Created by Yu Suzuki, Shenmue takes players into a 3D world set in 1986 Japan. Sega calls the game F.R.E.E., which stands for "Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment." By Sega's definition, F.R.E.E. means that you can "Go wherever you want to go, see whatever you want to see, investigate whatever you want to investigate."
As the game opens, players witness the death of Iwao Hazuki at the hands of Lan Di. Lan Di and his thugs retrieve the mirror they had been searching for and then leave. Players assume the role of Ryo Hazuki, Iwao's son, and set out to unravel the mysteries surrounding the death of his father. Gameplay allows users to walk around three main areas: the towns of Yokosuka and Dobuita, and a harbor.
Each area is complete with people going about their daily lives who Ryo can converse with through the push of a button. Conversations unravel on their own, as players cannot select what to say -- they simply press the button between lines to keep the conversation going. While Ryo goes about his daily activities, the time of day and weather will be changing around him. Some days will be sunny, some rainy, and some snowy. The weather does not have a direct impact on the gameplay, but it will affect the look of the environments and cause some characters to discuss the weather in a conversation.
Throughout the game Ryo can perform a variety of actions such as open doors, pick up and examine items, and react to events via quick timer events (QTEs). These events can be anything from dodging a bicyclist to beating up some thugs. QTEs can occur without warning so players must always be ready to react. An image of a button or direction of the D-Pad will flash on the screen at which time the gameplayer will have to quickly hit the correct button on the controller. Many QTEs feature a string of events and sometimes allow for a few mistakes before failure occurs. If a player fails at a major QTE, the scene will repeat itself.
Ryo lives in Yokosuka with Ine Hayata, caretaker of the Hazuki household, and Masayuki Fukuhara, a martial arts student who was training under Ryo's father. Inside the home of Ryo players can search the rooms and find a variety of items to interact with, such as a Sega Saturn and a cassette player. They will also have to return here every night in order to go to bed and save the game. A full save of the game can only be done in Ryo's bedroom but one quick save can be done at any time. However, only one quick save can exist and they also can only be loaded one time.
Next to their home players will find the family dojo; here they can practice their martial arts as well as spar with Masayuki. Martial arts plays a major role in Shenmue as Ryo will get into more than just QTE fights. Ryo begins the game with a number of moves but can learn more during practice, by reading scrolls, and by being taught by characters in the game. A bar graph displays the proficiency level for each move that can be increased through practice. Fights are played similar to that of a 3D fighting game and can be one-on-one or against a group of enemies.
Yokosuka features a complete neighborhood where Ryo can speak with a number of characters, visit a kitten that he can feed and pet, shop at the local convenience store, and even purchase some toys from vending machines. Of the two vending machines in Yokosuka, one features Virtua Fighter characters while the other contains characters related to the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Other vending machines that can be found in the game include one dedicated to Virtua Fighter Kids, one filled with vehicles such as regular cars and Hang On motorcycles, one that has items related to the local harbor, and two that have a variety of other Sega related characters.
Located just beyond Yokosuka is Dobuita. Here is where much of the game takes place as Dobuita is full of shops, bars, many of the games main characters, and an arcade. The arcade features five games that can be played: two quick timer games in Excite QTE2 and QTE Title, a game of darts, and the complete versions of the arcade hits Hang On and Space Harrier. Each game costs 100 yen to play just as each toy in a vending machine costs 100 yen. Ryo begins the game with 10,000 yen and is given 500 yen per day. At the edge of Dobuita is a bus stop where Ryo will eventually be able to take a bus to the harbor where he will be able to get a job and earn more money.
Aside from the three game discs, Shenmue also includes a passport disc. Offline the passport disc allows users to watch any cut-scene they have already viewed in the game, listen to any song that they have heard in the game, and receive game instructions from some of the main characters. When taking the passport disc online many more features can be accessed. More detailed information on the characters, locations, and martial arts moves can be found.
By reading the saved data from a VMU, Sega's servers can provide in-game weather reports for the next few game days and give the player clues if they are stuck. Users can find data on their game such as number of hours played or how many cans of soda Ryo has had to drink too. Also, high scores from the mini-games can be posted, special soda cans can be traded for character data, and items can be traded for unique items that can only be obtained at the online market.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Yu Suzuki -- the man behind such classics as Out Run, Hang On, Space Harrier, and Virtua Fighter -- began laying the groundwork for Shenmue while the Saturn was still Sega's current platform. Before the Dreamcast was released, the news was out that Suzuki was planning something big and rumors started to spread that it would be a role-playing version of Virtua Fighter. While that particular rumor had some validity as Sega did refer to the project as "VF RPG" (as well as Project Berkely), it turned out that the game had very little to do with Virtua Fighter. However, the hype that Shenmue would be something huge was already in motion.
