Games Like The friends of Ringo Ishikawa

Seiji Maruyama is a middle-aged yakuza recently released from prison. Known as "Gozuki" (one of the demon generals from Buddhist mythology) he is the power that his oyabun counts on. But there is one thing his aniki is not taking into account: Maruyama is getting old.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 22%, Martial Arts 18.3% ★, Side Scroller 8.9%, Open World 6.9%, Sandbox 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by the same creator, this game perfectly captures the same melancholic, open-world, and beat-em-up aesthetic.

Hitman is searching for an answer in France 70-s.

Why similar: Drama 20.7%, Retro 19.1%, Pixel Graphics 17%, RPG 13%, Atmospheric 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Another title from the same developer that shares the distinct atmospheric, retro-inspired combat and existential tone.

NIGHT IN THE WOODS is an adventure game focused on exploration, story, and character, featuring dozens of characters to meet and lots to do across a lush, vibrant world.

Why similar: Story Rich 31.3%, Atmospheric 20.7%, Exploration 16.8%, Adventure 14.3%, 2D 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same feeling of aimless, existential youth and the importance of friendship in a small-town setting.

A magical adventure about two high school sweethearts set at the end of their school days - and the end of the world. Explore a crumbling town and help friends face their inner demons, which could be the key to stopping reality itself disintegrating. And don’t forget to pet the cats.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 23%, Story Rich 18.8%, Anime 14.3%, Atmospheric 10.8%, Action-Adventure 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, emotional slice-of-life narrative set in the 1990s that shares the seed game's melancholic pixel-art charm.

Explore a strange world full of colorful friends and foes. When the time comes, the path you’ve chosen will determine your fate... and perhaps the fate of others as well.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 27.8%, Story Rich 26%, RPG 19.1%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Anime 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional, pixel-art narrative that explores themes of friendship, trauma, and the passage of time.

A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.

Why similar: Anime 32.6%, Story Rich 30.3%, RPG 27.7%, Adventure 5.2%, Singleplayer 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive high school life-sim that balances social relationships with urban exploration and combat.

Face off against the most powerful yakuza in the Kansai region of Japan in an explosive conflict between rival clans, loaded with brutal brawling action, immersive exploration, and unforgettable experiences.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 26.8%, Martial Arts 14.4% ★, RPG 10.7%, Open World 9.2%, Action RPG 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Provides an excellent open-world city experience with deep combat systems and strong narrative beats.

Part 1 of arcade epic 198X. A coming-of-age story told through multiple games and genres. Experience the thrill of shooting, driving, jumping, fighting and role-playing in 5 full-blown arcade stages – combined with cinematic pixel-art storytelling.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 34.5%, 1980s 25.7%, Retro 22.3%, Pixel Graphics 15.1%, 2D 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: Captures the nostalgic, retro aesthetic and the feeling of youth searching for meaning through arcade culture.

Welcome to the charming world of Eastward - population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown…

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 21.6%, Action RPG 19.5%, Story Rich 14.3%, RPG 13.8%, Atmospheric 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Features stunning pixel-art and a character-driven narrative that emphasizes exploration and world-building.

California, 1986: A group of friends discover a mysterious pink stone that allows travel between two realms. This gang will live the summer of their lives in an adventure that will get them involved in a government conspiracy. Control five kids with special skills while fighting and solving puzzles.

Why similar: 1980s 32.8%, Pixel Graphics 27%, Retro 13.7%, Adventure 8.3%, Action 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A nostalgic adventure game that focuses on a group of friends and their shared experiences in a retro setting.

Get ready for a Yakuza experience of unprecedented scale! Follow five characters across five Japanese cities, each trying to achieve their dream. The connections between them bring them together, but the conflict that unfolds is nothing any of them could have predicted.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 35.3%, Open World 14.2%, Drama 10.5%, Action RPG 9.2%, Action 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Offers an expansive city life experience with multiple perspectives and deep, satisfying combat.

Bully tells the story of mischievous 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins as he goes through the hilarity and awkwardness of adolescence. Beat the jocks at dodge ball, play pranks on the preppies, save the nerds, kiss the girl and navigate the social hierarchy in the worst school around.

Why similar: Open World 45.4%, Action 11.8%, Sandbox 10.3%, Adventure 9.2%, Story Rich 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the most direct experience of navigating school hierarchy and delinquency in an open-world environment.

Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.

Why similar: RPG 30.8%, Story Rich 26.4%, Atmospheric 17.6%, Exploration 14.9%, Adventure 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on existential dread and the struggle to survive in a harsh world, mirroring the seed game's tone.

