Shenmue Chapter 1
For: Dreamcast
Genre: RPG / FREE (fully reactive eyes environment)
Reviewed by: Escee (Brandon)
Developer: AM2
Publisher: Sega
Released:11.14.00
 
Shenmue is possibly the most anticipated game for Dreamcast. Period. Not only does Shenmue have possibly the best graphics on Dreamcast ever, but it defines its own genre - a completely new gameplay. Yu Suzuki, the game's creator, defines this new genre as FREE, or fully reactive eyes environment. This means you can go anywhere and do anything. There are no restrictions. You can even go buy a Coke from a vending machine if you want - although it in no way helps you. It is just little details like this that make you fully realize the extent of the nonexistance of restrictions.

In Shenmue, chapter 1 of what is supposed to be a 12-chapter series, you control Ryo in a Japanese town called Yokosuka in 1986. Someone has killed Ryo's father (details are revealed in the intro of the game) and Ryo must seek vengeance on the killer. Throughout Shenmue you are on this quest to get revenge on the man who killed your father.

Shenmue brings a new level of realism to gaming. If you played Sonic Adventure you will remember the train station, with the train always waiting for you. Well, in Shenmue, if you want to catch the bus you have to get to the bus stop at the right time, or wait for the bus to arrive. This is realism. Of course, the game's time runs much faster than real time, but that is definately a good thing. But the fact that Shenmue actually acts as if days are passing as days are passing truly enables a new level of realism.

Shenmue is a game where you can feel as if you are in a world. Everything seems to be ultra-realistic, from the graphics to the characters' attitudes. Shenmue even includes old Yu Suzuki arcade games like Hang On and Space Harrier in the arcade within the game's world. All I can say is that I am waiting for Shenmue to be released in America, November 2000. I certainly hope that the game released here is as good as the one released in Japan.

media: download the shenmue trailer

8.28.00



click on the screenshots above to see the full image
download the shenmue trailer
 
images from ign