Once the Dreamcast launched in Japan, the hardware to build Shenmue was in place and the game was officially announced in December of 1998. Sega and Suzuki even decided to create their own the genre for the game; they call Shenmue "F.R.E.E.," otherwise known as "Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment." Shenmue took four years to produce (five if you include the year it took to port it to the U.S.), made use of an enormous budget, and is created by a legend in the gaming industry. Throw in all of the hype created by Sega with their new genre and you can see why most everyone expected Shenmue to be something revolutionary. So does it live up to the expectations? Not quite, as the game does not exactly meet the criteria of being revolutionary, but it turns out that it is a great adventure game.
Shenmue can be considered very original just by looking at it but it does borrow many elements from games that came before it. At its heart, the game is an adventure title similar to the styles of games that didn't only exist before the 128-bit era but also previous to the 32-bit console era. For instance, take the Sega CD games Snatcher and Rise of the Dragon. Of course, those games fail in comparison to Shenmue but they still follow the same basic premise; the player is out to solve a murder case by interviewing a large number of people and investigating areas. What the Dreamcast allows Shenmue to do is provide a completely 3D environment that can be interacted with whereas the earliest of console games that came before it forced players to point-and-click on items rather than actually pick up an object and look at it.
However, not everything in Shenmue can be interacted with. The first page in the game's manual says that you can "Go wherever you want to go, see whatever you want to see, investigate whatever you want to investigate." This definition of "Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment" is not entirely true. While players can visit a variety of locations and investigate many items, there are just as many things that cannot be done. For example, you can open up just about any drawer in Ryo's house but only a select number of items can be touched. Open his sock drawer and you see some very realistic socks but you can't pick them up. Look in another drawer and you might see 10 different objects but only one will be able to be interacted with.
As far as exploration, you cannot go everywhere at the start of the game or enter every building you encounter. The game is basically divided into four areas: Ryo's house, the neighborhood, the town area, and a harbor. Points in the story will have to be reached before some of these can be entered. Also, while the neighborhood is full of houses, most of them are simply in place for the purpose of looking like a neighborhood. Knock on as many doors as you want but rarely will there be a response. Simply put, the word "FREE" is a poor way to describe the game and may disappoint gamers who go into the game expecting a full 3D environment that they can explore on their own with almost no limitations.
The storyline and the people in it also have more limitations than one might expect. As previously mentioned, tasks will have to be performed before certain areas can be entered. Many of these tasks involve speaking with people until the desired information can be obtained. Unfortunately, conversations are limited to clicking on a person and listening to them speak. Sometimes they will be broken up with quick timer events (QTEs) but you will not be able to choose what to say. Speak to the same person a second time and you may get the same conversation even if you performed tasks after speaking with them. For instance, Ryo speaks with the man who owns the motorcycle shop who tells him to talk to the owner of the jacket shop. Have the conversation with the jacket shop owner who provides some information but not exactly what is needed. Later, speak with the motorcycle owner again and he will say the same thing he said earlier. Ryo's response is something along the lines of "I'll do that," never mentioning that he has already talked to the jacket shop owner.
Conversations such as the one just mentioned display the linearity of the game. However, let me point out that all of the above examples are not meant to place a negative view on Shenmue; simply to point out the game's limitations so that you do not enter the game expecting more than what is here. Sega's hype is probably what hurts the game the most because players will be disappointed if they think that the game is "FREE" in the terms that Sega describes. While Shenmue does not contain a go anywhere, do anything 3D environment, you will still find a gaming experience that will ultimately satisfy. Shenmue might not be a game for everyone but if you enjoy any type of graphic adventure or mystery adventure, or just want to see some amazing graphics, then you definitely must play this game.
Only a year into the Dreamcast's life span and we have here a game that may already push the Dreamcast to its limits. While you may not be able to interact with everything, you can be pleased knowing that everything features intricate details allowing the game environment to come alive and draw you into a world that you won't soon want to leave. The story opens at Ryo's house where users will be treated to a number of rooms to explore and get a taste of what is to follow. While the house is a visual treat, things only go uphill from there. Set atop a hill, as soon as the estate is exited there is a winding road overlooking the immediate neighborhood. The easiest way to describe the view is that it looks real. Houses are complete with nameplates, shrubbery, and some have clotheslines. There is a park with swings and a bench, a working phone booth around the corner, a local convenience store with vending machines, and people and pets going about their daily business.
