Yu Suzuki is a genius in every sense of the word. The man who brought us classics like Space Harrier, Hang On, and Virtua Fighter now takes us into an epic world with Shenmue.
Ryo Hazuki, a highschool student, comes home one winter day to discover his father's dojo has been hijacked by the enigmatic Lan Di. Before brutally killing Hazuki Senior, Lan Di is given a sacred mirror that stores clues to something mysterious but no doubt important. As Ryo Hazuki you must investigate into the murder of your father. Talk, fight, and explore your way into three towns. The clues you receive will shape everything and shock you.
Describing this game with words alone is not enough, it REALLY has to be played and experienced. But what makes Shenmue great is its originality.
Forget the typical point A to point B storyline of most RPGs, Shenmue is quite literally the first game where the player has full control of what happens.
Explore a huge town with myriad of townsfolk who live daily lives. Follow them from their homes to their jobs. Talk to them and be amazed at the flow of the (spoken) dialogue. Watch as day turns into evening into night. Play your favorite old school games at the local arcade. Go shopping for music and food. Play a round of darts. Or learn to fight from your favorite NPC characters.
In a nutshell this gem lets you do whatever you want, but unlike the GTA franchise, there is a motif throughout the entire game that keeps you wanting to progress through the storyline without getting too carried away.
Shenmue is also surprisingly poignant, the musical score is excellent and really sets a solemn mood throughout the gameplay.
I loved this game. To this date it still remains a strong favorite 10/10
Ryo Hazuki, a highschool student, comes home one winter day to discover his father's dojo has been hijacked by the enigmatic Lan Di. Before brutally killing Hazuki Senior, Lan Di is given a sacred mirror that stores clues to something mysterious but no doubt important. As Ryo Hazuki you must investigate into the murder of your father. Talk, fight, and explore your way into three towns. The clues you receive will shape everything and shock you.
Describing this game with words alone is not enough, it REALLY has to be played and experienced. But what makes Shenmue great is its originality.
Forget the typical point A to point B storyline of most RPGs, Shenmue is quite literally the first game where the player has full control of what happens.
Explore a huge town with myriad of townsfolk who live daily lives. Follow them from their homes to their jobs. Talk to them and be amazed at the flow of the (spoken) dialogue. Watch as day turns into evening into night. Play your favorite old school games at the local arcade. Go shopping for music and food. Play a round of darts. Or learn to fight from your favorite NPC characters.
In a nutshell this gem lets you do whatever you want, but unlike the GTA franchise, there is a motif throughout the entire game that keeps you wanting to progress through the storyline without getting too carried away.
Shenmue is also surprisingly poignant, the musical score is excellent and really sets a solemn mood throughout the gameplay.
I loved this game. To this date it still remains a strong favorite 10/10