If you’re a fan of an intense, chaotic post-apocalyptic game with a rich story, chances are you’re familiar with Naughty Dog’s 2013 smash-hitTheLast of Usand its 2020 sequel,The Last of UsPart II. The plot centers around two rugged survivors, Joel and Ellie, and their strange, yet beautifulfather-and-daughter-like bonding.
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However, as well-received and well-loved as this definitive franchise is, some games may topThe Last of Usfor any number of reasons. Today we’ll check out a few zombie & horror games that might actually be better thanThe Last of Us,and five waysThe Last of Ustops them all.
10TLOU: Scare Factors
Being a post-apocalyptic survival horror game, it’s only natural thatThe Last of Usknows how toscare its players. From hidden Infected creatures sticking on the wall to the chillingly eerie Seraphite’s whistling,The Last of Ushas an abundance of scare factors to make anyone jump out of their seat or rage quit, and it makes full use of its kit to that end.
9Outlast & Outlast 2
However,The Last of Usis miles behind compared toOutlastorOutlast 2in terms of scare factors. Although this may not be a typical zombie game, it’s still worth noting thatOutlasthas a whole buffet of elements with which it can give you constant nightmares.
UnlikeThe Last of Us,where you can shoot your way out to the finish line if you have enough ammo,Outlastputs you into a more vulnerable role. You’re an investigative journalist with a night vision-equipped camcorder trying to make it through the night. The only choices you have are to hide, run, or die.
8TLOU: Free-World Roaming
The Last of Usand itsPart IIsequel feature plenty of iconic locales. From Pittsburgh to Tommy’s Jackson settlement in Wyoming,The Last of Ushas a vast map ready to be explored, especially during your Seattle chapter with Ellie.
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In fact,Part IIwas designed as anopen-world gameat first. Initially, the game would take place in Jackson and give some sense of freedom to explore the city. Unfortunately, this idea was scrapped as the writers developed the storyline and felt like it wouldn’t suit Ellie’s character arc.
7Dying Light
If you’re looking for a better open-world zombie game, then considerDying Light.Even though it’s not as big asGrand Theft Auto V,Dying Light’s medium-sized map is enough to give you the freedom to roam around the dead city of Harran and explore itshidden references.
Story-wise,Dying Lightlets you control Kyle Crane, an undercover agent, as he becomes entangled between continuing his mission or helping out the remaining survivors.
6TLOU: Rich Story
The Last of Usis one of those games that gets you emotionally hooked. It tells the story of Joel and how he goes from calling Ellie his ‘cargo’ to his ‘baby girl,’ whilePart IIlargely deals with the consequences of protecting Ellie and focuses on her own journey. It’s the story of how far one could go to protect (or avenge) their loved ones.
Aside from its graphics,The Last of Us' deep story is the standout feature of this game. The character development feels crisp, alive, and powerful, but pulls no punches in showcasing the brutal realities of the world it takes place in.
5The Walking Dead
Telltale’sThe Walking Deadinteractive game is likely the leading contender withThe Last of Usin terms of evocative storytelling. The first season centers aroundLee Everett, a former historian (and a convicted killer) stuck in the midst of the zombie apocalypse with a little girl named Clementine. After that,TWDfocuses more on Clem and her growth into a tough, badass survivor for the next three seasons.
On the other hand,The Last of Us Part IIwas criticized for inconsistency and a plethora ofplot holes. Like Joel and Tommy, some characters are sloppy, clumsy, and really out of their arc.
4TLOU: Relatable Characters
Unlike most zombie games where you take roles of high-profile agents or soldiers,The Last of Uscenters around Joel. He’s not an ordinary everyman protagonist who’s always right, but rather a controversial character with a skewed and somewhat crooked moral compass.
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But behind all that, Joel is just a man who wants nothing but the best for his loved ones, no matter what he has to sacrifice in the process. Joel is so candid, and it’s what makes players resonate with this character so much.
3Resident Evil 7
Following the lackluster welcome toResident Evil 6, Capcom took a step back to return to the franchise’s original horror roots inResident Evil 7: Biohazard. RE7is the onlyResident Evilgame to not feature any original character as its lead hero or heroine.
In fact,Resident Evil 7tells the story of Ethan Winters, a small-time engineer trying to find his missing wife in the middle of a no-man’s land. Seeing how far one could go to protect someone they love is practically always a solidly relatable concept to weave a horror story around.
2TLOU: Challenging Infected Creatures
The Last of Ushas plenty of unique Infected types according to their infection stage. Ranging from an easy Runner to the bloated, conjoined, and disgusting-looking Rat King, all Infected creatures inThe Last of Usare more than ready to keep you panicked.
Also, if you’re a fan of challenges, try “Grounded” difficulty - where you won’t get to use the ‘listening mode,’ making the playthrough a struggle for the ages.
1Resident Evil 2 & 3: Remake
It’s only been one night since the start of the catastrophe in Raccoon City, but these undead creatures have already been evolving in theResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3remakes. These nightmarish creatures can be frustrating to beat and terrifying to face, from T-virus zombies and lickers toWilliam Birkin’s mutationand Mr. X.
On top of that, finding ammo and weapons can be painful because of how perplexingthe game’s puzzlescan be. It’s challenging on so many levels that you’ll definitely need all the luck you may get.