Some characters are on their way to work, others are already at work and ready to wait on you, and a few are having conversations amongst themselves that you can interrupt. Not everyone wants to talk though; there are many people who will respond that they are too busy to talk. They won't all be nice about it either, if they want you to take a hike then they will let you know it. The voice acting isn't bad but it isn't always good either. Ryo is a bit stiff and doesn't show much emotion for someone who just watched his father die. Maybe it is because he is so set on vengeance that he won't let anything distract him. Quite a few others can be described as stiff as well though but overall none of the voice acting hurts the game and most of the major character's voices fit just fine.
One major aspect of the game is the fighting system. While players may become wrapped up in the story, they will want to take a short break on an almost daily basis to practice martial arts. Ryo is a good fighter but there is still a lot for him to learn as he will encounter more accomplished fighters. Practice and sparring will increase his skills and can lead to new moves being learned. When fights do take place users will be able to move in all directions and perform any of the moves that Ryo has at least reached the earliest skill level on. Fights are great and can be much more entertaining than many 3D fighting games when multiple opponents must be defeated.
Another aspect of the game, although not important, is collecting items. Players can use their game money to purchase plastic toys from vending machines and build a collection that can be viewed from the inventory screen. This really does seem out of place when you are on a quest for vengeance, but it can be humorous and is a welcome addition to the game. At the stores items can be purchased, such as food, cassette tapes that feature songs from the game, light bulbs, batteries, candles, as well as a few other things. None of the items really need to be purchased but they all have their place. Ryo doesn't need to eat but he can feed a cat and there is one place a light bulb can be used but doesn't have to be.
Other places money can be spent include soda machines, jukeboxes, and at the local arcade. Featuring full emulated versions of Space Harrier and Hang On make the rather small arcade worth visiting more than once. What may be more surprising than finding two classic games in Shenmue's arcade is that the generic games are a lot of fun. The QTE training, QTE boxing, and darts games are all addictive in their own right. A few of the games have prizes that can be added to your toy collection and allow users to post their high scores on the Internet. The passport disc that allows gamers to access the Internet for some extras is a nice bonus. There is really nothing bad to say about the passport since it is not a necessary part of the game, just a little extra present from Sega. Players don't need to go online to complete the game but they will need to go online if they wish to complete a toy collection.
Pointed out earlier in the review are some of the game's limits on interactivity and although they don't spoil the game, there is definitely one thing that Ryo should have been able to take part in more - his relationship with Nozomi. The two of them are very close friends and she is clearly in love with Ryo but he never acts interested. He is so set on finding Lan Di and giving him the beating of a lifetime that nothing else seems to matter. That is all well and good but more interactivity with some of the main characters, primarily Nozomi, would have helped and taken the game up a level. When December 25th occurs in the game the atmosphere is enough to make you begin wondering if you can purchase Christmas gifts for Ryo's friends but nothing seems to work (the game does acknowledge Christmas though through the background music and a guy in the Santa suit). There is also a pizza place where the chef Mario offers to make Nozomi's favorite for you to take to her but Ryo always politely says no. Oh well, fortunately there are a few cut-scenes that move their relationship along.
Yes, Shenmue has some faults, but it is a game that really needs to be experienced. You can't play for 10 minutes and make a decision on whether you like it or not. The beginning is slow as it has you running around in circles talking with people who don't know anything. Game time will also have to be wasted as you have wait for night to fall and the bars to open up before some characters can be found. However, the game picks up toward the end of the first disc and that is when you can't stop playing. It is easy to get hooked to the point where you might not stop playing until you complete the game, which can be done faster than one would hope. There is a time limit but it is in no way limiting. Shenmue opens at the end of autumn and will end at the start of spring. My 25 hours of gameplay only took me to the start of January so there is no need to rush.
