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It Doesn't Get Much better than this!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: February 07, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Let Me Start of By saying, YU Suzuki(creator of shenmue) is a genius. This title is so realistic you'll completely forget it is a game at all. In this game you will sleep, dream, shop, fight, work for money, eat, ride the bus, ride motorcycles, practice moves,romance, play real sega arcade hits within the game!!, And when you've thought I said it all there's even more to it. This title is a true hit in every shape and form. You may be thrown off a bit with it's slow and at times rare action sequences in the first disk but trust me, by the third disk your pounding heart will be telling to you, no more fights, at which point they then feed you 70 more thugs to have a playfull game of crack your ribs with. In all honesty folks, this game is a variation of a simple less complex RPG, with practically every other game genre included especially fighting! YOU WILL NOT, I REPEAT YOU WILL NOT LOSE YOUR MONEY TO THIS ONE, as a matter of fact you will be praying for a sequel.

Best Game Ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 13
Date: November 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I've played the import version, and I can say that this is without a doubt the best game I've ever played.

It tosses you headfirst into the culture of 1986 Japan, and you are brought through the first chapter of the story while playing many different gaming styles. It includes adventuring, puzzle solving, driving, action, fighting.

It has incredible graphics and great music and sound. The gameplay is tight and fun, and makes you want to play the game over and over. The characters you meet and occasionally beat up, especially in the latter half, are extremely cool.

This game alone is worth buying a Dreamcast for, not to mention the other great games like Jet Grind Radio and Ecco.

Amazing.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Shenmue is an incredible experience right from the start. I just got the game on Sunday, and today, friday, i am just completing the 1st out of 3 disks. My advice to you is, don't believe what many people are saying about this being a boring game. It is actually one of the most addicting gaming experiences I have ever had... I play this more than I played Zelda 64.

Sound:9/10 The sound is fantastic. I love how the tone of the music reflects what is happening in the game... In a tense situation, the music adjusts accordingly. One point off, however, for the sometimes annoying music at Ryo's residence.

Controls:9/10 A lot of people don't like the controls at first. They are awkward, but after about a half hour of playing it will be like second nature. At this point, I wouldn't change them even if I could.

Graphics:10/10 The best graphics on any console. Playstation 2 has so far been unable to match it. No detail is left out.

Gameplay: 10/10 This is where Shenmue goes from being a good game to a fantastic one. The storyline pulls you in and doesn't let you go.

Replay Value: 9/10 I haven't finished the game yet, but I can tell you right now that I will play it again. The storyline is one you would like to see repeated, and it is virtually impossible to do everything the first time through. RPG's however, eventually get old... but that is what Shenmue II is for! Even if the series is never completed... even if Shenmue II is the final chapter, I will never regret having played this game and will play it again and again.

Reviewer's Tilt: 10/10

Overall score: 9.5/10 Folks, Shenmue is the reason enough to warrant the on a Dreamcast. No true gamer should miss out on this experience. After completing the game, I will be sure to give you my final thoughts. By then, all of you should by this game!

Game of the Year

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: November 23, 2000
Author: Amazon User

The answer to the question that you seek: WHAT IS SHENMUE? No doubt Shenmue equals future classic. If you are giving or receiving the gift of Sega this year, make Shenmue part of that holiday love. Forget "It's a Wonderful life", all you need is Shenmue. The depth and detail of this rpg/adventure/fighter/etc. is phenomenal. From the opening movie to the time you finally decide you want to take a real sleep as opposed to a virtual rest, you will be amazed. Shenmue is a living breathing entity. As Ryo Hazuki, you search for your fathers killer. You'll meet new friends and allies along the way, some of whom become more helpful the more you talk to them. Don't walk away right away and people will remember things they overheard or witnessed. Other times they'll be too busy working and send you away. You can interact with almost eveything and everyone. While exploring you'll be suddenly thrust into fights, which are divided into a regular brawl with a health meter, or a Quick time event involving a quick button press. The QTE's are sometimes difficult, but if you get beat down, you'll get another chance, or you'll miss out and take a different path in the story. Miss your appoinments and your outcome will vary. There's an arcade where you can play Sega classics or hone your reflexes. You can collect toys from vending machines, buy food for the kitten you find orphaned outside your home. Each day you'll have until bedtime to play detective. The daytime and weather changes are gorgeous. As dusk approaches you'll soon grow concious of your guardians naggings. The adventure spans 3 disks with a 4th disc serving as a collections data disc and website browser. Here you can trade items you've collected or post your scores on the various arcade games. Check out the stats of your present game, seems like they keep track of everything here. Now while you've heard this before, don't think all the hype will ruin this game for you, because you will never truly now Shenmue's greatness until you play this game. By the way, make sure you stock up your fridge when you do. Hours of seeing soda machines and other virtual food items WILL EVENTUALLY FORCE YOU TO STOP PLAYING AND EAT, starving to death while playing a game is never an acceptable obituary.

