Shenmue III |OT| Our Destiny Since Ancient Times

Descendant · Feb 4, 2020

Other than Ryo who was kept for the most part the same when it comes to the voice acting, I thought everyone else's English VO was fine. Obviously there will be some of those obscure NPCs that may sound bad, but I thought for the most part it sounded fine, especially if you compare it to the previous games.

And a special mention to the VO of Shenhua, who I legit thought did a great job. Hearing her talk about the prophecy sounds great.

LiS Matt · Feb 4, 2020

As others have said the plot doesn't move forward that far, and if they can tie it up with just one more and still have it feel like a shenmue game, they could've just upped the pace on the plot with this entry (and its eventual dlc)

SpitztheGreat · Feb 4, 2020

Descendant said:
Other than Ryo who was kept for the most part the same when it comes to the voice acting, I thought everyone else's English VO was fine. Obviously there will be some of those obscure NPCs that may sound bad, but I thought for the most part it sounded fine, especially if you compare it to the previous games.

And a special mention to the VO of Shenhua, who I legit thought did a great job. Hearing her talk about the prophecy sounds great.

I'll give the VO for Shenhua credit, I too thought she did a good job. But everything else is really bad. Corey Marshall is both a mediocre talent working with a weak script.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 4, 2020

How much do you think the two fully voice acted cost the project? The script is massive from what I could tell. Think of all the completely useless stuff they had to record. I get it's Shenmue and that's part of the Shenmue immersion, but those were also features that were mind blowing in 1999/2000 and not so mind-blowing now. Are they NECESSARY to move a modern Shenmue ahead? Unique morning cutscenes with Shenhua and the innkeeper would've been more enjoyable than the endless "Enjoy my spring rolls, cutie!" type dialogue we got--even if those cutscenes were text only as suggested. I dunno how Ys net could possibly please every Shenmue fan, but I think a great story would've made up for a lack of immersion.

Descendant · Feb 4, 2020

SpitztheGreat said:
I'll give the VO for Shenhua credit, I too thought she did a good job. But everything else is really bad. Corey Marshall is both a mediocre talent working with a weak script.

What's strange is that he delivers that one line at the end of the game very well, but for the rest of the game he puts on a boring performance. It's very strange. I wonder if it's some weird choice by the developers (Yu Suzuki) to keep Ryo neutral? That Ryo is suppose to be the equivalent of a silent protagonist, so the player can identify with the main character? Japanese developers seem to favor that direction like in Zelda, Dragon Quest, Persona, etc.

Descendant · Feb 4, 2020

bell wood's jet cola said:
How much do you think the two fully voice acted cost the project? The script is massive from what I could tell. Think of all the completely useless stuff they had to record. I get it's Shenmue and that's part of the Shenmue immersion, but those were also features that were mind blowing in 1999/2000 and not so mind-blowing now. Are they NECESSARY to move a modern Shenmue ahead? Unique morning cutscenes with Shenhua and the innkeeper would've been more enjoyable than the endless "Enjoy my spring rolls, cutie!" type dialogue we got--even if those cutscenes were text only as suggested. I dunno how Ys net could possibly please every Shenmue fan, but I think a great story would've made up for a lack of immersion.

While maybe not mindblowing anymore it's still very impressive when every NPC in a immersive game is fully-voiced, and its still quite rare these days. For example the Yakuza series doesn't have all NPCs fully voiced, or Final Fantasy, Persona, Dragon Quest, etc. And these games have budgets well beyond what Shenmue III had.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 4, 2020

Descendant said:
What's strange is that he delivers that one line at the end of the game very well, but for the rest of the game he puts on a boring performance. It's very strange. I wonder if it's some weird choice by the developers (Yu Suzuki) to keep Ryo neutral? That Ryo is suppose to be the equivalent of a silent protagonist, so the player can identify with the main character? Japanese developers seem to favor that direction like in Zelda, Dragon Quest, Persona, etc.

