Classic Game Room - SHENMUE review for Sega Dreamcast

Shenmue review! classicgameroom...
Classic Game Room reviews SHENMUE for Sega Dreamcast from acclaimed game designer, Yu Suzuki, released in 1999. Spanning four discs and one massive adventure, Shenmue is a video game landmark that went on to inspire countless open world, "sandbox" video games.

[@TheBeatboxHitmanTwo]

This game has been one of my favorites ever since first getting a dreamcast back in 1999

[@wanghao6207171]

Back in 1999, this must had been a mind blowing game.

[@nintendo64_lover6]

It was fucking mind blowing!

[@pausebreakreviews]

Fun Fact: For Shenmue to break even financially, every Dreamcast owner in 1999 would have to buy the game. ...Four times.

[@tltar253]

I remember they said "only" buy the game twice...anyway, poor Shenmue was doomed since the starr, and it was released in Europe and America near the death of the system.

[@slambamcam]

So was it the Dreamcasts fault the game did bad?

[@pausebreakreviews]

@@slambamcam ...No? By all accounts it didn't "do bad" in sales, it was just way over budget and could never have hoped to make back the money that was spent on development.

[@slambamcam]

@@pausebreakreviews ahh okay, I was wondering cause I played this game long ago on a demo disk that came with my soul caliber 3 I believe and I always wanted the game, but as crazy at it seems, I never knew the game, and as a child for some reason I saw the name on the demo but I couldn’t pronounce it, and never even really attempted, but then again google wasn’t as popular as it is now

[@slambamcam]

Well the Dreamcast version, I really love the wierd vibe it gives, it’s very uncanny, but not too on the uncanny valley side due to the textures on the faces and everything being done so well

[@satellite964]

Most games even today don't have the attention to detail of Shenmue.

[@Caparzoshow]

Because they are pointless details..., how cares if i can pick up a fork or a toy? i want to steal a chopper, blow up a building and kill people while listening to quiet riot

[@nashismox3]

Battlefield 1942 Argentina Ok, but that is because Shenmue and GTA are completely different genres. When you pick up something, is made so you can check it out, feel the world being alive and also to gather clues for something. Maybe a phone number writting in the back of something, you name it, Shenmue was an investigative type of game also. It was also made in 1998 so yeah, it kicked the shit out of GTA because of the time it came out! In the end they can't be compared, both because of much different time periods and because they are different genres, for different tastes.

[@satellite964]

Well I, like Sherlock Holmes can appreciate the details. =)

[@KiD1515]

Battlefield 1942 Argentina That's great, you have a lot of games to choose from to do that... others, such as myself, would like games like Shenmue. Can we not have that, or does every game out there require explosions and choppers and endless killing?

[@raulrojas9253]

Yeah, people just want to explode shit and kill people without any kind of reason and that is sad, so a gem like shenmue got overshadow by that generic crap called GTA? ( OK the gta 3 and san andreas were awesome, but now.....they suck)

[@patricktobihn743]

One of my favorite games of all time! "Shenmue" is amazing !!!

[@TheKillzone9999]

Shenmue is here now!

[@trajoanmayberry3808]

10/10 One Of Greatest Dreamcast Game

[@DrMcMoist]

I liked to play this back in the day when my real life was just becoming way too exciting.

[@fighterxaos1]

Ah, my favorite game ever. :)

[@VGMJediden1024]

***** Great to see this one finally covered. Weren't you guys working on the Shenmue review back when the original CGR got cancelled? I just played this game at the end of 2012 for the first time and while I found the controls a bit awkward I did enjoy the storyline and its unique atmosphere. And the You Arcade absolutely rocks. Space Harrier FTW! :)

[@lookarabbit2888]

This game... There are no words. So much money gambled away....

[@HereForAStorm]

Fun fact: This game actually started life in prototype phase on the Sega Saturn and there's footage of it on KZbin. Impressive undertaking for the time period!

[@SagaciousFrank]

Is that so?