Wandering Sword is a Chinese martial-arts RPG where you play a young swordsman caught up in a feud and nearly dies. Escaping the event puts you on the path of pursuing the highest form of martial arts and exploring the pugilistic world to become the great hero you are always destined to be.

Why similar: Martial Arts 41.5% ★, RPG 14%, Open World 12.1%, Pixel Graphics 10.7%, Drama 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: A martial arts RPG with beautiful pixel-art that emphasizes personal growth and narrative depth.

I Am The Hero is a pixel art, beat 'em up, fighting game that tells the story of a "Hero" with a glorious but mysterious past. Is he the hero he thinks he is or is there a another side to this legendary figure?

Why similar: Beat 'em up 46.5%, Pixel Graphics 14%, RPG 12.3%, Action 8.8%, Side Scroller 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, stylish 2D action game that emphasizes fluid combat and retro aesthetics.

The Legend of Tianding is a sidescrolling action game about Liao Tianding, the legendary Taiwanese Folk Hero. Explore the dazzling streets of Colonial Japanese Taiwan in the early 20th century.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 27.8%, Martial Arts 25.3% ★, Side Scroller 11.2%, RPG 10.1%, Anime 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features stylish martial arts combat and a historical narrative that feels grounded and impactful.

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 37.7%, Story Rich 22.5%, Retro 15.4%, Action 14.4%, 2D 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Combines fast-paced, stylish combat with a heavy, character-driven narrative and a distinct visual style.

There's trouble once again in River City, and this time only the girls can save the day! Using a variety of attacks, weapons, and items, these hot-blooded heroines are ready to teach the city’s lowlifes a lesson - either solo or in 2-player co-op! It’s an old-school rumble for a new generation!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 53.7%, Pixel Graphics 13.1%, Anime 10.1%, Retro 7.4%, Action 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A modern, stylish take on the school-gang beat-em-up genre with a strong focus on character personality.

Grab a backpack, boxing tape, and focus on what high school is all about: Beating the ever loving crap out of one another! Troublemaker blends favorite action-adventure-beat-'em-up elements from the strongest traditions in the genre.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 35.9%, Martial Arts 28.1% ★, Action RPG 12.3%, Sandbox 7.8%, Action-Adventure 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: A school-based beat-em-up that leans into the social and delinquent dynamics of high school life.

Step into Japan's criminal underworld in this explosive action brawler starring legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu, who is hellbent on unraveling the truth around his daughter's tragic accident.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 34.2%, Open World 14.9%, Action RPG 9.5%, Drama 9.4%, RPG 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the personal, emotional journey of its protagonist within a detailed urban setting.

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 34.5%, Story Rich 23.4%, Atmospheric 19.4%, Anime 19.2%, Singleplayer 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A low-stakes, atmospheric slice-of-life game that focuses on the quiet, personal stories of its characters.

When a dark secret brings a loan shark, a death-row inmate, a corrupt cop and the legendary yakuza Kazuma Kiryu together the resulting war in Kamurocho might level the district to the ground.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 35.6%, Open World 13.4%, Action RPG 10.1%, Drama 9.1%, Action 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: Adds significant depth to the urban exploration and combat loop, perfect for fans of the seed game's city-life focus.

Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

Why similar: Story Rich 55.3%, Atmospheric 24.8%, Adventure 11.3%, Singleplayer 4.9%, Action 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy experience that centers on the trials of youth and the emotional weight of choices.

Tokyo Xanadu eX+; a massive action RPG from the masters of the genre, Nihon Falcom! When high school student Kou Tokisaka encounters the nightmare realm known as the Eclipse, his world is forever changed.

Why similar: Action RPG 33.5%, RPG 24.9%, Anime 23.7%, Story Rich 9.8%, Action 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Blends high school life-sim elements with urban exploration and action-packed combat.

Discover the decadence and danger of 1980's Japan as you fight like hell through its neon-lit entertainment districts in the definitive edition of the action-adventure crime drama that created yakuza legends.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 25.8%, Martial Arts 11.5% ★, RPG 9.9%, Open World 8.4%, Drama 7.2%

Beat everyone in the school and save your beloved girlfriend in this anime-inspired Beat Em Up game!, as Sakura high calls for a new Hero. Will you answer the call and save her?

Why similar: Beat 'em up 38.6%, Side Scroller 14.8%, Retro 9.8%, Anime 9.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%

Dusk Diver is an anime style beat-em-up action game. You will be playing as Yumo, an ordinary high school girl, to fight with the Guardians against those Phantoms who dare to enter the realm of men.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 32.2%, RPG 26.3%, Action 15.5%, Anime 14.9%, Adventure 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: Combines urban exploration in a real-world city with anime-inspired combat and social elements.

