Shenmue III

 PC
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 434 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 239 out of 434
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 434
  3. Negative: 166 out of 434

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  1. YotaXD
    Jun 27, 2020
    8
    Not quite as amazing as Shenmue 1+2 back in the day but still pretty good game tho.
    There is just one big down side. bide the graphic its pretty much early 2000 playing style.
    so if you dont like shenmue 1+2 TODAY you wont like this. I dont mind the clonky movement.
    If you a fan its a must have. If not... propably stay away.
  2. ratal
    Feb 23, 2020
    8
    Shenmue III is a very good game. Graphics are not too bad and story is amazing.
  3. skdursh
    Jun 28, 2020
    7
    Giving this a 5 to start because of some jank, broken promises, sneaky dev moves, EGS exclusive and crapping all over the backers who made this game happen, but it looks good, it has that Shenmue vibe complete with cheesy voice acting and melodrama, mini-games and all that jazz. I'll increase my score if I end up satisfied with the story once I complete it, but I still need to dock pointsGiving this a 5 to start because of some jank, broken promises, sneaky dev moves, EGS exclusive and crapping all over the backers who made this game happen, but it looks good, it has that Shenmue vibe complete with cheesy voice acting and melodrama, mini-games and all that jazz. I'll increase my score if I end up satisfied with the story once I complete it, but I still need to dock points just because of how underhanded they were all during development.

    Update: I loved the game, still docking 2 points for the previously mentioned issues. It's worth playing if you were a fan of the originals.    … Expand
  4. Rezken
    Jan 6, 2023
    7
    As a die-hard Shenmue fan I couldn't wait to play part 3 of the series. I had finished Shenmue I & II (the remake, of course) on PC and jumped straight into Shenmue III. The first thing I noticed: Ryu doesn't look like Ryu at all! The entire world looks too artificial, unworthy of a Unreal Engine 4 game. UE4 has so much more to offer, yet the makers of Shenmue III delivered a mediocreAs a die-hard Shenmue fan I couldn't wait to play part 3 of the series. I had finished Shenmue I & II (the remake, of course) on PC and jumped straight into Shenmue III. The first thing I noticed: Ryu doesn't look like Ryu at all! The entire world looks too artificial, unworthy of a Unreal Engine 4 game. UE4 has so much more to offer, yet the makers of Shenmue III delivered a mediocre result using it. I still enjoyed it though. It just didn't meet my expectations.… Expand
  5. lastsid
    Feb 12, 2020
    6
    Shenmue is weird series of games. First and second have big value as part of gaming history. For me shenmue always was a legendary game which i always wanted to try. And when i finaly did, it wasnt what i expected. It definitely unique game even in modern gaming. Kind sorta life sim, more realistic and immersive than most of modern games, but kinda boring. First half of the game you needShenmue is weird series of games. First and second have big value as part of gaming history. For me shenmue always was a legendary game which i always wanted to try. And when i finaly did, it wasnt what i expected. It definitely unique game even in modern gaming. Kind sorta life sim, more realistic and immersive than most of modern games, but kinda boring. First half of the game you need to get in certain place in certain time. You need to wait untill that time. Walk across town. killing time in arcade. It's strange.it's weird and not very fun. But it creates mood, atmosphere, sense of time and place. And when the second half we work in port on fortkliff i get of sense of nostalgia when i get more free time and can hang in arcade all day instead of driving fortcliff from morning to evening. Shenmue isnt realy fun but it's interesting expirience and it is good in creating atmospehere. Second game is more adventureous. You're in foreign country. Everifing is alien and unfamiliar. Yor meeting new people, run into new problem. There is more fightin and more qte. I honestly like it less. First was comming of age story and this is adventure with fighring criminal, solving misteries and other stuff. It's still keeps it realistic feel but cuicumstances is very different. Third one, despite been released last year, feel very close in style to first two. Probably less eventfull and more boring. I honetsly expected more modern spin on shenmue formula, but shenmue 3 sticks to it's root and this make it feels dated. And it's not the end of story. It's ends on cliffhanger and promissed contnuation in shenmue 4. I remeber in the begining 12 games was planed. Interesting, are this plan are still relevant? In general shenmue is unique and interesting experience, but not a very good. Definitely dont play the third game separately. But should you play the whole series, i dont know. If you want non-violent game with good atmosphere and dont worry that it would waste your time on alot of boring parts, give it try.… Expand
  6. HUtorX
    Dec 4, 2019
    6
    6 - это дейтствительно честная оценка. Игра очень короткая, с кучей однообразного гриндящего геймплея. И это по прежнему не финал серии, который фанаты ждали 20 лет. А жаль. Я уверен что Shenmue IV не выйдет никогда.
  7. TheKillerFries
    Jul 27, 2020
    5
    While the game definitely carries some of the Shenmue magic that the first two games had, it's impossible for me to recommend this game in full faith, even to fans of the series. Each step forward is met with a step back, and while the series has always heard complaints of a slow-pace and focus on realism and mundanity, never has the series included more padding than this one has.