One other thing is that the game doesn't come to a complete conclusion as Shenmue is actually more of a prologue to the overall story. There is a lot more than a guy out for revenge plot that won't completely surface until the sequel. Since the ending needs to be able to flow into a sequel, once Shenmue is completed you will not be able to go back into the game (with the same save file) except to relive the game's biggest fight. Therefore, make sure you see everything and buy all the toys you want before finishing up (try doing this for everything in town before visiting the harbor for the first time as the game sure speeds up after that). Waiting for the sequel is almost a punishment as the limited ending forces you to anxiously await the next part of Yu Suzuki's epic.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
An awesome adventure that is only held back slightly by the linearity and lack of a bit more interactivity. Some more QTEs and fighting sequences would have helped. Still, Shenmue is worth anyone's time and money.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
There is some slowdown but it is primarily only a distraction when you are driving a forklift. It is also strange how characters come into view as they seem to appear right in front of Ryo as he is moving. None of these little nuances can detract from the overall beauty of the game though. Bottom line: the best of 2000 and anything that came before it, Shenmue needs to be seen to be believed.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Some of the voice acting is dry but it does ultimately pull the player into the world farther and farther. The music is exceptional and each new musical piece fits into the game's progression perfectly.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
The game should keep you hooked till the end. Although playing through a second time after knowing the outcome will be less rewarding, it is something many may want to do right before the sequel is upon us. With the addition of the {!arcade} games and passport disc players may want to start a second game just to try and set some high scores on the mini-games.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
Both the passport and game manuals feature color images and are well organized. However, the descriptions on {%Ryo}'s martial arts training could have been clearer.
~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide
Production Credits
SEGA OF JAPAN MANUAL PRODUCTION STAFF Translation/DTP: Monika Hudgins; Designer: Yoichi Takahashi; Writer: Eiji Ogawa; Supervisor: Kaoru Ichigozaki; SEGA OF AMERICA PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Localization Coordination: Jin Shimazaki, Shinobu Shindo, Osamu Shibamiya; Dialogue Editors: Jason Kuo, Chris Lucich; Test Lead: Mike Rhineheart; Assistant Test Leaders: Berjes Enriques, William Kus, Ron Rodriquez; Testers: Tom Fong, Brian Miller, Antonio Eco, Alan Hsu, Mabel Chung, Steve Peck, Ricky Ribble Jr., Blaire Sondker, Christina Mendez; MARKETING STAFF Product Manager: Robert Alvarez; Associate Product Manager: Dennis Lee; Director Product Marketing: John Golden; Creative Services: Robert Schonfisch, Angela Santos, Simon McIlroy; Special Thanks: Peter Moore, Chris Gilbert, Charles Bellfield, Karen Brown, Teri Higgins, Molly Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Loyce, Tetsune Nakazono, Utako Okukawa, Tomo Inoue
Shenmue(シェンムー,Shenmū?) is a 1999 adventure game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega for the Dreamcast, produced and directed by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki coined a genre title, "FREE" (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment), for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player. Suzuki intended to achieve this by simulating aspects of real life through the game, such as the day/night/sleep system, real time variable weather effects (unheard of in a game of this kind at the time) and various other interactive elements such as vending machines, arcades, and convenience stores.[3] Shenmue borrows gameplay from many different genres but largely consists of open-world adventure segments with real-time 3D battles interspersed throughout. Shenmue was followed by a sequel, Shenmue II, with at least one more planned as a Dreamcast killer app series. However, production on the series ended with the second game, leaving the story at an unresolved cliffhanger.
The fictional story of Shenmue begins on November 29, 1986[4] in the perspective of the protagonist Ryo Hazuki (芭月 涼 Hazuki Ryō) returning home to his family dojo to witness his father, Iwao Hazuki battling with a tall, ominous man dressed in a green silken Kung-Fu uniform known as Lan Di. He demands Iwao to hand over an item known as the "Dragon Mirror". Ryo intervenes in battle after his father is felled, but is injured by a blow from Lan Di. As his father refuses to reveal the location of the mirror, Lan Di lifts Ryo from the ground and threatens to kill him with a final blow, which prompts Iwao to reveal its location underneath the Cherry blossom tree.
After Lan Di's henchmen recover the mirror, he asks Iwao if he knows of a man called "Sunming Zhao". Iwao expresses surprise and fear as he now remembers who Lan Di is, unbeknowist to Ryo. After Lan Di reveals that "Sunming Zhao" is the name of a man Iwao had supposedly murdered in a rural Chinese village called Meng Cun, the two engage in combat for the last time. Lan Di dodges Iwao's attacks and quickly kills him with a deadly blow of the Tiger Swallow Style, a move described in a mysterious movescroll Ryo later finds in the dojo. As Ryo lies injured on the floor of the dojo, Lan Di and his men leave the Hazuki household and Iwao whispers in his dying breath one last message to Ryo: "Forgive me for leaving you alone... Keep your friends, those you love, close to you". At this point, Iwao dies of an internal hemorrhage from the strike and Ryo screams in horror as his fathers lies lifeless in his arms. After Ryo has partially recovered he feels that he must dutifully gain revenge for the murder of his father, and begins to instigate inquiries into the incident with the local people of his hometown, Sakuragaoka.
