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Shenmue - An Asian Virtual World

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: June 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This is a very interesting RPG. It's not like any RPG I've ever played before. It's like a movie in which you control the star of the show, Ryo Hazuki. He feels a burning need to avenge his father after he witnesses his father's demise in the hands of a dangerous Chinese kung fu master Lan Di. Ryo's father, Iwao Hazuki, a master of the Hazuki style martial arts is no match for Lan Di. Set in Japan, Ryo moves from Yamanose, Sakuragaoka, Dobuita, and Yokosuka Harbor to find out who this infamous Lan Di is. Ryo Hazuki can interact with the things around him, like opening doors, using the phone, opening drawers, playing arcade games, playing music, knocking on doors, buying items, and picking things up. His main interaction is with the people surrounding him, by talking to them. Ryo can do this whether he is at home, in the city, or in the harbor. He also has a special relationship with a girl, I guess his girlfriend, Nozomi Harasaki. He also fights thugs from the Mad Angels and practices his skills with the family friend, Fuk-san. The fights are like that of "Virtua Fighter", but the graphics in "Shenmue", are better. Ryo can also practice solo in the dojo, a parking lot, and inside Warehouse #4. He also learns new moves from different people and/or from martial arts pamphlets that he can purchase in an antique shop. Their is also a sense of time, where you will see the sky change as the day turns to night. There is also a weather system, 'magic weather', where it changes daily or from a certain time to another. I've seen the weather being sunny, raining, or snowing. I think everyone can enjoy this game, but especially if you are Asian, since this is game is so Japanese with some Chinese. You will also need patience as the story unfolds, so it might be slow moving for people who want action constantly. Anyway, check this game out, it's awesome.

Very good game..but it's not for everyone.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: November 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

One reviewer already said he prefers Metal Gear to Shenmue so if that's your cup of tea then maybe this game isn't for you. But taken from an rpg/reality simulation game, this game is the best so far. You have to train and discover new fighting moves on your own. At times there are QT scenes where you gotta react instinctively for certain events to unfold. How many out there were too slow at first and managed to get the ball to hit the little girl? ;) You can raise a little cat while you're on your adventures. There's just alot of little mini things that may or may not have anything to do with the plot which makes this interesting. So, if you're the type that just wants to blow stuff up and likes a fast paced game, then Shenmue isn't for you. But if you're like me and love little distractions and have patience, then this game is great. Heck, I once spent 15 minutes just stalking one guy in Tenchu and that was fun for me. Of course, the game isn't perfect. There are little flaws like the dialogue becoming repetitive at times, not being able to skip certain scenes you've been thru before, or my biggest gripe..no analog control. It does get a bit inconvenient at times when you're in a cramped space and only have digital control. But still, this game definitely ranks up there as one of the great games. But like every great game, it might not be your cup of tea. If you don't like a particular type of game, why buy into the hype? That would be like me buying Madden when everyone says it's one of the greatest games, but I don't give a care about sports games.

BEST GAME FOR DREAMCAST SO FAR! 1

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 13
Date: October 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Forget everything about the criticism you've heard about it. It is the best game made for dreamcast so far. It has amazing graphics, and amazing details. This is a must-have title.

A good idea but not the best game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 15, 2001
Author: Amazon User

What everybody is saying about this game is not at all true. It is a good game but it has some problems. The graphics and detail are excellent and the story is pretty good. It has fun parts in it but most of the game is relatively boaring. For example; the games in the arcade that you can play are kinda fun and driving a forklift is cool too. The game is boring because all you really do is run around different towns asking people questions and getting the same answer from almost everyone. Ya, it is realistic in many ways but the realism makes the game frustrating. An example is the person you control,Ryu, has to be home every night by a certain time or you get a lecture from this lady. Also, you get a limited amout of money to spend at the arcade or the supermarket (which has no meaning in the game at all.) To top off all the bad things about this game I should tell you that there are only 5 battles (mabey 4) throughout the whole game, the voices don't move with the speakers mouth and the game is extremly short for a 3 disc adventure. Don't get me wrong, if you like this kind of adventure/role playing game, then Shenmue is for you, but if you are like me and like games with lots of action in them, then you should probably stay away from this game. Oh ya, if you are thinking about buying this game a highly recommend you rent this game first because the days you have it rented are more than enough to beat the game.

This might be as good as it got for the dreamcast

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

You play as Ryo Hazuki, a kind of shady young Japanese man in 1986 Yokozuka Japan. You must spent 12 to 15 hours a day "in game time" searching for clues to find his father's killer.I'll make a quick pro & con type of review:Pros: 1.You can play old arcade games ranging from "hang-on", darts, Punch-out 1 & 2. 2. Sparring with the guy in Ryo's dojo.3. A daily five dollar allowance.4.The forklift job is easy and fun.5. The 70 man battle minigame is playable upon finishing the game. Cons: 1. You don't acually meet Ling Sha Hua, the girl who is in the opening sequence, who is in China. 2. Ryo is a more offensive fighter than defensive fighter.3. The snow doesn't stick to the ground.4. The in-game timer moves at almost an hour per minute.5. The replay value is low unless you care for the actual weather.Buy the stategy guide for this game if you don't want to miss out on anything!

