5 Best Video Games To Play While Waiting For The Last Of Us Part 3

Naughty Dog"The Last of Us" is one of the most celebrated video game franchises of all time, but it's been many years since we saw a new game in the iconic series. While Naughty Dog and Sony have remade and remastered both "The Last of Us Part 1" and "The Last of Us Part 2" in recent years, the third game in the series has been a long work in progress. Fortunately, it's confirmed by Naughty Dog itself that "The Last of Us Part 3" is in development. However, given that it'll likely take years until that game is released, you'll need something else to tide you over until that day comes.

Few games can truly capture the emotional storytelling and gripping gameplay that "The Last of Us" series offers, but there are some that offer different elements of what makes the franchise great. From the zombie apocalypse setting to the tight and linear exploration to the narrative-driven dialogue, other games deliver on these fronts in spades. If you're looking to dive into some of these games before "The Last of Us Part 3," you can see them in the list below.

Read more: 5 Classic Xbox 360 Games That Are Unplayable Today

What better way to pass the time before a new "The Last of Us" than returning to one of Naughty Dog's other most popular video games? While you could choose to play through the entire "Uncharted" series, the fourth game, "A Thief's End," is regarded as one of the best action-adventure games ever. You might miss some context and lore by playing through the fourth game as your entry into the franchise, but it's a highly enjoyable experience regardless of whether or not you've stepped into the shoes of Nathan Drake before.

"Uncharted 4: A Thief's End" concludes Nathan Drake's story, and it follows the main character, along with his family and sidekick, through tons of incredible and historical locations across the globe. Like "The Last of Us," "Uncharted" is a third-person action-adventure game that puts the story firmly in the spotlight. However, you'll also find that "Uncharted" has much faster-paced gameplay, which is aided by Nathan Drake's movement capabilities, such as his parkour and grappling abilities. There are also stealth sections, plenty of guns, and some particularly thrilling vehicle chases, so there's a little bit of everything, gameplay-wise. If you're looking for another action-packed, linear game that tells an emotional story while waiting for the next "The Last of Us," there's arguably no better choice than "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End."

As any "The Last of Us" player knows, one of the core elements of the franchise is the setting, which is right in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. It sets the foundation for the whole series, and if that setting is something you're particularly fond of, then "Days Gone" might be just right for you. Also set in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, "Days Gone" is regarded as one of the best post-apocalyptic video games of the modern era. However, it features wildly different gameplay compared to "The Last of Us."

While the two games share a similar setting, they aren't alike whatsoever in many other areas. "Days Gone" is a third-person open-world game that lets you travel through the countryside and abandoned cities on a motorcycle as a man named Deacon St. John. Your mission as Deacon is to simply survive the apocalypse, but that's easier said than done with how many zombies can chase you at a single time. In certain situations, you can have hundreds of zombies, called "Freakers," on your tail, and all you have are your guns to mow them down and live to fight another day. "Days Gone" is a gritty adventure that is perfect for any "The Last of Us" fan who doesn't mind spending hours obliterating zombie after zombie.

"God of War" is another iconic video game franchise that has won a litany of awards over the course of its two-decade-plus lifespan. However, the "God of War" reboot from 2018 is arguably the best game in the whole franchise, and it's perfect for any "The Last of Us" fan if they want to jump into another world. The reboot is totally different from the original series, but it does still feature Kratos, the Greek god of war, as the main protagonist.

This time, though, Kratos has made his way to Norse mythology and now travels with his son, Atreus. "God of War" follows Kratos and Atreus as they attempt to fulfill the last wishes of Kratos' wife, but things don't go as planned in the land of the Norse gods. You'll battle against legendary Norse figures and travel to over half of the Nine Realms, all of which feature open zones that let you explore and discover some hidden secrets. Combat in "God of War" is action-packed and primarily uses Kratos' axe, but there are plenty of abilities and other strategies you'll have to take into account when facing a boss or group of enemies. While "God of War" itself is a great way to spend your time before "The Last of Us Part 3," you can also dive into the sequel, "God of War: Ragnarok," for an equally thrilling experience.

In terms of gameplay, "Tomb Raider" mirrors "The Last of Us" in a variety of ways. So, if that's a sticking point for you in your next game, you might have found something new to play while you wait for the third "The Last of Us" game. Fortunately for you, the rebooted "Tomb Raider" series offers a full trilogy to play through, and each game is a step up from the previous one. While you don't have to start with the first game from 2013, it does set the foundation for the rest of the trilogy.

All three games feature the same kind of gameplay and story revolving around the renowned Lara Croft. Croft has a slew of fun abilities, such as being able to grapple to high places or take down men twice her size, and she's genuinely enjoyable as the main character. The maps aren't as linear as the levels in "The Last of Us," but you only have certain directions you can go during the majority of the missions. However, throughout those missions, you might have to outrun a crashing plane, maneuver rocks scattered throughout a rushing river, or jump over massive gaps in crumbling ruins. "Tomb Raider" also features a variety of puzzles which are complex and difficult to solve, but offer great rewards. As a trilogy, "Tomb Raider" offers over 50 hours of gameplay, and each game tells a unique story that ups the ante gameplay-wise in some shape or fashion.

"Dying Light 2: Stay Human" is an open-world zombie-apocalypse game that's the sequel to the original "Dying Light." However, you don't need to play the original game to understand what's going on in the sequel, as the two games are set in totally different locations with new characters. Naturally, if you're a "The Last of Us" fan, you might immediately be drawn to the post-apocalyptic setting of "Dying Light 2," but the game does feature its share of emotional and shocking moments.

"Dying Light 2" is set in the fictional city of Villedor, where zombies have overtaken large areas of the metropolis. However, your character, Aiden Caldwell, finds survivors and is immediately tasked with attempting to save the city and himself. Perhaps the most intriguing element in "Dying Light 2" is its parkour system, which lets your character perform a variety of movement-based techniques that let you get around the city with ease. You'll also need to use your movement to outwit the zombies that inhabit the city, especially at night when the undead are particularly ravenous. Throughout the story in "Dying Light 2," you're forced to make decisions that upset some of your closest friends, and everything you do affects the ending you receive. It's a terrific overall experience, and you can also spend even more time playing through the original "Dying Light" or the new spin-off, "The Beast."