Shenmue III

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 828 out of 1112
  2. Mixed: 52 out of 1112
  3. Negative: 232 out of 1112
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  1. Huntsx877
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    True sequel. You get lost in the beautiful world and map design. Side quests are engaging and not a chore. You are encouraged to explore the maps in an interesting way. Very charming characters and story, completely unique experience. I would recommend anyone with patience to play this.

    The combat is still satifying, although it is a small step down. What's improved is the training and    True sequel. You get lost in the beautiful world and map design. Side quests are engaging and not a chore. You are encouraged to explore the maps in an interesting way. Very charming characters and story, completely unique experience. I would recommend anyone with patience to play this.

    The combat is still satifying, although it is a small step down. What's improved is the training and building up your kung fu, attack and stamina.

    Game is amazing by any standard let alone a crowdfunded game    … Expand
  2. broj446
    Nov 26, 2019
    10
    Amazing it's as if was made a decade ago and not a clone of cinema games of today . It's exactly what I wanted in a 3rd game of shenmue I'd of hated it if was just another clone of modern games . Now 4th game could maybe bring it up to date a bit more
  3. wongtrip
    Nov 27, 2019
    10
    A fantastic piece of video game history finds a worthy sequel. You'll be surprised how alive the world is. For example, each progress allows new dialog options with the NPCs which does so much for the immersion. This game isn't for everyone but if you commit yourself to it, Shenmue 3 offers a unique gaming experience.
  4. Horst123
    Nov 27, 2019
    10
    One of the best Games recently published. Play it and dive deep into Chinese culture.
  5. Hazuki38
    Nov 27, 2019
    10
    First, no, I’m not a bot. Yes, I created an account specifically for reviewing this game. Why? Because I have been waiting for it for almost two decades, I backed it on KS and I feel that this game, and Yu Suzuki still need my support. And yes of course I have played the game, game that I could not be happier with!! It has literally everything I was hoping for, and some more. Atmosphere,First, no, I’m not a bot. Yes, I created an account specifically for reviewing this game. Why? Because I have been waiting for it for almost two decades, I backed it on KS and I feel that this game, and Yu Suzuki still need my support. And yes of course I have played the game, game that I could not be happier with!! It has literally everything I was hoping for, and some more. Atmosphere, slower pace, music, story, even the fighting system is good once you get used to it. It’s Shenmue at its best! NO OTHER game allows you to experience what this game does. NONE, period. Yes the dialogue cutscenes could have been better handled, but honestly, after an hour or so, it is not noticeable anymore. And this is certainly not bothering enough to affect my rating, hence the 10/10. When I read that “it looks like a PS2 game”, it’s just plain ridiculous, game is gorgeous. Sure, if what you are after is an action packed game, with big quest markers in the middle of the screen, where you can kill hundreds of NPC’s… then this one is not for you. But if you want to experience something unique, charming, poetic, that has this 80’s feel, that is martial arts focused, where you take your time… Just get it and you’ll be in for a treat!… Expand
  6. yudigital
    Nov 27, 2019
    10
    Me and my brother really love this game. Great music, good attitude, peaceful. Very unique experience. Perfect score from me
  7. starbirdgamer82
    Nov 28, 2019
    10
    Master piece!! A great Shenmue sequel!!