    The    While the game definitely carries some of the Shenmue magic that the first two games had, it's impossible for me to recommend this game in full faith, even to fans of the series. Each step forward is met with a step back, and while the series has always heard complaints of a slow-pace and focus on realism and mundanity, never has the series included more padding than this one has.

    The visuals, like the rest of the game, are a mixed bag. Environments, items, collectibles, and effects are all met with an impressive amount of care and detail, while character models and animations are highly inconsistent and often breech uncanny valley. Similarly, it's refreshing to see Ryu acting much the same as he had before, many of the other characters don't have nearly as much charm as the quirky B-movie personalities from its predecessors.

    Most damningly, this addition's pacing has to be one of the worst I've seen in quite some time. The other Shenmue games suffered from pacing issues as well, but the third installation practically says "Hold my beer" as it prefers to make you train abilities and fighting moves for 40% of the game, collect increasingly ludicrous amounts of money for another 40%, and the remaining 20% includes much of the game's actual story and content, which often doesn't add much to the overall plot.

    I have to admit that I was disappointed with my experience. As a fan of the first two games, it pains me to see that such an anticipated sequel can fall so flat in terms of gameplay and story that it leaves me questioning whether I'd even support a similar Kickstarter for Shenmue 4. If they really want the series to achieve the highs that the prior two entries have, they're going have to try a lot harder than this.    … Expand
  8. Whb
    Aug 5, 2020
    5
    This game would have been accepted if it was released ten or 15 years ago ... the game is so stiff ... the voice acting is robot like ... and some lines are just stupid ... I made myself endure all of that hoping that the story will balance things ... boy was I wrong .. the story takes you to many unrelated areas and you do not feel that what you are doing makes sense ... In other wordsThis game would have been accepted if it was released ten or 15 years ago ... the game is so stiff ... the voice acting is robot like ... and some lines are just stupid ... I made myself endure all of that hoping that the story will balance things ... boy was I wrong .. the story takes you to many unrelated areas and you do not feel that what you are doing makes sense ... In other words ... I wish they just stopped with shenmue 1 and 2 remastered… Expand
  9. cigi_68
    Nov 24, 2019
    4
    I have found memories of Shemue. But the nostalgia seems to have ducked with me. It is nice looking but the controls have not agreed well. It really does not play like a modern game.
  10. tastytoaster
    Nov 19, 2019
    4
    The game seemed... Its disappointing. Like, you lose health too fast like wtf
  11. Pikathulhu
    Jul 26, 2020
    3
    Every single aspect of this game is bad except for the music. Avoid this at all costs.
  12. Burretploof
    Feb 29, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a disappointment this game is.

    I don't even mind that its mechanics are incredibly dated (it actually mostly plays like the original two games); the main problem is that this time around, there are even fewer story beats than in the previous games.

    The first game establishes Ryos motivation and has the player learn a bit about Lan Di and his relationship to Ryos father. It actually feels like a proper investigation with a few entertaining twists and turns.

    The second game is a journey; not just starting out in a different location but also featuring more than one place to explore. Additional major characters are added to the plot and they learn more about Lan Di and the Phoenix Mirror.

