Highlights

  • The Last of Us Part 2 presents a daring and nuanced story that resonates with players who appreciate narrative depth.
  • Players who enjoyed Part 2 may also love other story-heavy games like God of War Ragnarok and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 .
  • Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, Telltale's The Walking Dead, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Witcher 3 also offer engaging narratives.

Regardless of the massive controversy that has plagued The Last of Us Part 2 since its release, there's no denying that the story is pretty daring and resonates with people who appreciate the narrative that Naughty Dog strove to integrate into this title. Now that the toxic discourse surrounding this game has died down, players can enjoy this game for what it is and check out Ellie and Abby's story, which is told in a nuanced and interesting manner.

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Players who loved The Last of Us Part 2 and want to check out more games in the same vein will love other such story-heavy titles that touch upon the same themes that are just as cinematic, if not more. These games feature amazing narratives that are told incredibly well and will capture the player's attention in much the same way as Joel and Ellie's adventures have.

1 God Of War Ragnarok

A Compelling Narrative Featuring Multiple Characters Centered Around The End Of The World

God of War Ragnarok Atreus Fighting With Freya
God of War: Ragnarok

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5
Released
November 9, 2022
Developer(s)
Santa Monica Studio
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Most people were disappointed that the new iteration of God of War would end with the second game. They felt that the potential of this narrative could've set the stage for another trilogy of excellent action-adventure games that are a blast to play through. In a way, this is a good problem to have since people clearly loved Ragnarok so much that the only negative they can bring up is that the game ended way too quickly.

The narrative chops of this game are heightened extensively, with the stakes being upped by a hefty margin. After Odin was built up in the first game, trying to tackle this malevolent god and stop him from carrying out his heinous acts makes for a great time. As the story develops, Atreus and Kratos' bond deepens as the father-son duo becomes closer than ever before.

2 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Perhaps The Greatest Story Ever Told In A Video Game Featuring The Beloved Web-Crawler

A screenshot of Peter and Miles swinging toward the Sandman in Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Platform(s)
PS5
Released
October 20, 2023
Developer(s)
Insomniac Games
Genre(s)
Open-World , Action-Adventure

After the immense success of Marvel's Spider-Man, players wondered how the sequel would up the ante for the two web crawlers who were poised to play a major role in the events to come. From the very opening of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, it was clear that Insomniac Studios would move things in a new, fresh direction that would titillate players to no end.

This makes Marvel's Spider-Man 2 the best game featuring everyone's favorite webhead, with Peter's dark side showing as the Venom symbiote slowly takes hold of him. Watching him come to grips with this newfound aggression before letting it go and tacking the symbiote in its purest form makes for an amazing ending to one of the best stories ever told in a Spider-Man game.

3 Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

A Well-Told Side Story Focused On Chloe And Nadine

chloe-uncharted-the-lost-legacy
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4
Released
August 22, 2017
Developer(s)
Naughty Dog
Genre(s)
Action-Adventure

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy is a great side story featuring two strong women from the series who get their time to shine in this amazing title. Chloe and Nadine are excellent characters that players will have a great time with as they explore new areas and embark on another adventure for the ages.

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Along the way, they take out numerous enemies and encounter friendly faces in a bid to prevent anything of value from falling into the wrong hands. The narrative may not have the emotional weight of the fourth game, but that shouldn't take away from the cinematic spectacle of The Lost Legacy. The banter between the two protagonists lends life to every set piece, with the quest to stop Azav from plunging India into a civil war upping the stakes in this adventure.

4 Telltale's The Walking Dead

Lee And Clementine's Struggles To Survive During The Zombie Apocalypse Is Engaging

Lee protecting Clementine from walkers in Telltale's The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead The Game

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC , PS3 , PS4 , Vita , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox 360
Released
April 24, 2012
Developer(s)
Telltale Games
Genre(s)
Adventure , Horror

The Walking Dead is the game that catapulted Telltale to superstardom, with the story of Lee and Clementine being an emotional journey with numerous hopeful highs and devastating lows. The sheer amount of tragedy present in this tale is as harrowing as can be, with the supporting cast more than pulling its weight.

From finding Clementine to forming a group that goes through several grueling situations, Lee's attempts to keep Clementine safe at all costs are as compelling as can be. Kenny, Ben, Lilly, and the other characters have their own struggles that Lee can help them out with, with the game peaking with a devastating conclusion that will coax many players to shed a tear or more.

5 Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar's Most Emotional Game To Date

War Horse in Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
October 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Red Dead Redemption 2 features the best narrative that Rockstar has ever integrated into a video game. Players who complained about the fact they don't get to control John Marston from the get-go soon fell in love with Arthur's complex character as he idolizes Dutch, only for the events surrounding them to change the dynamic of the group for good.

The Pinkertons slowly break down Dutch and his gang, with the downfall of this charismatic leader being one of the most compelling parts of the entire game. Throughout the game, Arthur develops from a one-dimensional gangster into an empathetic human being, with some of the character's best moments coming only when players pursue a Good Honor playthrough. In all honestly, being the good guy is what most people consider to be the intended way to play the game, with Arthur's moments of introspection hitting even harder here.

6 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Geralt's Hunt To Find Ciri Is Rife With Emotional Hard-Hitting Moments

the witcher 3 wild hunt geralt drawing a sword
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Released
May 19, 2015
Developer(s)
CD Projekt Red
Genre(s)
RPG , Action , Adventure

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the greatest video games ever made, and people who feel this game is ill-fitting for fans of The Last of Us Part 2 need only play this game for a few hours to see the amazing narrative chops on display here. With the Next-Gen Update beefing this game up, players will find it even easier to get invested in Geralt's endeavors to save Ciri.

Both the main quest and a wealth of side adventures house some incredible narratives that show just how brutal and unforgiving this world is. This makes the sparse moments of hopefulness feel all the more powerful, with Geralt's actions across this well-written narrative dictating the ending to his tale as a witcher.

last of us 2 box art
The Last of Us Part 2

Platform(s)
PS4
Released
June 19, 2020
Developer(s)
Naughty Dog
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure