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Re: QTE Champ! [XBLI]

Hi,

I'm the creator of QTE Champ on XBLIG. I was googling around to see what the general feedback was and found my way here (I've visited the site plenty of times, just never the forums). The first thing I want to do is thank you for finding my game and sharing it with everyone else. The second thing is to tell you that the gameplay video on YouTube that you linked to wasn't uploaded by me so I had no hand in deleting any comments and I'm sorry yours was deleted. I support whatever people have to say about the game positive or negative because all thoughtful feedback is equally valid in my book.

Okay, with that said, let me give a quick blurb about why QTE Champ exists. The game is very obviously Shenmue's QTE Excite 2 arcade game -- and that's exactly what was intended! Back when I had my Dreamcast, I was addicted to both the QTE games in the arcade and for the longest time I wished there was a stand-alone version so that I could play them without starting Shenmue, walking to the arcade, and spending my in-game money. After years of wanting it, I finally just went ahead and made it myself. My hope was that this would bring other fans of the original mini-game like me out from hiding :-)

Every comment that I've seen on the YouTube video so far seems pretty positive and it makes me happy that the game clicked with the intended audience. Also, don't worry about purchasing the full game because I'm going to give you a download code for it. Just PM me so that I at least know this post was seen and read and I'll sent it to you. I also added you on Xbox Live.

Again, thanks for sharing the game with everyone. If you all have any questions let me know.

mseifullah
Hamworks

Edit: Went back and fixed tyops and grammar mistakes -- I originally wrote this post on a tablet.
by mseifullah
Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:16 am
 
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Re:

Bluecast wrote:I boycott the whole idea of saying "I'm leaving" I'm back"

Just freaking go and shut up and when ready come back and post as normal.

Otherwise it's lame. IMO


Fucking lol
by QWERTY
Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:58 am
 
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Re: Things that pissed you off

Dentist bills.
by Sailors?
Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:07 am
 
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Re: Bays TMNT --- They come from space

No Turtles film can be done "right" coz of how many different iterations there are. The comic version's fuckin shite with too much outer-space, aliens, and interstellar technological crap. The original cartoon was funny, but had no real substance. The Next Mutation was awful. Films were at least entertaining, and the 03 cartoon was gettin it right til it followed the comics into outer space.

The Turtles are beyond saving, despite any faithful remakes or total reboots, coz nobody has a concrete idea of what the Turtles is. They know who the characters are, but aside from the 80s cartoon intro and TMNT vs Shredder, nobody knows their story. Coz they don't have an interesting one aside from that. And what's the point in constantly rehashing the whole "let's defeat the foot and the Shredder, now let's discover our origin story" over and over and over again?

...and I still reckon fanboys were bleedin from their minges about Bay. He was producing, Eastman or Laird were writing the script, and someone else was directing. If anything, Bay would be the most reliable member of staff there, coz the original Turtles writers were god awful.
by MiTT3NZ
Fri Aug 31, 2012 9:44 am
 
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Re: AVATARS AND SIGS

No offense guys but all of this is getting slightly pathetic. I guess things haven't really cooled down that much... As I said in another topic. It's like some bitterness hanging around which wasn't there before.


Everything/everyone has cooled down except for one person. The drama and rows that plagued these boards for so long had ceased, except for one person (who ironically said that they left because of all the drama. Coincidence?? I think not!). Either way, this place as a community will survive, and we will do our utmost to make sure that's so. The community is bigger than 1 Shenmue fan, or 1 person. So if this person has no place within the community, then we will ensure that they are not welcome here to take part.


One last thing, well done to Henry for handling this tonight. The word "Thanks" doesn't get used often enough on these boards, except outside of a button. But he handled tonight extremely well, with the skills he was selected to be a moderator. Hats off dude =D>
by Peter
Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:43 pm
 
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Re: AVATARS AND SIGS

No offense guys but all of this is getting slightly pathetic. I guess things haven't really cooled down that much... As I said in another topic. It's like some bitterness hanging around which wasn't there before.
by ys
Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:08 pm
 
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Re: Hitman Series

My video game discussions nowadays usually take place on the comment sections on xbox360achievements.org. I'll revert back to the Dojo just for you though.
by MiTT3NZ
Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:44 am
 
