SHENMUE 3 - AN IMMERSIVE WORLD ON A BUDGET - Shenmue Dojo
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- Опубликовано: 2 ноя 2024
- In the last of this mini-series, Matt takes a look at the world of Shenmue 3 looking at it's presentation despite being on a budget.
What did you think of Shenmue 3's world?
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They did a great job making Shenmue 3 feel like "shenmue". Even the controls, though quite different, feel like they belong in a Shenmue game.
"Dreamcast game on steroids," such a perfect descriptior!
I'm currently replaying Shenmue 3 after 4.5 years; discovering how it feels without that tint of nostalgia that surrounded the original launch. I can say quite confidently that it is a Shenmue game through and through. It immersed me into its world just as its predecessors did. It's an amazing feat, given the budget.
Sadly, I think this game brought to light a rift in the fanbase that we didn't know existed; those of us who wanted a third Shenmue game, and those of us who wanted a continuation/resolution to the story. With the latter group being the ones who did not like the game. We all know that the game has issues with its interal story and also with moving the main plot of the series along, but I'm not going to rehash here. However, despite this, the game is still Shenmue.
There is so much I would love to talk about from my current playthrough (I'm tempted to write a mini-essay on it just cause), however, I want to highlight something I feel is often overlooked; the implementation of martial arts. As we all know martial arts is a huge aspect of the Shenmue world and story. And in Shenmue 3, Yu-san managed to integrate that aspect of it into the core game in a way he never managed in the first 2 games. From Shenmue 2 we should all remember the first of the Wude: Gon, practice every day without neglect. Shenmue 3 guides you to doing that in such a natural way from the start. The hunger system imdeiatly tells you that you need to find a way to increae your stamina. Then, every morning you leave Shenhua's house and walk to the village, where you pass martial hall and can spend an hour or 2 of in-game time training Horse stance and 1-inch punch. Then very quickly in the story, you realise you need to train your moves, which you can also do every morning at martial hall. The game even gives you the ability to fight as well as spar. This is a huge improvement on Shenmue 1s parking lot practice and the rare occurences to spar of fight in Hong Kong in 2. Only Kowloon provides the chance to properly train moves. However, it's not something that is needed in Shenmue 1 or 2, but is essential in 3.
I think we can all agree the story in 3 is the weakest part - whether you liked or disliked Shenmue 3 overall.
What is paramount now is that we unite (and in fairness it seems that we are) to get this series the conclusion it needs and deserves.
I do agree 3 has the better elements when it comes to actual training etc and with some polish could link really well in a 4th game.
Honestly loved this game and the world of it is just beautiful!
Shenmue 3 is a fantastic game and did its job of making me want more…we must get Shenmue 4!!! #LetsGetShenmue4
Absolutely love the cosy vibe of the game. Some of my favorite memories from recent gaming is all the time I spent walking up and down the Promenade in Niaowu.
I love returning to Shenmue 3's Bailu Village because it's such an immersive escape from modern-day Western city life. The morning walk to the village from Shenhua's house and the return walk in the evening feel like something I would do on a real holiday. There's so much beauty to behold.
The biggest complaint I would make about the presentation of the world in Shenmue 3 is the overabundance of things that feel out of place. Having SEGA Saturns pop up all over the place feels silly. Ryo having one in his house in Shenmue 1 is historically inaccurate for 1986 but it's a fun little nod to the game's development history and serves a cool purpose. If you don't search that part of Ryo's house, you'll never find it. It's also important that it's found in a Japanese teenager's living room as opposed to multiple old buildings in rural China.
It did yes.
One of my favourite parts of the game is Blossom road and it's music.
The young masters training at the temple. ( That's time based too ) They finish training at noon. Brilliant touch.
The weather system too like the first game is unique. 😀
I think Bailu Village is very well made! Niaowu's environment feels slightly artificial/gamey - It might just be the wide open paths and the lack of active NPC's which causes it. Overall I am happy with Shen3! I spent every day walking from Shenhua's house, to the Martail Hall for some training an then investigated the village for clues - So the Shenmue structure is very much there!
...and the comically oversized aracade establishments. 🤣
I know in retrospect it was light on characters and story, but I actually really enjoyed being in Niaowu (that forced slow walking section excluded). I’ve always preferred bustling cities myself in a real life, so getting to leave Bailu felt like a release. Was a bit gutted to discover it’s a fictional city because seeing that river in real life would be incredible.
It is based on the real city on Fenghuang in China - when you give it a google you can find some images that look 1:1 with Niawou.
@@ShenmueDojoVOD Oh wow, yeah I see that now. Thanks for the info!
While Shenmue 1 and 2 were rushed out to release on a console that didn't have enough graphical power, Shenmue 3 finally nails it as the perfect nostalgic puddle simulator
I still play it from time to time. Story aside, they nailed the graphical beauty of nature. It looks stunning still
We all know the story is the weakest element of 3, without a doubt. But they created a fantastic world given the constraints they had at the time.
Shenmue 3 is a beautiful game, the colour pallet is vibrant and gorgeous 😍
Actually, Shenmue 3 is my favorite one, even though it's a controversial opinion. I don't know why, but, whenever I'm playing it, I feel like I'm on a trip back to the 80's, or maybe vacationing in China, it's difficult to explain, but it's a very atmospheric game. Besides, I love the way Shenhua was recreated in Shenmue 3, she's much better than in previous instalments.The only gripe I have with it is the arcade, there should be better games, or at least a few Sega games made by Suzuki, but I know that would have added to the production costs.
I didn't know that Shenmue 3 was rushed out. What was the reason? Was it a push from deep silver?
Yep they pushed it out.
@@ShenmueDojoVOD that's ridiculous! It wasn't in production very long at all by today's standards.
The money for development runs out. The scale of the project has become too large for the initial budget. Deep silver need to invest more, but they didn't want to. If they did it, probably shenmue 3 will have better reviews and better sales... but who knows. Тhese companies want the money in time to close the year. The damage to the brand is not important...
Whatever it was, Shenmue 3 is a great game that had the potential to be even better. The most important thing for me is there. :)
@@thedemon1238 I really enjoyed Shenmue 3 too. Wasn't aware that it was rushed out.
I agree matt I think ys net did what they could with the budget and etc they was working with they will never have a big budget again unless sega get a knock to the head and decide to get shenmue finished
My only complaint on Shenmue 3 is the lack of storyline advancement. I really feel it was a wasted opportunity to get us closer to completing the revenge story.
Do you think Ryo will take revenge?
it felt like glimmers of a shenmue world, after playing it to me it was not worth It. As a huge shenmue fan it killed some of the magic and just ruined the closing element from shenmue 2.
And that's fair if you felt that way - hopefully you're ready and behind the #LetsGetShenmue4 push on the 4th of each month?
@@ShenmueDojoVOD absolutely
@@RavenShinyThings Excellent!
Shenmue 3 had very stiff horrible combat mechanics that were are great departure from the first two games. Yes we all know why it happened but it doesn't change the fact that it's just not good in 3.
Everything else was great however.
The problem wasn't the game it was the amount of haters that were campaigning for the game to fail.