I seem to remember Corey saying in an interview that during Shenmue 1 they kept directing him to be more and more stilted. I think it is 80% on Suzuki (and team) and only 20% on Corey. Like I said, I don't think he's a great talent but he's better than what they're giving him. I think there is a fundamental misjudgment on Suzuki's part about what the audience wants and how they connect with Ryo. I've said it before, but in Shenmue 3 I couldn't help but think that Ryo comes across as though he has a moderate case of autism because he struggles in basic social situations. I can't imagine that is intentional, but it does speak to the blind spots that Suzuki has. He wants to make sure the branches of trees blow in the wind, meanwhile he has dialog that is actively making the game less enjoyable. I question his priorities.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 4, 2020

Descendant said:
While maybe not mindblowing anymore it's still very impressive when every NPC in a immersive game is fully-voiced, and its still quite rare these days. For example the Yakuza series doesn't have all NPCs fully voiced, or Final Fantasy, Persona, Dragon Quest, etc. And these games have budgets well beyond what Shenmue III had.

I agree it's impressive, but at what cost? There's a reason games with bigger budgets don't try to pull this kind of thing off.

Descendant · Feb 4, 2020

bell wood's jet cola said:
I agree it's impressive, but at what cost? There's a reason games with bigger budgets don't try to pull it off.

Thats fair, but unfortunately Shenmue to me has to deliver that feature. It's one of things that it's known for, and if Shenmue IV had most NPCs speak in text boxes I could see the negative reactions about them cutting corners already...

As a selfish fan I personally want all the NPCs fully voiced even if you have to deal with a minute of a bad VO from time to time. Ryo's VO definitely needs to change for the better though.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 4, 2020

I like it as well, but I also see so many areas where Shenmue 3 lacks polish or content (no throws, a story that barely goes anywhere, uninteresting cutscenes!) and it's sort of made me resent the amount of resources they put into seemingly inconsequential stuff. At the same time, reducing VA or NPC encounters might completely ruin the Shenmue vibe that made us fall in love with the series. I just really miss the big set pieces and action from Shenmue II, and I worry we'll never get to experience those moments again.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 4, 2020

I think one thing that all of us need to accept is that in order for this franchise to be concluded extensive compromises need to be made. Everything needs to be on the table including voice work, scale of the game, depth of the fighting system, everything. At this point I really think if Shenmue is going to cross the finish line it will only be on fumes. Personally I just want to know the story, so I'll sacrifice everything else that I need to. I don't think it is possible to conclude the franchise while also keeping all the fans happy, there's not enough money and not enough fans to make it happen like Suzuki wanted. Hell, even a manga at this point would be acceptable.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 4, 2020

I'm really not into the manga. I am interested in the story, but I don't really read comics/manga anymore. I am really just interested in Shenmue as a game. Of course, if they can't finish the series I'll take it.

The Unsent · Feb 4, 2020

Descendant said:
Ryo is not beating Lan Di years later in a sparring match in my mind. I think Ryo beats Lan Di legit 1 on 1, and instead of killing Lan Di he let's him live. Ryo then proceeds to tell him that he was tricked by the Chi You Men, and tells him the truth about his father's death, and the dark side of the mirrors.

Lan Di doesnt turn into a good person, but Lan Di starts thinking a bit more independently for himself. Ren then gives Ryo shit afterwards "You traveled thousands of miles to get revenge for your father, and you let him go!?" Something to that effect.

I think Ryo gets trained properly by a master before he defeats Lan Di.

I don't think Ryo could defeat Lan Di in Shenmue 4, maybe like in 7 and no one expects that. So I think you do a different direction that still honours the story

Fan idea

If after using the full map they insert the mirrors in some special pillars, whatever to unlock the treasure, a Chi You curse may destroy them. It happens to Sun.

Zimming, who was promoted, does a vader, convinced by Xiuying, betrays Lan Di and the Chi You remnants turn on each other in the confusion. And instead of Ryo taking an oppurtunity to knock down a vulnerable Lan Di, he reasons with him about the curse and the truth why is father was killed. There is a fight but not one you're meant to win, just put up a defense

What I meant by years later, after the climax, Ryo would look a lot like Iwao and has learnt all the techniques from Feng, (you can see this in a credits and travelling montage) Xiuying and mastered old Qing Dynasty scrolls he finds in a cliff temple. (That he may have used briefly to evade Lan Di) So you can still win a fight or spar with Lan Di in a exiled place like 15 years later, without a contrivement in the main story. And it would make their fathers pleased.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 4, 2020

I would absolutely love the insane effort to subvert expectations if Ryo were to pull an Indiana Jones and shoot Lan Di. Lan Di falls to the ground, dead, and we get a close up of Ryo walking away while hard Japanese rock blares. Fade to black, no after credits scene, no final words, just BANG, Lan Di is dead.