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You are not authorised to read this forum.
by Guest
 
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Re: Nights Into Dreams HD

Who Really Cares? wrote:Yeah i mean really what the hell was that! Nights was better kept a mute


Same with Sonic. SEGA are unparalleled in their constant unintentional endeavour to ruin their franchises. Cunts.
by QWERTY
Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:11 am
 
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Re: Favorite Anime Opening/Ending Songs

Not an opening or closing tune but this is my favourite piece of anime music by far.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArsV7AFZBHY[/youtube]
by QWERTY
Sun Sep 02, 2012 7:09 am
 
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Re: Gaming thoughts of the day

Honestly Dorian you say you don't complain about everything but since you came back a day or two ago all you have done is complain about games. Even Yakuza you said you like but have said about 20 times that it's unplayable. FFS give it a rest. If you don't like a game fair enough state your case but every time there is a new trailer or someone says something we don't need to hear it again.
by Riku Rose
Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:29 pm
 
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Re: soccer

Reminds me of someone :lol:
by Peter
Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:52 am
 
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Shenmue I & II Synthesia Remixes

From Youtube member "Mike9571706" has uploaded synth remixes of some Shenmue and Shenmue II tracks. I have to say, i not only enjoy listening to them, but also watching the videos :lol:

Shenmue Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDUYkg_RqLM


Shenmue Theme (alternate)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hDyBeDuQSk


Nozomis Theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvkuE41r_5Q


Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zph29fJq2uk


Daily Agony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyTf-N7E5TQ


Morning Fog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbVf2hV8l8U


Eternity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIyLXQiGb5g


Earth and Sea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38ln6bdv-aA


Tomato Convenience Store

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVJKP_2kH_M


Queen Street (day)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfPtdvaYP74


Green Market Qtr. (night)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAH3XxLMwI


Man Mo China Shop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt0JmXFlzlM


Man Mo Bar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFhtpTd336w


Heads or Tails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8TruA1mXsA
by Peter
Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:59 pm
 
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Re: Random Thoughts! v2.0

Like to think of it more as cleaning up a lot of mess left by the last administration happy
by Peter
Thu Sep 06, 2012 2:40 pm
 
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Re: Yakuza series

Fucking christ, how much can two people go on and on about whether something looks prettier or not? I skipped the rest after the fifth post in a row.

Regardless, I'm kind of siding with Dorian on this; it isn't a huge improvement from a strictly visual standpoint, at least not in the battle gameplay shots. The shots from movie scenes look incredible though. The facial detail on certain characters is nuts.
Chances are that the change in graphics engine wasn't done just to make everything prettier though, but rather to allow more on-screen at once without slowdown, as well as being able to render larger cities in larger detail all at once. The technical stuff basically, rather than the aesthetic surface stuff.
by OL
Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:52 am
 
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Re: Yakuza series

Yea but they're pretty much arguing semantics. At the end of the day the game looks a lot better, a lot of work got put into it, will likely play much smoother and we'll all (or atleast most of us) will be very happy with the game. It doesn't matter what anyone is calling it, be it "reworking" or "redefining" we'll all STFU and buy it when it comes out.
by Segata Sanshiro Jr.
Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:00 am
 
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Shenmue featured on Modern Marvels

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4rx3F9_NS4[/youtube]

Starts around the 6:20 mark.
by Crimson Ryan
Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:45 pm
 
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Re: ComplexGameing's top 50 Dreamcast games

Huh.
So the top Dreamcast game is a licensed fighter which isn't even exclusive to the Dreamcast.
:roll:
Yeah, sure, that's what comes to mind when I think of the DC. Uh huh.
Never mind the detail-oriented, open-environment 80s revenge story, the cel-shaded rollerblading grafitti simulator, the sky pirate-themed Sega-developed RPG, or the over-the-top arcade-style taxicab racing game.
No, none of those come to mind when I think of the Dreamcast.
Just Capcom and their 579th fighting game to be released in a single decade.
Yessiree.

