Shenmue Review

What also brings the story to life is it's awesome visuals. This game is just absolutely pretty. Everything from the buildings to the individual characters. It's like your watching an actual movie. All of the games movies are actually done with the system's engine. The main characters have an amazing amount of facial expressions. During the winter time, tiny details like snow piling up in the corners of the streets are visable, to the mist coming out of the people's mouths as they speak. The game engine is rock solid, even when there are a bunch of people and buildings on the screen. Yes, it can get a bit choppy if there are a lot of things on the screen, but what do you expect? The camera also doesn't get in the way of things. Heck, there is even a first person type mode for when you want to look at things a little bit closer (maybe you just want to check out what you have in your desk drawer?).

The music in the game is probably the lowest part of the game. I'm not saying that it's bad (some of them are really good), but most of it isn't really memorable at all. Then again, most of the music occurs when you're in buildings, where music isn't really necessary at all. Even though, I just wish some of it was a little more upbeat (instead of just elevator music) I guess, since sometimes you don't even notice the music is playing! The sound effects on the other hand is really remarkable. From the footsteps (they change depending on what you step on) to the doors opening and closing. Everything sounds realistic. Also, depending on how far away your character is from the object, the sound will be louder or softer. The voice acting is also pretty good. With the translation from Japanese to English, many of the mouths don't move in sync with the voices, which makes it look like your watching a foreign film. It's a bit odd to look at, but you'll get over it. Also, some voices are identical with more than one character, which also makes this game sound odd at times. And just one more thing.. Fuku-san's voice, I can't stand it! You'll know what I mean when you play the game. LOL

Now let me get a little more detailed with the more fun and interesting parts of the story (don't worry, I won't spoil anything). During the game, you'll meet a lot of main characters. Because your father passed away, Ine-san is your caretaker. You better be nice to her though, since she does handle your allowance (and since I feel sorry for her). You will have a certain someone (Nozomi) have a crush on you, who you will come into contact with many times. This little crush will actually lead to jealousy from the games other female characters (ha!). You'll have a cute little kitty cat that you can take care of if you want. Your dreams will be consumed by Lan Di (the murderer), and by some special woman. You will have a lot of characters (even your best friends) worry about your involvement with solving this mystery. Heck, you'll even have a part time job! These are just a couple of the many thing you can do in the game. In fact, there are so many things you can do, and so many different paths you can cross, that you won't play the same game twice. I just wanted to point out these things to make you realize how realistic this game is.

Now let me talk about some of the games many gaming modes. First there is QTE (Quick Time Event). When this occurs, a button will appear on the screen that you have to press right away to continue on with the story. This usually happens with a fighting sequence, or when some rapid paced action takes place. For example, suppose a bad guy attempts to punch you, all of a sudden a letter 'B' flashes on your screen. That's your sign to press 'B' to fight back. If you don't press 'B' in time, then the enemy will hit you. Now do you get it?

There is the story mode where you just interact with a bunch of different characters (like an RPG). Then there are the other gaming modes for when you play certain arcade games (or a game of darts perhaps?), or just move around a forklift for when you get a job. An interesting part of the game is the interactivity you get with your surroundings. You can by some soda, go into a store and buy some food. Heck, you even have a special collection where you store all the cool little toys you've bought. Sure, many of these 'extras' aren't necessary, but it brings in more realism, not to mention making the game more interesting and fun.

All these things that you do just makes the game have a higher replay value than most other story based games. This game isn't really too long though, if your a hardcore gamer, you should beat it in 20 - 30 hours. After that, you'll be tempted to play it again just to see what you missed. What's even better is that this game has a 4th disk, called the 'Shenmue Passport', that let's you see the movies that you've already seen in the game (just to have all the wonderful memories played back to you), it has a feature that lets you replay all the music that you've listened to, and it even has a feature that lets some of the game's main characters talk to you about the games many features. What's so great about the last feature mentioned is that you can actually see how detailed each character is. You can manipulate the camera in and out, all around, just so you can appreciate all the hard work that Sega has done (and to show off the power of the Dreamcast). The best feature of the passport disk is definately the internet option. With this, you can get hints from the lovely Nozomi, trade items, post your high scores (from the arcades, etc), hear about special Shenmue related events, and even get a detailed biography of ALL THE GAMES CHARACTERS. Yup, it even gives their birth date, blood type, sign, weight, and more!

Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Music: 8/10
Extras: 10/10
Story: 9/10 (just the beginning!)
Characters: 10/10
Control: 8/10
Combat System: 8/10
Length: Around 20-40 hrs
Replay Value: 9/10
Originality: 10/10
Challenge: Medium
Gameplay: 10/10
Ending: 9/10

Overall: 9.9/10

This game is truly special. A must own. I can talk forever about this game (but thankfully, I won't!). The game's story doesn't end once you beat it though, since this is just the beginning of a 16 chapter story (yes, there will be other Shenmue games coming out). Once you see the ending, you won't be able to stand waiting for the next chapter to come out. Please get the game and experience it, it's truly worth it.

P.S. I gave the game a 9.9 since it doesn't beat the best game of all time, Final Fantasy VI!

Let's start things of with the type of game this is. This isn't necessarly an RPG, or adventure, fighter, arcade, movie(?), or a 'press the button at the right time' type of game. This is actually a bit of each. It even has it's own genre: FREE, which stands for "Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment". And yes, that's a pretty stupid sounding genre name.

The game starts out with your father killed by a mysterious person named Lan Di, and it's your job to find him. That's basically the story. What's so great about this story is its interesting bunch of characters you'll meet throughout the game. How many characters? Well, literally hundreds of them, in 4 different cities. Yes folks, it's a pretty big, imaginative, and original game. Don't worry though, most of the characters aren't main characters, they could just be people walking down the street. You see, this game, in my opinion, is a sorta 'life simulator'. While searching for your father, your character is immersed in this fully realized world, where you can do almost anything. Every character has their own lives to deal with. You'll see characters working, shopping, eating, or just walking around. What's also neat is that the weather changes from time to time. One day it might be snowing, the other day it might be sunny. Time is also greatly influenced in the game. The stores will close at a certain time, the bars will open at a certain time, you'll meet characters at a certain time, etc. New things also happen depending on the day of the year your playing on (i.e. New Years!).