Maybe you get to enter your name after the credits for some sort of leaderboard like an arcade game, just to roundout the insanity.

Edit- but seriously, I think it's time to really consider what cuts you're willing to accept, and which you aren't. How important is it to you that we close out the franchise? If the most important thing is that we get an ending, then I think you need to be willing to cut many of the things that make Shenmue unique and focus on story elements. If you're more interested in adventure and not too concerned with the actual ending, then how do we get the most fun out of Shenmue 4? A retread of pale toss is not going to cut it.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 4, 2020

You just gave me grim visions of a reskinned Niaowu and Bailu where all you do is turtle race, throw rocks in buckets, and chase ducks... Yeah, I'd take story over that kind of 'atmosphere.'

dedge · Feb 4, 2020

This doesn't really fit the series, but I wouldn't hate if the first several hours of 4 were more linear and had a lot of story beats back to back. After that the game could open up again to the more exploration based format or even some sort of (small) time jump before ramping up for the ending. I think another user previously mentioned returning to Yokosuka, and I think that could be effective for a few reasons. Thematically coming home before ending the story would be nice, and they could develop the exploration/talking parts into an area that largely exists already (which could help on budget/planning).

My take away from 3 is that Ryo may or may not be able to train enough to beat Lan Di one day, but he just mentally does not get it. I think he defeats Lan Di when he stops chasing him and learns to channel his emotions.

I agree there is a lot of compromise that will happen in some fashion, either trimming the story to end in one more game, or just remaining with a cliffhanger

The Unsent · Feb 4, 2020

dedge said:
This doesn't really fit the series, but I wouldn't hate if the first several hours of 4 were more linear and had a lot of story beats back to back. After that the game could open up again to the more exploration based format or even some sort of (small) time jump before ramping up for the ending. I think another user previously mentioned returning to Yokosuka, and I think that could be effective for a few reasons. Thematically coming home before ending the story would be nice, and they could develop the exploration/talking parts into an area that largely exists already (which could help on budget/planning).

My take away from 3 is that Ryo may or may not be able to train enough to beat Lan Di one day, but he just mentally does not get it. I think he defeats Lan Di when he stops chasing him and learns to channel his emotions.

I agree there is a lot of compromise that will happen in some fashion, either trimming the story to end in one more game, or just remaining with a cliffhanger

I think one of the good things about Yokosuka as well is if you can visit a few areas on the original like the cinema that was always out of bounds, and fighting Lan Di's men in a base under seige ... and back throught Sakura to the dojo would be a good final level. (The mirror treasure in the first half)

Xiuying may come for Zimming and you can have some of the heavens come if Guizhang escorted Xiuying to Japan and met his old friend Joy, who tries to see what Ren is playing at. I think try and bring as many classic characters back in Yokosuka where it's plausible and suits the characters.

master15 · Feb 4, 2020

For those interested I highly recommend you read Switch's translation of Suzuki's research trip to China. There's 5 parts up currently but I think it's apparent China was always going to be focus of Shenmue's ongoing story.

I can't imagine returning back to Yokosuka outside epilogue at end of the adventure.

The Unsent · Feb 4, 2020

master15 said:
For those interested I highly recommend you read Switch's translation of Suzuki's research trip to China. There's 5 parts up currently but I think it's apparent China was always going to be focus of Shenmue's ongoing story.

I can't imagine returning back to Yokosuka outside epilogue at end of the adventure.

I would love a few more games in China, just trying to be a realistic and try and imagine how you could unite the protagonists in 1 place for 4 likely would be the final game. You have 2 and a half games set in China then, with 4's first half being Baisha villiage, or another town

near the treasure, where the mirrors back fire and destroy several Chi You leaders with Sun

and the last chapter being Yokosuka where Iwao has something that holds the secret to purify the mirrors or whatever plot device, to do with Shenhua's powers. And an epilogue set in where Ryo's and Lan Di's father used to train, maybe Mengcun, being a limited and linear location like Guilin in Shenmue 2's epilogue.

