Game Informer - One of the more polarizing games on the Sega Dreamcast was 2000's Shenmue. Directed by Yu Suzuki, this story-heavy action adventure title attracted many gamers but turned others off. With its slow pace, some grew tired of talking to random townspeople, participating in tedious side activities, and somewhat stiff combat. While that may be the case for some, the game has its share of fans at the Game Informer office. We decided to take a look back to see how it held up after a dozen years.
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 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.
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 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
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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
Shenmue = Epic! Best game ever!! Every game that i have played this generation has not even come close to the experience that I had playing Shenmue 1/2. Hopefully some day we will see Shenmue 3.
One of my favorite games EVER, want more!!!
Greatest games ever!!! No game grabbed me like the Shenmue series
Greatest games ever!!!
never played the game yet I wish the make HD remake of the first two.