User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 434 Ratings

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  1. Nov 20, 2019
    0
    There's a reason SEGA let this series die in favor of Yakuza. The creator is a hack and this is another game with a huge budget that manages to feel low budget and dated at release. Avoid it like the plague.

    Also way to lie to the diehard fans who kick-started your project.
  2. 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......
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  3. Nov 19, 2019
    4
    The game seemed... Its disappointing. Like, you lose health too fast like wtf
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. Dec 4, 2019
    0
    Вас наебали и съебались с деньгами. Автор наплевать на своих фанатов
  10. 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!
  11. Nov 24, 2019
    0
    Grafikler rezalet oyun gerçekten kötü ve sıkıcı oyunu. Orjinal Shenmue oyunları dönemlerinin teknik açıdan ve oynanış açısından jenerasyon liderleriydi iki oyunda da inovasyon vardı ve oyun dünyasına bir şeyler katmışlardı.

    Epic'den aldım ve iade etme şansım yok. Keşke oyun Steam'de çıkmış olsaydı da iade etme şansım olsaydı.
  12. Nov 21, 2019
    10
    Another masterpiece from Yu Suzuki. Allow yourself the time to fully immerse yourself in the game. It may move slowly for some but there’s a reason for that. It’s to get truly involved in the life and story of the game
  13. Nov 26, 2019
    0
    9 and 10 points to this game are voted by bots, just look at their profile - 2 ratings: 10 for PS and PC version of shinmue, and that's it
    Disgusting
  14. Nov 25, 2019
    10
    Great game, super. Up to the expectations for hardcore fans and new gamers. It suffers from uneven reviews.
  15. Nov 24, 2019
    8
    If you are a fan of slow, relaxing games and more so, if you are a fan of the originals, then this is definitely worth picking up; however, I do recommend trying Shenmue 1 and 2 HD first to see if you'll be interested in this type of game as it is quite niche. It will also be cheaper. I have scored this one less point than the PS4 as I experienced some issues when playing it, like theIf you are a fan of slow, relaxing games and more so, if you are a fan of the originals, then this is definitely worth picking up; however, I do recommend trying Shenmue 1 and 2 HD first to see if you'll be interested in this type of game as it is quite niche. It will also be cheaper. I have scored this one less point than the PS4 as I experienced some issues when playing it, like the game freezing or crashing, although this was rare. But I believe the PS4 version to overall be the better one. Expand
  16. Nov 27, 2019
    10
    I was on the edge about this game during opening hours, then picked it up again and something clicked. Landed a perfect dodge with slomo brawling uppercut-move and saw the whole first area countryside during nighttime from a vantage point near main heroines house. Also heard main character laugh for the first time(played also S1&2) and suddenly the game is alive! Good stuff.

    Hope all
    I was on the edge about this game during opening hours, then picked it up again and something clicked. Landed a perfect dodge with slomo brawling uppercut-move and saw the whole first area countryside during nighttime from a vantage point near main heroines house. Also heard main character laugh for the first time(played also S1&2) and suddenly the game is alive! Good stuff.

    Hope all the best for future of Shenmue!
    Expand
  17. Dec 1, 2019
    10
    Finished the game Today. And enjoyed every minute of it. Its a true shenmue game!
  18. Jun 21, 2020
    0
    This is the worst game ive ever played. Terrible gameplay. Terrible characters. Terrible story. Terrible promises... big disappointment.
  19. 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
  20. Nov 23, 2019
    10
    Game totalmente voltado ao público que jogou as duas versões anteriores no Dreamcast e aguardavam a continuidade do enredo.
    Totalmente nostálgico, com uma brilhante ambientação da China e grandiosa trilha sonora.
    Nota 10.
  21. 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.
  22. 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
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  23. Dec 2, 2019
    10
    Absolutely love this game. It's what the fans were waiting for 18 years and I cannot stop playing it :) I'd suggest to choose the PC version since it looks more optimized than PS4's.
  24. Nov 30, 2019
    10
    Para o orçamento que teve está espectacular
    Que venha o 4 que é compra certa
  25. Dec 27, 2019
    10
    Amazing Shenmue experience. Thanks for making this happen Yu Suzuki and team.
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. Jul 26, 2020
    3
    Every single aspect of this game is bad except for the music. Avoid this at all costs.
  29. 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.
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  30. 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.
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  31. 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
  32. 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!
  33. 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.
  34. 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!
  35. Dec 29, 2019
    10
    Great continuation of the series. Still feels like the old games with fun minigames and great story
  36. 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
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  37. 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.
  38. 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.
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  39. Feb 23, 2020
    8
    Shenmue III is a very good game. Graphics are not too bad and story is amazing.
  40. 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.
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  41. 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.
  42. 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.
  43. 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
  44. 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
  45. 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
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Feb 17, 2020
    84
    If the original dilogy is Iliad, Shenmue 3 is Odyssey, a sequel that even exceeds expectations in some regards.
  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. 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.