AllMight1 · Feb 4, 2020

I still think it's highly unlikely that he'll finish the story in 4 considering the story advanced nothing at all on 3.
If he does finish in 4, then Shenmue story as a whole would be a very shallow story.

The Unsent · Feb 4, 2020

Raoh said:
I still think it's highly unlikely that he'll finish the story in 4 considering the story advanced nothing at all on 3.
If he does finish in 4, then Shenmue story as a whole would be a very shallow story.

Shenmue 3's reception was lukewarm so if 4 is in the making, I wouldn't take it for granted and waste the opportunity.

I don't believe that it would have to be rushed, I think they'll likely have a 15 hour game at least, and they can tell a story about greed and the futility of revenge, and parallel that with the lore of the fall of the Qui dynasty and Ren's hunger for fortune, and overall tell a story about how you have to let some things go (which is kind of meta too) The trickiest part is the Lan Di fight considering he outmatches you, but that's why I suggest a more psychological battle as the climax, and an amicable fight as a flash forward epilogue where you're powerful enough to defeat him. If it's a rushed climax, it maybe just a lack of creativity.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 5, 2020

Raoh said:
I still think it's highly unlikely that he'll finish the story in 4 considering the story advanced nothing at all on 3.
If he does finish in 4, then Shenmue story as a whole would be a very shallow story.

You could make the argument that the story is already thin. After three games, roughly 75+ hours, he's had plenty of time to tell a story.

The Unsent · Feb 5, 2020

SpitztheGreat said:
You could make the argument that the story is already thin. After three games, roughly 75+ hours, he's had plenty of time to tell a story.

It's not a particularly complex story, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ryo's story seems to be about the futility of revenge but they can use the supernatural aspects or secrets of china, as an allegory to tell a story about greed and lust which is what Ryo, Ren, Lan Di and Nioh Sun have in different ways. I think that would also mean Shenhua' story and whatever her powers are with the nature of China, about how the future is how we take care of our world, even with the old dynasties gone. If they convey a theme. I think you can tie the story up with 4.

AllMight1 · Feb 5, 2020

SpitztheGreat said:
You could make the argument that the story is already thin. After three games, roughly 75+ hours, he's had plenty of time to tell a story.

This is a fact actually. Some fans were very dissapointed that story wise S3 was barebones. But it has been until now, its been a ride, and quite the wholesome experience, but story wise yeah, not much.

shadowman16 · Feb 5, 2020

I just feel that 3 should have forwarded the store more in Chobu - which when looking back really did next to nothing. Which itself is an issue when you notice that the last hour is super rushed as it basically tries pushing several plot points that were undeveloped. I assume those plot points were supposed to be in the third area but were ultimately cut when its scope was drastically reduced, but still doesn't explain why Chobu is so barebones on plot when there's definitely stuff happening in the background.

The Unsent · Feb 5, 2020

shadowman16 said:
I just feel that 3 should have forwarded the store more in Chobu - which when looking back really did next to nothing. Which itself is an issue when you notice that the last hour is super rushed as it basically tries pushing several plot points that were undeveloped. I assume those plot points were supposed to be in the third area but were ultimately cut when its scope was drastically reduced, but still doesn't explain why Chobu is so barebones on plot when there's definitely stuff happening in the background.

It felt a bit like if Shenmue 2 didn't have Kowloon in it and jumped straight to the yellow head building.

shadowman16 · Feb 5, 2020

♡♪!? said:
It felt a bit like if Shenmue 2 didn't have Kowloon in it and jumped straight to the yellow head building.

Yup. I felt there really just needed to be a build up to explain a few of the points in the finale - because its not so much that the twists made no sense its just that if I'd not been on top of the plot and characters I'd have been slightly lost as to what was happening.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 5, 2020

Ryo bumps into Ren like it's no big deal and then you just see Ren aimlessly wandering around town. In a better Shenmue you would've had scenes together, spoken to Ren many times, strategized and plotted your next steps together, had some nice comic moments, etc... Shenmue 3 has none of that... It's SO barebones. Yu Suzuki isn't exactly stuffing these games with great content or making an argument for making two or three more Shenmue games if Shenmue 3's plotting & important story content are anything to go by.

