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2 Years of Service

Being part of the Backloggd community for 2 years

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Jak II
Jak II
Gravity Rush 2
Gravity Rush 2
Celeste
Celeste
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata

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I'm glad that the series got a continuation and I have no regrets in taking in the Kickstarter. "Shenmue III" does have its strengths, but also some weaknesses.

For the positives, the music is great. The surrounding environments are stunning. There's more options to make money, including the returning forklift jobs. Shenhua proves to be a great companion to have around. I love returning to her house every night just to chat with her. Also, I love being able to call Ryo's friends to catch up. That's wholesome right there.

As for weaknesses, I'm not a fan of Ryo's health decreasing and having to eat every time. The combat is even clunkier than its predecessors. There are a couple of paywalls (5,000 yuan to a learn a move? Get out of here!) Also, the story feels like filler. By the end, I feel like not much was accomplished.

Still, I don't hate it. It has its qualities, even if it is countered by those pitfalls. I really don't want this series to be dormant again. I want to see Ryo complete his journey. As of now, though, it doesn't seem likely.

The gameplay is definitely more refined, with more options to make money and being able to fast-forward certain moments instead of waiting. I'm not a fan of the gambling mini-games, though. When the best way to make money is by save scumming, it's counterproductive from the immersive gameplay.

The story is epic and gripping, retaining that sense of mystery and discovery. The supporting cast is just as strong. Ren is a great ally, Xiuying is wise and bitter, and Joy is... well, a joy to be around. The Guilin chapter at the end is also a nice breather and ends with an intriguing cliffhanger.

It's hard to say whether I prefer this to the first one. This is more refined, but I also liked how relaxing the first one was. I'd say they're equal for the time being.

Loved how immersive the gameplay was, with almost everything being interactive. It's deliberately slow-paced, but it also reminds you to manage your time. I couldn't get enough out of talking to people, going to the arcade, or collecting capsule toys. I also found the story to be engaging, and when it ended, I was definitely interested in seeing what comes next.

You can make fun of the English voice acting all you want. It's definitely cheesy, but I think it's also part of its charm. Some sentimental moments do feel genuine at times, so I can't... completely fault it.

The combat is clunky, but still doable. I'm not a fan of the QTE's. They break the pace a bit.