    But this third game? I'd be hard pressed to name even one story beat that is of any consequence to the overall story. The entire game is spent running the gauntlet, with almost none of the characters adding anything to the main story arc. The player learns literally nothing new until the ending cutscenes play.

    They also introduce a bunch of characters in this game but none of them are given any kind of proper introduction or motivation but at the end they're being treated as if they're all friends that help each other out? Ryo met Shiling once and only trained a few times with Hsu but even he was never established as anything more than a guy to spar with.

    Also, why is Feng Li doing what she's doing? Who even is she? No idea, as the game doesn't give her a proper introduction, either.

    This game is a mess and honestly, I consider it a waste of time and money - it seemed more like a cash-grab than anything of substance.
    Sure, I want to see where the story is going, but I would've been better off reading a synopsis of Shenmue 3 (which would probably be shorter than this casual review) than actually spending money on it and playing it for almost 30 hours.    … Expand
  13. Andrudis
    Nov 22, 2019
    3
    Absolutely for fans only, not recommended if you are not fan of part 1 and 2.
    - Graphics look ages outdated. There is no any graphic settings for PC version at all, but you do not need them as game with this level of graphic will run smoothly even on most outdated PC
    - Dialogs are boring and often plain stupid. Quality of voice acting matches quality of dialogs through - all with the    Absolutely for fans only, not recommended if you are not fan of part 1 and 2.
    - Graphics look ages outdated. There is no any graphic settings for PC version at all, but you do not need them as game with this level of graphic will run smoothly even on most outdated PC
    - Dialogs are boring and often plain stupid. Quality of voice acting matches quality of dialogs through - all with the same monotonous intonation and absolute absence of emotions.
    - Controls are somewhat mediocre - you can get used to it, but it will still cost you certain frustration time to do this.    … Expand
  14. Mikki1986
    Nov 19, 2019
    3
    This game is for fans only. If you havnt play the other games and your not playig because of nostalogia dont even bother this title. This game looks like mobile version of yakuza.
  15. Gabacon
    Nov 19, 2019
    3
    Well people are loving this game but i don't see it. The voice acting and the dialogue is one of the worst i have ever seen. The animations are from 2005. I know it is a third game in a series from way back when because i played those game. I was just hoping they had moved out of 1998 and joined us here in 2019.
    It IS pretty though :D
  16. Terg500
    Nov 21, 2019
    3
    The game is released on the 19th and critics aren't allowed to review it until the 21st. In the meantime the game gets flooded with lots of user reviews that have only reviewed Shenmue 3 for PC and PS4 and give this game a 10/10.

    10/10 imo means it's ABSOLUTELY perfect but this game isn't even barely decent. Seems like an obvious attempt from Deep Silver to get people to buy the game    The game is released on the 19th and critics aren't allowed to review it until the 21st. In the meantime the game gets flooded with lots of user reviews that have only reviewed Shenmue 3 for PC and PS4 and give this game a 10/10.

    10/10 imo means it's ABSOLUTELY perfect but this game isn't even barely decent. Seems like an obvious attempt from Deep Silver to get people to buy the game based on faked user reviews alone.    … Expand
  17. yusep
    Jan 6, 2020
    2
    I am an old guy, 40 y/o. I played Shenmue 1 and 2 in Dreamcast when they where released. I nevery though they were master pieces but I valued them for what they were.
    I was pretty excited to put some money when the Kickstarted was announced, I wanted to contribute to keep the shenmue legend alive.
    After receiving the Kicsktarter download code I let few months pass to avoid being in the    I am an old guy, 40 y/o. I played Shenmue 1 and 2 in Dreamcast when they where released. I nevery though they were master pieces but I valued them for what they were.
    I was pretty excited to put some money when the Kickstarted was announced, I wanted to contribute to keep the shenmue legend alive.
    After receiving the Kicsktarter download code I let few months pass to avoid being in the hype or the doom stages. I went to the game with the most open possible mind and with low expectations.

    I have to say, the game is a total dissapointment.

