by Lan Di-sama » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:31 am
I was 11 or 12 when I first picked up a pre-owned copy in 2001 or 2002. It was around the time I finally delved into RPGs after not quite understanding them growing up (I had been playing platformer and adventure games since I was 3 or 4).
Although not an RPG in the traditional sense, Shenmue was recommended to me. Alas, I had trouble getting the disc to play properly, I was being hampered by freeze-ups on loading screens on Disc 1 and put it aside.
It was summer of 2003 when I was browsing the interwebs, probably read something about Shenmue on GameFAQs, and decided to dig the game out of my closet. Managed to get past Disc 1 without any glitches and the rest was history...tracked down a Shenmue II import a few weeks later.
So I was 13 when I properly played Shenmue and had video gaming as a hobby properly ruined for me, because nothing has ever compared to the Shenmue experience.
Being 13, I think I understood better and was impacted more by the game than I could have at any other time. The story was easy to follow (and incredibly captivating) and I was wise enough to pick up on all the intricacies of the artistic efforts put into this game. I remember the game inspiring me to work out (push ups, running etc) and I would mimic some of Ryo's martial arts techniques in my bedroom. And while I've never been to Japan or China, if(when) I do visit, I'll have Shenmue to thank for opening up my eyes to another culture and the natural beauty this world has to offer. Sounds a little sappy, but I think it's true.