Shenmue Dojo

One of Shenmue's most enduring qualities often cited by fans is the glorious array of music heard throughout the games. Yu Suzuki has described how the music was recorded first, to help inspire the game's cut scene writers in producing scenes that captured the spirit and emotion of the soundtrack. Shenmue was therefore shaped by its enchanting score like no other game, and this heightens the evocative effect these tunes have on players many years later.

Last year, the voting for Classic FM's Hall of Fame resulted in top-five placements for compositions from Final Fantasy and The Elder Scrolls, paving the way for other videogames to potentially follow in 2014. And I can think of no selection of music more deserving of inclusion than Shenmue's powerful soundtrack.

To participate in the voting, you will need to choose three entries at this link. I suggest that your first two selections be "Shenmue (soundtrack)" and "Shenhua" - by Yuzo Koshiro and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, respectively.

You will need to select a third vote before you are allowed to submit your entries. If the search box doesn't bring up anything you like, I know for a fact that "Conquest of Paradise" by Vangelis can be found amongst the possible nominations. It's not Shenmue, but I like it...

This past November at the Kölner Philharmonie in Germany, a spine tingling orchestral performance of Sedge Tree (the main Shenmue theme) formed part of a concert based on videogame music. Enjoy the video again as you cast your votes, and let's see what we can do to maximize Shenmue's chances of gaining official recognition within the Classic FM Hall of Fame!

Strange to see video game music among classic masterpieces. But I guess it's exclusive to orchestral themes and Shenmue's score is a masterpiece aswell, just being something of modern times.

I voted. It's kind of stupid that you have to fill in personal data. Well, we should all just use nicknames, some random e-mail and Master Chen's phone number.

MiTT3NZ wrote: Classical's an era, not a genre.

No point quibbling over that when videogame soundtracks have already been accepted.

Voted.

Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach went to the theatre to see a re-release of an old movie. It was a real classic. However, Bach ended up not being able to go because he was Baroque.

I voted and I've also send this to a number of friends and posted it on sega-16

Voted. Type in Mitsuyoshi's name and you'll get "Shenhua" and "Shenmue" composed by him. I tried a few other Shenmue composers, but nothing worked, so I voted for all three of the Shenmue options.

Not a thoroughly honest vote, given all the masterpieces from which to pick, but away they go.

Don't worry Nahovil, I think Beethoven will forgive you.

To justify voting above music you might honestly prefer, I'll use the same argument as during the German magazine tournament that we won last year: Shenmue has more to gain from your vote.

Even though it's just another public poll, being able to refer to Shenmue's original soundtrack as part of a mainstream 'Hall of Fame' adds an air of independent legitimacy to fans' claims of how great the music is, which in its own minor but tangible way strengthens the argument for HD re-releases.

It may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it's better to do it than not do it. Another feather in Shenmue's cap and another string to the bow of those who campaign for it. So even though Ziming point-blank refuses to publicize this through the vital outlets at his disposal, thank you to the Dojo members he represents for taking the time to vote.

He's sorry you feel that way..

I do and I am.