Yu did it! (Shenmue (DC))

Member Name: norris

Product:	Shenmue (DC)
Date:	29/05/02 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lush graphics, Involving plot, Its almost art!

Disadvantages: You'll lose your social life, and probably forget to wash!

Well, what is there to say about this game, that most of you won't already have heard? Probably nothing, but I'm still going to give my opinion on this game, because it stole my social life for weeks!

I picked up Shenmue second-hand for £6 from Gamestation, which was an absolute bargain because it was boxed and in excellent condition. When I first loaded it up, I was somewhat doubtful as to whether or not I would like it, due to the slow pace of the FMVs.

But after watching the first movie sequence, I was totalled encapsualted in Ryo Hazuki's world. The graphics are absloutely astounding, and a real credit to the Dreamcast's power. The trees move in the wind, as does peoples hair. You can talk to anyone, and interact with almost anything that you see.

Having read a review of the game a few weeks previous, I had expected it to last me a few months. Unfortunately, when I get a game I'm not too good at putting it down! I found myself staying up all night the first night I had it! I guess this is because of the 'Accellerated Time' which the game uses. It's quite like real time, in that the day is constantly moving, but each second of real world time represents one minute in the game. You could find youself getting very confused (and tired when you realise its 4am!).

The thing that amazed me most about Shenmue, was that the plot was so enthralling. My flatmates even stayed up until 3am just watching me play, desparate to find out what happens next! I quickly adapted to the pace of the game, and came to love the fact that it moved quite slowly. Yu Suzuki, who created the game, really captured the way of of life in Japanes towns, and turned me from a petrol headed race lover, into what I had always hated... an RPG fan!

If I was being really picky about Shenmue, there are some problems I would have liked to see removed.

1) Looking at things can often prove annoying. When searching through
cupboards, it can be difficult to select which one you are looking at.

2) The motorcycle bit was awful! Being a motorbike rider myself, I was REALLY looking forward to this bit. Unfortunately, they obviously had to skimp on the quality of this section to make the rest of the game better.

3) The ending...what can I say about this? When I first got the game I noticed there were 4 discs, and looked forward to a long lasting game. Little did I realise that the last CD was disc 3, and the final disc was the Shenmue 'Passport' disc. The ending leaves you on a knife-edge, desparate to find out what happens next. Unfortuantely you have to go out and buy Shenmue 2! Being a student, I did not have enough money for this, so to this day I still do not know how the story ends!

But enough of the bad stuff, I don't want to make people think that this game sucks, because it is without a doubt the greatest game ever created (and that says something coming from the owner of a Streetfighter 2 fan club!).

The sound effects are also something to revel in. They create a sense of atmosphere, and add to the realism of the game. Voices are crisp and clear, and really make the game feel like a movie.

One of th most fun things about the game is the combat. You have two basic kinds of combat in Shenmue: Rapid response (where a button flashes on the screen, and you must press it within the allotted time), and real time combat (Streetfighter-esque hand to hand combat!).
Learning new moves can prove difficult at first, but they are worth it. It's great fun doing some of the killer moves on your enemies!

You also have to get a job in Shenmue. I won't give away the plot by telling you why! Most people I know who have owned the game, hated this. I on the other hand loved it! You get to drive a forklift truck, and have races with your workmates. This part of the game is so well made, that you really get involved. I found my
self getting out of bed (real world!) and looking forward to work (Shenmue)!

There are so many extras in the game, that it would be nigh on impossible to complete the whole thing. You can collect Kinder Egg style toys from machines, enter competitions in the shop (I won a ghetto balster, and you can actually use it!), and go to the games arcade to play all your favourite old Sega games! Hang on is great fun, but darts is the best!

If only I had reginented myself to 2 hours a day, it might have lasted longer than 2 weeks! Oh well, I had fun!

If you only buy one game in your whole life, make it this! You will not be disappointed. Also go out and get Streetfighter 2 on any format, because it rules!

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