re: So I beat TLoU last night ::spoilers::

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When I played this game I thought it was a one and done. Still wish it was a one and done in all honesty.

ETA: I could be wrong but I thought that's what he said. Playing the game knowing zero about what was coming was incredible. It ended and I went...wow. Not once did I think "I can't wait for the 2nd one."

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same baw. regardless, looking forward to the new one.

I loved the lead into the ending with the doctors. You go through the massive building thinking "oh crap. What monster is about to pop up in this arena" since the whole walk is a giant battle ground, but nothing ever shows up. Very suspenseful.

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Good story should enhance the actual game, not replace it. Taking a mediocre game and slapping a good story on it doesn't make it a great game.

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This doesn't describe The Last of Us, though. With the exception of the first few encounters, which I assume were dumbed down to introduce more novice players to the mechanics, the combat is solid and the stealth is fun, often incorporating interesting map designs that give you multiple options in how you attack or sneak past enemies.

There are a few missteps, of course, like the sniper section and a few too many "get Ellie on a raft" puzzles, but "mediocre" is unfair. I also think the "normal" difficulty should have been "hard" instead, but I understand that decision. The game just doesn't feel like "survival" at all on normal if you're even half way decent at it.

How did the story in TLOU make the gameplay suffer? What game at the time did this sort of gameplay better?

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Good story should enhance the actual game, not replace it. Taking a mediocre game and slapping a good story on it doesn't make it a great game.

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Soo you’re are saying a good story should enhance the game....but then you turn around and immediately say slapping a good story on the game doesn’t enhance the game.....

I meannn I like your effort. I really do.

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Any game suggestions that come close?

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God of War (2018) is what immediately comes to mind. You don't need to have played the previous games to get into this one.

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the gameplay is very different.

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For sure. I meant if he was looking for another game that blends gameplay and a well acted story together in a similar fashion to TLOU. Gameplay-wise, it's very focused on melee combat, though it's a slower, more deliberate style than the previous God of War games.

Another game in a similar vein would be Horizon Zero Dawn. It has some stealth, but that's not the focus. It's also an open world game, so the story can meander a lot more depending on what side quests you decide to pursue.

He could also check out the Bioshock series, specifically Bioshock Infinite, for a blend of story and gameplay where you have a companion character with you for most of the game, but it's a first person shooter. The whole Bioshock collection is on sale right now for PS4 for $14.99. LINK

Also, take a look at Naughty Dog's other series, Uncharted, or the 3 most recent Tomb Raider games from Eidos.

All of the above mix gameplay and storytelling to various degrees.

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Gameplay-wise, it's very focused on melee combat, though it's a slower, more deliberate style than the previous God of War games.

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I was worried about this because I loved the fast paced attacking in the previous ones but I was happy with it. I also had just beat Dark Souls/Bloodbourne before it so I was fine with it.