One of the defining Dreamcast titles, Shenmue feels more like an experience than a game, like watching a great movie.
Lows: Voice acting isn't bad but mediocre at best, atrocious backtracking, requires a ton of time, patience, and effort if you want to complete the game.
Verdict: If you own a Dreamcast, get this game ASAP.
With the launch of the Dreamcast in 1999, Sega needed some great titles to make their new system look like a competitor in the latest console generation after the failure of the Saturn. Even though the Dreamcast had a fantastic library, it was Sega's last hurrah in the console market, as like the Saturn, Sony once again flattened it like a pancake this time with the PlayStation 2. The DC was a legendary console with great games, and one of those defining titles that came out when the console launched in North America was Shenmue, released in 1999. Set in Japan in 1986, you play as Ryo Hazuki, who is on a mission to avenge his father's death after he watched him get beaten to death by an unknown gang member, and find out what they are after. In Shenmue, you go out doing detective work with Ryo, finding clues as to who killed his father, and what he is after. You do this by asking questions to your friends, and other people while exploring the town where our main character lives. You write down possible clues in your notebook, which you carry around with you in the game. At the start of each day, you pick up an allowance of a few hundred yen to spend on things around town, ranging from bus tickets, drinks, and what have you. There is so much to do in Shenmue that it will keep you busy for hours, and it's a lot of fun to play even with a friend. There are also quicktime events that happen when you are in a tight situation, and if you screw up on your first attempt, you get to try again as much as you want, so no need to panic. There are also scenes where the game turns into a fighting game, and you have to fight off all the enemies to advance in the game. Shenmue is not without problems, however. The backtracking is so ridculous and tedious, as it can take so much time. Voice acting...it isn't bad, but I find it to be mediocre at best. Also, when you are required to do something in the game, it tells what time you are supposed to do that, as the clock moves pretty slowly and requires a ton of waiting around, and you can only rest in the game at only 8PM! But, these are only minor problems, and don't really ruin the experience. Shenmue is a Dreamcast classic that is so worth picking up. If you own a DC, buy this game. Don't miss out on a classic.