this past decade. If anyone is looking for a story with The Last Of Us levels of care (without some of the devastation), this is a great next step.
6 Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons
In Starbreeze Studios' action adventure fairy tale, players take control of two brothers with one controller. That may sound like a lot, because frankly, it is a lot. The control scheme uses the left stick for one brother and the right stick for the other, a schema that ensures players' first few hours will be filled with one brother face-planting into a rock while the other gallops around haywire.
But once everybody learns to use both hands at once, they will find themselves engrossed in a sweeping, heartbreaking, and achingly human tale. They will explore a silent, gorgeous, and death torn world singing a quiet aria all its own. And they will bawl tears of raw sorrow by the end of the game. The story is intense.
5 Ghost Of Tsushima
While the post-apocalyptic continental U.S. and feudal Japan may not have a lot in common on paper, Sucker Punch's Ghost Of Tsushima is a great game to play after The Last Of Us Part II. This is because this samurai smash hit pairs amazing blade combat with stealth gameplay, and a compelling story.
Players will sneak through countless patches of grass, assassinate tons of baddies, use blades and projectiles to do battle, save peasants from invaders, and become a feudal Batman in the name of all that is good. Sure, none of that sounds like The Last Of Us Part II, but it tells a beautiful story that explores the emotional depth of themes like the value of tradition, the meaning of honor, and the human side of war. All in all, it's a pretty haunting tale, and definitely worth a play through.
4 Detroit: Become Human
Quantic Dream has always been famous for amazing game storytelling, and Detroit: Become Human is no exception to their mold. Throwing players into a future that feels simultaneously utopian and dystopian, Detroit immediately starts asking big questions like: what does it mean to be human? Is it better to sacrifice the few for the many? Is Jesse Williams actually an android in real life?
Three android protagonists will weave their way through a complicated and beautifully realized futuristic world, and they will explore the meaning of sentience along the way. Detroit is optimistic yet cynical, wildly imaginative, incredibly engrossing, and it manages to be philosophical without being cheesy. This game's story creates a life of its own, and it is absolutely worth a spot on anyone's "to-play" list.
3 A Plague Tale: Innocence
Of all the titles on this list, A Plague Tale: Innocence is the only one that can be truly defined as a horror game. And it is truly horrifying. Just look at all those rats. The real horror of this game is the sheer number of rats.
Who decided that the video game world needed an intricately realized rat swarm? It's like buzzing with the texture of water, but the water is rats. It's just horrifying. But it's also an incredible game, so players should give it a whirl.
2 The Witcher 3
To step into the shoes of Geralt of Rivia is to step into a life of pure insanity. There are monsters to be slain, people to be saved, children to be trained, witches to be wooed, loot to be located, and conversations to be carefully navigated.
The Witcher 3's story is also a great continuation of an epic tale, and a resolution for characters that are incredibly easy to fall in love with. It may be the most fanciful entry on this list, but it also one of the most immersive fantasies available on any platform.
1 Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar has made some absolutely amazing (and adult) games, and is widely considered to be the godfather of the open-world. Red Dead 2 is arguably their crown jewel, with their best story to date and one of gaming's most impressive interactive worlds.
It features spellbinding characters, some fantastic writing/voice acting, and an insane amount of opportunity for raw, unadulterated carnage. It's the best of both worlds, really, telling an amazing story while also giving players arcade-like opportunity for silly (and adult) fun. But to anyone thinking of taking this journey: ye be warned. This game will take up an entire 2 weeks before the controller can be put down.