What is the best game similar to Shenmue?

The closest game to Shenmue is God of War, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Shenmue?

The three closest games to Shenmue are: 1. God of War (100/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Yakuza 4 (100/100, 13 shared attributes) 3. Gravity Rush (99/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Shenmue's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.

Is Yakuza 4 similar to Shenmue?

Yes, very much so — Yakuza 4 scores 100/100 similarity to Shenmue. They share 13 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RPG games are similar to Shenmue?

The best RPG games similar to Shenmue are God of War, Yakuza 4, Gravity Rush and Heavenly Sword. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Shenmue attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.

How is similarity to Shenmue calculated?

We compare Shenmue against every game in our catalog using 16 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Shenmue experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Shenmue that you should try

Games like Shenmue · Find similar →

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If Shenmue left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — deep RPG systems, strong narrative focus and sandbox world — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 16 attributes. God of War comes closest (100/100).

iRank88/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

Top games similar to Shenmue

50 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Shenmue. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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.

#1God of War

100

iRank94

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyHistoricalThird Person

OC94· 256

Year 2009Dev SCE Santa Monica Studio · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

#2Yakuza 4

100

iRank80

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person

IGDB80· 6

Year 2010Dev Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios · SegaOn PlayStation 3

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with sports simulation, while skipping strong narrative focus

Details →

#3Gravity Rush

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB82· 7

Year 2012Dev SCE Japan Studio · Sony Computer Entertainment

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: action RPG combat.

Details →

#4Heavenly Sword

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloNarrativeFantasyThird Person

IGDB88· 4

Year 2007Dev Ninja Theory · Sony Computer Entertainment EuropeOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

#5Bayonetta

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB91· 15OC85· 51

Year 2009Dev Nex Entertainment · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: action RPG combat, adventure storytelling and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB90· 4OC85· 142

Year 2022Dev PlatinumGames · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and third-person shooting, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeFantasyThird Person

IGDB83· 2

Year 2005Dev BioWare · Microsoft Game Studios

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

≠ Missing: action RPG combat.

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeFantasyThird Person

IGDB80· 2

Year 2002Dev Square Product Development Division 1 · Disney Interactive Studios

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

≠ Missing: action RPG combat.

Details →

#9Devil May Cry

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB85· 4OC77· 12

Year 2001Dev Capcom Production Studio 4 · Capcom

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

#10Infamous 2

iRank85

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

IGDB85· 6

Year 2011Dev Sucker Punch Productions · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

#11Hi-Fi RUSH

iRank92

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeThird PersonAnimeCyberpunk

Steam👍 97%· 35KRAWG👍 87%· 359OC89· 139

Year 2023Dev Tango Gameworks · Bethesda SoftworksPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, precision platforming and fighting mechanics, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam PS

#12DmC: Devil May Cry

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 32KIGDB82· 12

Year 2013Dev Ninja Theory · CapcomOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the third-person Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, fighting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam

#13Onimusha: Warlords

iRank89

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyHistoricalThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 3.3KRAWG👍 92%· 103MC86IGDB75· 8

Year 2001Dev Capcom · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are third-person Action RPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person

IGDB86· 16

Year 2012Dev Vigil Games · Spike ChunsoftOn PlayStation 3 · PC

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

Nintendo

#15God Hand

iRank73

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeHistoricalThird Person

IGDB73· 3

Year 2006Dev Clover Studio · CapcomOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

Complete list of Shenmue alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Shenmue, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West

RPG · Action RPG

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

RPG · Action RPG

Sea Dogs: To Each His Own

RPG · Action RPG

Stellar Blade

RPG · Action RPG

NINJA GAIDEN 4

RPG · Action RPG

Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures

RPG · Action RPG

The Artful Escape

RPG · Puzzle

Mass Effect 2

RPG · Action RPG

Transformers: Devastation

RPG · Action RPG

Ultimate Spider-Man

RPG · Action RPG

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

RPG · Action RPG

Zenless Zone Zero

RPG · Action RPG

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series

RPG · Adventure

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

RPG · Action RPG

Risen 2: Dark Waters

RPG · Adventure

Alice: Madness Returns

RPG · Action RPG

Maneater

RPG · Action RPG

Ninja Gaiden II

RPG · Action RPG

Asura's Wrath

RPG · Action RPG

Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy Remastered

RPG · Adventure

Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition

RPG · Action RPG

The Amazing Spider-Man

RPG · Action RPG

STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II

RPG · Action RPG

100

God of War II

RPG · Action RPG

Sonic and the Black Knight

RPG · Action RPG

Drakengard 3

RPG · Action RPG

NieR

RPG · Simulation

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

RPG · Action RPG

Oni

RPG · Action RPG

Spider-Man 2

RPG · Action RPG

X3: Albion Prelude

RPG · Simulation

X3: Reunion

RPG · Simulation

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

RPG · Shooter

Rise of the Argonauts

RPG · Action RPG

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

RPG · Action RPG

Explore games similar to Shenmue by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Third-Person Action RPGs Best Action RPGs Best RPG Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Shenmue?: The closest game to Shenmue is God of War, scoring 100/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Shenmue?: The three closest games to Shenmue are: 1. God of War (100/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Yakuza 4 (100/100, 13 shared attributes) 3. Gravity Rush (99/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Shenmue's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.
Is Yakuza 4 similar to Shenmue?: Yes, very much so — Yakuza 4 scores 100/100 similarity to Shenmue. They share 13 attributes, including deep RPG systems and action RPG combat. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to Shenmue?: The best RPG games similar to Shenmue are God of War, Yakuza 4, Gravity Rush and Heavenly Sword. All share the RPG genre alongside other key Shenmue attributes like deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling.
How is similarity to Shenmue calculated?: We compare Shenmue against every game in our catalog using 16 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Shenmue experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.