Some great games on there, but the order is ridiculous.
by OL
Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:50 am
 
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Re: Post a PM

Stop spam!
Sent: Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:48 am
From: DennieeAdamz

Your computer was noticed in email spam. It is quite possible that it is a part of botnet (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet). Strongly recommend you to scan your computer for malware. You can do it online at: http://total-scan.org/spammers/lavrentis
Please, follow this. Otherwise I have to send abuse mail to your ISP with all the ensuing consequences.
Truly yours, Dennis Adams.
by lavrentis
Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:05 pm
 
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Re: Something Cool you saw today

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m3-xw_BOwo[/youtube]
by Martin
Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:59 am
 
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Re: Things That Made You Laugh Today

http://i.imgur.com/j5H16.gif http://i.imgur.com/MYGyH.gif
http://i.imgur.com/eomok.gif http://i.imgur.com/jE4KF.gif
http://i.imgur.com/mAtD5.gif http://i.imgur.com/EhSUN.gif
http://i.imgur.com/sklCy.gif http://i.imgur.com/9JyHn.gif
by Dorian
Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:08 am
 
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Re: Anti-jokes

A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
by Riku Rose
Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:08 am
 
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Re: Shenmue Collections

SHENMUE HOODIE

Image


(Should note that i bought 2. One for collecting, and another from Ryan for wearing)
by Peter
Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:10 pm
 
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Re: Post a PM

A PM I sent to Riku asking if he could add it to the Dojo Wiki :lol:
Crimson Ryan wrote:Image
One of OL's many game reviews
by Crimson Ryan
Sat Sep 08, 2012 3:15 pm
 
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Re: Celebritys You Look Like

Crimson Ryan wrote: The many faces of Crimson Ryan..
Image


Image
by Riku Rose
Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:12 am
 
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Re: The Dark Knight Rises

Super Cafe's brilliant. "Because I'm Batman!"
by MiTT3NZ
Sat Sep 08, 2012 4:52 pm
 
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Re: Crimson Dragon [Project Draco]

This is making me wanna go home and fire up PDS (always feel a sense of pride knowing i own a copy)
by Peter
Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:37 am
 
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Re: Shenmue 1080p

Yeah, i need to let it go :lol:

this is the render used in ziming's music video

Image
by wude
Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:23 am
 
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Re: Random Thoughts! v2.0

ah shit I missed the debate, but I'll just add my 2 cents anyway, mitts has a point if a common gay family adapt a child, of course there will be little problems if they are upper class and can afford to send their children to good rated private schools but for the working/poorer classes that would be a huge handicap on the kid, public schools got so bad here that they were forced to install cameras in a great number of them and suicides over things a lot less important happen pretty often, and not to mention that gang culture is rampant in the poorer areas and they don't keep to themselves, they find any excuse they can to starts confrontations with people and this could mean abuse for the kid every time he goes out forcing him to avoid certain areas and people all the time, but again it really depends on what class they are from, especially here in London

This is the longest sentence ever created.
by QWERTY
Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:19 am
 
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Re: Shenmue in CryEngine

more like "what would shenmue look like with ugly textures and done by a person with no artistic style on cry engine"
by south carmain
Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:16 am
 
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Re: What Song Are You Listening To Now?

In For The Kill (Skreams Lets Get Ravey Remix) [Originally by La Roux]

Used in the Dredd 3D film trailer. Liked it so much bought it from Amazon for 69p.
by Crimson Ryan
Sun Sep 09, 2012 3:30 pm
 
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Re: Shenmue 1080p

Early morning delivaries

Image
by wdrpgwd
Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:45 pm
 
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Re: Things That Made You Laugh Today

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXvBg3ELYRI[/youtube]
by Brothaman
Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:00 am
 
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Re: Random Thoughts! v2.0

Also on a side note, i am so fucking uber pumped right now since i am on my way down to my parents house and i am gonna get my Dreamcast out of storage and get stuck into replaying Shenmue! It was just a bit too much, knowing that i couldnt play it one last time before leaving to go travelling! :D

Ah nice, enjoy! :D


Oh i will!!!! Just overwhelmed with nostalga right now!! Start off by watching the Project Berkley GDRom, then move onto Whats Shenmue, then Shenmue and finally Shenmue II. :D :D

BOOM!!!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j290/PeterC2005/20120911_201241.jpg
by Peter
Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:20 pm
 
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Re: soccer

In an attempt to release the boredom of his injured star players, and aware that idle hands do the devil's work, Ferguson gives all his players tasks to do. To one Wayne Rooney he tells him to go away while his leg gash heals and try and complete a jigsaw.