Simply Blown Away

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: November 17, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Now, everyone, you have every right to resume your "oooh-ing and ahhh-ing," about this title, but please, allow me to just express my own personal opinions on this amazing game. First of all, I'll just mention that I remember viewing back issues of my favorite video game magazines, only to find the developmental screenshots of "Shenmue." I looked at these screenshots and thought, "This game will make me proud to be an owner of the Dreamcast." I was correct.

That's only "Shenmue" in a nutshell, however. This game has everything, EVERYTHING a gamer would only be able to dream about, IF that. The graphics are, in one word, unbelievable. However, in words, I can't even begin to explain the amount of detail that helps this game live up to its hype. Utilizing a brand new engine called "Magic Weather," this virtual environment will display rewarding rain effects on some days, or snow on others. An internal clock built into this game provides another form of realism, as shops will open and close, the sky will change from a radiant blue, to a crimson sunset, to a dark night sky. And if the breathtaking graphics don't pull you in, the ambient sound effects of distant dog barks, or city traffic, or mood-shifting music will. This game also utilizes a innovative "Lock-On" engine as well, allowing you to see through the eyes of Ryo, our story's hero, to examine different objects on tables, desks, etc. There isn't too much to say about the controls other than these adjectives: "Fluid, responsive, and...no I guess that's it." These elements combined creates a world that literally lives. People all have their own voices, all with different personalities, and depending on decisions you make, your progress will show different events, making the game have numerous outcomes and possibilities--choose wisely. Understandably, a flawless game has never existed, and I only wish I could tell you all that this game is a perfect game, with no flaws at all, but I can't. Don't despair, however, the only major complaint I have with this game would probably be the voice acting of only some of the many characters you encounter within your journey through this immensely large and virtual environment, but it gave me a few chuckles here and there.

So, by now you're either thinking, "When is he going to wrap up this lengthy review?" And then I'll say, "In just ONE sec." But, honestly, people, I hope you're really thinking, "Okay, I'll be on my way to buy this game." This is what your intent should be, especially if you're looking for quite possibly, the greatest game you'll ever play for any game-system. Well then, I have finished talking, so you may once again return to your "oooh-ing and ahhh-ing."

Where are discs four and five?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: November 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Shenmue was a great experience. Even if you're a total lunkhead and can't follow the plotline, there are so many ways to pick up additional clues without leaving the game itself. The 'practice' system of improvement is stunningly realistic, if a bit boring at times. I'd love to wait through and see the seasons pass (there was a guy in a Santa Suit on the streets at Christmas). On the other hand, the game, while great in plot, mechanics and stunning visuals...was painfully short. I flew through the discs and finished in no time. There's a lot I missed, of course, but still, it would be nice to have more subquests.

A Master Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: March 10, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is it! The absolutly stunning game that has eye-poping graphics and superpowerful gameplay. I've tons of games, but this one I loved the most. When I first played it, I got addicted to it, although there were some frustrating times (boses, wrong turn, finding the right person, etc...), I actually played this, not twice, but three times! The game is absolutly stunning, which even a soda can is too much to look at! Don't even mention the QTEs, the free battles, and the forklift driving! The martial art moves are as realistic as it gets, watching a ... getting hit in the head by your fall kick is just too funny.

This game is a must have for Dreamcast lovers, even if your not, you'll still love it! Let me explain this game one more time: graphics, the blood vessels on the back of a person's hand could be seen plainly and realistic! They even sell small figures from various Sega games! Music, you can even play cassetes with the cassete players in the game! Game play, Quick Timer Evens, free battle, and the kick a** forklift driving! If that's not enough, get the Shenmue Passport which comes from the case and go online! Trade goodies and whatch trailers, and even play some mini games! There are tons of more of secrets and gameplays! This game is just too darn good! Dreamcast games can't get much better than this one baby!

Not a masterpiece, but interesting

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 12
Date: December 29, 2000
Author: Amazon User

First question: was "Shenmue" hyped beyond its merits? Yes. Now let's move on.

The whole "FREE" moniker is nonsense. Shenmue is an adventure game with some action bits thrown in (primarily two varieties -- the Quick Time Events, which is sort of like participating in a cutscene, and the fights, which are nice but a long way from Soul Calibur). The plot mostly consists -- as it does in most adventure games -- of asking NPC's for information, moving on to the next clue, solving the occasional puzzle. Nothing new here. To all you PC gamers out there I would recommend "Outcast" as an interesting contrast. Yes, the graphics are way worse, but it's more expansive and less linear than this one. An indication of Shenmue's inherent simplicity is the fact that you can't pick your lines in dialogue. Ryo, your surrogate, will always have only one thing to ask NPC's -- the current plot point. This means the game really can't juggle multiple storylines, so in that sense it is incredibly linear. Although you have complete freedom in terms of where you are going to go next, you can only move the plot forward in a highly structured manner.

But let's step back a bit here. Granted Shenmue doesn't live up to the idea that it invented a new genre; but that doesn't mean it's entirely conventional either. I think I have a bead on what Yu Suzuki was trying to do. He was trying to make a game in which the everyday events are as important as the ones that move the plot forward. Where you are so "in the moment" with your character that you are just as engrossed by playing a game of Space Harrier, by watching the rain fall on a fishpond outside your house, by petting a kitten, as you are by seeking vengeance against those who slew your father.

