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. foreversic
    Feb 1, 2023
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Never play these games. Shenmue 3 will now be the last in the series, one final, boring, stale flop before giving up the ghost. Spare yourself the time & don't even think about these games more than a few seconds, because that's how little value it has… Expand
  2. 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
  3. MrLet53
    Nov 10, 2021
    0
    Gameplay time is 1 our. Cutscenes time 10 hour. Really bad game all around. I don't understand japannese game developers, Why ı can skip cutscenes. Timing push button game. I really hate this game. This game is not worth any price. If this game is free, I hate again.
  4. BoStarr
    Mar 6, 2021
    10
    I played the first two when I was younger, and I loved them! I was looking for something relaxing to play recently and this was perfect!
  5. 24Nathan
    Dec 30, 2020
    10
    I have been waiting for this sequel since 2002 when I first beat Shenmue II on the original Xbox. It is everything I wanted and then some. Thank you to everyone involved and on to #SaveShenmueIV! Definitely recommend this game as well as Shenmue I (Dreamcast) and Shenmue II (Dreamcast, Xbox, Xbox 360 backwards compatible), or the rerelease collection on Steam, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4!
  6. Nygaard88
    Sep 29, 2020
    9
    A great follow up to the original series. This is circa 20 years on and yes there is a lack of story progression in this game however it's an amazing open world game which delivers on its gameplay and enjoyment. Just sit back, take your time and enjoy this game
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Pikathulhu
    Jul 26, 2020
    3
    Every single aspect of this game is bad except for the music. Avoid this at all costs.
  10. segamaster
    Jul 26, 2020
    10
    Yu Suzuki and his team did it again.
    Thank you Yu Suzuki for everything you've done and I hope you still do through the years for the media. Literally nobody comes close to your work.
    Thank you YS Net for such an amazing game. You guys are the reason why I keep playing games nowadays.
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. Vano_Sanchez
    Jun 21, 2020
    0
    This is the worst game ive ever played. Terrible gameplay. Terrible characters. Terrible story. Terrible promises... big disappointment.
  15. 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
  16. ec1ips3
    Apr 23, 2020
    10
    If you expected the saga to radically change with the third installment, then you will be disappointed. However, if you liked Shenmue I & II, then you will love Shenmue III. It´s just the same masterpiece with much better graphics and more depth in the everyday life stuff.
  17. dogeymon83
    Mar 27, 2020
    9
    Shenmue 3 is a gift from the past. People who review it low would just as well have done the same with the first two. If you don't get these games, then you probably never will. There is a unique charm and bewilderment to Shenmue. Yu Suzuki is almost as unapologetic in how he has pushed forward with bringing us an experience that feels inextricably connected with the first two way soShenmue 3 is a gift from the past. People who review it low would just as well have done the same with the first two. If you don't get these games, then you probably never will. There is a unique charm and bewilderment to Shenmue. Yu Suzuki is almost as unapologetic in how he has pushed forward with bringing us an experience that feels inextricably connected with the first two way so perfectly that it's more of a miracle that he's kept it the same than the fact the game came out in the first place.

    Shenmue 3 falls short in very few areas, but it definitely has it's flaws. It's a game that deserved a bigger budget to give us an even more polished Shenmue game. I would have wished Shenhua looked exactly the same as the first two games. And petty little things like no animation for drinking soda or the title screen not being the same plague my greedy little mind sometimes. But as a Shenmue fan, I got an experience that is above and beyond what I could have hoped for. With a series that is as niche as this, Shenmue 3 is a miracle of a game.    … Expand
  18. Merifri84
    Mar 1, 2020
    0
    Это не игра, а просто жесть. Ю Сузуки, видимо пора завязывать с тяжелыми наркотиками и переосмыслить в каком году он живет, скучная, однообразная, тягомотина с отвратительной графикой. А ведь так надеялся, что будет интересно...Это не игра, а просто жесть. Ю Сузуки, видимо пора завязывать с тяжелыми наркотиками и переосмыслить в каком году он живет, скучная, однообразная, тягомотина с отвратительной графикой. А ведь так надеялся, что будет интересно...
  19. 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
  20. ratal
    Feb 23, 2020
    8
    Shenmue III is a very good game. Graphics are not too bad and story is amazing.
  21. ShenMoon
    Feb 13, 2020
    9
    I played the original on the dreamcast, and then many years latyer found number 2 on Xbox. Loved them both.
    Shenmue 3 is a very likeable game, but it's not without its flaws.
    I'l start with the positives first. It's a very faithful sequel to the original 2, with many things to do, and lots of collectables. Characters seem to have their own routines, but it's not as noticable as in    I played the original on the dreamcast, and then many years latyer found number 2 on Xbox. Loved them both.
    Shenmue 3 is a very likeable game, but it's not without its flaws.

