42 Action RPG games like Shenmue that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Shenmue down to the 42 that fit the “Action RPG” category. Yakuza 4, Sea Dogs: To Each His Own and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Shenmue.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

The best action RPG games like Shenmue

42 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.

#1Yakuza 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 →

#2Sea Dogs: To Each His Own

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 74%· 2.4KRAWG👍 92%· 24

Year 2016Dev BlackMark Studio · AkellaPlaytime ~5hOn PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings punishing difficulty, crafting mechanics and visual 3d, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam

#3Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

iRank87

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyHistoricalThird Person

Steam👍 90%· 76KIGDB84· 22OC84· 156

Year 2017Dev Ninja TheoryOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and setting mythology, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 25KIGDB73· 14OC71· 168

Year 2020Dev Blindside Interactive · Deep SilverOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#5Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

iRank59

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldHistoricalFantasyExplorationLootSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 54%· 3.2KIGDB69· 6

Year 2012Dev Ubisoft Milan · Ubisoft Entertainment

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

≠ Stands apart with stealth mechanics and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

100

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 →

#7God of War II

100

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyHistoricalThird Person

Year 2009On PlayStation 3

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

#8The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

iRank65

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyHistoricalThird PersonMedieval

IGDB65· 2

Year 2002Dev Hypnos Entertainment · Electronic Arts

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

≠ Where it differs: brings setting medieval, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

#9Heavenly 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 →

#10Bayonetta 3

iRank87

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

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 →

#12Drakengard 3

iRank56

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloFantasyThird Person

IGDB56· 8

Year 2013Dev Access Games · Square EnixOn PlayStation 3

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

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

Details →

#13STAR WARS: The Force Unleashed II

iRank63

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeFantasyThird PersonSci-Fi

Steam👍 63%· 7.8KRAWG👍 66%· 573MC59IGDB65· 5

Year 2010Dev Aspyr Media · Disney InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#14Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition

iRank66

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeThird PersonDark

Steam👍 74%· 8.7KRAWG👍 55%· 404

Year 2014Dev Grasshopper Manufacture · Deep SilverPlaytime ~3hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam

#15Infamous 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 →

Complete list of action RPG games like Shenmue

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.