The problem with the Walking Dead was that there was never really any point to the storytelling (I'm talking about the show, can't speak for the comics). The start was so good and so promising, but they never set out with a clear idea of the story they were telling. They had a great start, because the setting was so good, but they just milked that setting and by season 2 the show just started meandering as they dragged it out for as long as they possibly could. I gave up a couple of seasons ago.
The Last of Us is very different. Both games have very coherent, powerful stories that are all about the characters, their motivations and journeys and relationships between each other. I don't only mean Joel and Ellie, but all the characters really. And it looks like the show is going to be adapting these in an amazing way.
So I get why some non-gamers might think "seems cool but what's with the hype, it's a lot like TWD" for now, but stick with it. I also understand that people who want action and aren't too interested in nuanced character stories might find it a bit slower than they'd expected, but that's the nature of the storytelling and I personally think it's wonderful.