Shenmue I & II similar games & best alternatives
Shenmue I & II
2018
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Quick resume
SEGA®’s most requested re-release of all time finally comes to a new generation. Shenmue delivers an epic story of revenge within a unique open world that is still unrivalled in depth and detail. Return to the epic saga that defined modern gaming. The saga begins…again.
Global score
89/100
Genres
Action, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Similar games
Pros
- Immersive and detailed world
- Strong narrative and characters
- Innovative for its time
- Unique blend of exploration and combat
- Rich cultural atmosphere
Cons
- Slow pacing and waiting times
- Clunky controls and dated mechanics
- Repetitive tasks and minigames
- Some frustrating qtes
- Story progress gating by time
Motivations
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
4"Players have freedom to explore, choose dialogue options, and interact with NPCs at their own pace."
Seal World
"Players have freedom to explore, interact with NPCs, and choose how to spend their time, though story progression is gated by time and events."
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Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
2"Combat involves turn-based RPG mechanics with QTEs adding skill elements; some players find it easy and repetitive, but others appreciate the strategic depth and timing challenges."
WrestleQuest
"Combat and QTEs provide skill challenges, but much gameplay involves repetitive or slow-paced tasks."
-
Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-3"Focus is on personal story progression and exploration rather than player-vs-player or ranked competition."
Bloomtown: A Different Story
"Focus is on personal exploration and story; minimal competitive elements or player comparison."
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Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
3"Players often engage in long sessions due to the story-driven nature and emotional investment, though some find the pacing uneven."
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey
"Players often invest long hours and habitual play to experience the story and world, though some find pacing tedious."
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Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
-4"Gameplay centers on solo exploration and individual decision-making with limited or no multiplayer or cooperative elements."
BLACK SOULS II
"Gameplay centers on solo exploration and investigation with limited multiplayer or cooperative features."
-
Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
3"Players interact with many objects and explore detailed environments, but within predefined structures."
Infliction
"Players can interact with many objects and explore environments in detail, though within predefined structures."
-
Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-4"Interactions are generally respectful and cooperative; no emphasis on exerting power or superiority over others."
Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
"Interactions are generally respectful and balanced; no emphasis on exerting power over others."
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Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
4"Immersive narrative and world provide strong escape from real life through story and exploration."
Foretales
"Immersive world and story provide strong escape from real life through detailed simulation and narrative."
-
Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Players engage voluntarily driven by curiosity and intrinsic interest rather than obligation."
Hatoful Boyfriend
"Players engage voluntarily driven by curiosity and intrinsic interest rather than obligation."
-
Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
2"Players explore different areas and mechanics, though gameplay loop is simple and somewhat repetitive."
Lost Nova
"Players explore and discover clues and secrets, though some gameplay loops are repetitive and routine."
-
Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
4"Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, secrets, lore, and interacting with diverse NPCs."
Judero
"Strong emphasis on discovering new areas, NPC routines, and hidden items in detailed environments."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
2"Some character customization via items and upgrades, but mostly standardized presentation."
Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils
"Some character customization and collection elements, but mostly standardized presentation."
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Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
-3"Set in a realistic 1990s Japanese town with plausible scenarios and grounded characters."
Dōkyūsei: Bangin' Summer
"Grounded in realistic 1980s Japan and China settings with plausible story and daily life simulation."
-
Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
-3"Focus on individual experience and story; limited social interaction or community involvement."
Voices from the Sea
"Focus on individual experience and story; limited social or community features."
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Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
3"Players develop skills and progress through story and combat abilities."
Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003)
"Players develop skills in combat and investigation, and progress through story and character development."
-
Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-4"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
Supraland Six Inches Under
"Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
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Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
4"Gameplay involves significant waiting and slow movement, encouraging a relaxed, contemplative pace."
moon: Remix RPG Adventure
"Gameplay involves waiting for in-game time to pass and engaging in low-intensity activities."
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Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
-3"Interactions are mostly surface-level with NPCs; no deep emotional or social bonding."
Cloudpunk
"Interactions with NPCs are mostly surface-level and functional rather than emotionally intimate."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-4"No leadership or management roles; player follows a linear story and supports NPCs."
Wandersong
"Player follows story and NPC schedules without leading or managing others."
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Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Players accumulate items, stats, and story progress through choices and dice rolls."
Fighting Fantasy Classics
"Players accumulate moves, items, and story progress, though some resets occur between games."
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Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
3"Calm pacing with ambient music and story-driven flow provides a relaxing experience despite some slow moments."
Asbury Pines
"Slow pacing and ambient world create a relaxing, immersive experience despite some tedious parts."
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Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
2"Visual and auditory effects provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are simple and functional."
Battle Fleet 2
"Visual and auditory details provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are dated."
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Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-4"Achievements and progress are personal with minimal social recognition or status elements."
Arboria
"Achievements and progress are personal; minimal social recognition or status elements."
-
Story
Game with the same Story vibe
5"Strong narrative focus with immersive storytelling and character development."
The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales
"Strong narrative focus with immersive storytelling and character development."
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Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
2"Combat and investigation require planning, tactical thinking, and problem solving, though some mechanics are straightforward."
Judgment
"Investigation and combat require some planning and problem solving, though often straightforward."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
-2"Gameplay is generally controlled and predictable with limited suspense or risk."
Train Simulator Classic
"Gameplay is mostly controlled and predictable with limited suspense or risk."
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Value
Game with the same Value vibe
3"Players perceive good value through extensive content, replayability, and unique narrative experience."
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
"Players perceive good value through rich content, story, and unique experience."
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Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-2"Combat exists but is mild and not emphasized; game focuses more on building and exploration."
Voyagers of Nera
"Combat exists but is limited and less emphasized compared to exploration and story."
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Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
-3"Game operates in stable conditions with minimal threat or failure consequences."
Rune Factory 5
"Game operates in stable conditions with minimal threat or resource management."
Analysis
A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Idle, Thrill, Violence, Survival. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.
Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.
Where to buy
Last update: 30/04/2026