Move Over PS2 Games, Shenmue Is Here!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First of all let's just start off with the graphics, outstanding, it even rivals some PS2 (and dare I say X-box and the 'Cube!) games out there! The story is tight, gripping and puzzling, and keeps you thinking the whole way through! It's action/adventure based plot is awsome and it's kir-ra-tay! styled battles are fun and enjoyable! Aside from the story there are sub-quests, mini-games, and bonuses! The real fun I had with it is the toy collection you can well....collect and build. The toy's range from bizzare plastic pieceses of junk to awsome action figures such as Sonic toys and characters from the Vitua Fighter series! It's awsome, and I being one that finished it, enjoyed it very much and loved it. It's enviroment bustled with people walking the streets,though watch out who you talk to, the person you talk to may curse back at you, that is the main reason this game was rated T! Cars almost running you over and even people you know who you can talk to (even Santa Claus!)make the game so special. The battle system is tough because their are many moves you can master, though I still didn't know how you can master them! Also many times when I had to go somewhere or attempt some sort of mission that had to be done at a certain time, it felt like hours untill it was time (the game takes place in the late 80's and it does have a time system, for instance if it gets near 5 pm, the sun sets, which is cool!) With these complaints the game still is very revolutionary on the Dreamcast, just like other DC games such as Sonic Adventure (not it's worse looking sequel) and the almighty fighting sim, Soul Caliber. If you buy the dieing, no I mean dead Dreamcast now (people, it['s cheap right now], buy it anyway, it has great games, even some greater games then the GC, X-Box, or PS2), or already own it, mark down Shenmue Chapter 1: Yokoshua (Yes that's the whole title)right now on your list! Also, if you do enjoy this game, I'd advise any loyal Shenmue fan to buy an X-Box since Shenmue 2 is coming out on that system!

Is this a kung-fu movie, or a game?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: January 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Remember Sewer Shark for Sega CD? Shooting some goblins here, some bats there, but basically just watching a bunch of cut-scenes? Shenmue will remind you of those types of games, but don't worry. It's not boring.

Shenmue for dreamcast is something you should not miss for a number of reasons. For one thing, it's the finest game ever for dreamcast. Graphics that dreamcast shouldn't have been able to do were made a reality; a dazzling real-time feature with weather conditions that are impressive and beautiful. There's no doubt, Shenmue for dreamcast is eye-candy to drool over. Also, Shenmue is going to most likely be a very intense story that will continue on into a third installment already on the way, and this story gets more interesting with each installment. Missing out on the thorough gameplay of Shenmue 1 robs you of the bits and pieces that actually make it's sequel all the more enticing to uncover. If you ever happen to find yourself buying Shenmue 2 or 3 (if released), I strongly believe it will ONLY be because you've played Shenmue 1 for Sega Dreamcast.

Let me take you through my experience with Shenmue. Back in 2000, dreamcast was king. With PS2 miles off, and gamecube just a funny fantasy in the minds of techno geeks and E3 enthusiasts, I ventured out to find a great adventure for dreamcast. A mother in line was purchasing Shenmue for her son as a gift, and it took me in the moment I saw how many discs long it was. 4 disks long! Wow (even though I didn't know the 4th was a gimmick)! I looked at the box. The technological leaps in sound, graphics and depth it spoke of and the enthralling storyline, and that was it. I bought it. When I got it home, the graphics were all I was interested in. First of all, the intro to this game immediately sucked me into the story. What a fantastic opener. Your father...DEAD! I wanted to believe I had a gem of a game here so I gladly forgave the fairly bad voice-acting and proceeded on with the story. I asked people around me for clues. I slightly got turned off from the game when I discovered the similarity between this game and Sherlock Holmes for Sega CD years back. And man did I hate THAT game: You'd walk around aimlessly, asking everyone questions, and having to piece everything together yourself without any help from anyone. But this game was a welcome change because the storyline unfolded ever so slightly with everyone you spoke to and left you more and more interested.

Anyway, to make a long story short (too late!) the game takes you through edge-of-your-seat moments, some tangy gang-fights, emotional dream sequences, some mysterious images (perhaps that'll make sense much, much later in this saga), and I must say, a fantastic musical score of beautiful ballads, lullabies, and orchestra hits that fit the mood of every moment. And of course, the ending is done like a masterpiece, still leaving so many questions unanswered. If you are an XBOX owner of Shenmue 2 and have not played Shenmue 1, do yourself a favor and find a dreamcast and this game before you begin part 2. So much of it that is not in the pitiful DVD enclosed with that game is so crucial to play in Shenmue 1 to give the full enjoyment of this mysterious saga. Pick it up today. It's not hard to find (especially at most any Toys 'R Us), but it may not be easy to find for much longer.

certeinly the arafic is great.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

When I played Shenmue, I felt that the grafic was great honestly, even if I consider that the game is about 5 years ago, the grafic is wonderful.

