Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom

27 Action RPG games like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 48 games similar to Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom down to the 27 that fit the “Action RPG” category. BlazBlue Entropy Effect, Katana ZERO and Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

iRank84/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

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Year 1991Dev Koei Tecmo Games

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Within the “Action RPG” category, the closest game to Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom is BlazBlue Entropy Effect — scoring 84/100 on our similarity scale. Katana ZERO and Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos follow close behind.

#1BlazBlue Entropy Effect84 #2Katana ZERO84 #3Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos84 #4ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist81 #5Dust: An Elysian Tail81

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The best action RPG games like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom

27 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom. Each one has been evaluated across 8 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1BlazBlue Entropy EffectClosest overall match

84

BlazBlue Entropy Effect

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtNarrative

Steam👍 94%· 35KOC84· 14

Year 2023Dev 91ActPlaytime ~8hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, expect deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, punishing difficulty and procedural generation

A brand-new action roguelite developed by a team with years of experience in action games, ready to present the best 2D action combat experience the world has ever seen! Each character has their own traits and hundreds of moves to choose from as you create your unique combos.

Released 32 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100

84

Katana ZERO

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleePixel Art2DNarrative

Steam👍 98%· 75KRAWG👍 90%· 1.1KMC83IGDB85· 8OC84· 72

Year 2019Dev Askiisoft · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Shared with Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty

Katana ZERO is a fast paced neo-noir action platformer, focusing on tight, instant-death acrobatic combat, and a dark 80's neon aesthetic.

Released 28 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100

#3Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

84

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DPixel Art

Year 1990Dev Tecmo Koei Games

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100

#4ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

81

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DDarkHardcore

Steam👍 95%· 18KIGDB90· 2OC86· 68

Year 2025Dev Live Wire · Binary Haze InteractivePlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping visual pixel

STORYSet in the Land of Fumes, this prosperous magical superpower is home to vast quantities of magical resources lurking underneath the surface. In hopes of advancing their kingdom's development, artificial life forms known as Homunculi came into being.

Released 34 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals73

#5Dust: An Elysian Tail

81

Dust: An Elysian Tail

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DNarrativeFantasy

Steam👍 95%· 19KRAWG👍 67%· 626MC84IGDB82· 7

Year 2012Dev Humble Hearts · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: Metroidvania exploration, fighting mechanics and strong narrative focus, while skipping visual pixel

Dust: an Elysian Tale is an action role-playing game with metroidvania elements set in an imaginary world called Falana. Dust, the main character, with his sentient sword called Blade of Ahrah and guardian Fidget explores the “2D” side-scrolled environments.

Released 21 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals73

#6STRIDER / ストライダー飛竜

81

STRIDER / ストライダー飛竜

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DSci-FiCyberpunk

Steam👍 81%· 4.2KRAWG👍 54%· 333MC78IGDB78· 16OC77· 62

Year 2012Dev Capcom · SEGAPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: Metroidvania exploration, setting scifi and setting cyberpunk, while skipping visual pixel

Strider is a platforming hack and slash game developed by Double Helix Games. The game is a reboot of 1989 title, yet the developers didn't intend the game to be viewed as one. The title retells the original game's story.

Released 21 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals72

#7Alex Kidd in Miracle World

81

Alex Kidd in Miracle World

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DFantasy

Year 1986Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd.On PlayStation 3

✓ If you enjoyed Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, expect deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals72

81

Aztaka

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtMagic

Steam👍 68%· 161

Year 2009Dev CiteremisPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings Metroidvania exploration, fighting mechanics and strong narrative focus

Inspired by Aztec legend, this action/rpg side-scroller will casts you into the middle of a war between the Gods and Mankind.

Released 18 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat66

#9NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

75

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2DPixel Art

Steam👍 93%· 2.5KRAWG👍 90%· 20IGDB86· 7OC86· 131

Year 2025Dev The Game Kitchen · DotEmuPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

≠ Missing: melee combat.

A brand-new side-scrolling entry to the NINJA GAIDEN series from the team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure.

Released 34 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100

73

Guacamelee!

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DCo-opFantasy

IGDB84· 11

Year 2013Dev Drinkbox Studios · Spike ChunsoftOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · PC

✓ Shared with Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, Metroidvania exploration and fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Where it drifts furthest from Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: game mode.

Released 22 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Visuals72Game mode47

#11Mega Man Zero

72

Mega Man Zero

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2DSci-FiPost-ApocalypticCyberpunk

Year 2002Dev Capcom

✓ Like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping melee combat

Released 11 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

#12Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

72

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

Solo2DDarkHorror

Year 1993Dev KonamiOn PC

✓ Like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, it's known for deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping melee combat

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

#13BloodRayne (Legacy)

70

BloodRayne (Legacy)

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2DDarkNarrative

Steam👍 60%· 928RAWG👍 34%· 40MC68IGDB65· 3

Year 2011Dev Abstraction Games · Majesco EntertainmentPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, strong narrative focus and horror setting, while skipping adventure storytelling

The original video game femme fatale, Rayne, has returned to battle and feed in a brand new hack ‘n slash adventure. Slay ghastly enemies as Rayne, the sexy dhampir with superhuman strength, speed, and agility, recruited by the vampire hunting Brimstone Society for one last mission.

Released 20 years after Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals73

#14Batman: The Video Game

70

Batman: The Video Game

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2D

Year 1990Dev SUNSOFT

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals72

#15The Revenge of Shinobi

70

The Revenge of Shinobi

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMelee2D

Year 1989Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd.On PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and precision platforming.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals72

Complete list of action RPG games like Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom

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