The dog's doo-doo (Shenmue (DC))

Member Name: happyhopwood

Product:	Shenmue (DC)
Date:	11/11/01 (29 review reads)
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Title: Shenmue
Developer: AM2
Publisher: SEGA
Genre: F.R.E.E (RPG)
Origin: Japan
Players: 1

After 3 years of developing Shenmue finally arrived for the Dreamcast, and the Shenmue craze started.

You take control of 18 year-old Ryo, who goes around looking for evidence hopefully leading to the ninja that killed his father. The game starts with a 10-minute video of stunning graphics about the story leading up to the murder.

The detail in Shenmue is totally genuine, and has never been achieved across any platform. You are able to virtually go and do anything you please in a selection of different and unique cities. You can even shift your way threw every desk, cupboard, cabinet, and open and close doors, you can even turn the lights on and off.

Even though Shenmue is an RPG there are snippets of different genres, including fighting: There are 2 types of battle modes; QTE?s in which you have a few seconds to press the button that flashes on the screen. If you succeed then you will punch or counter or dodge something if in a chase; also there is a free play battle mode where you learn moves to inflict on your enemies.

Another unique part of Shenmue is later on in the adventure when you have to get a job loading and unloading crates. You get to drive around in a fork lift truck either working or racing with fellow employees.

My favourite part in the whole game is the arcade. By inserting a virtual coin you can play actual Sega games from the past. There are racing games, shooting games and even a darts game. This is where I spent most of my time whilst playing Shenmue.

The controls work very well with this kind of game, especially as there are such a variety of things to do. The game controls are just as good as the graphics look.

When I got the game last Christmas I played solidly for 3 days to complete it. This proves a number of things: very high addictive factor, everlastin
g gameplay, incredible lastability and huge fun factor.

The graphics, sound, and controls mix together to make the total gaming experience, and you actually feel like you are Ryo, I guarantee you have never seen anything like it!

I?ll give you 2 words of Advice when considering Shenmue, ?Buy it!?

Watch out, Shenmue to will hit the stores late November, whoever has Shenmue 1, be prepared, it brings more action, fights and cities than ever.

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