A 2D side-scrolling pixel art action RPG featuring advanced AI companions that fight and move on their own. A heartfelt story about children’s daily lives and small adventures in a world of swords and magic.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 30.3%, Action RPG 13.5%, Side Scroller 12.8%, RPG 10.2%, Retro 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A party-based, pixel-art RPG that focuses on character interactions and a charming, grounded world.

The River City Girls are back! Misako, Kyoko, Kunio, and Riki - joined by newcomers Marian and Provie - hit the streets for an all-new beat-'em-up adventure! Team up for local or online co-op and explore a massive world packed with new abilities, enemies, locations, and more!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 30.9%, Martial Arts 16.1% ★, Action RPG 9.9%, RPG 8%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%

Path of Kung Fu is a Wuxia RPG that blends classic martial arts storytelling with open-world freedom. Master kung fu, navigate the Jianghu's bloody conflicts, and rise from a novice to a legendary hero. Subscribe to top-rated Workshop MODs to elevate your experience to the next level!

Why similar: Martial Arts 20.1% ★, Beat 'em up 19.7%, Open World 9.1%, Drama 8.5%, Action RPG 7.2%

KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it.

Why similar: Atmospheric 38.1%, Story Rich 27.6%, Adventure 26.3%, Exploration 5.1%, 2D 1.6%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric and surreal narrative experience that captures a similar sense of existential wandering.

An action/adventure game taking ques from both film-noir and samurai-drama's of old, "samurai_jazz" takes players on an adventure through an enigmatic city, engaging in sword-fights, encounters with mythological beings, and quirky dialog with the local inhabitants presented with a pseudo 8-bit style.

Why similar: Retro 29%, Pixel Graphics 21%, Action 19.3%, Adventure 15.4%, Anime 15.3%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, retro-style action game that prioritizes mood and style over complex mechanics.

ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 35.3%, Martial Arts 21.2% ★, Action RPG 10.9%, Open World 9.6%, Action 7.2%

Virtua Unlimited Project is a 2D pixel-art style ACT game featuring VTuber characters. With classical platformer gameplay, challenging combat, and retro game feelings, VUP presents you a surreal, virtual world in which you will play as Aizawa Kana to venture and seek the truth beneath.

Why similar: Action RPG 19.6%, Pixel Graphics 16.3%, Anime 13.9%, Action-Adventure 11%, RPG 10.9%

Spend a summer with an old high school classmate making games! Play and debug a 2D action RPG to make the best game ever.

Why similar: Action RPG 19.6%, Side Scroller 17.8%, Drama 13.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.4%, Action 8.9%

Unwind a 10 billion yen conspiracy in Tokyo's red-light district, fueled by your fists and unyielding resolve that will make you a legend.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 26.8%, Martial Arts 12.7% ★, RPG 10.9%, Open World 9.3%, Action RPG 8%

Meifumado is an action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic, immersive world inspired by Japan.

Why similar: Martial Arts 31% ★, Open World 13.7%, Action RPG 13.5%, RPG 10.4%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%

A nostalgic metroidvania from the good old days back in 19XX. Take on the role of Sean, a young boy who ventures into the fictional city of Arostia to repay his father's debt. Rescue your 3 friends from imprisonment, defeat strong enemies, all while getting your debt paid in time!

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 18.8%, 1980s 15.5%, Retro 13.7%, Action-Adventure 12.6%, Story Rich 12.3%

The story opens with a family massacre, telling the chaotic Wuxia world under the darkness, you will play a warrior, out of the family door, set foot on the heroic river lake road of chivalrousness, to save the Central plains of the wind and rain.

Why similar: RPG 16.2%, Martial Arts 13.3% ★, Action RPG 12.5%, Side Scroller 12%, Drama 9.9%

Join Kunio, Riki, Misako, and Kyoko for bone-crunching, 16-bit, co-op beat-'em-up action - newly translated and released outside of Japan after 28 years! The original 1994 graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay are augmented with new motion-comic cutscenes, a new animated intro, and new music!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 40.7%, Retro 14.2%, Drama 12.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%, Anime 9.7%

Take on the role of the martial arts master Hiro, Meilin, or Shin as they face off in a desperate fight for their lives against the Black Mantis clan. DOUBLE THE MAYHEM: Bring a friend and battle against ninjas, demons, and more in the 2-player local co-op mode of this action-adventure platformer.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 31.7%, Martial Arts 26.6% ★, Side Scroller 12.5%, RPG 7.5%, Pixel Graphics 6.9%

MAKE FRIENDS WITH GHOSTS

Why similar: RPG 23%, Pixel Graphics 19.3%, Retro 16.8%, Story Rich 11.7%, Exploration 10.7%

Hikikomori No Chuunibyou is a pseudo 8-bit platform-adventure game with beat-em-up, puzzle, and stealth elements. With its storytelling directing the player through open-ended levels, progression through each stage requires usage of parkour-like abilities and martial-arts techniques.

