This Shenmue Documentary Couldn't Be Better Timed

Makers must have checked their Timex watches

by Sammy Barker Mon 6th Jul 2015

Shenmue III's up-and-down Kickstarter campaign is entering its final stages, and it's picked just the right moment to gather some serious steam. This documentary detailing the 14 year wait for the sequel couldn't be better timed, then, as a teaser trailer for the fan-made film has been released with the crowd funding drive just days away from completion.

The production quality in the clip is actually incredibly high, with an opening panning shot showing Ryo Hazuki's room from the original Shenmue – alongside his Timex watch and SEGA Saturn. It's not entirely clear when the full video will release, but hopefully it makes it out before the end of the Kickstarter campaign.

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[source youtube.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
FullbringIchigo
Mon 6th Jul 2015

still hope they release the first 2 on psn at some point (with the second game based on the xbox version)

2
DropDash
Mon 6th Jul 2015

Never played the first two, so I had a hard time seeing what all the celebrating was about at E3. Can't say I'll support the kickstarter for the same reason. But I'm interested and perhaps this'll inform me properly.

3
Splat
Mon 6th Jul 2015

I have never played the games either but found that trailer pretty interesting.

4
Boerewors
Mon 6th Jul 2015

I wish they'd make an HD remake of 1 and 2, but more as some sort of a summary of the story. Normally I'd say a "director's cut'" but with Suzuki I'm afraid he would somehow put even more in.
I would even settle for a visual novel in which we get an overview of the story with some small gameplay elements included. Shenmue 1 and 2 as full releases would be so unattractive no one would wanna play 3, but if the story gets told in an interesting way it could warm up lots of people who never played it. Sell it for $9,99 and get the people excited.
Cause don't forget: lots of gamers have been screaming bout Shenmue 3 for years now, because it's the "retro thing to do", but I'm pretty sure most of them haven't played the first games and will probably not buy the third unless they're convinced otherwise.

5
Victor_Meldrew
Tue 7th Jul 2015

@FullbringIchigo I liked the dreamcast subtitled version, id like a choice
@Boerewors Shenmue 1 and 2 would be so unattractive as a full release? Huh. If they released it as a straight forward port or bothered to do a HD remaster and priced is sensibly on PSN,; how would it be unattractive.

6
Boerewors
Tue 7th Jul 2015

@Bad-MuthaAdebisi
Have you played those games recently? I did, and seeing in the light of modern games, they don't really hold up. The premise is good, the story is awesome, but some games just don't age gracefully... Shenmue didn't in my experience. And I'm not talking bout graphics, I am really fond of the typical Dreamcast graphical style, I'm talking pure gameplay wise.

7
Victor_Meldrew
Tue 7th Jul 2015

@Boerewors I played it probably a few years ago, I'd disagree but that's a matter of taste, I think 25 quid for a remaster of both or a straight up port for 18/20 quid would be reasonable and do well. There are no games with the expception of probably fallout that id care for a remaster from the past 14 years. Generally once I've enjoyed a game and completed it I've no interest to go back, re living the story in Shenmue I & II I'd love to do.