But before I start this review, I MUST STATE the following:
-I am a backer of the game ($100 tier) and my name is in the end credits. This obviously means I'm a Shenmue fan. (You could've guessed this via my 2018 PRCC rant, where I cosplayed as fat Ryo...
Despite me being a huge fan of the series, I'll try to be as unbiased as possible in the review.
-Shenmue 3 is not a Triple A game, but a crowdfunded project... meaning the budget was barely 10% of a Triple A game.
The game practically continues where shenmue 2 left off and now let's dive into the ratings part. Since this is a video game I'll be using the tempo scale instead of the 5-point scale I use on toys.
Story:
The game picks up straight after the end of Shenmue 2.
Shenhua's dad is MIA and we're trying to locate him. A group of thugs had targeted stonemasons and that's the only clue Ryo and Shenhua have.
Basically the plot of the game is Ryo trying to locate Shenhua's father. Some tidbits about the mirrors, Ryo and Lan Di's fathers are discovered along the way. Ryo's search begins in Guilin and ends up in Niaowu...
My only gripe about the story is that this episode feels like Filler.
9.0
Graphics:
Many people have complained about the graphics particularly in the character models. They say they look unrealistic cartoony or like a caricature. And in that part they're absolutely right! The thing that they're not taking into consideration is that many characters since the first game had a little cartoon caricature-esque unrealistic look to them. That is shenmue art style. In that area Suzuki Suzuki's team nailed it! with that said they are not perfect! Small budget and stiff animations do hurt the game a little.
I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not but somehow they replicated Dreamcast issue that characters popped up out of nowhere.
My main minor nitpicks would be on Ryo:
the jacket looks off. It looks like a brand new polyblend imitation jacket.
His jeans look off.
His running animation is waaay off. He no longer has the hypnotic rhythm like in his Dreamcast self.
Again, these are my main nitpicks.
8.0
Music and sounds:
Hoo boy! Here's where everything goes to crap. We lost a lot in the music and sound effects:
QTEs no longer feel or sound the same.
Smeagol lost his leit motif.
But in all fairness, the music still feels Shenmue-like.
Then we have the voices... Cam Clarke is Master Sun... wait, Cam Clarke is in Shenmue 3 and I'm a Shenmue 3 Backer whose contribution earned me a spot in the end credits... MASSIVE EGO BOOST!!!
Speaking of voice actors: They changed pretty much everyone... Returning characters sound way different than the originals.
Guizhang no longer sounds like Piccolo.
Tom no longer sounds like Tommy Wiseau attempting a Jamaican accent.
Fukusan no longer sounds like he's on the verge of tears or sropping a deuce.
Nozomi now sounds like, uh, totally a valley girl!
But despite the voices being different the new Jamaican Tom sounds pretty cool... but still I miss Wiseau Tom.
The only saving grace on the voices is Corey Marshall who still sounds like Ryo.
But your mileage may vary because some people won't like the 70s kung fu movie English dub.
7.5
Controls:
Somehow the theme managed to capture the awkwardness of the Dreamcast shenmue controls. I know that by today's standards the shenmue controls are awkward but we capturing the essence of an eighteen-year-old prequel is a bit hard. Once you get accustomed to them they are pretty intuitive... the only problematic areas are:
QTEs and fighting.
For some reason, in fighting, the game doesn't detect certain inputs for example: you input: x,x,o,o
Sometimes the game misreads your inputs as:
x,x
x,o
x,o,o
Which happens with QTEs... and it's frustrating.
Other than that, the controls rock.
8.5
Gameplay:
Shenmue is a bit strange game to describe. It's a bit of a mix in genres: it has heavy RPG elements, some beat-em-up elements combined with an actual fighting game. Also it's a point and click game at times. And a cargo delivery game at times... suck it, Kojima! Sadly, this entry in the series forces the player to do some heavy grinding that can be repetitive. Don't remind me
8.0
Fun Factor:
Here is where the mileage may vary. Shenmue 3 is not made for casuals. It is made for the hardcore Shenmue fanbase who have been molded by Forklift Racing, locating Sailors, playing Lucky Hit, catching leaves, cleaning temples and LEFT, LEFT, LEFT!!
Obtaining money is a necessity to progress, and that means grinding for money:
Chopping wood, fishing, herb gathering, gambling and pawning off items, or working at the Docks again and again.
Then there's the whole practicing your Kung Fu... This is MANDATORY, or else you won't be able to progress at all.
All these chores are fun in small doses, but the gsme kinda makes you overdo them until you begin to hate them.
8.5
Overall
Shenmue 3 gets an 8.25 as its final score. Despite its low budget issues and being a niche game. And that's the most unbiased rating and I can give to the game.
Because like that scam artist said something about enjoying media but being critical about it you know who I'm talking about. I just won't say her name
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