Tohsaka · Feb 5, 2020

I really don't see Suzuki being able to wrap up the story in a satisfactory way with just one more game, considering Ryo couldn't do anything to Lan Di at the end of Shenmue 3. There would have to be a lengthy timeskip or something, either that or the game would end up really rushed since I don't see Ryo becoming exponentially more powerful over the course of another game that was a similar length to 3. I know the chances of a fifth game existing at all seem really unlikely though, so we'll see what happens I suppose.

Sprat · Feb 5, 2020

bell wood's jet cola said:
Ryo bumps into Ren like it's no big deal and then you just see Ren aimlessly wandering around town. In a better Shenmue you would've had scenes together, spoken to Ren many times, strategized and plotted your next steps together, had some nice comic moments, etc... Shenmue 3 has none of that... It's SO barebones. Yu Suzuki isn't exactly stuffing these games with great content or making an argument for making two or three more Shenmue games if Shenmue 3's plotting & important story content are anything to go by.

I appreciated this aspect. Ren is my least favourite character so I was glad to see him take a backseat.

Actually thinking about it I only really like the characters from the first game.

bell wood's jet cola · Feb 5, 2020

Haha, you might not have liked him, but I still think it's pretty weird he's little more than a disposable NPC in S3.

Sumio Mondo · Feb 5, 2020

Will Xiuying or Guizhang ever return? I'd like them to. Not just for the sake of it but feels like they could have good story reasons for doing so (Ziming, Chi You Men being enemies with Master Chen etc).

J2C · Feb 5, 2020

bell wood's jet cola said:
Haha, you might not have liked him, but I still think it's pretty weird he's little more than a disposable NPC in S3.

It was definitely weird. Combined with the indifference Chai was treated with by Ryo... and there's just some choices that break the immersion in the game's story. "Unpolished" at best, but arguably nonsensical/broken

I wouldn't expect Ghuizang and Xiuying to be much more than a nostalgia play if featured, the likes of the phone calls. Rather than playing a relevant role in the plot would be my concern

Clive · Feb 5, 2020

Sumio Mondo said:
Will Xiuying or Guizhang ever return? I'd like them to. Not just for the sake of it but feels like they could have good story reasons for doing so (Ziming, Chi You Men being enemies with Master Chen etc).

Pretty sure Ryo had the Yin/Yang stone in his inventory in Shenmue III which to me indicates that the Xiuying's brother plot thread is something they plan to finish. If they weren't intending to pursue it then they wouldn't have kept the stone in the inventory. Doesn't mean she will return though and it could still be cut entirely for budget reasons.

There is no real important reason for Guizhang or Master Chen to return in my opinion. They have no link with Ryo's family and no direct link with Lan Di or his father to my knowledge. It could happen but it's not one of the more important unresolved mysteries in the series, the details about their relationship with the Chi You Men.

master15 · Feb 5, 2020

J2 Cool said:
I wouldn't expect Ghuizang and Xiuying to be much more than a nostalgia play if featured, the likes of the phone calls. Rather than playing a relevant role in the plot would be my concern

Xuiying I can guarantee will appear in future games. The fact you have pendent and have yet to meet her brother Ximing yet. In addition look who is featured in the final title card of the original VF RPG.

Descendant · Feb 5, 2020

bell wood's jet cola said:
Ryo bumps into Ren like it's no big deal and then you just see Ren aimlessly wandering around town. In a better Shenmue you would've had scenes together, spoken to Ren many times, strategized and plotted your next steps together, had some nice comic moments, etc... Shenmue 3 has none of that... It's SO barebones. Yu Suzuki isn't exactly stuffing these games with great content or making an argument for making two or three more Shenmue games if Shenmue 3's plotting & important story content are anything to go by.

That...is not true. Ryo and Ren do plan things out together in Niaowu, and they do have some funny banter. Would I wish there was more? Absolutely, but this game had a budget, and I personally thought they did a good job for what they were working with.

Ren was walking around town to show that he is doing his own thing in trying to find the treasure. The same way Shenhua was walking around town, and Ryo himself for that matter.

