In 1999 and 2001, the first and second Shenmue games, which were once believed to be the pioneers of free-roaming open-world RPGs, were created and published for all to consume. Decades later, when players had just about forgotten hopes of a new installment, the creator Yu Suzuki came with a much-appreciated comeback addition we did not know we needed. It all started in the early 2010s when whispers and doubts of a third game started to swirl around.

Adamant on trusting his video game baby, Suzuki took the leap of faith and turned to crowdfunding. Starting with a relatively small funding goal, Shenmue turned out to have an even larger cult-like fanbase so much so that the goal was exceeded. Shenmue III became the fastest game to raise $1 million in less than two hours and the support did not stop there! In 2019, after years and years of waiting, gamers finally got the long-awaited game.

Storyline

Set in Japan and China in the late ‘80s, Shenmue III is a mix of action and adventure as it chronicles the journey of an 18-year-old martial artist Ryo Hazuki, whose father has been murdered. Intent on finding answers and the man who murdered his father, Ryo sets out to the mountains of Guilin, China, from Yokosuka, Japan, with his friend, Ling Shenhua, by his side. 

In this third installment of the epic series, Ryo seeks to solve the mystery behind a particular artifact sought after by his father’s killer. In his quest for the truth behind this artifact, the Phoenix Mirror, Ryo finds himself fighting and traversing the most dangerous and interesting of places across an immersive rendition of rural China. 

This video game is undoubtedly lacking any trace of shyness when it comes to detail and engagement. Ryo finds himself surrounded by beautiful landscapes as he ventures through towns and mountain villages where he gains skills, such as trading, gambling, and even playing games. All the while searching for answers and revenge.

How to Play the Game

First, I must commend Shenmue III’s creators for including a recap digest movie for those who have not played Shenmue and Shenmue II. this recap retells Ryo’s story all over from the beginning, and the game itself also allows you to converse with NPCs that you encounter. You can ask these NPCs questions to learn about the events of the first two games to keep you up to speed.

The intriguing thing about this video game is how it leans towards a more detective-oriented play. Most of the game features you and your character examining and exploring the open world of Guilin, China, as you go about searching for clues, examining objects and artifacts, and talking to as many NPCs as you can for information. 

If you have any experience with the Virtua Fighter series, you might notice that Shenmue III offers a 3D fighting system much similar to the former. It would be best if you pressed the right buttons at the right time while fighting, and when you’re not fighting, your character, Ryo, can sharpen his skills by practicing.

Major Strengths of Shenmue III

The Shenmue series has been known and appreciated to be a carefully thought-out, albeit slow, game. By this, I mean the amount of detail that has gone into nearly every part of it, including the NPC that seemingly contributes very little to the plot. From the older man strolling through the village market painstakingly deciding what type of buns to buy to the creeping tell-tale signs of modernization of the small village, Shenmue III passes a clear message: the 18 years of waiting were well worth it.

I got to explore the vibrant world, which was undoubtedly populated with all manners of characters, from shopkeepers to villains and heroes, all carefully created to give the most rounded, 3D experience. Apart from the makings of the game itself, your character’s story is undoubtedly compelling. Picking up from the cliffhanger where Shenmue II left off, Shenmue III also did not come to a definitive end, hinting that Yu Suzuki still has more in store for us.

Flaws Spotted in Shenmue III

As great as Shenmue III is, there is also plenty to pick on and point out when it comes to its flaws. The first thing I noticed and did not immediately like was the game’s several design flaws. These flaws include how ridiculously padded and slow it was. In reality, the game should span no more than two and a half hours long, but you will find that it takes over 20 hours.

Of course, the Shenmue factor is still here and has been thankfully preserved but finding myself wasting time or trying to pass the time in the game threw me off initially. I quickly realized that this is all part of making the game as realistic as possible. There is also no option to skip the waiting periods, unlike the sequel. Hence, you are forced to do mundane things like trading, working, and practicing your fighting skills. You can even fuel Ryo’s not-so-upright hobbies by gambling.

Final Verdict

With Shenmue III, deciding a final verdict proves tough because of how incredibly jarring its pros and cons are. You either fall on one side of the coin. You either think it’s a heartwarming and intriguing groundbreaking masterpiece or a time-wasting clunky mess. I lean towards the former because all the features provided in this game, seemingly messy or not, give it a sense of realism I thoroughly welcome and appreciate. Overall, Shenmue III is a game you should play, take your time to enjoy, and decide what it is to you.