Late in the evening, about 10pm, a massively frustrated Rooney calls Ferguson exasperated and starts shouting "it's impossible, impossible, none of the pieces fit, it looks nothing like the picture and its too difficult, why did you ask me to do a jigsaw Mr Ferguson, Why? Why?"

Ferguson, clearly worried he's somehow wound up his star striker, goes round to Rooney's and finds him sitting at the table, red-faced, breathing heavily, clearly on the verge of another explosive fit of rage.

Ferguson calmly asks: "What's the jigsaw of then Wayne?"

"It's meant to be a cockerel," Wayne snaps back, almost in tears.

Fergie walks to the table and then rests his hand on Wayne's shoulder. "Come on lad," he says reassuringly, "let's get these cornflakes back in the box and get you to bed."
by QWERTY
Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:21 pm
 
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Re: Gaming Merchandise & Collections

I haven't thought about Double Dragon in the longest time... just doesn't get mentioned enough anymore.
A classic among classics though. Looks like an interesting little package there.

Preorder bonus for Rayman Origins at Best Buy, but I guess they had a surplus at my local store so they were selling them individually.
A mini blowup punching bag. Weighted at the bottom so it always stands up again.

http://oi48.tinypic.com/id6ltw.jpg
by OL
Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:00 pm
 
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Re: Your Favourite Theories

The one i remember is that Ryo fights all the way through the Chiyoumen HQ and finally gets to LanDi, but its where he learns that Lan Di was a puppet for the "Tentai" of the organisation. Lan Di realises that he was on the wrong side all along, and that he, like Ryo is fatherless. Together they take on the entire Chiyoumen Double Dragon style :lol:

I like the sound of that! I found my theory ! Basically, the theory was (fuck it, IS ) that Ryo is so emotionless because he was sexually-abused as a child by Iwao. It ends with Shenmue III starting as Ryo wakes from a dream to find his dad on top of him. The idea was to craft a theory that explained everything , if I remember.

It is my belief that the truth of Shenmue underlies the beautiful fecade of asian culture, and 1980s espionage. I believe that my theory explains anomalies/inconsistancies within the game, and it's storyline. You've definitely never heard a Shenmue theory quite like this one, so please open your minds, and consider these things (a closed mind is like a closed fist).

To begin with, let's consider the facts (every good theory starts with the facts). What do we have? A young man (Ryo Hazuki), avenging his fathers' (Iwao Hazuki) death, in 1980s Asia (Japan and China, thus far). Said young man embarks upon an adventure across a whole continent. From his little suburban paradice in a little Yokosuka culdesac, the the lush sweeping landscape of Guilin (thus far). It's an adventure, alright. However, I believe that there is more here than meets the eye.

Now, where do I start? I believe that Iwao was an extremely abusive father, who ruled the Hazuki household with an iron fist, ever since Ryo has known him (" Eat your FUCKING carrots! "), up to the day he was killed. Where do I get this idea from? Well, one look at Ryo should be enough. Any psychiatrist could take one look at Ryo, and tell you that he has some very deep-seated problems, stemming from an extremely troubled childhood (anything from mental, to extreme sexual abuse).

You can see it with the way he interects with the world around him. He clearly sees everything through a child's eyes. His sheer sense of wonder at picking random objects up, and scrutinizing them, is textbook child behavior. His fascination with toys is a more obvious example of this. Collecting capsule toys of SEGA games is something children do, and 18-year-old men do neither of the above.

You can also see it in the way he interects with others. Ryo never seems at ease with strangers, especially members of the opposite sex (even ones that he knows). He is often quite rude (unintentionally), and clearly doesn't know how to communicate, on a first-time basis. You don't just go up to complete strangers, asking " Excuse me, where can I find some sailors around here? ". Of course, we all know this, and would go about asking the same question very differently.

