It’s 2026, and my obsession with FX’s Shōgun hasn’t faded one bit. That Hulu miniseries, with Hiroyuki Sanada’s magnetic Toranaga, transported me straight to the heart of feudal Japan. I needed more — more political intrigue, more katana clashes, more of that thick, atmospheric tension. So, naturally, I turned to gaming. Over the past few years, I’ve dug deep into some incredible historical (and sometimes supernatural) experiences that scratch the exact same itch. If you’re still craving that Shōgun energy in 2026, these are the games you absolutely need to play.

Actually, the very first adaptation of Clavell’s novel was a video game. Way back in 1986, James Clavell’s Shogun hit DOS and Commodore 64. I tracked down a copy out of pure curiosity. It’s a hardcore retro adventure where you pick one of 20 characters from the book and try to become shōgun. You navigate static screens, collect items, build followers, and fight bandits. Is it crude by 2026 standards? Oh, absolutely. But there’s a charm in its pixelated simplicity — a direct, unfiltered connection to the source material that nothing else offers.

If bouncing between cassette-loading screens feels a bit too ancient, you can modernize your feudal fix with Like a Dragon: Ishin! This is the game I’ve sunk the most hours into recently. You play as Ryōma Sakamoto, a samurai seeking revenge in 1860s Kyōto (then simply Kyō). It’s essentially a Yakuza game wrapped in a bakumatsu-era kimono. I’ve lost entire evenings dueling in the streets, dancing with geishas, and clearing out bandit-infested dungeons for the Shinsengumi. The four fighting styles keep combat fresh, and the story hits all the right notes of honor and betrayal. RGG Studio gave it a glorious remake for PS5, and in 2026, it still looks sharp.

For a more cinematic, emotionally devastating experience, I always return to Ghost of Tsushima. Set during the Mongol invasion of 1274, it predates the Sengoku period, but the ethos is pure Shōgun. Jin Sakai’s internal struggle — honor vs. survival — mirrors Blackthorne’s cultural clashes. I remember the first time I stood in a duel beneath a blood-red maple tree, rain plastering my armor, and realized no game had made me feel so present in a historical moment. Even years after its release, the island of Tsushima feels alive, and the fact that the real Tsushima made the directors tourism ambassadors says everything. The only downside? After the main story, the side activities feel a touch thin. But that campaign… chef’s kiss. 🎮

Now, not every game needs to stick to historical realism. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes the Sengoku era and injects it with myth and brutality. I’ll be honest: it broke me. Playing as the shinobi Wolf, you protect a divine heir, master lightning-paced parries, and die. A lot. But the satisfaction of finally toppling Genichiro? Unmatched. The stealth mechanics reward patient players, letting you shinobi-deathblow your way through entire sections. Even in 2026, it remains a high-water mark for action games — just be prepared to carve the phrase “Hesitation is defeat” into your skull.

I also have to mention Trek to Yomi, a side-scrolling love letter to Akira Kurosawa films. You play Hiroki, a swordsman already dead and battling through the underworld. The black-and-white cinematography, grainy film effect, and fixed camera angles made me feel like I was controlling a lost Kurosawa scene. It’s short, poetic, and a beautiful curiosity. When I needed a break from 80-hour epics, this one delivered a concentrated dose of samurai tragedy.

On the strategy front, I’ve spent countless nights glued to Total War: Shogun 2. Even as late as 2026, its turn-based campaign map and real-time tactical battles feel timeless. You pick a clan, manage diplomacy, conquer provinces, and trigger epic field battles. I always end up roleplaying as Tokugawa Ieyasu, carefully building alliances before betraying everyone — very Shōgun. The unit variety, from ashigaru to warrior monks, and the necessity to master terrain, makes every victory feel earned.

And let’s not overlook Shadow Tactics: Blade of the Shogun, a stealth-strategy gem. You control a squad of five specialists — a sniper, a samurai, a thief, a geisha spy, and a trapper — to infiltrate heavily guarded castles. One wrong move and the alarm sounds; then it’s a quick death. I love planning multi-step sequences: Hayato distracts a guard with a rock, Yuki sets a trap, Aiko goes in disguise for the finisher. It’s like a samurai version of a heist movie, and completely absorbing.

Finally, the Nioh Collection deserves a spot because it directly ties into the William Adams story. Nioh 1 and 2 add yōkai and soul-core abilities to the historical template. You play as an Irish sailor (yes, William Adams again) and later a half-yōkai warrior, teaming up with Tokugawa Ieyasu. It’s brutally difficult, but I found its depth addictive. The stance-switching combat, loot system, and grotesque boss designs kept me hooked for hundreds of hours. If you finish Shōgun wanting a darker, supernatural twist on that history, Nioh is waiting.

So, whether you’re a retro junkie, a samurai cinema buff, or a strategy mastermind, there’s a feudal Japan game for you. In 2026, these titles remain the definitive way to live out your Shōgun fantasy — until the next masterpiece arrives. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a shogunate to topple.