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Games Like 'New Tales From the Borderlands' to Play Next

Once you've wrapped up this latest off-the-wall adventure, let Metacritic help you find your next game.
by Jon Bitner — 
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New Tales From the Borderlands

2K Games

New Tales from the Borderlands is another hilarious, narrative-driven romp through the Borderlands universe. It follows three new protagonists (Anu, Octavio, and Fran) as they explore Promethea, rebel against the Tediore corporation, and try to save the world from falling into the wrong hands.

Like most games in the Borderlands series, comedy is once again at the heart of the experience. It's largely the same, sophomoric comedy seen in the original Tales from the Borderlands, so fans should already know what to expect before loading up the game. And although it was developed by Gearbox this time around (instead of Telltale), its voice-acting, pacing, and scripting are just as compelling as ever.

Gameplay also follows the same formula set by its predecessor. You'll work through a narrative that gives you plenty of opportunities to alter the game's ending and have a real impact on the world around you. It's a bit lacking in other departments — there are a few puzzle sequences, and you can explore your surroundings in between cutscenes — but the meat of the experience is all about interacting with some of the best characters in Borderlands history while carving your own path through its narrative.

Once you've wrapped up this latest off-the-wall adventure, there are tons of similar, story-driven games to consider picking up next. Whether you're looking for a title with a questionable sense of humor or something that gives you more creative control of the plot, you have a large catalog to choose from in 2022.

Here are 10 games like New Tales from the Borderlands to play next, listed by Metascore.


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The Last of Us Part II

Sony Interactive Entertainment

The Last of Us Part II (PS4)

Metascore: 93
Best for: Fans of post-apocalyptic tales
Where to buy:


Also available on: N/A

If there's one game that's widely considered a masterpiece, it's The Last of Us Part II. From the tense stealth action to its gut-punch of a narrative, this nuanced third-person adventure fires on all cylinders. It continues the tale of Joel and Ellie, this time letting you experience the action as the latter. You'll want to have played the original to get the most out of the game (there are some big plot points that hit harder if you're familiar with the cast), but even newcomers will find much to love with this remarkable adventure.

"As clichéd as it may sound, Naughty Dog has reached a new, seemingly unreachable level of narrative design." — CD-Action 


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Undertale

Toby Fox

Undertale (PC)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans seeking an innovative RPG
Where to buy:


Also available on: PS4, PS Vita, Switch, XB1

Hiding behind Undertale's simplistic, retro graphics is a complex narrative that constantly pushed forward by changing gameplay elements, poignant dialogue, and a captivating soundtrack. Its story sounds rather cliché — you'll play as a human trying to escape the underworld — but there's a shocking level of depth to all its characters and a charming sense of humor that'll keep you glued to your screen until the credits roll. And while there's a fair amount of combat in Undertale, it's possible to make it through the game without killing a single other character (thanks to an innovative battle system that lets you talk your way out of encounters).

"Outside of its ambitious themes, it proves to be a compact, perfectly paced RPG experience with hilarious, tense writing and endearing characters." — GamesBeat


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Disco Elysium

ZA/UM

Disco Elysium (PC)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of challenging adventure games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: N/A

In case its dark and foreboding graphics didn't give it away, Disco Elysium is a bleak game. You play as a detective that wakes up in a hotel with little memory of his past, before quickly realizing he's been tasked with solving a horrific murder. The game lets you investigate on your own terms, giving you the freedom to interact with its inhabitants as you see fit. There's never just one way to accomplish your goal, and with a gigantic skill tree at your disposal, you can find tons of creative ways to check off boxes on your tasklist. Its world is a bit more oppressive than Borderlands', but there's still plenty of wry humor to be found in the grimy streets of Revachol.

"A murder mystery set in a rich, fictional setting, Disco Elysium is told with sweeping profundity and hilarious absurdity." — Adventure Gamers


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The Walking Dead: The Telltale Games Series

Telltale Games

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Games Series (PC)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of emotional narratives
Where to buy:


Also available on: iOS, PS3, Switch, XB360

The Walking Dead: The Telltale Games Series is set in the same universe as the iconic graphic novels from Robert Kirkman, although most of the characters central to its plot are completely new. You'll play as Lee Everett, a survivor that has taken an abandoned 8-year-old girl under his wing. During the lengthy adventure, you'll piece together a ragtag crew as you try to survive in an unforgiving world, making critical decisions that impact the course of the game. Its storytelling is among the best in the genre, and fans seeking a nuanced adventure game shouldn't pass it up.