    The script is REALLY bad to a point I can't keep playing the game as the character talk like the script was written by a 12 years kid. Everybody in the game talks like they have low IQ. slow, repeating phrases, behaving like they are basically stupid. the English dubbing is bad, unemotional... it feels like a real B series movie with no budget. But even worse as the animations and facial animations are very very bad. The amount of times the character replies with a "i see"is just playing annoying.

    The design of the game is bad, the only thing you do is to run errands, most of the time very Stupid ones. And from time to time you reach a fight where most of the cases you will lose it. the game forces you to grind the training ( very stupid training ).. Fighting is just mashing buttons, nothing deep or tachtical.

    on the tech side, it is ok, graphics themselves are ok. Animations are plain bad... but models and lighting is fine . Performance on PC.. the game is not ultrawide compatible, and I have to play it either fullscreen streched with proper performance or windowed or borderless with bad performance. Tried to play it on a 1080 p TV . the tearing was HORRIBLE. constant terrible line moving vertically on the screen.... the worst I have ever seen.

    A total dissapointment of a game who learned NOTHING from the last 15 years of game development.

    It is bad, there is no other way to describe it. I do not recommend to buy it, not even descounted. Try it if you can get it for free or max 5 dollars.    … Expand
  18. Gizilq
    Dec 6, 2019
    2
    Я не могу назвать ни одной причины, почему эта игра должна существовать. Да, я знаю, она во многом определила жанр Открытого мира и узаконила QTE, но это было 20 лет. Сейчас же, это набор раздражающих репетаптивных механик, ЗАГРУЗКИ, отвратительная анимация (хуже Greedfall, который сделали за 5 миллионов $), ЗАГРУЗКИ, хождение по карте в поисках людей, ЗАГРУЗКИ, таймер, нудноеЯ не могу назвать ни одной причины, почему эта игра должна существовать. Да, я знаю, она во многом определила жанр Открытого мира и узаконила QTE, но это было 20 лет. Сейчас же, это набор раздражающих репетаптивных механик, ЗАГРУЗКИ, отвратительная анимация (хуже Greedfall, который сделали за 5 миллионов $), ЗАГРУЗКИ, хождение по карте в поисках людей, ЗАГРУЗКИ, таймер, нудное зарабатывание денег и наконец ЗАГРУЗКИ.
    Особенно вся убогость игры заметна если сравнивать с серией Yakuza, которая является наследником Shenmue.
    2/10

    Google translation, sorry
    I can not name a single reason why this game should exist. Yes, I know, she largely defined the Open World genre and legitimized QTE, but it was 20 years old. Now, this is a set of annoying repetitive mechanics, LOADING, disgusting animation (worse than Greedfall, which was made for $ 5 million), LOADING, walking on the map in search of people, LOADING, timer, tedious making money and finally LOADING.
    Especially the whole wretchedness of the game is noticeable when compared with the Yakuza series, which is the heir to Shenmue.
    2/10    … Expand
  19. Coleco_84
    Jun 21, 2020
    2
    Absolute disgrace to such a beloved 20 years old franchise.
    Just ignore it, pretend Ryo and Shenhua are still living in that cave.
  20. Ramiro1992
    May 19, 2020
    1
    Piece of crap game for a pc crap trilogy. Yu Suzuki is a bald headed ugly **** that took advantage of the autistic Shenmue fans to get zee money from them, pc **** that bought the game were scammed and not refunded after discovering that the game was crap. Thankfully I never liked a single SHenmue game, overrated franchise as always, I would never pay more than $10 bucks for a digitalPiece of crap game for a pc crap trilogy. Yu Suzuki is a bald headed ugly **** that took advantage of the autistic Shenmue fans to get zee money from them, pc **** that bought the game were scammed and not refunded after discovering that the game was crap. Thankfully I never liked a single SHenmue game, overrated franchise as always, I would never pay more than $10 bucks for a digital download link (except if it was a wonderful game) and no more than $30 for a physical game, **** you Suzuki! Shenmue is dead!… Expand
  21. Appolon20
    Dec 1, 2019
    1
    The author of the game is a total scammer. Not only is there nothing new in the game, it does not seem to have advanced for 15+ years. And not even that she goes to EGS. The story is empty and not interesting. Graphics from 2005. Grind money (chop wood, fish seriously?).
    When raising funds promised:
    3 locations (2 in fact) skill tree (none at all)   And this is just the tip of the    The author of the game is a total scammer. Not only is there nothing new in the game, it does not seem to have advanced for 15+ years. And not even that she goes to EGS. The story is empty and not interesting. Graphics from 2005. Grind money (chop wood, fish seriously?).
    When raising funds promised:
    3 locations (2 in fact)
    skill tree (none at all)

