If you want another game with characters and a story worth investing in after The Last of Us Part II, start with God of War (2018) for a close parent-child relationship and cinematic action, or choose Red Dead Redemption 2 for a sprawling outlaw ensemble. For a supernatural mystery, try Alan Wake 2—if horror suits you. Horizon Forbidden West offers a science-fiction adventure shaped by character growth. These are different kinds of follow-up, not substitutes with the same tone.
Choose by the kind of story you want
| Game | Narrative shape | Tone and presentation | Best fit if you want | Earlier game context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| God of War (2018), then God of War Ragnarök | A relationship-centered story | Mythic action with a cinematic focus | A continuing bond between central characters alongside combat | Ragnarök is a sequel; play the 2018 game first for context |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | A broad story about Arthur Morgan and an outlaw gang | Grounded crime drama in an open world | A larger cast and room to inhabit a setting, rather than a tightly directed survival story | Not established here |
| Alan Wake 2 | A mystery told through two playable characters | Supernatural horror | Unsettling investigation and a willingness to engage with horror | Not established here |
| Horizon Forbidden West | A science-fiction adventure with character development | Expansive science-fiction setting | Characters whose understanding of their world changes over the story | Do not assume it is best played without the first Horizon |
Descriptions of Red Dead Redemption 2 as an immersive, narrative-driven action game about Arthur Morgan and his gang appear in TechRadar’s story-game guide. The other recommendations are grounded in official descriptions and features linked below. “Memorable” is personal: the strongest choice depends on whether relationships, an ensemble, mystery, or world-building matters most to you.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Last of Us Part II (Remastered) (Nordic) | $41.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Last of Us Part II Collector's Edition for PS4 PS5 | Buy on Amazon |
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God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök: for a central relationship
The 2018 God of War makes a strong next pick if what stayed with you in The Last of Us Part II was the emotional weight between its characters, but you want that weight in a mythic-action setting. Santa Monica Studio’s retrospective on the 2018 game discusses the creative goals behind its new direction.
God of War Ragnarök continues that story. PlayStation identifies it as a sequel to the 2018 game and lists it as a PS5 and PS4 title; its page also notes a 2022 Best Narrative award. See PlayStation’s Ragnarök page. Start with the 2018 entry if you want the relationship and story context to carry through. The award is recognition, not proof that every player will find its characters equally affecting.
#1 Best Overall
Red Dead Redemption 2: for an outlaw ensemble and a broad world
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you would trade a tightly directed survival narrative for an expansive story about Arthur Morgan and a gang of outlaws. Its appeal here is the different shape: a wider cast and open-world setting, rather than a close match for The Last of Us Part II’s tone or pacing. TechRadar includes it among its story-game recommendations.
This is the pick for someone who wants to spend time with a world and its ensemble. It is not a recommendation based on a claim that the two games have identical pacing, structure, or emotional effect.
Rank #2
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
Alan Wake 2: for a supernatural mystery
Alan Wake 2 is the clearest choice here if you want a mystery and are comfortable with horror. PlayStation’s Store description follows FBI agent Saga Anderson and writer Alan Wake, and highlights that you play as both characters. Read the PlayStation Store description; TechRadar also includes the game in its story-game guide.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIts supernatural horror is a meaningful change of mood from grounded survival drama. Pick it for investigation and unease, not because it promises the same kind of character relationship as The Last of Us Part II.
Rank #3
- Game: The Last of Us Part II, SteelBook, 48-Page Art Book, Ellie Statue, Ellie’s bracelet, Four stickers, 6 Pins, Digital Art Book, Digital Soundtrack
Horizon Forbidden West: for science fiction and character growth
For an adventure rooted in science fiction, Horizon Forbidden West puts character development alongside a changing understanding of the world. PlayStation’s feature on the game discusses both. It suits players drawn to a large-scale setting and the way its characters’ perspectives evolve.
The available information here does not establish whether newcomers can follow it comfortably without the first Horizon game. If continuity matters to you, check the earlier entry before choosing where to start.
Make the pick that matches your appetite
- Want a relationship at the center? Start with God of War (2018), then continue to God of War Ragnarök.
- Want a wider cast and open-world setting? Choose Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Want a mystery and welcome horror? Choose Alan Wake 2.
- Want science-fiction adventure and character growth? Choose Horizon Forbidden West, while accounting for its connection to the earlier game.
These picks are about narrative fit, not a ranking of which game has the objectively most memorable characters. Platform coverage beyond the specifically documented Ragnarök listing, current prices, editions, and availability are not established here; check the relevant store for your region before buying.
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