Shenmue I & II

There are games that you play, and then there are games that you remember. Shenmue I & II is one of those games that feels like stepping back into a memory. It's not just about the revenge story; it's about the quiet moments in between. Walking through the streets, talking to people, hearing the music, and discovering small details made the world feel real. It's definitely showing its age, but that's part of its charm. The story of Ryo's journey, the atmosphere, and the feeling of just wandering around are what make it special. It has a warmth and personality that many modern games still struggle to capture. A nostalgic, unique experience that feels less like playing a game and more like visiting an old memory.

所谓经典就是经得起时间考验

Não tem o que falar mal desse jogo, além disso eu cresci jogando ele junto do meu pai, anos depois consegui o jogo no steam, totalmente em fullhd. Uma maravilha de jogo, uma exploração bem completa, não é nada mastigado que nem a maioria dos jogos de hoje em dia. Ele tem progressão mais lenta que muitos jogos, mas é isso que torna ele especial e mais realista. Não é só sair dando soco em qualquer um no caminho, tem todo o dialogo, exploração e cada npc tem sua rotina, tem até ciclo de dia e noite, horários, isso era inovador pra época. Como disse, jogo maravilhoso.

Broken on steam deck. Inexcusable.

Shenmue is brilliant. If you are at all curious about this series or these games then I highly recommend that you to give them a try. I speak with no nostalgia bias or rose-tinted glasses, these games are superb. Shenmue is an experience like few others, a fully living and breathing world that most games today aren't even able to match. Incredible atmosphere, an engaging story, tons of really clever game design are among just a few of the things this game has going for it. If you are a first time player or somebody who is picking it up again after falling off it, I give you this advice- Shenmue I and II are games that demand engagement with their world, so make the most of your time. The often criticized "Waiting periods" between plot-points are intentional, they are there to give you space to explore, interact, and uncover the many hidden details of these environments. Soon, you find that these seemingly innocuous parts of the world will soon come to play a part in your main quest. Shenmue I & II are not just graphical and technical showcases or a proof of concept, these are rich and deeply rewarding games that are well worth your time- if you are willing to give it some

I appreciate that Shenmue had crawl so that Like A Dragon/Yakuza could walk and eventually run. However, I think there are many good reasons it quickly became lost in the shuffle of third-person adventure games. The controls take some time to get used to. For a turn-of-the-century game, they're honest not bad. A little tank-control-y, but realistically not that far removed from Red Dead Redemption. However, most of the game is what would be called a walking, and driving, simulator. The player spends so much time just walking/jogging around to unlock the next clue to unlock the next clue. With gatcha, soda pop vending machines and a few Sega arcade games to maybe break it up. The first few fights are just QTEs... which were the style at the time, to be fair. Although, I didn't like them back then, either. What is sad is the actual fighting isn't much better. Even if Ryo has a few moves and fighting some what works like a very basic Virtua Fighter. It feels super unsatisfying. There aren't many belt scroller beat 'em ups from a decade earlier I'd put as worse than here. It can be excused as a pioneer of this sort of game to experiment with being 'realistic' instead of fun. Things like a day and night cycle and waiting for places to open or events to occur. Or not showing button prompts when demonstrating new moves. Or getting a person's attention then actually saying something. However, that doesn't mean the game doesn't suffer for it. There are long, long stretches of boring. And honestly, I not a lot of fun. I probably had more fun playing Space Harrier and Hang On than any other part of the game. Which is why I'm not going to recommend this game. It is probably better to just watch a YouTube Let's Play to cut down on all the wasted time going from place to place or other grinding/time wasting if someone wants to experience the story. As there is little engaging gameplay for 1999, and far, far less for 2026. And that fun factor is where I hang my recommendation. I was predisposed to want to like Shenmue. But I do not have the time nor patience for such a plodding experience. Instead, I give the game credit for being among the first of what it is trying to do, and will say there is certainly a type of player that can enjoy it.

Playing Shenmue 1. Honestly the game is REALLY good, didn't expect that. In the beginning you may feel a bit lost but then you feel like at home. The game gives you plenty of time to explore the places because some story progress can be done only at a certain times so you may have entire days to explore and go around (you physically need to wait time to make a day pass, there's no "skip day" option). Besides this, the atmosphere is incredible

If you enjoy talking, getting clues, talk to some more people, then realize you need a specific time of the day to enter a shop or find a person so you need to waste time by doing stuff to pass time, yeah this game is for you. The vibe and atmosphere, the music, it all is wonderful I won't lie. But as a game it just isn't something I personally am that patient for. I'm not saying the game is bad (although it is certaintly a product of its time) but just not the game for me.

Still looking for sailors...

Two of the coolest, albeit jankiest, games ever made. One of those weird games that's difficult to point out what's good about it, but damn if I don't love it. The story is just okay, the characters are solid but play fully to their tropes, the voice acting is frankly awful, the combat can be annoying (however, the first game has one of the best fighting sections of any game I've ever played), the constant QTEs certainly aren't for everyone, I wish there were more pastimes to take part in, and the graphics are really pretty, but by 1998 standards. The soundtrack, which is just so hauntingly beautiful, is the only part of the game I'd give more than like a 7/10. Despite all this, I think the duology is fantastic, and at the very least worth trying regardless of your taste. It's important to note despite my love for Shenmue that it is not a finished series, and there's no indication of it being finished any time soon. I don't know if there's a series I want an ending to more than Shenmue, even through all my problems with the trilogy. Nothing I've played gives me quite the same indescribable, almost nostalgic, feeling as Shenmue.