To get the best possible experience out of Shenmue, one must approach it in that spirit, and slow down one's expectations of what "playing the game" is supposed to be like. The graphics are so good that Suzuki very nearly pulls this off; certainly I have spent a lot of time staring at that fishpond, and every store interior is a little masterpiece of virtual production design (I've never seen building-interiors rendered anywhere near as well as this before -- the Buddhist shrine in the Hazuki house is breathtaking in its detail).

The problem is that we don't generally buy computer games so we can pet kittens and admire sunsets in them. We can do that in real life, and the graphics are better (there's tactile and olfactory sensation there, too!). A computer game is presumably something similar to Hitchcock's definition of a movie -- "Life with the boring parts cut out." Shenmue doesn't cut out the boring parts. You must embrace them. You must love them too. And the exciting parts -- let's call a spade a spade -- aren't THAT exciting. I think a game like "Baldur's Gate II" for the PC (admittedly a different genre with far inferior graphics) has about 500 times as much story content for the same price. Remember that no matter how gorgeous the graphics are, they will wear off and the gameplay has to be there too.

It's funny, isn't it, how we can be in awe of the virtual representation of things that are totally mundane. What exactly are we reacting to? In Shenmue you may gasp when you see the perfect detail with which a street scene is rendered -- telephone polls, streetlamps, pedestrians, everything. And yet to see the same thing in real life -- as each of us does every day -- is totally mundane. So what we are reacting to here is not the environment per se (well, a little -- I admit I've never been to Japan, and it is nicely evoked), but the sheer graphical virtuosity of pulling it off inside your TV screen.

Shenmue does retain that lingering fascination, that sense of a pretty little world living in your Dreamcast, so tangible that you can almost touch it. But to be honest, there's not that much game to go along with it. This is one best rented first.

Isn't the '80s great or what ?!?!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: September 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Ever since the launch of the Dreamcast, I've been hearing about a game called Shenmue. I've seen screenshots, first impressions, and previews. When it finally came somewhere around 2000 (hey ! You can't expect me to know all these things !), Sega has proven to RPG fans that it would become the future of RPG's. In Yu Suzuki's latest creation, you will play as main character, Ryo Hazuki in his quest for Revenge for the death of his father. Shenmue is an interactive game that keeps track of the times, changes, and events. For example: if Christmas was only weeks away, someone would be dressed as Santa Claus and some houses and stores would be covered up in Christmas decerations. Okay, that's enough. Now lets talk about how the game is like. First off, the graphics are flawlessly detailed. Some characters don't show much facial expressions, but most of the time, they'll make a slight twitch or an expression even. The sound is...uh...not bad. There's some catchy '80s style tunes (No ! We're not talking about Billy Idol or Aerosmith's music ! It's Sega's customizable '80s music) you'll hear when you go to a bar, somewhere around the outdoors, anywhere ! The voice acting is kinda horrible. Ryo's voice sounds great, but most of them are straight-up annoying ! The more I kept hearing Goro use his squeaky voice, I press the B-button to skip it so I can hear Ryo's. The gameplay and controls are cool. Controling the character isn't really that hard, if you have already played RPG's similar to Shenmue. Some people would complain how slow and unresponsive it is, but it's actually easy (that's what you get for playing to much corny adventure games, kid !). The best part of the gameplay are the QTE battles and the freestyle battles, where you can duke it out with neighborhood gangs and mad locals. The storyline is seamless...until Disc 3. The storyline on Disc's 1 and 2 have great stories, but Disc 3's story lags a bit. Most of the time, you have to race daily, everytime you got to work and after the race is done, you have to do some work as a forklifter. Wow...fun (sarcasm) ! There are times when you'll encounter a fight on Disc 3 (I love beating the tar out of the Mad Angels at the Yokosuka Harbor), which turns Disc 3 slightly exciting. And the most exciting part is, you get to play classic Sega arcade games like Hang On and Space Harrier (100 yen a game). So in the end, Shenmue turns out to be a perfect gaming experience for RPG fans. This game is so great, even some of those ignorant PS2 lovin' Dreamcast haters will give this pup a go. If you want to be taken back to the '80s again, Shenmue won't dissapoint.

Innovative? I don't think so.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: February 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I listened to all the hype about his game creating an entirely new genre of videogames, but when I played it, I realized that there wasn't much new to this versus any other RPG. It's just more time dependant, which is more annoying than anything (i heard in Shenmue 2, you'd be able to fast forward to a specific period of time).

but as a game, it's okay. That's why it got three stars. Unfortunately, the game was cut short due to time constraints, and the story ends very very abruptly at the end- it continues at the beginning of Shenmue 2, but it's obvious that where the game ended in Shenmue wasn't where it was supposed to end.

Oh, and this game isn't for everyone. If you don't have a lot of patience, skip this one.

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