Why similar: Retro 32.8%, Pixel Graphics 25.4%, Action 23.3%, Adventure 18.5%

Don the clothes and weaponry of the elite to become the samurai of legend, Sakamoto Ryoma. Draw your blade and join the revolution in this heated historical adventure.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 42.8%, Action 10%, Martial Arts 9.2% ★, Action-Adventure 9%, Open World 8.6%

Shenmue III sees the eagerly anticipated continuation of the epic story-driven saga. Take control of Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist, determined to unravel the mystery behind his father's murder and to exact revenge on the killer.

Why similar: Martial Arts 39% ★, Open World 18.7%, Action 12.7%, Adventure 10.7%, Story Rich 8.2%

Bus Modification ARPG

Why similar: Beat 'em up 23.1%, RPG 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 17%, Open World 14.8%, Action RPG 11%

The true rebirth of iconic beat 'em up genre in vein of old-school video games! As a simple Chinese fisherman Wei Cheng you have to avenge the death of your friends and family slaughtered in a pirate raid at your peaceful village.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 33.3%, Martial Arts 27.4% ★, Side Scroller 11.7%, Retro 10.4%, Story Rich 8%

Himari was ambushed! Help her hold out as long as possible, attack enemies, use magic to slay them, maintain Himari’s health level, so she could fight on, and also do not miss!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 26.5%, Side Scroller 14.7%, Pixel Graphics 14.3%, Anime 13.1%, Retro 8.2%

In a world gone wild, there's only one animal man enough to put his foot down!Join Frebb's small clique of reluctant "friends" as they rumble, tumble, and action-platform their way through the craziest journey of the year!

Why similar: Side Scroller 28.5%, Story Rich 14.9%, Anime 14.7%, Pixel Graphics 14%, Action 8.8%

Relive your school days in 3D, where old school graphics bring back timeless fun! Create your own star student and attend a schedule full of classes in time to gather the knowledge you need to thrive, while an equally important popularity contest challenges you survive...

Why similar: Open World 52.8%, RPG 20.2%, Adventure 14.2%, Action 12.8%

As a vow to his dying Master, the young swordsman Hiroki is sworn to protect his town and the people he loves against all threats. Faced with tragedy and bound to duty, the lone samurai must voyage beyond life and death to confront himself and decide his path forward.

Why similar: Martial Arts 29.4% ★, Side Scroller 17.2%, Drama 14.6%, Story Rich 8.6%, Action-Adventure 8.6%

The Takeover is a side-scrolling beat'em up inspired by 90's classics such as Streets of Rage and Final Fight. Battle solo or alongside a friend in local co-op while listening to awesome tunes from Little V Mills, Richie Branson, James Ronald and industry legend Yuzo Koshiro!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 73.6%, Side Scroller 9.8%, Retro 9%, Action 6.1%, Adventure 1.5%

Ringlorn Saga is an adventure RPG inspired by the Japanese PC classics. Prince Gerhard the Brave embarks on a journey to the neighboring land to investigate the appearance of a magic barrier and his father's disappearance.

Why similar: Action RPG 18.8%, Open World 16.1%, RPG 12.9%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Action-Adventure 9.9%

Get wrecked in this immature grown-up RPG about a trio of troublemakers stumbling their way through a giant mecha tournament. Repair and upgrade the team’s hand-me-down rig, pick up odd jobs to pay the bills, and battle the best-of-the-best all while running from the regrettable choices of the past.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 28.6%, Story Rich 19.2%, RPG 18%, Anime 17.4%, 2D 8.4%

A modern-day JRPG that imagines a world of war. Overcome language barriers, forge unlikely friendships, and find hope amidst conflict.

Why similar: Drama 25.2%, Anime 17%, Story Rich 16.5%, RPG 16%, Pixel Graphics 15.7%

A game in which you really look like the main character!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 62.9%, Adventure 12.4%, Anime 11.3%, Story Rich 6.8%, 2D 5.5%

Embody a hard-boiled detective seeking bloody justice. in an old-school, Korean-style beat-’em-up. Plow through the criminal underworld to find and punish those responsible for his sister's death...before his mind unravels and his vengeance completely destroys him.

Why similar: Beat 'em up 34.6%, Martial Arts 19.7% ★, Side Scroller 13%, Pixel Graphics 10.3%, Action RPG 9%

Banchou Tactics is a strategy turn based role-playing game in the Japanese Gangster High School

Why similar: Martial Arts 42.8% ★, Beat 'em up 31%, Pixel Graphics 14.7%, Anime 10.4%, Singleplayer 1.2%