The whole ending portion is Ryo and Ren trying to plan the whole fake mirror thing, and Ryo and Ren together kicking some of the Chi You Men's lackeys ass, and even some of Lan Di's personal guards. Ren then saves Ryo's life with the fake Mirror trick. I would say Ryo and Ren had some decent moments.
/SPOILER]

dedge · Feb 5, 2020

Ryo being so agitated by Ren was great I thought.

AmirMoosavi · Feb 5, 2020

Played a bit of the DLC tonight. Was OK, will see if the other two components make the season pass worth £8.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 5, 2020

J2 Cool said:
It was definitely weird. Combined with the indifference Chai was treated with by Ryo... and there's just some choices that break the immersion in the game's story. "Unpolished" at best, but arguably nonsensical/broken

That's what I'm talking about when I say that I question Yu's priorities. Yu's storytelling decisions are absolutely perplexing. HEre's a guy who cares about details such as branches blowing, but seemingly gives no regard to coherent dialog or character interactions. This was already bad in S1 and S2, but it has gotten worse. I can't help but keep coming back to my autism comparison, Ryo is written to be such a socially inept person that you could easily believe that he has a social development disorder. His inability to properly respond to the various social situations he gets into absolutely ripped me out of the game. As a kid I somehow was able to brush this aside, but as an adult it is maddening.

Between the dialog (in English at least) and animation, it makes you wonder if Suzuki himself understands how human-beings interact.

The Unsent · Feb 5, 2020

master15 said:
Xuiying I can guarantee will appear in future games. The fact you have pendent and have yet to meet her brother Ximing yet. In addition look who is featured in the final title card of the original VF RPG.

Picture 1 is Yokosuka and then 2 is Kowloon, 5 looks like the epilogue of 2 and rest looks like is has Niao Sun, maybe Lan Di's white haired body guard and the bully from Bailu Village. 6 looks like Niaowh. 7 looks like it could be Shenmue 4, but there's too much overall to do several more games.

Althought one of those characters could be made Zimming and Ren could get that second costume in 4, hopefully the final one.

Deleted member 10747 · Feb 8, 2020

So i kind of want to know from other Shenmue III fans but how many of you finished the game? And did you like it and does it get better?

I don't really like Shenmue III...Something is missing. In the beginning it was awesome but very shortly after i did not really enjoy it. I can't tell you why.....perhaps the side stories aren't fun. i know for a fact that i dislike fighting in the game. I can get over the fighting but i don't know i just don't want to play it.....and haven't touched it since end November. I stopped playing at the second city.

SpitztheGreat · Feb 8, 2020

Seshumaru said:
So i kind of want to know from other Shenmue III fans but how many of you finished the game? And did you like it and does it get better?

I don't really like Shenmue III...Something is missing. In the beginning it was awesome but very shortly after i did not really enjoy it. I can't tell you why.....perhaps the side stories aren't fun. i know for a fact that i dislike fighting in the game. I can get over the fighting but i don't know i just don't want to play it.....and haven't touched it since end November. I stopped playing at the second city.

For all my bitching I'll admit to not finishing the game. I caught up on all the important parts, but I just can't bring myself to play it; it's almost like it hurts too bad. I remember having a similar, but very different, feeling during Shenmue II; I found Shenmue II very painful because it was so good and the franchise was "dead". Shenmue III I find very painful because I waited almost 20 years for it and it's just simply a mediocre to bad game.

Though I haven't actually played through the entire game (you and I quit at about the same time it sounds) I'll say this: if you've given any sort of media hours of your time and it isn't grabbing you then you don't owe it anything.

The Unsent · Feb 8, 2020

Seshumaru said:
So i kind of want to know from other Shenmue III fans but how many of you finished the game? And did you like it and does it get better?

I don't really like Shenmue III...Something is missing. In the beginning it was awesome but very shortly after i did not really enjoy it. I can't tell you why.....perhaps the side stories aren't fun. i know for a fact that i dislike fighting in the game. I can get over the fighting but i don't know i just don't want to play it.....and haven't touched it since end November. I stopped playing at the second city.

