Over the past week or so, I had the golden opportunity to play and experience the next chapter in one of my all-time beloved series: Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. The game once again delivered emotional storytelling, this time focusing on Sophia as the main lead, along with gameplay that balanced grounded melee combat with engaging puzzles that made you think just slightly outside the box to solve them.
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Sophia’s riveting story in Resonance gives you a reason to stay with the series even long after Amicia and Hugo’s departure.
And if you’re anything like me or just want a similar experience to what you have here, look no further because this list goes over the best and most adventure-filled games to play next if you loved Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. These games feature an equal bite-sized length, while still having enough quality in the gameplay department that you’ll be looking forward to possibly replaying them in the near future.
10
The Forgotten City
Mystery and Curiosity Rewarded in Bulk
We’re starting off with a game that I also had the pleasure of naming on my list of games for The Odyssey movie fans, and that is The Forgotten City. And don’t worry, I won’t blame you if this is your first time hearing about it. I can also assure you, though, that it’s excellent, much like the other ones on this list. It earns that assurance mainly through its mystery and narrative presentation.
You’re dropped into an ancient Roman city where something is clearly wrong, and the more you explore and talk to its inhabitants, the more questions you uncover rather than answers. Almost every character has secrets, and even seemingly insignificant conversations can become important later.
But what makes it especially compelling is its time-loop mechanic, because every loop gives you another opportunity to investigate, gather info, solve puzzles, and change the outcome of events. Plus, instead of relying on any combat system, the game rewards curiosity and paying attention, making you feel like you’re gradually piecing together a giant puzzle of sorts.
9
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
The Most Pixar Game You’ll Play
The most straightforward way to describe a game like Kena: Bridge of Spirits is as a Pixar movie translated into a video game. The stylized visuals are gorgeous and eye-catching, especially the cinematic moments during the main story beats. Plus, both this and Resonance have that same wonderful balance between a heartfelt story and a mysterious yet endearing adventure.
I understand that Sophia’s and Kena’s stories are very different, but they share that emotional quality where the underlying stuff tells stories about people and what they leave behind, similar to Sophia and Theseus’ connection.
The gameplay should also feel familiar since it’s almost akin to a souls-lite, with Kena slowly gaining new abilities that let her backtrack to previously inaccessible areas. Moreover, you also have light-hearted puzzles and challenges to keep you company, along with the game’s adorable Rot companions.
8
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
The Action-Adventure Metroidvania with a Ton of Style
Look, this one may be the less obvious pick, but if you loved the minor exploration and environmental puzzle aspect of Resonance, then Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offers exactly that but with much more of a platforming/Metroidvania-focused emphasis. That and, well, the action combat is 2D-oriented, but trust me when I say that it absolutely slaps once you get to play around with it.
Moreover, both Sophia and Sargon are protagonists that start out vulnerable, but gradually gain new abilities that completely change how you interact with their surroundings in-game. With Lost Crown, this is linked to the fact that you’ll need to backtrack to quite a few areas, but this adds more exploration incentives to the mix for this game. This is especially true since Resonance really doesn’t have much to that element besides just finding all the Blades for Sophia or the Charms and collectibles.
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7
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The Start of the Best Modern Star Wars Video Game
Pretty good timing since I replayed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order just last year on my PS5 for the Platinum Trophy, and it made me realize just how great this game is, and even better, the sequel, should you get time for it. Cal Kestis and Sophia aren’t exactly alike, but they share that feeling of being capable despite their youth, with their journeys shaped as much by personal struggles as by the surrounding threats they take on.
And I promise this isn’t a list of games that focus on backtracking, but Fallen Order leans almost into the same progression style as Kena and Prince of Persia; only in this game you’re on these sprawling planets filled with hidden paths, environmental puzzles, and optional areas to discover with planetary creatures and Stormtroopers awaiting every corner. Also, while the game isn’t as emotional as Resonance, I can promise you it still has a brilliantly written story with Cal’s character growth at the helm.
6
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Curtain Call for the De Rune Siblings
You may be confused about A Plague Tale: Requiem’s inclusion here, since Resonance is made for people who grew intrigued or attached to Sophia’s character from it. But this is mainly for people who still haven’t experienced this game and are jumping into Resonance—nothing wrong with that, but you’ll miss the story’s foundation plus some fan-servicey stuff that happens in Resonance’s epilogue.