    I'l start with the positives first.
    It's a very faithful sequel to the original 2, with many things to do, and lots of collectables.
    Characters seem to have their own routines, but it's not as noticable as in the first 2 games.
    I like how Shenmue 3 is based very much on the original concept drawings.
    There's loads of positives, but I would rather you go and find those out for yourself. I give it a solid 9 out of ten, and hope they make a Shenmue 4 and 5.
    Some bad points to note are that often the 'extras' that you see walking about town are there, but they're not. They often don't appear at all, and the street looks completely empty, but that won't stop them from blocking your path. It's not a game breaker, but it is annoying.

    Another =thing is, the side quests are so linear. You have to do them at the right point in the main story or they don't work, which would seem fair enough, but I went out of my way to collect all the collectables, and get everything else absolutely perfect on my first play-through, only to find that I had missed several quests and could only do them and get the platinum if I restart on an NG+ and follow a guide to make sure I don't miss any.    … Expand
  22. 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
  23. Shacklers
    Feb 1, 2020
    9
    If you're a fan of the original games, you'll most likely love this game! But if you're unsure whether you should buy this or not, I'll try to quickly explain what the game is all about.

    Basically it's a life simulator. What would it be like living in a chinese village and trying to avenge your fathers death? Now you can experience it! It's a realistic game in many ways. You got to earn    If you're a fan of the original games, you'll most likely love this game! But if you're unsure whether you should buy this or not, I'll try to quickly explain what the game is all about.

    Basically it's a life simulator. What would it be like living in a chinese village and trying to avenge your fathers death? Now you can experience it! It's a realistic game in many ways. You got to earn money cause you need food to stay alive. You spend time practicing your kungfu skills and you search for clues by either talking to people or perhaps by opening drawers and finding secret objects there. It's kinda like a detective game. There is fighting in this game too, but it's not really an action game. It's closer to an RPG.

    It's a relaxing game in many ways. You're not supposed to beat the game as fast as you can. You're supposed to explore places and try out different minigames. Maybe go to the arcade, or go fishing or pick up some herbs that you can sell later. There's a lot of things to do in the game.

    Every time I start playing a new game, one of the first things that I always want to do is to just go talk with random non-playable characters and see what they've got to say. Usually I'm always disappointed cause you can't talk to them, or because the dialogue is just plain text and it's not fully voiced. In Shenmue games talking to NPC's is more fun than in ANY other game. All the non-playable characters have their own personalities and they have something new to say almost every time you talk to them. And their responses are sometimes hilarious. So that's one of my favorite things about these games. Talking with random people and trying to find clues.

    I got to mention the music in this game too. It's so atmospheric and you really start to feel like you're in China yourself exploring exotic locations.

    If you've never played a Shenmue game before, this might feel like a strange game at first. Especially because the game continues right from where the last game ended 18 years ago. There is a video that explains everything that's happened before, but you might be a bit confused even after watching it. Still, there's nothing else out there that's comparable with Shenmue, so I do recommend the game, if you want to try something a bit different.

    Some people have criticized the game cause it feels like an old game. Now the game was made for fans of the original games, so most people are happy that they didn't change the game too much. The original games were way ahead of their times anyway.

