6 Simulation games like Shenmue that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Shenmue down to the 6 that fit the “Simulation” category. Yakuza 4, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and Maneater top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Shenmue.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

The best simulation games like Shenmue

6 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

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#2Hellblade: 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

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Steam Epic Xbox

#4NieR

iRank69

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldHistoricalExplorationThird Person

IGDB69· 4

Year 2010Dev Cavia · Square EnixOn Xbox · PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: shooter, third-person shooting and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 72%· 727RAWG👍 57%· 51MC71IGDB70· 1

Year 2005Dev EgosoftPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: setting space, setting scifi and resource management, while skipping action RPG combat

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreThird-Person ARPG

SoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 72%· 727RAWG👍 57%· 51MC71IGDB70· 1

Year 2005Dev EgosoftPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of third-person Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: setting space, setting scifi and resource management, while skipping action RPG combat

Details →

Steam GOG

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