"An incredibly powerful, emotionally engaging experience; a watershed moment for video game narrative and storytelling." — PC PowerPlay


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Return to Monkey Island

Devolver Digital

Return to Monkey Island (PC)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of iconic adventure games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: Switch

It has been several decades since the release of Ron Gilbert's Monkey Island 2, and Return to Monkey Island proves there's still plenty of fertile soil in this mysterious world. The 2D adventure game once again follows Guybrush as he continues to search for a secret hidden deep within Monkey Island. The action is pushed forward using standard point-and-click system found in most adventure games, although its colorful art style, wonderful cast of characters, easy-to-understand UI make Return to Monkey Island a title that both series veterans and newcomers will appreciate.

"A nostalgic and fun swashbuckling experience that delivers an adventure that fans of the series and genre have been waiting years for." — WellPlayed


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Borderlands 3

2K Games

Borderlands 3 (PC)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans seeking more Borderlands
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, PS5, Stadia, XB1, XBX

If you're looking for more Borderlands, there's no better option than Borderlands 3. It features a sense of humor nearly identical to New Tales from the Borderlands, although you'll be treated to a frantic, looter-shooter experience that moves at a much faster pace. Several playable characters are available, each with their own set of unique skills that lets them cut through waves of enemies with ease. Rounding out the experience you'll find a stylized art style, a robust cooperative mode, and a treasure trove of weapons that ensures you always have something new waiting just around the next corner.

"Borderlands 3 has surpassed the bar that its predecessor had set. The story is grand in scale, the humor is on-point…weapons are diverse, and the new Vault Hunters are unique in every way." — XGN


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Guardians of the Galaxy

Square Enix

Guardians of the Galaxy (PS5)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of award-winning storytelling
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, Switch, XB1, XBX

As the recipient of numerous awards (including The Game Awards 2021 Best Narrative), Guardians of the Galaxy is more than a simple cash grab. It follows the same group of characters from the movie, although all of them are boasting a new look and brought to life by a new cast. What's still intact, however, is their chemistry. Whether they're bantering in the middle of a fight or baring their heart in an emotional cutscene, Star-Lord and his band of misfits are just as lovable as always. Its combat isn't quite as impactful as some had hoped, but it offers just enough action to break up the cutscenes and keep you engaged in the award-winning narrative.

"Guardians of the Galaxy is everything you could want in a Marvel video game, really, filled with a blend of electric moments and thoughtful junctures." — New York Daily News


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The Wolf Among Us

Telltale Games

The Wolf Among Us (PC)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of the original graphic novel
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS3, PS4, PS VitaXB1XB360

Based on graphic novel series, The Wolf Among Us will hook you with its stylized graphics — and should immediately appeal to fans of New Tales from the Borderlands. The game tells the tale of Bigby Wolf as he investigates a series of murders and tracks down a mysterious killer. As a narrative-driven game, there's no shortage of consequential conversations you'll have with NPCs, and each interaction has a significant role in how the plot unravels. Since the game takes place prior to the graphic novels, there's no need to have read through the series before diving in, although longtime fans are bound to find a few Easter eggs during their journey.

"The game is even better than the Bill Willingham's original graphic novel series. The Wolf Among Us is a showcase of first-class storytelling." — Pelit


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Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

2K Games

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (PC)

Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans who want more Borderlands-inspired humor
Where to buy: Epic Games Store
Also available on: PS4, PS5, XB1, XBX

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is a Borderlands spin-off with a Dungeons & Dragons coat of paint. You'll wander around an overworld map before diving into large zones that house dozens of enemies, plenty of hidden loot, and multiple routes to your objective. Action plays out as it did in Borderlands 3, but instead of grenades, you'll now have access to a repertoire of powerful spells. And despite the new fantasy setting, firearms are still here in spades. Tiny Tina serves as your guide for this outing, and she has no problem throwing ridiculous enemies your way or giving you a hilarious new mission to accomplish.

"A fantastical reskin of Borderlands filled with charm, humor, and lots of action." — App Trigger


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Saints Row

Deep Silver

Saints Row (PS5)

Metascore: 61
Best for: Fans of hilarious, over-the-top action
Where to buy:


Also available on: PC, PS4, Stadia, XB1, XBX

Saints Row offers gameplay that's radically different from New Tales from the Borderlands. Instead of giving you a choice-based narrative to navigate, you'll be roaming around the dusty streets of Santo Ileso as you build a crew capable of taking over the entire town. But what it does share with Borderlands is a sophomoric sense of humor — and that's reason alone to pick up this quirky game. Whether you're LARPing in the desert, hijacking a train, or leaving bad reviews for local restaurants, there's never a dull moment in Saints Row's story. It's a bit rough around the edges (hence its mixed Metascore), but folks seeking another off-the-walls adventure should give it a closer look.

"The Saints Row reboot doesn't rewrite the franchise's playbook, but that doesn't detract from the fact that it is a fun-filled playground of carnage and destruction." — GamingBolt