[@PeteSkerritt]

Ah! Someone else who spent way too much time in the You Arcade, like I did. Why didn't I have any money to buy the stuff I need? Space Harrier. Who's Lan Di? Who cares? I'm playing Hang-On. I don't care where sailors hang out; I'm playing Darts. That said, Shenmue was epic... right down to the Terrible Voice Acting of Legend. There was so much to explore-- so much to see and do. Even the subtle weather changes added to the overall atmosphere of the game. And, yes, the underlying story was very interesting... as long as you bought into it. It's a shame that Shenmue's story probably won't ever get resolved. Ryo deserves better.

[@danxepha4535]

So you didn't find Ryu's Sega Saturn then?

[@sc0pl355]

My favorite part was working at the dock as a forklift operator. That was my dream job for years.

[@sc0pl355]

***** It's in the living room in a drawer under the TV, right?

[@kodoyama]

I remember finding that. A cool, if anachronistic touch. Should have been a SEGA Mark III really to fit with the setting.

[@garywintle8023]

Shenmue 2 on the Dreamcast is far superior in almost every aspect, especially given Shenmue 2 has excellent voice acting (the original Japanese with subtitles). Shenmue is more detailed than even most modern games, GTA3, with its block buildings and gourard shading, looks bare in comparison. Shenmue's clunkiness is the result of it exploring new gameplay territory, of being the first of its kind. People forget that Virtua Fighter, Space Harrier, Hang On, F355, G-LOC, etc, were all risky endeavours which innovated. Its no surprise that Sega has become an irrelevance since Suzuki (and Oba, Mizaguchi, Naka, Arai, Oshima...Kodama might as well leave and join Square) departed.

[@TheRetroGodfather.]

Im never giving up hope for a shenmue 4

[@Nobunaga1983]

***** do it. I'm sure the fans could raise the money

[@TheRetroGodfather.]

If shenmue III never see's the light of day it will be the biggest injustice in videogame history in my opinion, it's got to happen !!

[@Nobunaga1983]

Haha I'll send the money right away

[@marekvrbka]

Well there were supposed to be 4 games, so hope for Shenmue 3 and 4.

[@reducedfaticecreamisjustde1447]

***** It's a shame that Sega has their head up their ass these days. They make mediocre Sonic games now, but they won't release the 3rd installment of your masterpiece! Hope you can raise the money. Btw where can I donate?

[@HowToX]

It was way ahead of its time, just like the system it was on.

[@randmiller88]

I first played Shenmue in 2002 when a friend sold me his Dreamcast and a bunch of games for $100. It just blew my mind...and as luck would have it, I finished the game right around the time Shenmue 2 was available for import. Cost me about $75 but it was worth every penny!

[@jokesmakemehappy4201]

It's back bitches!

[@BAR-ct7ti]

One of the funnest games ive ever played. I'm tempted to go online and buy a Dreamcast just to relive this gem.

[@APUGuru]

man, I love the voice acting in these old games. It gives it this B movie feel that just makes it for me.

[@jkbobful]

Shenmue 3 is on Kickstarter right now

[@Dirk93]

I don't care what anybody says but I love the terrible English voice acting for this game and I find it to be a charm for the series and actually made me enjoy the game even more, it makes me feel like I'm watching a low budget Kung Fu movie and personally it can't get any better than that, certainly a cult classic if I do say so myself!

[@BigHugsFromHell]

No review of Shenmue is complete without a mention of just how well it captured that 1980's martial art movie atmosphere, too. I remember how mind-blowing it was to find out they had even recreated the weather accurately, and if it rained in the game, it really rained in that part of Japan on the exact same date in real life. That's the sort of thing people below mean by attention to detail, and even one of its most criticized legacies, the quicktime events, had a place when seen in context -- a test of focus you felt like you mastered more as it went along, where your own actual reaction times seemed to improve just as Ryo's fighting skills improved. Having it make sense is the key, it seems, even if just in a gamey sort of way, which is how it worked in all of its little quirks. By the end of the final battle, which was about 45 minutes straight in the brawling mode, my thumbs were literally almost bleeding and my brain was reeling from the strain of forced hyper-vigilance. If anything has fallen short by trying to draw mechanical inspiration from Shenmue, it's that the game was a proving ground, and nothing after has seemed like so much of a challenge once mastering/slogging-through the original, plus things are rarely so thematically cohesive as a whole. You don't beat it. You live it. So yeah, it's the kind of game where even its imperfections somehow fit right... and in beating both it and its sequel, few games have ever left me with such an all-around good feeling.