Ryo's first clue is a car that some of his neighbors saw on the day of the murder. Though his leads are few and far between, Ryo slowly makes progress in his investigation by interviewing people all over Yokosuka. Just as he is about to run out of leads, a letter from a man named Yuanda Zhu suggests that he seek the aid of a certain Master Chen, who works at the harbour. Through Chen and his son Guizhang, Ryo learns that a local wharf gang known as the Mad Angels is connected to Lan Di's crime organization, the Chiyoumen. Ryo also learns that "the mirror" stolen by Lan Di is part of a set of two mirrors. After much investigation, he locates the second mirror underneath his father's dojo. This mirror is decorated with a phoenix.
Ryo takes a job on the waterfront in order to learn more about the Mad Angels gang, and eventually he causes them enough trouble that the gang kidnaps his friend (and principal love interest) Nozomi Harasaki. To rescue Nozomi, Ryo must first fight Guizhang, then team up with Guizhang to defeat all seventy members of the Mad Angels gang. Upon defeat, the gang's leader reveals to Ryo that Lan Di has left Japan for Hong Kong. With the aid of the Chen family as well as his family and friends, Ryo boards a boat to Hong Kong. Before the close of the first chapter (and subsequent end of the game itself), he is instructed by Master Chen to seek out the help of a master of the Chinese martial arts located in Wan Chai named Lishao Tao. Concluding the first chapter of Shenmue, Ryo boards a boat and travels to Hong Kong in pursuit of Lan Di.
Characters
In Shenmue, Ryo Hazuki is the main protagonist, and the only playable character. Ryo is a young man of 18 years of age who has recently dropped out of Yokosuka High School to embark on an epic journey to avenge his father's seemingly senseless murder. Ryo deeply admired and loved his father and feels this event has stripped Iwao of his honor. Four days after resting from his injury, Ryo begins training while gathering clues to Lan Di's whereabouts. Ryo stands at 5'9", with spikey hair, light brown eyes, and a lean, athletic physique: a result of years of martial arts training under the wisdom of his father, a veteran martial arts master. His attire consists of a brown, bomber-style leather jacket, a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. The story initially takes place over the winter school break, where Ryo's fellow students and friends are preparing for their entrance exams for college. At this point, Ryo's mind is set on his journey and he no longer expresses any interest in returning to school. As the game progresses, Ryo meets a variety of new characters that serve to further the narrative of the storyline. The most important of these include Nozomi Harasaki, a childhood friend who is romantically interested in Ryo, and Master Chen Yeo Wen, who guides Ryo on his quest with his insightful knowledge and kindness. The main antagonist is Lan Di. Throughout the game, he is elusive to Ryo. Large sections of the narrative revolve around tracking Lan Di down. Two important antagonists that Ryo does come into contact with are Chai, a powerful Martial arts expert who is often deranged in his devotion to Lan Di, and Terry, who runs a harbour gang known as the Mad Angels.
In addition, several characters provide insight into Ryo's true self and also give him motivation for his actions. There are several supporting characters that often act to further develop Ryo's back story to the player and define his personality more clearly. The most important of these being Nozomi Harasaki, who is understood to harbour a deep love for Ryo. Their relationship can never progress beyond friendship, despite a sincere love and affection for each other, because of Ryo's quest to avenge his father's murder. The scenes involving Ryo and Nozomi are often the most emotionally charged in the game, and perhaps more than any other help the player understand Ryo and the turmoil he suffers following his father's demise. Other childhood and family friends, who reside in the Yokosuka area, serve to further develop Ryo‘s character. There are also several incidental characters that populate the game world. Although these characters might occasionally provide the player with some useful information, they are primarily present to produce the game's realistic atmosphere and setting.
Significance of the title
The game's title is derived from a specific tree that makes a cameo near the ending of the second installment in the series. The tree is located, both literally and figuratively, at the centre of the prophecy that is a constant thread throughout the saga (and which is featured in the cinematic intros to both games). The Shenmue tree resides in the same small village (Bailu, which is located in Guilin) that spawned both Shenhua and the game's notorious stone mirrors.
