Current Events > How are the first two Shenmue games? Never played and they're on sale rn

(+) Yeah! (+)

for like $16

I like most open world games. This is like a fighting game hybrid right? Like open world but you do like kung fu and shit?

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they're basically exactly what a yakuza game would be if it came out 20 years ago, for better or worse.

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They've aged horribly. Avoid, avoid, avoid. If you think Goldeneye controls are hard to go back to....just wait til you go back to Shenmue.

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They're really nothing like Yakuza. It's all about the real time system. You have to do certain things at certain times of the day. It was a really revolutionary game at the time. If you don't have an affinity for it already, it can be rough getting into now. Still, it's worth checking out and seeing what all the hubbub is about.

Doom_Art posted...

for like $16

I like most open world games. This is like a fighting game hybrid right? Like open world but you do like kung fu and shit?

Yes

They are an acquired taste and dated as hell. Very slow paced and repetitive. You walk around asking people about the related macguffin, wait for the right time, do a mini game or fight then repeat.

However for all its flaws it is super immersive

If you like action games like Doom or Uncharted you will hate it

If you like slower more nuanced games like RDR2 or Life Is Strange or Return of the Obra Din then you will like it.

Really depends on if you play games for instant gratification or if you can get absorbed into a video games world

If you cant get immersed it's one of the most clunky and boring games of all time.

I'd say try it
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Highly overrated imo.

The fights are over very quickly. (best part of the game)

They're more about walking and dialogue for me. And work chores lol.
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So essentially I'd be better off giving Yakuza a try?

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They're still fun. I'd definitely suggest playing through 'em before doing Shenmue 3, but if you're not up for it, S3 has a recap "movie" to watch.

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If you didn't play it 20 years ago you probably won't like it much in all honesty.

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If you ignore all trends and developments in gameplay in game design in the last twenty years then they are still pretty astonishing creations of wild ambition.

But it's highly likely without the nostalgia you'll just get frustrated at a lot of it.

It was just on PSN for 12$ when I picked it up. I passed on it for 15$. So I can't say Id pay 16$.

Play Yakuza if you haven't though
I fell in love with that series for like 5 games.

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it's worth playing at least once for the experience but it's very dated and clunky

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I've only played the first one but I loved it, fun atmosphere.

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Also, inb4 people who claim that "aging" is not a thing in games and a good game is always good. This is a prime example of how something that once seemed state of the art and a glimpse into the future of gaming now seems hampered at almost every turn by the developments for the better that have happened since.

I love it, still play it every other year. Deserves to be explored so many corny characters. Think of it as cheesy kung fu cinema

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When we say dated and clunky are we talking at Deadly Premonition level, Deus Ex level, or Goldeneye level?

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The Yakuza games did get to be much better than Shenmue. They really shouldn't be compared though. The only similarities are being in Japan... and that similarity ends after Shenmue 1.

Shadowplay posted...

When we say dated and clunky are we talking at Deadly Premonition level, Deus Ex level, or Goldeneye level?

whatever the worse one of those is.

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Yakuza and Shenmue are very different apart from being an open world game by Sega.

Though I would pick to play Yakuza over the clunky Shenmue games.

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Shadowplay posted...

When we say dated and clunky are we talking at Deadly Premonition level, Deus Ex level, or Goldeneye level?

This is a funny and accurate portrayal of how your player acts in the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgmCdt4EgxU

Shotgunnova posted...

They're still fun. I'd definitely suggest playing through 'em before doing Shenmue 3, but if you're not up for it, S3 has a recap "movie" to watch.

The recap movie still doesn't give you a better grasp of the story. To the TC if you plan on buying Shenmue 3, I recommend you play part 1&2 before playing part 3. As others have said the game is outdated, but if you really want to understand the story playing part 1&2 is a must. If you play Shenmue 3 without playing the previous games, you are not going to enjoy part 3 that much, and you won't understand the story.