[@emporeraizen1695]

Applause!!!! Fukin right

[@RaceToNowhere]

+Will Jonassen Will. Fuck, you're great.

[@christov4120]

🤙🏼

[@BFKAnthony817]

Hold the fuck up! Did Mark say he NEVER played Shenmue until 2014? The biggest game for his favorite system? Why on earth did you tell me this? I would have felt better if you never told me this. Now I don't know what to think or feel...

[@rushnerd]

Biked miles to the video store and bought this at launch. I was just blown away at the time because no game had been made like this before and the graphics were just stunning. You were able to connect with the characters and events a lot and just really able to lose yourself in Ryo's world in Yokohama. Still holding out for Shen III!

[@DreamcastGuy]

Still one of my favorite games of all time AND the reason I chose DreamcastGuy for my channel name when starting work on youtube. Filming in Japan later this year, planning on dressing as Ryo and asking people if they want to play some Lucky Hit and chill in the arcades :D

[@thomHD]

Playing Shenmue was a mind-blowing experience. It was way ahead of even the most advanced PC titles of the time. If only modern games dared to be so romantic. It is, however, a classic example of Sega failing to think about what would actually SELL in Europe and America. Funnily enough, though, on some level it must be an inherently more interesting game for non-Japanese gamers - seeing as it is basically a "Japan simulator"

[@alex.starostin]

Don't know exactly why, but I still love the 1st one more than Shenmue II. Maybe because of the music, which was better in first one, or maybe the setting, anyways it just was more atmospheric experience to me. GTA 5 may have much better gfx, but it doesn't have a 1/10 of the Shenmue magical atmosphere, which to me is the most important thing in story driven games

[@gabrielmontreuil]

I loved both of them, And i might have enjoy the second one abit more since i Really Like Old Kung Fu Movies... lol

[@4you7reviews]

***** Shenmue had more interaction than all GTA games. But they are all great.

[@trcsonic]

Still my favorite game of all time.

[@DISMOTRON]

The best game ever made :) !!!

[@riverwhite8418]

DISMOTRON Yes it is.

[@filipmac5577]

Behind Suikoden2

[@biglez5577]

For from it, most overrated boring series ever

[@michaelclark2097]

This is your first time playing it!?! This game was AMAZING!!!!! you definitely have to play shenmue 2 on the Xbox. You will understand why fans are begging for the third entry to finish the series! Oh, Sega heavily edited the us version. In Japan, tomato market is 7-11 and there is actual product placement!

[@bubba842]

Wow I wonder where Rock star got their inspiration for GTA 3???

[@SEGAPIT]

This game is so fantastic, and if they ever do make a Shenmue 3 it better be on another Sega console, a new console for a new era, all new Sega titles and more, that would be one hell of a dream.

[@mcrazza]

About time indeed! Definitely one of the best games from the Dreamcast and of the generation. Now if only Yu Suzuki could make a third Shenmue. Will it ever happen?

[@colinmackinnon696]

HUZZAH!!! It finally happened!!!

[@SefEXE]

Was... Was that Gollum?

[@Mr.Everything]

I used to think the game was pronounced Shen-new-me. I know, how unforgivably embarrassing!

[@CultOfWeirdness]

this game is great when you have insomnia and need something to do for a couple hours

[@CultOfWeirdness]

at 3 am

[@friedrichnietzsche7736]

Thanks for clarifying that you meant at 3AM. Your already hilarious and original joke is absolutely side-splitting now.

[@tonybone1889]

I think they should make hd collection for ps4 n vita

[@xman777b]

one DC game I could never get into. From my perspective GTA III was THE revolutionary title, in my lifetime. Not Shenmue

[@FOOJFOOJIYAMA]

You're a call of duty type of gamer.