So, if you’ve played Innocence and are beginning to cosy up to the series fully now with the release of Resonance, I implore you to properly sit down and play Requiem. Seeing the climax of Amicia and Hugo’s survival unfold against the Prima Macula on its most uncontrollable stage was one of the best rollercoaster rides I’d ever experienced in a modern-day video game.
5
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Just Another Tuesday for Indy
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
As someone who loves both the original trilogy and this game, where Troy Baker absolutely nailed the role of Indy, I’m here to inform you that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is easily one of the best action-adventure games you can find out there. Honestly, it should be your next journey into a game that introduces clever puzzle-solving into the mix during various sections.
The two games also share a similar appreciation for cinematic storytelling and character-driven moments. I’d argue that The Great Circle obviously has a much lighter, more adventurous tone. Still, the relationship between Indiana Jones and Gina here can scratch a similar itch as Sophia’s companionship with characters like Leni or Faro. The only conundrum I can understand is the first-person perspective, but if you can manage that, this is an absolute blast to play, especially if you’re familiar with the movies themselves.
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4
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
An Emotional and Deeply Affecting Adventure
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
The original Hellblade is a game that’s very near and dear to me, especially since Senua is a character that I ended up adoring more than most video game protagonists. Genuinely. She’s up there for me with the likes of Ichiban Kasuga, Sora, and Commander Shepard, and even Amicia from the prior Plague Tale games. And most importantly, both this title and Resonance understand that their greatest strength isn’t necessarily their combat or mechanics— it’s the emotional journey of their protagonists.
Senua carries an enormous weight, and much of the experience is watching her push forward despite everything trying to break her. And the cherry on top for me is that these two games also share that same dark, oppressive atmosphere. I know Hellblade isn’t quite the same Greek/Minoan adventure as Resonance here, but it has that feeling of constantly walking through an unsettling world, where dangers lurk everywhere.
3
The Last of Us Part 1
Endure and Survive
As we move into the top-three bracket, one of my honest recommendations for anyone who loved Resonance is The Last of Us Part 1. Even though most of the audience reading this might’ve already experienced it. While the original is obviously an option, I much prefer the remake because the visuals and overall gameplay feel more polished than in the vanilla version.
Both games put a huge emphasis on the bond between their protagonists, and there’s also a similar balance between intense stealth sections, optional exploration, and brutal combat; what’s there not to love here? But honestly, the biggest reason is how, with time, you get attached to Joel and Ellie, enough that every single big setpiece or moment with them hits hard that you’ll likely feel a wave of emotions even if it’s your second or third playthrough.
2
Tomb Raider (2013)
Lara Croft’s Modern Revival
Moving on to one of the two games that I think Resonance gets a lot of its dtyle from: Tomb Raider. I mean, quite frankly, Sophia’s whole adventure here was practically Asobo’s attempt at making their own version of a Lara Croft, but with solid emotional storytelling. And for this list, while the whole new trilogy is fantastic (despite what many may think of Shadow), we’ve chosen the start of it at the 2013 iteration.
The game constantly puts both you and Lara in situations where you have to sneak past enemies, improvise with the surroundings, as well as explore and solve slightly complex puzzles for optional tombs to raid. It’s more action-heavy than A Plague Tale, but that constant rhythm of moving through these beautiful yet hostile locations and uncovering their secrets gives Resonance a familiar connection that I’m glad became a blueprint for its gameplay direction.
1
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
The Ballad of Sir Francis Drake
One of the other two games that Resonance borrowed a bit of inspiration from was the Uncharted games, and that’s exactly why I chose Uncharted 4 here. And hey, if you manage to get the Legacy of Thieves Collection, Chloe and Nadine’s adventure in Lost Legacy is also a must-play for any fan. Besides that, I mean, you’ve also got the environmental puzzle elements sprinkled throughout this (presumably) last saga of the series, which are undercut by some of the best action setpieces in modern gaming history.
Plus, the cherry on the cake is Nathan Drake’s relationship with the rest of the main cast, with the likes of Sam, Elena, and Sully, which gives the adventure a surprisingly personal stake, especially since Nate’s forced to reckon with the life he’s built with Elena versus the life he keeps being pulled back into. I mean, c’mon, THAT one cutscene itself of Elena confronting Nathan is easily the highlight for many in the game’s pivotal story moments.
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