Shenmue launch

[RCBH928]

I wasn't around when shenmue was out
but looking at how innovative and different this game is(stuff like shenmue passport) , it must be something that was hyped to death. I mean, if the exact same game today was to be released (given it was never released) with HD graphics, with all that innovative features it would make a huge buzz(sure more than wii music and animal crossing) .

All the features and options in the game is like made for a different era, like the game is from the future. I guess Shenmue release in 2000 is like selling blackberry in 80's ..no one would understand it.

I am amazed why this game did so bad?

Can someone post us with memories of the launch and hopes for this game, and what was the reaction of the media and was it fulfilling?

[claudio]

Shenmue is good because it cost alot,

Its the most expensive game ever created.

[Caboose]

Shenmue is a love it or hate it type game. It was hyped a lot and also if you watch trailers there is a sense of epic-ness about the whole thing. It is the most expensive game made to date, and IIRC I read somewhere that they had an entire building working on it.

[thejamessea]

The expensive thing is kind of a misrepresentation. The version of Shenmue that was released on DC was expensive to make, but no more so than any other game of its scale at the time.

The myth comes to life by way of the fact that AM2 was working on that game since the Sega Saturn was around. That's the reason it was so expensive. The project as a whole is what people are talking about. Yu Suzuki and AM2 built hundreds of hours worth of material for the Saturn version, only to have it postponed when the DC was in development.

They then converted the entire project over to Dreamcast, starting from scratch. Basically they developed the same game twice over the course of about six years. Hence the overall cost is cited as making Shenmue the most expensive game ever.

Also, Yu Suzuki travelled to China about 10 times over this period to study various things for realism in the game, such as martial arts, architecture, culture, etc. all on Sega's dime.

[thejamessea]

Shenmue 1 is my favorite game of all time, by the way.

And since the topic is about memories of the launch, I can say this: I anticipated this game for over a year.

I looked at the Shenmue edition of Official Dreamcast Magazine about a hundred times before it came out. The day it was releasing my friend and I skipped school, went to what was then FuncoLand, and bought two copies. We then rushed back to my place and played the game nonstop for something like 12 hours.

It was amazing. Still my favorite game.

As for critical reception, most Dreamcast magazines and websites such as IGN rated the game very highly. It was pretty popular critically speaking, but didn't sell enough to make a profit. Considering the game's high production values, they would have had to sell something like 3 copies of the game per Dreamcast sold at the time of Shenmue's release, which obviously would never happen.

Either way, commercial success or not, it's a very special game to me, and to thousands of other people out there who still wish we could see the ending of Ryo's story. If anyone hasn't played the game all the way through I suggest doing so. It really is an amazingly clear window into Japanese culture. The world they created within that game is unbelievably detailed, and rich with personality, to the point that it almost becomes a living, breathing world.

Check it out.

Shenmue 2 is fantastic as well.

[Caboose]

The expensive thing is kind of a misrepresentation. The version of Shenmue that was released on DC was expensive to make, but no more so than any other game of its scale at the time.

The myth comes to life by way of the fact that AM2 was working on that game since the Sega Saturn was around. That's the reason it was so expensive. The project as a whole is what people are talking about. Yu Suzuki and AM2 built hundreds of hours worth of material for the Saturn version, only to have it postponed when the DC was in development.

They then converted the entire project over to Dreamcast, starting from scratch. Basically they developed the same game twice over the course of about six years. Hence the overall cost is cited as making Shenmue the most expensive game ever.

Also, Yu Suzuki travelled to China about 10 times over this period to study various things for realism in the game, such as martial arts, architecture, culture, etc. all on Sega's dime.

Yes, you're right. Also it is no myth that Shenmue was being worked on for the Sega Saturn; there's a video of it on the passport disc. Also, Ryo is based on a Virtua Fighter character named Akira. The game was originally going to be called Akira's quest, but they changed their minds and made it something totally separate from Virtua Fighter.

Also, about it being the most expensive game ever, I agree it was likely because of it's scale and also the fact that they had to start all over again with the Dreamcast.

[Pulsar_t]

To my amazement the first time I heard of this game was in a Gamesmaster issue in the summer of 1999. It looked bloody incredible. I was absent from the console scene for 18 months or so due to my getting tired of the "mono PS culture". The game was hyped way too much, and some people expected miracles. But no game or anything else will ever achieve that! Others were put off by the voice acting and the non-fantasy Japanese cultural elements. But in terms of presenting a new flavour of JRPG one that is not based on fantasy and has an excellent (albeit underused) brawling system, along with never-seen-before in-game activities and extended interaction, not to mention proper character development, Shenmue was a masterpiece in its own right. However as most critics pointed out the FREE aspect of the game was exaggerated but all games in the end are linear even if they have multiple endings.

I lost all respect for Gamespot after their horrendous Shenmue review. It did harm the game's sales and was quite unfair.

[PhillySpartan]

Shenmue in my opinion is without a doubt one of the most underrated games of all time. Seriously. Whether you loved it, or hated it, the world that was created for this jem was unique. Plain and simple.

Even now after all this time, I can still taste the bitterness in my mouth from when Sega pulled the plug on the U.S. release on the Dreamcast in favor of releasing it on the upcoming Xbox system. The betrayal I felt. (I did however import the european version to play on my DC)

We might never experience the ending to the Shenmue story, but for the small percentage of people out there that either experienced it then or happen to be experiencing it now for the first time, we get it. This was not just a video game, it was a real work of art.

Even today as I scan the bargin bins at many different game retailers, I see either that Xbox Shenmue II disc box or even in some cases the original Shenmue DC game and just smile and wish for the ending of the story.

Shenmue....man now that brings the memories back.

[molotovwars]

I think it would great if they at least released the rest of the story as a graphic novel or something, even if they don't have the resources to fund a cgi movie, or a full game. Some sort of fan service would be nice, who knows what it could lead to. Family guy was canceled after not too long, but once the DVD sales were so strong they were able to continue making episodes. Not quite the same thing, and the costs are very different, but a great art book or graphic novel to finish the story would be great. Or, if they didn't want to give away the story, in case they made a game, they could release art books and things from the first two games, something!

[otaku]

shenmue is incredible. It was a key factor in my love for the dreamcast back in the day (the other being soul calibur) great killer app (except sales wise....) shenmue 2 was amazing as well. They really must finish this series. IF I ever come up with the money I'll help get it finished!