[@xman777b]

@@FOOJFOOJIYAMA no am a GTA type of game player. I have little to no respect for the COD franchise. The last COD game I played was Medal of Honor Frontline.

[@donkeylips88]

Shenmue and Shenmue 2 are my favorite games of all time. Quite a shame that the series left the fans hanging on that monumental cliffhanger at the end of Shenmue 2...If Shenmue HD were to be announced, I'd crap my pants.

[@ArttuH5N1]

Shenmue 3 Hype Train Oh man, you must be so happy right now!

[@4you7reviews]

6five If Shenmue 1 & 2 HD is announced, I would love to play it for hours.

[@thetejog161]

You must need new underwear - SHENMUE 1 & 2 HD are being released on PS4 and Xbox1 this year in time for SHENMUE 3

[@gedaman]

I'm surprised this game hasn't had a digital rerelease around 6 years ago for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. I enjoyed playing this on Dreamcast. The next best thing is the Yakuza series which I'm playing right now with Yakuza 5.

[@clutchkman]

One of those games that changed everything. It's crazy how that one guy looks and sounds like Gollum. Can't get enough Dreamcast, and CGR!

[@madzangels]

This game felt ground breaking at the time, the story was compelling, the fact that you could actually ride that bike at the end I was so happy lol

[@madzangels]

+Mreow N You too! Happy 2016!

[@williamconnolly7146]

Happy 2017 bros!!

[@Outshinedsg]

I remember playing a demo of this game when it was first released. Being more used to Sega's fast-paced arcade games, I didn't really "get it" at the time. For me it was basically an enormous life simulator for a guy that played Hang-On and Space Harrier =P. Even now I still don't care for open world games. An interesting innovation, but not for me.

[@swsephy]

I never actually played this but I want to. Everyone always praises it.

[@klyzn]

Game don't look like it aged bad. 1999

[@denilson9276]

klyzn better graphics than GTA3 lol

[@MrPineappleHero]

I never played the first shenmue game, I only played shenmue 2 on the xbox, luckily shenmue 2 came with a movie disc showing the storyline of shenmue 1. The same thing would have to be done with shenmue 3, with a movie disc showing the storyline of shenmue 1 and 2. It would probably be a few hours long at least tho, so I bet most people wouldn't even bother watching it. I don't think shenmue 3 makes much sense now, not enough people played the first 2 games or know the story-line. I don't think re-releasing 1 and 2 in HD is the answer, those games have not aged well and feel quite dated now...

[@bakerdoze]

For some reason, this game just screams "Yakuza" to me. Something about the combat, open-world with tons of things to do, and foreign setting.

[@retrorami]

maybe because Yakuza itself screams Shenmue to all of us who played Shenmue 1 and 2 back in the day?

[@tltar253]

Yakuza came out almost 10 years after Shenmue, so...

[@bakerdoze]

***** No, I remember hearing about Shenmue even back then, but I meant that Shenmue reminded me of Yakuza. Not sure what all the "laugh out louds" are for.

[@bakerdoze]

RazorKaos I didn't mean to imply something stupid like "OH, SHENMUE STOLE FROM YAKUZA", but that it reminded me of Yakuza.

[@L2Nuku]

The Yakuza series is made by the same team that did Shenmue iirc

[@ltltawwyeah6419]

Shenmue isn't graphically up to today standards, but if you like story, exploration, and action I would highly suggest this game

[@sologals361]

A third game might still see the light of day.After all it took Sega ages (about 20 years) to get around to Outrun2.

[@gabrielmontreuil]

Solo Gals And your right!!!

[@matrixandraia]

I used to watch my younger brother and my best friend play this game back in 2000 on the DC. We loved the terrible voice acting!! The music while you're playing darts? Classic. And that goofy bad guy... Chai (??)... he was too much. =D

[@bothofmygenitalsaredrippin1690]

Shenmue 3 hype?

[@PrinceXTC86]

Both of my genitals are dripping blood and semen! FUCK YEAH!!!!

[@kill3rs529]

Such a scary name lol but hell yeah can't wait!

[@stevenormandin2448]

HELL YEAH!!!

[@TheMrfoxguy]

@@PrinceXTC86 too much detail man too much detail.