I liked it. The towns are gorgeous and colourful and I love seeing what weird and endearing things the NPCs have to say and just seeing like a guitar shopkeeper rocking it like a mad man. I remember the layouts of the two cities in my head and its distinct areas which means it stayed with me and I don't get that from other games. It would be nice if it lived up to 2 but I had a nice time overall.

Deleted member 10747 · Feb 8, 2020

SpitztheGreat said:
For all my bitching I'll admit to not finishing the game. I caught up on all the important parts, but I just can't bring myself to play it; it's almost like it hurts too bad. I remember having a similar, but very different, feeling during Shenmue II; I found Shenmue II very painful because it was so good and the franchise was "dead". Shenmue III I find very painful because I waited almost 20 years for it and it's just simply a mediocre to bad game.

Though I haven't actually played through the entire game (you and I quit at about the same time it sounds) I'll say this: if you've given any sort of media hours of your time and it isn't grabbing you then you don't owe it anything.

I really liked Shenmue II it's in my top 3 games off all time....but something about Shenmue III just doesn't click with me. I think i played the game a lot and i really want to like it....something is just wrong with me or the game......

♡♪!? said:
I liked it. The towns are gorgeous and colourful and I love seeing what weird and endearing things the NPCs have to say and just seeing like a guitar shopkeeper rocking it like a mad man. I remember the layouts of the two cities in my head and its distinct areas which means it stayed with me and I don't get that from other games. It would be nice if it lived up to 2 but I had a nice time overall.

I wasn't talking about the graphics.....it's purely the game i am talking about. Was wondering if it just me or that other people feel the same way and perhaps can explain a bit more why they don't like it or do like it. Because right now i'm a bit stumbled why i don't like it.

Virtua King · Feb 9, 2020

Seshumaru said:
So i kind of want to know from other Shenmue III fans but how many of you finished the game? And did you like it and does it get better?

I don't really like Shenmue III...Something is missing. In the beginning it was awesome but very shortly after i did not really enjoy it. I can't tell you why.....perhaps the side stories aren't fun. i know for a fact that i dislike fighting in the game. I can get over the fighting but i don't know i just don't want to play it.....and haven't touched it since end November. I stopped playing at the second city.

I finished it and am now watching Huber play it on the Easy Allies' archive.

It's not just you. This game has a lot of problems and it's not just because it had a small budget. Honestly, my biggest takeaway from the experience was that Yu Suzuki should go back to making arcade games, because he still has the talent for that at least.

dedge · Feb 9, 2020

I loved it and it felt like a true Shenmue III, regardless if it could have had improvements or things done better, that applies to all games. They did a great job capturing the essence of Shenmue and that's primarily what I wanted in a game that I knew wasn't going to conclude the story.

Deleted member 10747 · Feb 9, 2020

Virtua King said:
I finished it and am now watching Huber play it on the Easy Allies' archive.

It's not just you. This game has a lot of problems and it's not just because it had a small budget. Honestly, my biggest takeaway from the experience was that Yu Suzuki should go back to making arcade games, because he still has the talent for that at least.

How was Hubert's opinion of the gameplay??

dedge said:
I loved it and it felt like a true Shenmue III, regardless if it could have had improvements or things done better, that applies to all games. They did a great job capturing the essence of Shenmue and that's primarily what I wanted in a game that I knew wasn't going to conclude the story.

For me it misses something to be a true Shenmue game. What? I can't put my finger on it. It sort of feels off, like i'm playing shenmue but also not.

Virtua King · Feb 9, 2020

Seshumaru said:
How was Hubert's opinion of the gameplay??

He called it rough, but he''s willing to give it a pass because he enjoys the cozy vibes the rest of the game offers.

Deleted member 10747 · Feb 9, 2020

Virtua King said:
He called it rough, but he''s willing to give it a pass because he enjoys the cozy vibes the rest of the game offers.

Fair. I should perhaps watch him play....since i am interested in the story!

Virtua King · Feb 9, 2020

Seshumaru said:
Fair. I should perhaps watch him play....since i am interested in the story!

Yeah, I kind of agree with him on that too, but I'm not as forgiving, lol. I'd definitely recommend watching his playthrough, but just fair warning, it is pretty long though.

Shenmue III |OT| Our Destiny Since Ancient Times

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