Does Shenmue still slap?

In 1999 this stuff was revolutionary and groundbreaking.
But it is now 2024, so how does Shenmue hold up 25 years later?
Also, let's talk about that Japan-exclusive "What's Shenmue?" demo :)
#shenmue #dreamcast #nostalgia
00:00 Intro
02:36 Vibes
07:59 Combat
13:32 QTEs
15:06 What's Shenmue? (Japanese Demo)
17:10 Does it hold up?

[@mysticwanderer1418]

Shenmue is an ICONIC game. The atmosphere of the game is unmatched, it really feels like being in 1980s Japan.

[@federicoj.bianco3208]

Playing this game as a teenager was magic. One of my favourite pieces of interactive media of all times.

[@travisbplank]

Truly a legendary game. A look at what sandbox game design could have been.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

If only it had gone more in this direction! I'd be lying if I said I never had fun with a GTA game, but those worlds really do feel empty compared to Shenmue

[@sindyliaru]

Glad to see a review for Shenmue that's done with respect instead of using it as content fodder to meme on it the whole time. I've never played Shenmue myself and this helped me understand it a lot more, thanks for another great review!

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊 I see a lot of meme reviews of this game so my intent was to be respectful and informative (and just throw in a couple of jokes haha)

[@Plasma_117]

Shenmue is an experience. Embrace the exploration.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Couldn't agree me - exploring Yokosuka is just so relaxing and vibey

[@Rihcterwilker]

The game is a time capsule from simpler times. It's perfect for people that like to do virtual tourism and just hang out. Any person that wants to rush the story is playing it wrong.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Fully agree there! This is always a go-to game for me when I wanna relax and hang out

[@samuelg7673]

No game will ever make me feel like shenmue did

[@hek9322]

If anyone asked why they should buy a Dreamcast back in the days, show them shenmue 1. Best showcase of an original game on an original console

[@christopherlemoine48]

It does indeed still slap sir, it slaps hard. I see its faults but in 2000, this was better than any game at the time. I always wanted to visit Japan. This game let me do just that. I was an otaku before otaku was a thing.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

It's still an unbeatable experience, for me 😊

[@spiderfreak1011]

Shenmue truly was ahead of its time and it's still very interesting to see how unique it was even today. Great video! Also out of curiosity given your name, is there any chance you'll ever cover Skies of Arcadia in a video? That game is sorely underappreciated and unknown and deserve so much more love than it gets these days.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thank you 😁 And yes, as it happens I am working on a video right now called "Vibes of Arcadia" - it's a long way from finished but it's in the pipeline 😊

[@riffmason]

Does Shenmue still slap? Yeah baby! I think if I had to pick my top Dreamcast experience this would be it. As a pure gaming experience this leaves alot to be desired but I enjoyed every minute of milling through this strange little beautiful town.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Spot on there, I'd say. I think the fighting system is great but the rest of the gameplay stuff is neither here nor there... however, as a hangout sim it just knocks it out of the park!

[@braikingboss9137]

What an iconic game, you had to be there day one to actually enjoy it, I think God, I was there, and I loved every bit of it. I was never, ever bored by all the criticism he gets today to me it was a top developed game with a wonderful story and virtual fighterish game play! I actually beat it, I loved it and I couldn't believe the cliffhanger ending waiting waiting many years until..... I was surprised that it actually came out on the Xbox and not the Dreamcast.. At the time, I didn't know it came out in Japan for the Dreamcast, but I didn't care I played that mfr!!! Like I was playing it on the Dreamcast and to my surprise another cliffhanger.... I haven't played the third one till this day to me, the franchise died after the second game. ❤

[@kalvinravn8431]

I had this game and I loved and appreciated the effort in making it! Playing it back when it was released was just what I needed back then. I played through it only once and the forklift races is for some reason what I remember most! Great video and I thank you!

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Glad you enjoyed the video - yeah the forklift parts were surprisingly satisfying haha

[@jonnyboyxxx]

Man, just makes me want to boot it up again, I play it every December! Great vid.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thanks, dude! Really glad you enjoyed it Blue Stinger is always my December replay 😊

[@gochadc]

What a tradition! finishing it on christmass when it's christmass on Shenmue too, nice.

