Don't forget the textures are missing! By creating BSP maps instead of making a huge number of objects in some map editor and then finding out DB doesn't allow over 100 is definitely better. Now if I can get my hands on both DarkBASIC Pro full version and Q3Radiant I'd be very happy...
I have been discussing some things with WhiteShadow, he brought up textures, the thing I'd like to focus on is music. You could use some from earlier Shenmues, but I'd like to write some original stuff also, just for when you're walking around, ambient pieces that stay in the background and don't overwhelm you
Well im going to go off and finish the story for the third part soon. Hopefully it is good. Oh yea I still have to fix those damn mistakes in the first part.
How about Chai's excellent adventures... where you play as Chai from the start of Shenmue (in which you'll experience events from his point of view) lol