There is further foreshadowing to this tree in Shenmue, although such references are very discreet. One example is the cassette named "Antiquity Tree", which Ryo may purchase at any point during the game. Antiquity means "ancient", hence "Ancient Tree". The musical score played from the cassette shares an uncanny resemblance to the musical score of the Main Shenmue Theme. Therefore, it is suggested that the Shenmue Tree is an ancient tree, probably reflecting the tree's mythology and its significance.[obvious]
Gameplay modes
Gameplay in Shenmue is diverse; while most of the game is spent walking around the Japanese locations in a third-person 'chase cam' mode (talking to people, searching for things, and so forth), it is interspersed with many 'mini-games', including forklift and motorcycle races, bar fights, chases down crowded alleys, full versions of Sega arcade games Space Harrier and Hang-On (both originally programmed by Shenmue creator and director, Yu Suzuki), dart games, and fighting sequences.
Quest
During the majority of Shenmue, the player will explore the Yokosuka area usually for any leads to progress the narrative. Often, these leads will be gained by talking to local people who can provide important clues. If the player so desires, they can explore the area simply for fun without progressing the game's narrative. Furthermore, talking to a variety of local people that although will not progress the narrative, can greatly enhance the player's understanding of the plot and/or gameplay mechanics. There are also several side-quests for players to engage in throughout the game. These will not affect the main narrative, but might provide Ryo with useful items or further develop characters and storyline for the player. Yu Suzuki has stated that for a player to see everything Shenmue has to offer, and to truly experience the game fully they must be patient and take the time to explore the game's numerous hidden facets.[citation needed] If the game reaches April 15, 1987, a cut-scene is triggered in which Lan Di returns to the Hazuki Dojo and kills Ryo with the same martial arts move he used in against Ryo's father.
During QTE (Quick Time Event) sequences, a button will flash on screen briefly and the player must press the relevant button or combination of buttons to trigger Ryo's actions. Fights against opponents can take place in QTE form as frequently as in Free Fight form. In addition to battles, QTE sequences are used for various other scenarios. For example, at one point a QTE sequence is used when Ryo must chase an escaping crook and Lan Di associate who has stolen money from him. The sequence takes place in the middle of a busy town centre, and a variety of incoming obstructions must be avoided. As the game progresses, the reaction speeds required of the player become quicker and the button combinations become more complex. The player's success or failure in these scenes can affect the flow of gameplay as well as the current cutscene.[dubious– discuss]
The QTE concept is not new to Shenmue, however. The earliest known example of the QTE, is the gameplay of the original Dragon's Lair, released in 1983. While not referred to as a QTE (that term having been coined by Sega), in principle it was the same thing, and can be seen as its origin. There is also an earlier example of a Sega game featuring prominent use of the QTE, 1996's Die Hard Arcade.
The battles pit Ryo against one or more enemies in a cross between Virtua Fighter and Streets of Rage; Ryo has a large list of martial art techniques. The player has the ability to enter a practice mode of sorts, in which Ryo will practice his various martial art techniques, either alone or with a friendly opponent - this helps to increase the player's familiarity with the battle system. Whilst progressing through the game, players have the ability to learn more techniques, adding to Ryo's repertoire and ultimately making him a more powerful martial artist. There are several senior martial artists that Ryo meets throughout his journey, and they offer to teach him new skills. The player has the choice to decline these offers. Another method for learning new techniques involves Martial Arts Scroll Rolls. These antique instructional scrolls can be found, or purchased, at various locations in the game. Once Ryo has read the scroll, the technique will be added to his repertoire, but the player will need to practice the key combinations it requires to truly master it.
Development
Early stages
Yu Suzuki has stated on several occasions that during its early stages, Shenmue was a traditional style RPG based on the characters and storyline of the hugely successful fighting game title Virtua Fighter. The Ryo character was originally Virtua Fighter character Akira. The final Ryo character has several key differences, but there is a very clear visual resemblance between him and Akira. As the game's development progressed, the characters became original and the storyline moved away from its Virtua Fighter roots.
Initially, Shenmue was planned as a killer application for the beleaguered Sega Saturn. Although it was very powerful for its time, the Saturn was also notoriously difficult to work with and progress was painstakingly slow. Yu Suzuki has stated how gruelingly difficult it was to get the most from the Saturn, but that he is very proud of the visual quality he was able to achieve on the 32-bit system. The project started on Saturn as a mix between Virtua Fighter and an RPG,[5] but following the console's commercial collapse internationally,[6] the project was halted. However, Sega was already beginning work on a brand new console (which during the early stages of its development was called the katana, later renamed to its commercial name "Dreamcast") and work on Shenmue quickly resumed, with the new system as its format. "Katana" brand cigarettes can be found throughout the game, homage to the former name.
