Shenmue wore its ambition on its sleeve. It's a massive game, not just in terms of overworld (which is expansive for it's time), but in terms of budget and sheer amount of people involved. As I was watching the credits, I was struck by how long they were, and it has to be the first game that I know of that hired stunt actors. What makes Shenmue interesting and revolutionary to this day are not only the graphics, but how it attempts to make a "cinematic game", mixing action-movie segments with more mundane life simulation.
I find you come across an interesting conundrum when you try to make a "cinematic game". Cinema is based on 'cuts', that is, they aren't necessarily showing the full routine of the main character, generally only the scenes it finds relevant to its plot. Shenmue on the other hand, includes all of it. If it's an action movie, it's one of the most "realistic action movies" I know of.
This is both what makes Shenmue so compelling for some (like me) and outdated/boring for others. It's a game where you simultaneously have to chase after a Chinese cartel while still making sure you're home by ten. Where you are getting a forklift job at one instance, and then beating up at least a few bad guys at the next. And make no mistake, this game starts slow. You basically start with no clues on the whereabouts of the man who just killed your father. So, perhaps expectedly, a lot of the game is just asking people questions, and waiting. You can pass the time by... playing arcade games, and uhhh what else, maybe looking at stuff? I can see why some might abandon this game early, but I found the contradiction between the everyday routine parts of this game, and the high octane moments, to really make it an interesting gameplay experience. During the everyday-segments, I felt like I was living in a pre-internet Japan, more than anything (where these were probably realistic activities). I was actually thrilled by the routine of Ryo Hakuzi, and seeing where he was led next.
However, I understand this isn't a game that everyone, or maybe even most people, will find thrilling. It's worth admiring though, even if from a distance, for it's ambition and charm.
I find you come across an interesting conundrum when you try to make a "cinematic game". Cinema is based on 'cuts', that is, they aren't necessarily showing the full routine of the main character, generally only the scenes it finds relevant to its plot. Shenmue on the other hand, includes all of it. If it's an action movie, it's one of the most "realistic action movies" I know of.
This is both what makes Shenmue so compelling for some (like me) and outdated/boring for others. It's a game where you simultaneously have to chase after a Chinese cartel while still making sure you're home by ten. Where you are getting a forklift job at one instance, and then beating up at least a few bad guys at the next. And make no mistake, this game starts slow. You basically start with no clues on the whereabouts of the man who just killed your father. So, perhaps expectedly, a lot of the game is just asking people questions, and waiting. You can pass the time by... playing arcade games, and uhhh what else, maybe looking at stuff? I can see why some might abandon this game early, but I found the contradiction between the everyday routine parts of this game, and the high octane moments, to really make it an interesting gameplay experience. During the everyday-segments, I felt like I was living in a pre-internet Japan, more than anything (where these were probably realistic activities). I was actually thrilled by the routine of Ryo Hakuzi, and seeing where he was led next.
However, I understand this isn't a game that everyone, or maybe even most people, will find thrilling. It's worth admiring though, even if from a distance, for it's ambition and charm.