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3 Games to Play If You Like Death Stranding’s Cinematic Storytelling

Three story-driven games offer different parts of Death Stranding’s appeal: emotional character drama, a focused adventure, or open-world science fiction.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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If Death Stranding’s cinematic storytelling is what stayed with you, choose your next game by the quality you want more of: emotional character drama, a focused character-led adventure, or open-world science fiction. The Last of Us Part I is the strongest fit for emotional storytelling; A Plague Tale: Requiem suits a defined journey centered on two characters; and Horizon Forbidden West offers an expansive world and a continuing sci-fi protagonist arc. None is a like-for-like match for Death Stranding’s delivery gameplay.

Which game should you play next?

Game Best fit if you want… Story context
The Last of Us Part I Emotional, character-led post-apocalyptic storytelling Joel and Ellie’s story
A Plague Tale: Requiem A focused adventure about a continuing character pair Sequel starring Amicia and Hugo
Horizon Forbidden West Open-world science fiction and exploration A continuation of Aloy’s story

The Last of Us Part I: for emotional, character-led storytelling

Pick The Last of Us Part I if the cinematic quality you want is an emotionally paced story built around a memorable relationship. PlayStation Direct describes the game through Joel and Ellie’s emotional story, while TechRadar characterizes it as a post-apocalyptic third-person action game whose mechanics reinforce its melancholy storytelling. PlayStation Direct lists a PS5 disc edition; check the store for current price and availability.

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This is a survival adventure with more emphasis on action than Death Stranding’s traversal-centered experience. The match is its character focus and narrative presentation, not its gameplay loop.

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A Plague Tale: Requiem: for a focused character adventure

If you want a defined journey centered on a pair of characters, consider A Plague Tale: Requiem. It continues Amicia and Hugo’s story: Focus Entertainment describes them setting out on a new journey, and Asobo Studio identifies the game as a sequel.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Death Stranding Director's Cut - Playstation 5
  • Remastered for the Playstation 5 Console - Take on the trials of Sam bridges with advanced combat, more character actions and a competitive Ranking system for special player challenges.
  • Expanded content - Make use of additional weapons and vehicles, take on new enemy types and explore new locations such as the firing range and racetrack, featuring extra missions and minigames.
  • New discoveries - experience an extended storyline through new missions in an expanded area.
  • Unique social strand system - stay connected with other players from around the globe. (Internet and account for Playstation network required.)

The useful comparison is its story-led adventure structure and character focus. The official descriptions do not establish that its tone or mechanics match Death Stranding’s, so treat it as a narrative recommendation rather than a gameplay substitute.

Horizon Forbidden West: for open-world science fiction

Choose Horizon Forbidden West if what you want next is a large world to explore alongside a high-concept science-fiction story. PlayStation describes it as an open-world adventure and says Aloy’s story continues.

Rank #2
Death Stranding Director's Cut (PS5)
  • Experience environment and weather effects like tall grass, water currents, strong winds, rainand snow with the dual sense wireless controller's innovative haptic feedback.
  • Get into the action more quickly than ever with the PlayStation 5 console's ultra-fast ssd and near-instant load times.
  • Choose from two picture modes -performance mode with scaled 4K and up to 60FPS or fidelity mode in native 4K -both with ultra-wide and HDR support, so you can enjoy stunningly clear graphics and advanced texture streaming.
  • Get even closer to the world of death stranding with bespoke adaptive trigger resistance when using different types of weapons, carrying Cargo or picking up items
  • Hear death stranding sound effects come to life in 3D audio that immerses you in the environment (requires Compatible headphones)

Because this is a continuation of Aloy’s story, players new to the series may want to begin with Horizon Zero Dawn. The fit here is exploration, worldbuilding, and a continuing protagonist arc—not Death Stranding’s delivery systems.

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How to choose

  • For the strongest match on emotional, cinematic character storytelling, start with The Last of Us Part I.
  • For a more focused adventure about a continuing character pair, choose A Plague Tale: Requiem.
  • For open-world exploration and science fiction, choose Horizon Forbidden West; start with Horizon Zero Dawn if you want Aloy’s story from the beginning.

These are recommendations based on story, character focus, and exploration. Death Stranding Director’s Cut is listed by Kojima Productions for PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, but storefront availability can change. Check Kojima Productions’ product page for its current platform links.

Rank #4
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach for PlayStation 5 (US Version), with PremGear ThumbSticks (2 pack: 1 High-Rise, 1 Mid-Rise) & Cleaning Cloth
  • Included is the following: Death Stranding 2: On The Beach for PlayStation 5 (PS5), 2 pack of PremGear 2 Sizes Thumbsticks made to increase accuracy and comfort (1 High-Rise, 1 Mid-Rise), PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
  • The large open-world environments of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are full of secrets to be found. They are also incredibly varied and pose unique challenges to navigate
  • Whether facing human foes or otherworldly entities, a range of options are at your disposal. Do you go in aggressively, sneak around enemies to achieve your goals, or try to avoid danger altogether? How you approach these situations is up to you
  • Following on from the events of Death Stranding, this new story follows Sam on a fresh journey. Expect the unexpected
  • Your actions can affect how other players interact with the game's world, and vice-versa. Make sure you leave your mark

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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