Shenmue (Sega Dreamcast, 2000)

Pros
• Open-ended game play
• Outstanding graphics
• Music
• Gripping storyline
• Elements such as QTE which spice up the game
Cons
• Extremely slow at times
• Loading times…
• Why do you have to use the D-Pad to move??


INTRO
This is one of the stand out games for the short lived Sega Dreamcast. Taking place in 1986, in various areas of Japan, Shenmue focuses on Rio Hazuki, a younger man who rushes home to find his father, Iwao Hazuki, being extorted for a mirror (that Rio has no clue about) by a man in a long green robe named Lan-Di and his henchmen. As Rio tries to save his beaten father, he is instead choked by Lan-Di, and Iwao finally tells Lan-Di where the mirror is, as he will kill Rio if he does not. After Lan-Di gets the mirror, they leave, and Rio is left with his dead father. The game itself mainly focuses on Rio attempting to find Lan-Di, his father’s killer by searching his area for clues, witnesses, or anything that will lead him to Lan-Di.

GRAPHICS
Unlike other games, this is truly realistic. As soon as you start to play, you will notice how real everything looks; the beginning cut scene is the exact graphics and frame rate as the actual game play. The graphics have vast colors and shading, and the animations are extremely realistic. Sadly, this is ruined when the characters talk. The lip movement looks fake compared to other Dreamcast games, and the characters voices are not in sync with the lip movements. Overall, the graphics are one of the best things about this game.

GAMEPLAY
The game play itself is very, very gripping. In this game you can talk to people, buy toy capsules, play arcade games, search your house for items, buy chips, and much, much more. Stores and the environment are realistic, complete with closing times, soda machines outside, garbage, crabby people, and customers. You will notice how all stores are like this, and only certain people will help you on your path. If you ever get bored, especially when the game play gets slow (which it does), you can easily play Space Harrier at the arcade using you allowance, or play it on your Saturn. ;-)

MUSIC
Kudos to whoever created this music. With the music, the game play is extremely intense, such as sad music during a sad part, happy music during a happy part, etc. Not only does the music add to the game, but it is powerful. The music is always appropriate, and you can even listen to it using your cassette player (Hey, it’s the 80’s). If you were to play this game on mute, you would feel as if something is missing; with the music, the game feels complete.

CONTROLS
This is probably where the game could have improved the most. The most irritating thing is that you must use the D-Pad to move. No, the joystick controls the virtually pointless camera. They should have switched the D-Pad and joystick controls around, as your thumb will get sore. A positive side is that the buttons are straight forward: only a few are used and anyone can memorize them quickly. The controls can also be used for a QTE, Quick Timer Event, where a button comes up and if you have fast reflexes to press it in time, something good will happen; if not, something bad

CLOSING
Over this game is recommended. You can find it for about <$10 on eBay. This game will provide you with hours of game play and has great graphics, game play, sound, and is something no Dreamcast owner should miss.

For what Shenmue offers,it's one of the best titles of its time.Available for the Sega Dreamcast,this game puts you in the shoes of a young man named Ryo.Attempting avenge the death of his father,who died at the hands of a mysterious Chinese man.

For newer gamers,it would be easy to bypass this game as an interesting quirk on a lost system.For those in the "know",they see this game for exactly what it is.
A forerunner to all open ended games to come.
Shenume was obviously ahead of it's time,and only in retrospect,do I believe the educated gamer really see's how much of an impact Shenmue has had on the world of gaming.

Shemue was the first of the "blockbuster" games to hit the market.Sadly,the sales did not reflect this and in the end the fans have suffered.I highly recommend Shenmue to anyone looking for a great gaming experince on their Sega Dreamcast.This is a title that has turned ripe with age.

This game is one of the best games i ever played. I used to stay up all night adventuring in 80's Japan in this game. And I will again.

This game is pretty much "required reading" for any fan of Dreamcast, Sega, Adventure/quest games, martial arts, or classic video games, period. It is easily considered to be one of the best unknown/under-rated games ever.

Because the Dreamcast was removed from shelves so quickly to be replaced by newer consoles, few people had a chance to experience this game in it's day. This game is deep. You become fully immersed in 1987 Japan, as Ryo, the teenage son of a murdered martial arts master, seeking the truth and/or revenge of his death. It will take you to many places and meet many people. you will fight to protect yourself and work to support yourself. you will uncover mysteries. you will discover.... Shenmue. One your most favorite games, I promise.

This game has an awesome storyline to it. The setting that's held in the game falls right into place without flaw. I just like to play games such as this because I know a great game when I play one, and plus I am an adventure / RPG gamer. The major questioning around the city to different people, and the time in this game kind of irritates me just a little, neverless, everything else is beyond perfectly fine in this game.(background music, astonishing graphics, pure environments, intense fighting, etc.) Sega really did a number on this game. This game definitely could chew most of Sony Playstation 1 and 2's adventure games right out of the wall hands down! You can hate it or love it, this here is a must have adventure game for the Sega Dreamcast. Buy it today and I guarantee that you would NOT be dissatisfied.

no other game to date has intrigued me like Shenmue. everything about it is amazing. it was well ahead of its time. you're going to become attached to the characters and to Ryu's world. this game is very impressive even though the graphics may seem dated at times. the game is relatively short, but the various things to do and experience expand the gameplay. the voice work is incredible. lots of detail, design, and realism invested in this game. you're going to wish SEGA had continued the series.