      And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Who are the people who value her well? Do not buy this game in any case!    … Expand
  22. sprayer
    Nov 20, 2019
    1
    This game is trash, i can't believe what this game was made by Japan developer, old graphics, no interactivity, gameplay very boring, very slow, every step animation. Better to play in Yakuza or other similar games. They forbid to write review after release and finally it's epic store. This is totally trash
  23. Aagahim
    Dec 3, 2019
    1
    Bad graphics, poor optimization. Lifeless animations and boring gameplay. Just play yakuza games and forget shenmue. It flopped when it came out originally and it will flop again. Nostalgia can be very blinding but the third installment in this franchise is very boring
  24. GokuRedSS4
    Nov 23, 2019
    1
    Graphics are absolutely dire, gameplay is stuck in the 90s and the voice acting is an absolute abomination. Whoever thought releasing such a lazy and terrible game in this state needs to be sacked. I backed this game on kickstarter and sold my copy of the game. If you're a fan of the series and don't mind playing a game with dreadful voice acting in 2019 then go ahead.
  25. nicholsonadam
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    As a Kickstarter backer at a high support level, I find that my Steam version is completely unplayable. Unresponsive to controls, doesn't boot up, was never delivered, may never be. Thanks, Ys Net and Deep Silver!
  26. Morbus
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    This would have been a good game... 10-15 years ago. Not in 2019.
    It lacks some basic quality of life features, like being able to skip time if you have to meet someone at a specific time of the day.
  27. loci
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    Very bad game. It is very dated..an embarrassment really, I'm shocked. I am trying to get a refund. AVOID!
  28. doujin
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    If you are a fan of this series, maybe it will worth a shot to play. But for a newcomers this is really really bad game, core game is a talking simulator 70% of your playtime will be talk to npc and walking to talk with other npc.
    The combat is not smooth and weird.
    Animation is really bad even the mc face look like a polygon game, if the game release in 10 years ago it will be a great    If you are a fan of this series, maybe it will worth a shot to play. But for a newcomers this is really really bad game, core game is a talking simulator 70% of your playtime will be talk to npc and walking to talk with other npc.
    The combat is not smooth and weird.
    Animation is really bad even the mc face look like a polygon game, if the game release in 10 years ago it will be a great game. Maybe......    … Expand
  29. Zer0TheHer0
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    ruined by that stupid off-centered camera. why can't developers understand that tvs and monitors have a definite CENTER?
  30. muzmuz
    Nov 20, 2019
    0
    A 2003 game released 1 month before 2020. Shenmue is a poorly made video game with a lot of negative reputation behind its back
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Riot Pixels
    Feb 17, 2020
    84
    If the original dilogy is Iliad, Shenmue 3 is Odyssey, a sequel that even exceeds expectations in some regards.
    Read full review
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Jan 14, 2020
    44
    Despite all Suzuki’s claims that this series is his life’s work, Shenmue 3 feels more like a quick cash-in. [Issue#242, p.62]
  3. PC Games
    Dec 16, 2019
    50
    Even connoisseurs of the first two parts will be a bit sober after taking off their pink glasses. The story is by far not as good as it seemed back then and the gameplay is completely outdated. The fact that Shenmue 3 doesn't come to a conclusion is unforgivable after the long waiting time and the (financial) support of the fans. Players who approach the title without a nostalgia bonus will be annoyed anyway. The grind is pretty hard, the wandering around and the bad dialogues are even harder, but the fact that the game keeps stopping you on purpose is just incredibly frustrating. Hardcore fans can add something to the rating, everyone else can even pull something off.
    Read full review
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