Shenmue

[y9784]

I bought Shenmue when it came out back in the day. The game was a great experiment. The amount of player interaction was unheard of and that was why it was so exciting. I say experiment because what the designers thought was fun amount of interaction then does not hold up well for brand new players trying the game after having played newer RPGs and adventure games like Skyrim or SWOTOR.

The game world does feel very alive and you can get lost in it, but newer games like Skyrim are open ended as well yet give the player a better sense of progression even if they are completing a side-mission.

I love the gameplay and story (fighting like a virtua fighter in an adventure game). The story is probably the only reason I can recommend for players who have experienced newer more in depth rpgs or adventure titles.

It's kind of a paradox, but the story is the reason why I can't recommend you or anyone else play these two games. You will be distraught that the final chapters of Shenmue will NEVER happen

[Godot102]

Shenmue....I really wanted to like this game! It seemed like it would be the greatest game ever(cool graphics and music, big environment to explore, hilariously bad voices, beat people up, real time clock) all the things that would make a game great was in it, but for some reason it felt really boring.....One of the main issues I had with it was that for a game that claimed you could do anything, there was not a whole lot you could do, or better yet not enough to hold your attention for too long(I can only play space harrier for so long....). Unfortunately you were required to wait for certain things to happen but are not given a whole lot to do in the meantime.

To be fair, I have heard that the sequel was a huge improvement in that aspect and I have yet to play it. I am willing to give it a second chance if i can get my hands on a copy of shenmue II. One of these days Ill ebay the xbox version.

[Menegrothx]

Even if one never replays it, every gamer should play Shenmue at least once. In my eyes, it's like a right of passage.

What kind of time investment are we talking here? 20 hours? 40 hours? 200 hours?

Sorry for the offtopic, but I just got to say that Ive found that the more I collect games and the more my pile of unplayed games starts to stack up, the less patience I have for nonlinear games, games with lengthy cutscenes, games with a lot of dialogue, games where you have to explore the world to find out stuff in order to advance etc. All them simple ol platformers have turned me into a ADHD
I have so many great games, espescially PC RPGs, started that I never get around of playing. Every time you restart you have to relearn all the keybids, remember the storyline etc. As a kid I used to play the same game over and over untill I finally had money to purchase a new game and I loved exploring and figuring stuff out on my own. Now its all about playing games through as fast as possible because I feel obliged to do so.

[Reprise]

Even if one never replays it, every gamer should play Shenmue at least once. In my eyes, it's like a right of passage.

What kind of time investment are we talking here? 20 hours? 40 hours? 200 hours?

You could complete it in 10 hours, probably less. However, your first experience you'll probably want to take your time and explore things, so I'd say no more than 25-30 hours.

[Godot102]

Thats what I've often heard. The second one is supposed to be longer like 25-30 hours.

[ExedExes]

You thought the first one was impressive and a time eater, wait till you see the second. When the action turns away from one street and neighborhood in Japan to the bustling city of Hong Kong, the stakes get higher and things change quickly.

[Metal Jesus]

It's funny you should mention this game, as I just tried restarting it for the 2nd time...

...and I got a couple hours in and shut it off for good. It's just so damn boring 80% of the time. Keep in mind that I don't view the game with nostalgia, because I didn't own a Dreamcast back when it was new. I feel like I should really love the game and all that it attempted to accomplish...but I just don't find it compelling now.

[KDub]

Shut off for good?

[Metal Jesus]

Shut off for good?

Maybe. I've tried twice now... **blush**

I think what I will try to do is give the Xbox version a shot, and just watch the movie dvd to catch up on the story...

[ksloth]

Godot102 - if you have an Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, you can download Shenmue 2 from Games on Demand.

Shenmue and Shenmue 2 are some of my favorite games ever. In fact, I will play through Shenmue about every other year around Christmas time, because that game is so closely associated with that holiday for me.