[@GustoTheGamer]

Never compare shenmue with grand theft auto. Shenmue is better a real gem. Shenmue is gaming history. Grand theft auto iis nothing compare to this great game.

[@Fnatic2010]

Long did i wait for you to review this Mark :) You finally did it after teasing so long. Now review Shenmue II. Yeah i am insatiable.

[@KetwunsGamingPad]

This game would be loads better with a redesigned control scheme coz that dpad control to move is just not cutting it too well. At best you had to reconfigure on an emulator. Yet I begin to notice just how rushed the controls. The concept of this game is clever for sure, but I wouldn't call it the best game ever. IT just pushed boundaries is all.

[@LuckyHit]

So glad to see you finally played this, considering how many Dreamcast games you reviewed back when you started Classic Game Room I'm honestly surprised you missed this one. Sega's Ocarina of Time? Yeah, that sums it up pretty well. It's one of our all time favorite games, even our channel is a named after something from it :P

[@mahmoudhaider3424]

Thank you for this greet review Shenmue kikstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/ysnet/shenmue-3 We all need to help shenmue 3 to be at its best

[@scottstodelle8857]

I hate this game and ever so often this game pops up in my head. That’s why I’m here watching this.

[@hsb17]

This is probably the most criminally overlooked game, ever. Give us Shenmue 1&2 HD and Shenmue 3 Sega!!!

[@PublicCommerce]

I was hoping you were going to get sidetracked and just review Space Harrier.

[@quarlic]

Sega should totally make an HD remake of the first two games and add them to PSN and Xbox Live.

[@Pduarte79]

Is a Shame-u, if you never played Shenmue,lol. Great game. And very nostalgic!

[@miz528aaaaaaa]

Best game ever

[@DragonX64567]

4:52 is that Gollum from Lord of the Rings?

[@aleckermit]

I love this game. Walking controls however...

[@nashismox3]

I do not for the life of me understand why you have to use the Dpad! AND the trigger to run "facepalm". When you have a fully functional analogue pad.

[@Acierer]

nashismox3 The game was designed for the Saturn. By the time they moved it to the Dreamcast, it probably would have required too much effort and money to make sure everything worked in analogue.

[@nashismox3]

Acierer More than effort and money, what they probably lacked was time :) Man they sure could have just waited, for their impatient spirit, now the do nothing! I mean in terms of hardware. But well at least the old man released his dream console before he died, and you can sure tell it was good, only by the quality of its fans.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

#SaveShenmue Shenmue 3 and or Shenmue HD now Please new gen consoles! Long live Shenmue and the Sega Dreamcast!

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

Got this game when it first came out. Probably my favorite game of all time. This game did blow my mind in 2001. A little bit dated now in some aspects but still holds its own because of the immersive story and music.

[@KiD1515]

BillyTheBigDeal Agreed. Shenmue is by far my favorite game series.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

My Prayers are answered!!!

[@EQOAnostalgia]

Sadly i missed this one... never had a Dreamcast, i held out for PS2.

[@nintendo64_lover6]

Sorry pal you suck ;)

[@Kainthemain]

I played shenmue 2 on xbox and the main drawback for me was that the game just went to slow

[@thegamingchef3304]

This game is so underappreciated. And should get credit for getting the 3d sandbox games going, not gta3.

[@MarcosPaulo-hs7ci]

oh my God is a beautiful game ! Sega Dreamcast is the King, i am a fanboy !!!!

[@Magneira]

The acting is bad, but that is not a hit against the game, you do realize it's a Japanese game, so the fault is in the American translation.

[@foxtrot801]

This game change my life !!

[@swaxTV]

shenmue 3!!!

[@DarthKato]

Why don't they make a HD remake of Shenmue? If they did, we may finally get the long awaited sequel.

[@henryesp9284]

I know I'm 5 years late but it's available on psn

[@DarthKato]

@@henryesp9284 Late, but I appreciate it. I actually ended up getting the Collection on disk for the PS4.

[@segaprophet]

Freaking AWESOME game - I still remember walking into Kay Bee Toys and throwing down 60 bones for it on release day!

