Hello everyone. Don't want to make the post longer but I'll just say I've know about this game for a long time but never actually got the chance to play it till now, its kind of a long story. I've heard about this site before as well, I thought i'd make an account an give my thoughts about the game here.
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Wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when starting this game but I knew I wanted to try it as I love traditional Japanese architecture, Samurai and just the overall atmosphere these type of games produce (Onimusha, Okami, Nioh, Yakuza). I thought in the end this was a big factor in order to fully enjoy this game because a huge thing about it is it’s world.
I love how the world in Shenmue is alive and constantly breathing. I think this is one of the best things about it, you have to truly immerse yourself in it in order for the game not to feel like a chore.
Another big factor that adds to this game was the beginning. I think Shenmue has one of my favorite beginnings in a game as it really hooks you to the story immediately and makes you connect with the main character. After that initial cutscene I’m already hyped to go out and find what’s going on.
So basically we have a game that focuses in huge part on investigative work and that might have been kind of a chore to me but really wasn’t thanks to it’s world and realistic nature. This game’s progression just feels very realistic, and that’s a huge thing that I loved. It’s great how each day feels different, I really liked the fact that you had to go back home to sleep and then start a new day all at your own pace. Or how you get a job and have lunch breaks. The details man, this game is about details.
Im also glad there’s no guide points or anything to lead the way, not even in combat, it’s all explained thru realistic dialog. If you want to see a map you have to go to a map point, if you want to go to a different place you have to wait for a bus that goes by every so often as stated in the bus stop sign. Need to pass time? How about you go training? Or go to the arcade? Feed the kitty? All of these things really made me hugely appreciate the game and get immersed.
Now about the combat, it can feel clumsy and some moves just don’t work at times, but I’d say it’s still a fun time. The grab moves feel satisfying and pullling out some of the new moves you learn is quite awesome. I still think the combat could’ve been better. Anyways, Shenmue really wasn’t much about the combat, (initially thought it would be) in my opinion it’s about the experience. I feel it’s so grounded to reality that you just don’t encounter fights on every corner cause that just wouldn’t happen realistically speaking.
I loved how a fight against a crazy creepy guy (Chai) is actually a hard one as one would expect realistically. I love how he seems impossible to beat at first making it really satisfying when you finally do beat him. This fight added extra points to the game for me.
I’ll give the QTE a pass on this game for being one of the first to do it but mostly because those scenes were actually really awesome to watch.
So in the end we have a very unique game. It's easy to see how a lot of people might hate it, its one of those games that are definitely not for everyone. To me it’s some sort of Animal Crossing+Virtua Fighter+L.A. Noire mashup and I truly love it.
Can’t wait to try the sequel (more like Disc 4) and be more amazed. Man I’m glad I don’t have to wait that long for Shenmue III..