The author wonders how a high-definition remake or remaster of the original Shenmue would hold up by today's standards.
Yu Suzuki's Historic Video Game Project Changed the World On December 29th, 1999, twenty-two years ago, the opening chapter of Yu Suzuki’s Shenmue was released in its native Japan. Released by Sega Enterprises at the time, Shenmue was a game world built like no other.
The first two games were ahead of its time. Too bad that the third game stuck in time with things that didn't work anymore, and didn't include a lot of things that became expected from open world games since the first games were released. It even added some baffling and horrible mechanics like the stamina that doubles as HP, and goes down as you run around.
This without even mentioning that that third game, plot-wise, was basically a filler.
I like Shenmue 3, but the stamina bar was a horrible move. I'm shocked that they thought fans would like it. I wasn't a fan of fishing (I hate fishing mini games) or collecting herbs either. I also hated how Ryo was so easily beaten by thugs after all of the training he went through. Ryo felt weaker in Shenmue 3 than he did in Shenmue 1. The saddest part was not including throw moves, that is just a weird thing to leave out of a game where throwing moves feature so heavily in the first two. I would still rate it 7/10 though, nothing special, but enjoyable enough and I'm happy it was made after so many years of waiting.
Shenmue 1 and 2 are special games though. Shenmue 1 is my favourite, it's not as big as Shenmue 2, but I like that. It's a game I never like completing because you get so comfortable and immersed with the world.
Loved Shenmue 1 and 2, but I never bothered with 3 as I was deeply invested in the Yakuza games (superior to Shenmue in every way IMO) by the time it came out.
I did like the first most, as it had the most detail and smaller scale and adventure was quite fun and new for me, second one was okay too but didn't like it as much and I haven't really had the strenght to consentrate on third one especially knowing that it basically doesn't finish the story and it feels more clumsy than I would like.
I put in WAAAYY more hours on Shenmue part 1 than 2. I was blown away by the detail of the world. There was literally nothing like it. For an action game, Shenmue 2 was better. The plot moved along a lot faster due to it covering so many chapters.
Training wasn't as big a focus in the second game. It actually annoyed me at first that I couldn't find anywhere to train. I was still in the part 1 mindset, training wasn't as imperative as it was in part 1.
So many games have borrowed from Shenmue, it's a shame the buying gaming public didn't support such an incredible achievement of the day.
Shenmue as a series has had a tortured existence and it's pretty sad.
Shenmue was a true watershed moment in gaming. There were just so many elements that even if they did not originate with the series, they were refined, tweaked and combined in a way that was never done before. For the era this was released in it was mind blowing at the freedom, density, and depth you were given in the game world. Couple that with a beautiful OST, cutting edge graphics and deep fighting system and it was really something special. very few games have ever captured my attention like it to this day. the third game has its faults and is not nearly as ambitious but a lot has changed since the first game was released. Shenmue 3 in truth simply existing was an undertaking, though I do hope that Yu Suzuki is given a chance at making Shenmue 4.
The 1st and 2nd were truly special games especially if you played them when they were released. It just was fresh and unique. I tried to get into the 3rd one but I just couldn't. I will give it another try at some point because of the story, but I just wan't a fan of the setting. I think if it had taken place in a city like Hong Kong or something other than the country side I'd probably be more drawn to it.
As Shenmue 2 celebrates its 20th anniversary, let’s look back on how it made Yakuza possible.
I prefer Shenmue, but I am happy we have both. I don't like the constant comparisons between the two though. Anybody that likes and plays both of them enough can tell that they are very different games. There really aren't many similarities.
I always felt that Yakuza was the spiriual successor to Shenmue or the natural evolution of Shenmue.
The settings of a Yakuza or a very Japanese-oriented story.
The open-world element with restaurants, convenience stores, and arcades.
Playing arcade games like Space-Harrier and Hang-on (is it me or Space Harrier is always there)
Collecting toy capsule
"...natural evolution of Shenmue." No. While it is very tempting to get to this conclusion, this is incorrect. In fact, while Yakuza have refined some aspects (fighting, controls, etc.) that where present in Shenmue, the reality is that Shenmue is still the more advance and ambitious game when it comes to its gameplay systems and presentation.
In Shenmue, NPC's had routines, there was a day/night cycle, stores would actually close, there was a weather system in place, etc. Shenmue was not trying to pretend to be a slice of life but actually let you play a slice of life.
I understand it might seem insignificant to most, but it makes a huge difference and thus is makes for a vastly different experience than Yakuza.
Music is a crucial component to virtually every game. Here are six titles that do it right
Music is key it's the most memorable aspect for me over visuals etc. Thunderforce IV on the Mega drive..........
My favorite videogame soundtrack to this day is Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. When they added themes from that game to the 3DS best believe they stayed on my system. Lol
Has anyone asked
when will they make a Shenmue game for this Gen"
Some of the mechanics and the English voice acting may not hold up so well, but I think with enough hi-res textures, the visuals and art could hold up very well.
Shenmue has some of the most beautiful art and detailed environments in any game. There's nothing to lose from at least bringing out the games in HD, someone just needs to make it happen.
Shenmue will need to be remade from scratch. 3-5 million polygons on screen, 8-16 bit textures normally don't translate well in 1080P.
Shenmue 1080P
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Here's a better video
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Whatever it needs it needs to be made.
How would it hold up?
Clunky controls
Characters pop-in all the time(not sure if they can make it not do that)
low res textures
constant load times
terrible voice acting
The things that were innovative back then are just normal right now.
QTE, collecting items, random mini games, open-world(?), voice acting, motion capture(?), RPG(Stat) elements, active time, weather system.
Probably the only people who are going to play it is the fans and the people who are curious about what the hell this shenmue is.
Now before I get attacked by Shenmue fans. I would like to say that I would still buy this game even if its 2-3 times retail.