Project Berkeley
As the gaming industry became more aware of Sega's next generation console towards the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998, Shenmue was also gaining positive buzz and intrigue. At this time, however, the game was only ever known as Project Berkeley. Tech demos from the game were being used by Sega to show what the Dreamcast was capable of producing. Many of these sequences were very well developed, and some were even used in the final retail version of the game. This has led many to believe that Shenmue was probably one of the very first Dreamcast titles to begin production. Shenmue quickly became Sega's flagship Dreamcast title - representing the systems powerful graphical capabilities and also its ability to render immersive, cinematic characters and environments.
Shenmue was one of the first video games to incorporate development techniques that had previously been primarily used for film. The voice acting in Shenmue was especially ground-breaking because it was the one of the first large scale games to include real voices for every single NPC in the game world, not just resorting to text transcriptions (e.g. The Legend of Zelda). Furthermore, this extensive audio script was recorded in both Japanese and English. Clay models of every character - regardless of how minor their role in the game - were built as reference material for animators creating the final in-game versions of the character models. The game also includes a highly cinematic musical score, which required a full size Orchestra. The main composer was Takenobu Mitsuyoshi.
Content and features
Weather System
Shenmue incorporates a system to produce the game's in-universe weather conditions. Named the Magic Weather System, it is one of the most important elements responsible for creating the game's universe. For every day that the player progresses through, weather conditions are randomly generated. Conditions vary from rain, to snow, to overcast skies to sunny and several other variations. Furthermore, weather can change throughout the day - for example, a rainy morning followed by an overcast afternoon and evening. The conditions generated are reflective of the season in which they take place. In addition, records of actual weather conditions of the Yokosuka area during 1986/1987 (the time period in which the game is set) were implemented into the game, giving players the option to experience these weather conditions in addition to those which are randomly generated.
Geography
Shenmue takes place within Yokosuka, Japan. The four main areas of Yokosuka available to the player are detailed and offer many avenues for exploration. The Hazuki Dojo is located in a small hamlet called Yamanose, where many of Ryo's childhood friends and neighbours live. Ryo's childhood friends, Ichiro Sakurada and Noriko Nakamura, are also residents of Yamanose. Directly next to Yamanose lies Sakuragaoka, a slightly bigger neighborhood. There are several points of interest here, including Setsu Abe's Candy Shop and Sakuragaoka Park. There are also several residents of Sakuragaoka that can offer assistance to Ryo in his quest to find Lan Di. They include local gossips Fusayo Mishima and Fusako Kondo, as well as Naoyuki Ito, who lends Ryo his motorbike towards the end of the game.
Dobuita, the second largest location in the game, is a busy town that boasts a wide variety of people and activities. Dobuita offerings include an eclectic and diverse selection of shops in the game, from convenience stores to specialized antique shops where valuable martial arts scrolls can be purchased. Nozomi is often found in Dobuita at her grandmother's flower shop. There is also a red light district with several bars, restaurants, a small slot machine parlour, and a mahjong parlour. The bus service that allows Ryo to travel to Yokosuka Harbour is also located here near a tobacco shop.
Yokosuka Harbour is Shenmue's largest environment. Ryo first travels there to meet Master Chen, and eventually gets a job at the harbour to gain information on The Mad Angels, who have a large criminal influence in the area. Mark Kimberley, who eventually becomes a valuable friend to Ryo, also works at the harbour and has several run-ins with the Mad Angels. Shozo Mizuki, a homeless man who lives at the harbour, is a skilled martial artist who reveres the Hazuki style and teaches Ryo three useful techniques.
Culture
Shenmue takes place within the span of a few months, from November 1986 until (depending upon the player's speed in completing the game) as late as April 1987. At Yu Suzuki's insistence, the game's environment and culture adhere closely to this period. Various martial arts disciplines play an integral role in both the storyline and the gameplay of Shenmue, and aspects of Japanese and Chinese culture related to martial arts are prevalent. Ryo's character represents a typical young man of late 1980s Japan. He comes from a traditional background and his childhood was focused around the mastery of martial arts so that he can one day become responsible for the Hazuki name. However, Ryo is part of a generation with changing values. His generation considers personal wealth and enjoyable life experiences more desirable than traditional Japanese values. This theme appears throughout the game in many forms, such as the numerous inclusions of American pop culture. For example, Ryo wears typically Western attire of t-shirt and jeans. In the original Japanese edition of Shenmue, the trademarkedCoca Cola logo is seen in various locations.