However, because of Ryo's troubled upbringing, he lacks communication skills for a person of his age. Where you or I would take time out to introduce ourselves, explain our plight (at least a little), and slowly introduce our question, so that it will not seem so worryingly obscure and random, Ryo happily blurts out all these weird and wonderful inquesitions just as they appear to him in his head. 18 year-olds do not act in this manner.

The juxtaposition of Ryo's 'quest' is also a part of my theory. If Ryo is determined enough not to let the sexual advances of gorgeous women get in the way of his mission (he could have at least kissed Nozomi, with tongues, on several occasions, and Joy asked him to stay at her apartment , obviously for sex), then how can things like arcades, capsule toy machines, arm-wrestling, darts (etc..) so easily distract him? Surely sex would be the top of any 18-year-old males' list? Not Ryo. Everything he does and says bleeds innosense.

What I am leading up to, is that Ryo clearly has the mental age of a child, brought about by severe physical, mental, and possibly even sexual abuse, at the hands of his father, Iwao. Sexual abuse? Notice how, not once, not ever does Ryo change his clothing. It's not because he's lazy, or that he doesn't believe in washing, or even simply that he is a slob. No. Ryo is afraid of nudity, specifically; being naked himself .

This irrational fear obvisouly inhibits his ability to wear fresh clothing everyday, and is (in my view) brought on by the sexual abuse he experianced as a child. He thinks, in that little immature mind of his, that if he never takes his clothes off, then daddy can't come into his room at night and sodomise him, whilst stroking his face and whispering " You're daddy's little boy, aren't you? ". He thinks that daddy will never be able to hurt him, ever again, if he doesn't get undressed. Doing so brings it all back.

Next on my 'hit-list' is Ryo's mother. Her 'death' fits in perfectly with my theory. I believe she was possibly murdered by Iwao, or left him for another man. Iwao, being the extremely abusive, and probably sexualy distant man that he was, drove his wife to the brink of dispair. For, how can you maintain a loving relationship with a man who not only physically abuses you, but is also non-existant in the bedroom? She couldn't, and left for China (where she almost certainly came from, judging by her belongings in the basement). Either of the above would fit. I'm in two minds of which is the correct version of events, so I mentioned both possibilities.

Now we must consider Ine-san and Fuku-san. They are like polar opposites, both to each other, and to Ryo. Ine-san is the very image of a broken woman. For many years she has lived under constant fear of the master of the house, and has probably been the victim/witness of many beatings, assaults, and general Hazuki household nastiness. She was no doubt the individual charged with the task of explaining away Ryo's odd behavior and physical injuries to his mother. Ryo pities her, and sees her as a maturnal figure, but a pitiful one. She may have even been a sexual slave of Iwao's, though I doubt this.

From the evidence at hand, I believe Iwao was a closet homosexual, who felt it his duty (long standing tradition) to wed with a beautiful woman, and concieve an heir to his legacy. As such, Iwao felt that the birth of Ryo satisfied this 'need'. However, this invariably led to Iwao taking his sexual frustrations out on Ryo, and much of his anger (resultant from his sexual frustrations) out on his wife, and Ine-san/Ryo, to a lesser extent. At this time in Japan, it was definitely not exceptable for a man of Iwao's status to be gay. Iwao was indeed a monster that society created.

While I'm on the subject, I do not believe that Ryo's mother cared much for Ryo, for she would have either killed Iwao (instead of being killed by him as I stated in possibility 1), or taken him with her (instead of just leaving as I stated in possibility 2). Not that she had always been so flippant about her son. Far from it. She most likely spent much of her time in that household, under constant fear for her very life. Suffering from such conditions, for such a prolonged period of time (we're talking years ) wears a person down, eventually to a point where they don't care about anything.

This inevitably leeds to Ryo's mother becoming a heavy drinker. Iwao was a man of exacting ruthlessness. He would never allow something like alcohol to cloud his terrifying judgement whilst at home, to make him appear weak. Ryo's mother, on the other hand, needed an escape, and almost certainly found one in alcohol. Anything to numb the pain. The only thing readily available to a Japanese housewife of this period to fit the bill was of course; Alcohol. This leads to a conclusion, almost without doubt, that (at least in her later years, before she died/left) Ryo's mother was hitting the bottle everyday, and hitting it hard. She probably didn't even know she had a son, by the end.