I think that Shemue explain the scene in Chinese very well. As if I can feel the atmosphere directly. For instance when I take a walk in the town of the game, for too reality, I concentlate to even tree or dogs or cat.

But I wanted story worked out more.

If you play the game, somebody can feel the atmosphere in Chenese.

Thank you for reading poor English.

Dreamcast at it's Best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: March 19, 2001
Author: Amazon User

When you first start Shenmue, you're treated to almost a five minute movie that sets up the main story of the game. When you play through the it the first time, this probably won't make any sense to you, but in subsequent plays (believe me there will be subsequent plays) you will appreciate how well it sets up the story.

Once you (finally) get to control the hero, Ryo, you start off in his room, four days after the opening movie, and you're pretty much on your own. You can talk to people around your house, and one of them will start you out on your quest.

While the entire game is played in a mere five zones (Ryo's House, Yamashaki, Sakuragaoka, Dobuita, and New Yokusuka Harbour), the graphics are simply amazing, good enough that you have absolutely no reason to worry about being limited to these places. Besides, two of them are so huge you probably won't see all of them until you're nearly done the game. The smaller ones are straightforward as far as getting through them are concerned, but when you have to find something in them (it happens at least twice in the game that you have to find a certain house) it can become quite a challenge. Especially when the clock is counting down...

The sound in Shenmue is wonderful. It sets the mood perfectly, never gets repetitive, even though a couple tunes are only 7 notes repeated over and over, and the most amazing part is you never even really notice it's there. It's like going to the movies: the music knows its role as a mood setter and not an attention getter.

Graphically, there's nothing anyone can say that will preper you for the eye candy in Shenmue. The only thing that will prove it to you is to actually see it in action. In a word, it's Perfect.

The controls at the beginning will seem sticky and unresponsive, mostly because the primary movement is controlled by the D-Pad, which hasn't been done in a 3-D game since, well, before there were 3-D games. Before long though, you'll be able to get Ryo to be more responsive than Mario ever dreamed of being.

Finally, the gameplay. Shenmue plays like a movie. With a lot of games, cutscenes become somewhat of a chore, almost a bathroom break. In Shenmue, however, the cutscenes make the game worth playing. Very rarely does a game have such a great story that you sit there feverishly, at 3 in the morning, trying to just get one more thing done. Then just one more, until you have to go to school or work the next morning. It's not very challenging gameplay, however, as your notebook will almost always guide you in the right direction, and if you can't figure out what to do at a certain place Ryo will give you little hints. And if you get really really stuck, the Fortune Teller in Dobuita will tell you exactly what to do, only making it sound kind of tricky. The biggest bummer about Shenmue is it's over so soon. With 3 discs, you'd think only Square could make a game fly by so fast. All in all, even with 3 discs of gameplay, I think Shenmue has only about 20 hours of gameplay. Don't let that turn you away though: It's 20 hours of gameplay bliss you will never, EVER forget.

Shenmue ends, like any good multiple-part tv show, with a major cliffhanger. The whole game builds around you accomplishing a certain task: the ups and downs of that will send your quest in different directions. Finally, at the end, You accomplish this task, only to not be able to see the results from it.

If you didn't know, Shenmue is supposed to be a 16 chapter saga. This is just chapter 1, and even if Sega dies, they have Chapter 2 almost and Chapter 3 is set to release before summer 2002. If you want to miss not one of, but THE biggest game series in the gaming industry's history, you go right ahead. Us Shenmueites will play and replay our games, while you can do whatever it is people who starve themselves of pure gaming quality do.

It is okay but not that great

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 19
Date: November 10, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Okay, I bought Sega Dreamcast just to play Shenmue. All the reviews I read on the web and amazon reviews..etc said this is the best game ever and so on. Well, I was disappointed when I played the game. I played for 7 hourse straight and this is what I have to say; Graphics: Graphics are fantastic, it actually kind of made me scary because I played late at night and they lloked pretty real. Graphics are cool.

Control; This is what I did not like. It was not easy to move one place to the other and use items. You kind of have to wait for a second and the view locks into an item. It can be confusing at times because there are a lot of things that can not be used.

Music: Good music

Story: You can tell that people have spend a lot of time in the story. HOwever, if you are a gamer who wants fast actions, this is not for you because it is slow and tedious at times. I also could not find a way to skip interviews so you have to sit there for a long time.

Bottom line: It is a good game but it does NOT meet the hype! I was little disapointed. Great game for people who enjoy RPG but not for people who can sit there and wait and watch graphics and stuff. I was expecting something like Metal Gear. Metal gear is much better!!. Now I have to buy PS2 for Metal Gear Solid 2.

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