A Tale of Survival: Top 5 Alternative Games Like 'Days Gone'

If you're a fan of the action-adventure, post-apocalyptic game 'Days Gone', finding similar games that reside in the same vein can be somewhat of a task. Luckily, we have compiled a list of five top-tier games, which can provide the same thrill, intriguing story lines, and immersive settings. Get ready for the taking.

1. The Last of Us Part II

One would be hard-pressed to find a post-apocalyptic game list that doesn’t include 'The Last of Us Part II'. This critically acclaimed sequel by Naughty Dog continues to gnaw at the boundaries of immersive gaming through its stunning visuals, intricate plot, and unforgettable characters.

Gameplay

Featuring intense survival and stealth-based gameplay, 'The Last of Us Part II' introduces new mechanics such as a dodge feature and more fluid traversal in the environment. Interactions with the world around are realistic, from breaking windows to crawling through grass.

Story and Setting

Set five years after its predecessor, the game follows Ellie, a young woman from the first game, undertaking a path of revenge across a post-apocalyptic USA filled with infected mutants and hostile human factions. The narrative plays with themes of hate, revenge, and the price of obsession, offering something decidedly more contemplative and brutal than most games in the genre.

2. The Forest

'The Forest', developed by Endnight Games, is a solid choice for fans of 'Days Gone' looking for an open-world survival experience that’s both challenging and terrifying.

Gameplay

The Forest rewards creativity and improvisation. Players find themselves not only combating a society of cannibalistic mutants but also the elements themselves. Gathering resources, constructing shelters, setting traps, and exploring dark caves, players can tailor their survival tactics to their play style.

Story and Setting

In terms of storyline, 'The Forest' revolves around a plane crash survivor searching for his son in a hostile, forested peninsula. The mystery of the island and its inhabitants unravels as the player explores and survives in this haunting open-world environment.

3. Metro Exodus

For fans of 'Days Gone' who desire a more story-driven experience, 'Metro Exodus' is your ticket. This first-person shooter video game is based on Dmitry Glukhovsky's novels and set in the charred ruins of post-apocalypse Russia.

Gameplay

Gameplay in 'Metro Exodus' is a seamless blend of frantic firefights, stealthy stalkings, and epic exploration that sometimes requires using a controllable rowboat to traverse. Players can modify their arsenal of hand-made weaponry and engage in the game's unique combat scenarios.

Story and Setting

The game has a substantial narrative focus with a compelling and emotional journey that takes across seasons and through a variety of detailed locations, each with its unique challenges and factions. Whether it be hostile, irradiated beasts or human enemies, 'Metro Exodus' never lets the tension drop.

4. State of Decay 2

'State of Decay 2' is an ideal choice for those seeking strategy in their survival games. As a massively enhanced sequel to the popular original, Undead Lab’s survival game offers an engaging and persistent world where every action matters.

Gameplay

In 'State of Decay 2', players manage a community of survivors, balancing resources, and making tough decisions makes the survival endeavor a combination of action and strategic planning. The game features a unique character progression system with different characters having various skills and traits.

Story and Setting

The open-world game is set in a zombie-apocalyptic environment and involves recruiting and maintaining a diverse community of survivors, each with their stories and motivations. By focusing more on the community-building aspect, it sets itself apart from most games in the genre.

5. Dying Light

"Dying Light" is a first-person perspective action survival game. It delivers a gripping open-world adventure filled with nonstop action and some encounters.

Gameplay

The game combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, parkour-style movement, and a day-night cycle that dramatically affects enemy behavior. The gameplay is a daring, full-bodied combination of combat, survival, and exploration.

Story and Setting

Set in the city of Harran, a fictional middle-eastern city plagued by an aggressive outbreak, players take on the role of a player named Kyle Crane, who is tasked with infiltrating the quarantine zone. 'Dying Light' uses its innovative gameplay to bolster its horrifying, desolate world and tell a gripping tale.

If 'Days Gone' has left a void that needs filling, these five games serve up all the post-apocalyptic fun you could want, each with its unique spins on the genre. So, prepare your survival kit and venture into these worlds of survival and disorder.