Back to Fuku-san. Herepresents an anomoly in the Hazuki household. In the game, when speaking of Iwao, Fuku-san is the only one who seems truly sad at his passing. Ine-san seems like an emotionally-scarred, physically fragile woman (potentially from years of beatings), who seems asif she should be upset, not that she actually is (of course she isn't). Ryo seems so distant, and emotionally handicapped, both from a life of physical and mental torture, and from conflicting feeling at his father's demise, of what he should feel, and what he actually does. Fuku-san is the odd one out of the household. Why is this..?

Well, I believe that Fuku-san was never exposed to Iwao's evil side. The latest to join the household, I think that Fuku-san represents Iwao's opportunity to change, to start again. For Iwao wasn't truly evil. He wanted to be a good man. It was too late for Ryo, who he had already sodomised and beaten. He could never have a real father/son relationship with Ryo. He could scare Ryo into pretending (and he often did), but they both knew it was a sham. He could never give Ryo back his innocense. However, Fuku-san joining the house presented an opportunity for Iwao to play 'father' with someone who didn't know any better. With a boy who was very ugly, and posed no attractiveness on any sexual level. Iwao revelled in this newfound relationship.

This can be seen in-game, when Fuku-san is generally appalled at Iwao's death. Iwao was like a father to him. A role which Iwao no-doubt cherished and lived to it's fullest, just to feel normal (if only for a little while). He lovingly refers to him as 'Hazuki-sensei', a statement not to be ignored or under-minded. If this is the case, then shouldn't Ryo hate Fuku-san? No. Ryo sees Fuku-san as the only innocent person in the Hazuki household. He reminds him of how he should have been raised. In these solumb thoughts, Ryo finds comfort, if only a little bit. Fuku-san represents the only remaining ounce of purity in that house, which has not been defiled by it's master, or failed to speak out and end Ryo's suffering (something which Ryo holds contemp for his Ine-san, and in particular, his mother).

Nozomi is also another ingredient in this mix, which perpetuates Ryo's self-torment. For, while Ryo is mentally immature, he does recognise that he should be doing certain things. Things like dating, etc. Nozomi represents a small attemped on his part, to reach out for the life that he should be leading, which is downplayed and eventually ruined by Ryo's own haphazardness in these situations, brought on by mental instability, self-loathing, and general feelings of worthlessness. Ryo is in many ways, the complete negative of his father. Where Iwao definitely had a superiority-complex (brought on by his secret homosexualty, and his attemps to compensate and appear normal), Ryo, by contrast, suffers from an inferiority -complex. This is evident throughout his entire adventure, though becomes less prominent, the further into his quest he gets.

So if all this is true, why does Ryo chase Lan Di? Shouldn't he be relieved at his father's murder, and just live the rest of his life a happy man, finally free from the tirrany of Iwao Hazuki? Well, her's where Ryo's sense of self-loathing, brought on by his confused and under-developed emotions comes in. Firstly, Ryo thinks that, if he avenges his father's death, he will show loyalty to his father's legacy (important in Japanese society). Secondly (more importantly), if Ryo succeeds, he will finally have 'beat' his father. Iwao instilled feelings of self-hate, and worthlessness within Ryo. Completing such a long, dangerous quest will prove to Iwao, and to himself that he is not 'worthless', and can accomplish great things. Doing so would mean that Ryo no longer lives in his father's terrifying shadow. Maybe then, the nightmares, the self-loathinfg, and constant feeling of utter dread will go away. Lan Di is just the key. The treasure at the end of the rainbow, if you will.

As Ryo's journey takes him to Hong Kong and beyond, we see him begin to come out of his shell, the invisible barrier he uses to keep the world at bay, to protect himself. He starts to show feelings of indepenace, and self-worth. In Shenmue II, partakes in things such as gambling, street fighter (for money, not self-defence), etc. Things which his father would never permit. Ryo begins, if only slightly, to rebel against Iwao, against his memory, and what he stood for. The cave sequence near the end of the second game is further evidence of this. Ryo is alone , at night , with a pretty girl . Sure, nothing happens, and Ryo is still obviously battling his demons at this point (otherwise he'd have shagged her), but he is slowly recovering from years of abuse.