Passport
On all versions of Shenmue accessible on a special fourth disc, Passport is a supporting application of sorts that greatly enhances the Shenmue experience. The Theatre option allows players to view cutscenes they have unlocked in the main game, while the Music option works in the same way but with unlocked tracks from the game's soundtrack. In addition, the Information section allows new players to learn more about the various aspects of Shenmue gameplay. Several of the game's main characters talk through a variety of elements from Shenmue including mini-games, magic weather system and free battle. These sequences are fully interactive, allowing players to interrupt the pre-set camera movements and take control of all camera movement, as well as control the position of the light source. Many of these tutorial sequences were used as technical demos and were shown at various events, such as E3, prior to the game's release.
Passport also utilised the Dreamcast's internet connectivity. The Shenmue World feature contained highly detailed information regarding all aspects of the Shenmue world (i.e. locations and characters), and it also hosted an online manual. Furthermore, Network Ranking also allowed players to upload their scores from the playable arcade games found in Shenmue and to compete in the worldwide rankings board. Downloads, including Shenmue-themed VMU Icons and in-game collectible items (such as toy capsules), could be obtained through Everyone's Space, with several of them requiring some kind of item trade. Via loading their saved games, players could also use Data Review to view detailed information about their data - from total hours of play, to frequency of mini-game plays, to the number of soft drinks purchased. As of April 1, 2002, all Online features of the Passport application were discontinued.[7] This was due to the cancellation of all Dreamcast production, which also saw the closing of the system's dedicated ISPDreamarena (for Europe) and SegaNet (for North America).
Reception
Shenmue received generally high scores and maintains an 89% average on Gamerankings[8] but sharply divided critics; many hailed it to be a masterpiece, while others found it self-indulgent and uninspiring.[citation needed] A universally praised aspect of the game, however, was its graphics. Gaming Target, who gave the game a perfect 10/10 score, described Shenmue's visuals as "The greatest in-game graphics that have ever been seen for a console."[9] Even less favorable reviewers included strong praise for the game's visuals. RPG Fan, while only giving the game a score of 68%, wrote "Shenmue is truly a benchmark game. The world and its complexity is flawless, easily the most impressive, real, and interactive world I've ever seen."[10] It was also voted number 25 on the GAME Greatest games of all time list in 2008. Shenmue received an Excellence Prize for Interactive Art at the 2000 Japan Media Arts Festival.[11]
Some reviews cited the game's pace as a major flaw, complaining that the whole experience offered by Shenmue was far too slow. GameSpot, one of the few major publications that panned the game (as seen in the Gamerankings index of Review publications) highlighted this issue in their review: "By the time you're driving forklifts and participating in the game's QTE-filled conclusion, hours upon hours of boredom will have taken their toll."[12] Several other critics gave the gameplay of Shenmue high praise. Both US and UK editions of the Official Dreamcast Magazine awarded the game the highest possible 10/10 score, as did the popular publication DC:UK.[13]
Sales
Considering the high production costs and high critical praise, Shenmue experienced disappointing sales. According to IGN, the game, which cost an unprecedented $70 million to make,[14] would have had to be purchased twice by every single Dreamcast owner in order for Sega to turn a profit. The 70 million investment presumably included the budget for the resources for additional sequels. The Sega Saturn version included the plot of both the first and second games at the very least, and although the full extent may never be known, a significant portion of the budget quoted for "Shenmue" was used on resources for future chapters, and the characters, plot and environments/gameplay of at least the entire second game (Shenmue II) existed in rough form before the first game was released.[15][16] The game was the 4th best selling title on the Dreamcast and one of the six titles to sell over a million units worldwide.[17]Shenmue is consistently listed as one of several key Dreamcast titles (most of them Sega productions) that ensured the console enjoyed solid sales during the Christmas season of 2000.[citation needed]
Other appearances
It has been recently revealed through a cryptic message on Sonic the hedgehog's Official Facebook page and the Sega forums that Ryo will be a playable character in Sega's upcoming mascot racer Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. This was confirmed by Sega on October 7, 2009. Ryo rides a motorbike and his special move has him riding a forklift.[18]
^ Provo, Frank. (2000). "Shenmue for Dreamcast Review" GameSpot: CNET, -- "November 29, 1986: Ryo Hazuki comes home to witness a gang leader beating his father to death."