[@gochadc]

I love your channel and I want you to know that I really apreciate your work and dedication to the dreamcast.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thank you so much - it means a lot to me that people are enjoying the stuff I put out 😄

[@user-rc8iy2vz3t]

This was my first Dreamcast game and I played it a lot back in the day. At the time, it was engaging because there wasn't anything like it during that era. These days though, I can no longer go back to it. I feel it's already been eclipsed by the more superior Yakuza franchise.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

I always really want to get into the Yakuza games but I can just never make the time commitment these days. I think because I was a kid when Shenmue dropped, I just had a lot of free time to vibe with it and that stuck with me

[@knk7744]

You are really making amazing videos

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@sxdbxys]

it sure does ✨

[@joesretrostuff]

Absolutely a great game if you know what to expect. I found the modern PC port to be the ideal way to experience it though as the DC load times detracted from exploration as you'd have to be pretty intentional about going into shops and suchlike. The atmosphere was cozy like you say but also slightly edgy, I'd say to do with the ambient bgm which always made you feel something was about to happen. Wondering if you're gonna touch on Shenmue 2 (or even 3?) at some point which had a completely different feel - I think also good but in a different way

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

I actually haven't checked out the HD remasters yet but I do own them both so I'll probably play Shenmue 2 that way and see how it hits. Definitely gonna cover the rest of the series at some point, but I need to play them first haha. I've basically just been replaying this one for the last 25 years!

[@joesretrostuff]

@@DreamcastEnjoyer Ah ok, nowt wrong with enjoying S1 all this time! I’ve played them both umpteen times. S2 is very different though so don’t expect the same cozy vibes, it’s also a lot bigger. Actually thinking about it though, I think you would really like last chapter of it, when he gets to Guilin. I don’t know if you know anything about it but I think the vibes would be right up your street

[@robzo87]

Correction… Die Hard Arcade was the first for QTE…at least to my earliest memory. But overall SEGA altogether.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Oooo good call actually! I always forget that game even though it's great

[@robzo87]

@@DreamcastEnjoyer It’s one of those games that have surely become slightly forgotten, but remains a great classic. Your overall review of Shenmue is awesome just to let you know. It’s good that there’s people out here that appreciate this game for what it is. Shenmue made a major impact on my life overall.

[@PityPitMusic]

Shenmue will always slap 🤚

[@KillTony60Seconds]

Of course it still slaps

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

That was certainly my conclusion :)

[@carlosibanezmoran6545]

shenmue will always slap

[@rossreisman]

really well articulated analysis 👏Nice job as always

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thank you kindly 😊

[@michaeltylerstewart]

I had NO IDEA that the VMU displayed how many people you had defeated in the 70 man battle. So I learned something today!! Could you do me a favor, DreamcastEnjoyer? Would you mind covering Shenmue II, my FAVORITE Dreamcast game of all time! I also had no idea that the guys over at the Dojo had produced a working English patch.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Thanks, dude - always glad to help! I'm fully intending to cover Shenmue II and III in the future so I'll keep you posted there 😊

[@Zhaobowen]

Shenmue always felt like 2 games stapled together. I was also too young to engage with the combat properly when I played the game, but it was still jarring to go from a few hours of adventure game, to playing Virtua Fighter so suddenly. Maybe those games mesh better if the player properly trains on a regular schedule? This one is definitely on my replay list.

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

I found it worked pretty well replaying it this time, but yeah it's still jarring to jump between modes haha. If you train daily and spar with Fuku-San, you'll master the moves and have a good time :)

[@MaillonRecordz]

The best. 👍👍👍👍

[@gelfrecs]

I love Euro & American Truck Simulator

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Hahaha I mean yeah, they got chill vibes too

[@gelfrecs]

@@DreamcastEnjoyer :)

[@Mr.SpicyIce]

You aren't just playing a game. You're living someone else's life. You're playing an awful awful life that only you can resolve.

[@raullukebenitez7033]

What's the name of the song that plays in the beginning of this video? 🥴

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

The Place Where the Sun Sets (Version 2) I can't actually think where we hear it in game, but it is on the soundtrack

[@raullukebenitez7033]

@@DreamcastEnjoyer thanks. I heard it before elsewhere and it was such a beautiful piece. I never got to really play this game. I'd watch my little brother play it and go around doing mundane tasks and I found it interesting. I really need to just play it for myself.

[@1marcelfilms]

Song name ?

[@DreamcastEnjoyer]

Which one?

[@bananabike279]

Great game that, even though it hasn't aged well nowadays, was way ahead of it's time. Ryu ga Gotoku Studios should do a Yakuza-styled remake of the first game, it would work so well!