[@slambamcam]

This game looks better than gta definitive edition

[@DriveCancelDC]

If you can understand Japanese, that version of the game is absolutely fantastic, it's the same greatness with much better VO. I have fond memories of both versions.

[@ImTheKingOfHyrule]

Dear Sega: It's been 10 years. Gimme my Shenmue 1+2 HD collection and Shemue 3 already!

[@johncoffey5093]

god of war copied the fighting style of Shenmue

[@BobfishAlmighty]

Fun fact, this was originally in production for the Saturn

[@Grandmastergav86]

For the unenlightened attention to detail is one of the factors which elevates great games above the good. Like or loathe it, Shenmue is an iconic classic which deserves it's legendary status. A truly worthwhile experience, now has anyone seen any men in black suits? Or perhaps a black car?

[@slay-p2m]

I love shenmue 1and 2 was classic.i would even donate money to part 3.

[@Avrelivs_Gold]

They have Yakuza series now. Check those out.

[@tltar253]

Well Mark, it only took you 14 years to review this XD Now PLEASE, play Shenmue II on Dreamcast, not Xbox!

[@ivanrzhanoy9389]

Dreamcast and then Xbox. There never can be too much Shenmue.

[@tltar253]

Ludicrous Shows Shenmue belongs to the Dreamcast.

[@zopilote7]

Ludicrous Shows it will be on the Dreamcast

[@strykah92]

tltar253 Dude, a real Shenmue fan is grateful for any Shenmue coverage. Cut the sentimental stuff. I don't think Final Fantasy fans are gonna be losing sleep if someone plays FF6 on PS1 instead of the SNES.

[@zopilote7]

Ludicrous Shows no, Shemue 3 will be on the Dreamcast......in 2037

[@MLTDuck]

This game reminds me of Deadly Premonition.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

SHENMUE 3!!!!!!!

[@PrinceXTC86]

CallMeRabbitzUSVI I's on the way!!! Check Kickstarter!

[@stevenormandin2448]

+PrinceXTC86 Im ready and my ps4 is ready for some Shenmue 3!HELL YEAH!!!!

[@LarryLamb_]

0:15 what kind of pillow is that and where do I find it?

[@AlloySevenVideo]

Loved this game. The atmosphere was so engaging.

[@Retrogamer71]

Best Space Harrier expansion pack ever!

[@neoknux009]

PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT SHENMUE 3 ANNOUNCEMENT !!!!

[@leon96776]

Just wish they would make the third one.

[@FhangMedia]

Shenmue 3 was made a while back, unfortunately Sega announced that it was only going to ever be released to it's biggest market, India. I was a huge Shenmue fan and even did a full walk through in both the first two games for a creative writing course in college, when I heard about the India only release for the third I died a little. And the Sega Saturn in Ryu's home was an easter egg for the die hard fans and people that were following the process of the first Shenmue game being made. It was one of the most expensive games made at the time because it was made twice. It was originally made for the Saturn but obviously never released on it. You can see footage of the opening scene for the Saturn version if you bought the collectors edition of Shenmue 2 for the X-Box.

[@Snake30pt]

What ? Show me that India stuff

[@stevenormandin2448]

Im ready for Shenmue 3 on the ps4!

[@adidas1984x]

Actually didn't come out in the us until 2000

[@aerogun18]

Greatest game on the planet.

[@hueysharapova7175]

Dude lose the voice. This is unwatchable. You can just talk normal, man.

[@jdmath1710]

100% ... it's not funny, and it's not entertaining.

[@retrorami]

still better than ANY GTA

[@VaughnJogVlog]

Ever notice how these reviews lack... criticism? No score. No sense the critic played through the entire game, says anything pertaining to the story, comments on the graphics, etc.

[@GamingKick]

Amazing game finally reviewed by Classic Game Room! First played the second part on the Xbox! And I couldn`t stop there. After that I had to get Shenmue 1! It was way ahead of its time! The world needs more fighting-brawling-open-world-action-games!

[@svumaster]

Sleeping dogs looks like this game.

[@iPlaySEGA]

FINALLY!! ^_^