    At the end of the day the biggest problem with the game is it's budget. It is a Kickstarter game after all and the budget of the game is extremely small compared to other open world games out there. There are plenty of moments when I thought that the execution could have been so much better if the creators of the game would have had more money. But what they managed to do with the budget is something extraordinary nevertheless. I can't get my head around, how they managed to create such a massive game with such a tiny budget.

    It's not a perfect game. The main story of the game feels shorter than in the original games. Quicktime events are a bit too fast. The fighting system is in some ways better and in some ways worse than in the originals. Sometimes fighting feels a bit unresponsive compared to the originals. But practicing your kungfu is a lot more satisfying this time around. And fighting multiple opponents works better now. I also love the fact that you can break stuff around you while you're fighting. All in all the game revolves around getting better and better at kungfu and I really like that.

    If you're a fan of kungfu movies, that's another reason to pick this game up. Just remember that it's not a beat em up game. It focuses more on practicing your kungfu.

    If you loved the original games mainly because of the story, you might be disappointed with this one. Simply put the original games had a better story. But if you loved the original games mainly because of the gameplay, atmosphere and the lifesimulator elements, then there's a good chance that you'll love this game even more than the originals.

    The idea behind the original Shenmue game was to make a game where you're free to do almost anything. It was a highly interactive, cinematic-quality game that tried to mimic reality. All the non-playable characters had their own daily routines. They went to work and later in the evening you could find them at a bar or maybe at a park somewhere. The game had a day and night cycle and a very revolutionary weather system too. The attention to detail was extraordinary and in many ways you could say that it was the first open world game created. Shenmue games are a very important part of video game history and I definitely recommend trying either the original games or this one.

    It's not a game for everyone though, cause it is pretty slow paced, but people who love these games, love them with passion    … Expand
  24. nco2k
    Jan 31, 2020
    0
    a great franchise completely ruined by corporate greed. yu suzuki stopped caring about the quality of his products, and is desperately trying to milk the remaining user base. shenmue 4+5 will most likely be equally as bad, if they can even get any funding after the whole kickstarter disaster.
  25. 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
  26. Joobles
    Dec 29, 2019
    10
    Great continuation of the series. Still feels like the old games with fun minigames and great story
  27. scarzall
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    Shenmue 3 is an amazing continuation of the series. I agree its not for everyone but if you're a Shenmue fan you'll feel right at home. Shenmue is not a fast paced, action packed, mindless shooter, like most modern games. Shenmue is more like a piece of classical music that you put on, put your feet up and just take in all the beautiful scenery and music. Great game and can't wait for the 4th.
  28. Chettytheyeti
    Dec 27, 2019
    10
    Amazing Shenmue experience. Thanks for making this happen Yu Suzuki and team.
  29. deanbrisko
    Dec 12, 2019
    10
    I'm so done with critics. I think it's obvious unless a company pays the big bucks then the "trusted" video game reviewers won't give them due credit. It's the same thing with the mainstream media, it's all garbage. But if they anticipate a game will sell well, they'll give it a 10/10, even if it's a monotonous, regurgitated FPS.

    This game was really great. I went into it with a mindset    I'm so done with critics. I think it's obvious unless a company pays the big bucks then the "trusted" video game reviewers won't give them due credit. It's the same thing with the mainstream media, it's all garbage. But if they anticipate a game will sell well, they'll give it a 10/10, even if it's a monotonous, regurgitated FPS.

    This game was really great. I went into it with a mindset that it was a lower budget indie game, but it looked and felt like any other contemporary title.

    There were a few glitches here and there, but overall Shenmue fans can rejoice: like a phoenix, the series returned to us, and it didn't disappoint. I just hope it sells well enough that they create a 4th title.    … Expand
  30. OldSilentHill
    Dec 11, 2019
    8
    People in PC don´t get it, they never experienced Shenmue in its time. Their lack of understanding about the escence of Shenmue is amazing.
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed PC Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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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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