Normally, Ryo would never ever allow himself to get into this situation, with an attractive member of the opposite sex. Remember the several occasions where he practically shuns Nozomi, or the time he turns down the opportunity of staying at a gorgeous biker babes' home, in favour of a cold lonely bed, in a unfriendly hotel, run by a shady man obsessed with gambling. This is the first time that Ryo begins to allow nature to take it's course, the first time that he is not outwardly afraid of his feelings towards the opposite sex, or their advances towards him. He is at this point, beginning to understand his feelings of sexual attraction towards women, instead of running away from them.

This (I believe) is brought on by his slowly increasing feelings of independance and self-worth. Also, Shen Hua is not a member of everday society, that which shunned him and cursed him to an eighteen year nightmare. Shen Hua presents no threat to him, only feelings of awe and wonder. She is also innocent, naive, and quite child-like. She reminds him of himself, and he feels very comfortable with her. The cave sequence is the first time his 'shell' truly starts to crack. The first time he really starts to open up to someone.

Which brings me to my theory, in it's ultimate form. My theory ends in one of two possibilities, of which the reader (you) must decide for youselves which you believe in. Given everthything that has been said, Ryo's journey is not to avenge his father at all, but to prove his own worth , and to 'beat' his father. If he succeeds, daddy can never hurt him. Never again. Then the nightmares, the self-loathing, everything. It'll all stop, and Ryo will be able to get on with his life, and grow as a person, and not fear that which cannot hurt him anymore. That is the first, and most immediate possibility.

The second, and more 'out there' possibility, is the one I happen to adhere to, for it provides all the same answers that Actual Theory Possibility 1 does, while answering/addressing some anomolies which 'Possibility 1 does not. I believe, that, all said and true to this point, the entire journey is fake. I believe it is nothing but a dream. I believe Ryo is dreaming his adventure. It would explain how Ryo magically arrives in Hong Kong in less than 10 minutes from finishing Shenmue I, to starting Shenmue II. More importantly, it would explain how he can spontaneously and flawlessly communicate with the chinese-speaking Hong Kong/Kowloon/Guilin populus.

It would in fact, provide a good answer for the whole journey, and it's general surreal quality, and lack of realism. Dreams often become wilder and more strange the further you get into them. I believe the introduction of supernatural occurances is no coinsidence, and it merely the consequence of a dream, taking his natural course. Ryo getting beaten to a pulp by a bunch of punks, then waking up safe and sound on Wong's boat seems very unlikely to me. That, and the event's inconsistancy with the events that transpired at the end of the first game, namely, the 70 man battle. If Ryo can take on and beat 70 men (admittedly with the help of Guizang), then surely a few punks should pose little problem.

Who placed all those planks? Why was that jumbo jet suicidely skimming the tops of the fucking buildings? These strange occurances, and many more (magical mirrors, mystical trees), are (in my opinion) simply the result of a dream taking it's natural course, becoming more obscure as it goes on. Shenmue is merely a dream which Ryo is having. Ryo lives in utter dread of his father, and his dreams are the only place where he can truly be free. Iwao can't take his dreams away from him. The end of Shenmue II (at the point where it is at it's most obscure) seems to be the end of the dream. Everything goes all strange looking, everything stops, the sound fades away. I think these symbolise Ryo slowly drifting out of sleep and into conciousness.

As such, I predict that Shenmue III, if ever released, will start with Ryo opening his eyes, and seeing his father's shadowy figure over him, carressing his face and softly whispering " You're daddy's little boy.. ". This would also explain why Shenmue III has never been released, and will never be released, as the game/concept becomes to outlandish for SEGA execs to condone, and give the green light to. My theory explains everything. All the inconsistancies, Ryo's lack of character, all the symbolism, everything. Everything . I believe there's not a Shenmue-related question you could pose which my theory couldn't provide a good possible answer to. I don't think you could say that about any other Shenmue theory. Hence the title.

Discuss.

Damn, I was awesome back then!

:lol:
by Martin
Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:12 am
 
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Re: Your favorite SEGA Console

Dreamcast all the way. But I still maintain that Master System > Mega Drive.
by MiTT3NZ
Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:00 am
 
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