    Everything feels like going back into the true roots of Shenmue.
  8. Kami786
    Nov 28, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fantastic game in every way. Really enjoyed it! Brought back memories. I hope Shenmue 4 gets the funding it deserves and we are given an even bigger better game.… Expand
  9. Mikepakione
    Nov 29, 2019
    10
    Cant wait for the 4th installment. Beautiful scenes nostalgic shenmue gameplay. Ryo voice actor is the same from the previous 2 iterations. Overall I loved the game the only thing I found could've been better was the fighting seemed too simple and moves weren't as challenging as the first 2 games but you won't veven be bothered by it because the story is amazing.
  10. Mikedie1
    Dec 1, 2019
    10
    Finished the game Today. And enjoyed every minute of it. Its a true shenmue game!
  11. okeean
    Dec 1, 2019
    10
    Игра Shenmue 3 такая же олдскульная как и предыдущие части. В игре есть, всё, о чем мечтали фаны Shenmue. Ничего не испорченно, все элементы бережно перенесены в третью часть. И это прекрасно. Графика в игре даже по современным меркам неплохо выглядит. Unreal Engine 4 всё таки. Лично мне игра очень нравится.Игра Shenmue 3 такая же олдскульная как и предыдущие части. В игре есть, всё, о чем мечтали фаны Shenmue. Ничего не испорченно, все элементы бережно перенесены в третью часть. И это прекрасно. Графика в игре даже по современным меркам неплохо выглядит. Unreal Engine 4 всё таки. Лично мне игра очень нравится.
  12. Kolossus221
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    great unique experience that you will only get with a shenmue game. if you have the patience.
  13. Hazuki1986
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    The story continues. Cannot wait for Shenmue 4. Amazing game for a small team.
  14. Pedroff
    Dec 4, 2019
    10
    Well, it's Shenmue, enough said. A game with soul, a middle finger to modern gaming conventions and something not made for the average Joe or the reviewers from the "especialized" media that lost their real passion for videogames long ago. Thank You, Yu Suzuki. Don't give up and bring us Shenmue4.
  15. Jordikira
    Dec 7, 2019
    10
    La mejor saga para mi" tiene una más que digna continuacion es meterte en la piel del protagonista y en este caso resulta facil
  16. Darkvode
    Dec 7, 2019
    10
    Has a really great story and it feels alive highly recommend to new players to the series to give it a chance
  17. eziowith550ti1
    Dec 25, 2019
    10
    The Story Goes on.... :') Such an authentic Shenmue game finally ! Thank you so much Yu Suzuki !!!
  18. 24Nathan
    Dec 26, 2019
    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!
  19. Chettytheyeti
    Dec 27, 2019
    10
    Incredible game with lots to do and that special Shenmue feeling. Thanks to the game developers for making this happen!
  20. Lkskiller
    Dec 28, 2019
    10
    When it was said they made a game for the fans of the first two games they weren't exaggerating. Yu Suzuki and his team have recreated the feeling of Shenmue 1 and 2 whilst embracing benefits modern consoles. The fact they made this game on a Kickstarter budget is nothing short of incredible. They should be immensely proud .
  21. Joobles
    Dec 29, 2019
    10
    Won't disappoint earlier fans. Still delivers the fun mini games like forklift driving and great story. The combat system feels ALOT better now too
  22. acedies
    Jan 2, 2020
    10
    Sure it has its ussues, but I loved every second of it! Can'wait for Shenmue 4!
  23. darthjf
    Jan 5, 2020
    10
    As a fan of the original games I wholeheartedly love Shenmue III. It's everything I ever hoped for and what small issues there are can be forgiven due to the limited resources the dev team had at their disposal. It's a lovingly crafted game as I'm sure anyone willing to dive into its virtual world can notice.

    But despite being exactly what the fans wanted it's not a game for everyone. I    As a fan of the original games I wholeheartedly love Shenmue III. It's everything I ever hoped for and what small issues there are can be forgiven due to the limited resources the dev team had at their disposal. It's a lovingly crafted game as I'm sure anyone willing to dive into its virtual world can notice.

    But despite being exactly what the fans wanted it's not a game for everyone. I get that a lot of people aren't going to like it, but it's not due to any faults in the game itself. Rather, Shenmue has always had a design philosophy that's different from other open world adventure games. Some people simply aren't going to agree with what Shenmue is, and think it should be something else.

    Shenmue is a slow game by design. Rather than rushing to complete this and that objective to progress in the story, the game encourages you to look around the world and enjoy the mundane aspects of the game world. Practice your kung fu, do odd jobs for money, gamble, and play arcade mini games. Rather than being a goal driven hectic quest from A to B it's about immersing yourself in the life in your virtual world and enjoying the journey as the overall plot slowly moves forward.

    Some will get sucked in this experience and love it. Other's won't and will hate it. But I love it and that's all that matters to me. 10/10.    … Expand
  24. FlameHaze_
    Jan 23, 2020
    10
    First of all, if you expect Shenmue to be a game full of action and adventure, know that this is not what you will find. This franchise offers a unique and difficult to explain experience. It takes a certain maturity to face it, and a taste for simple things. I'm a big longtime fan and I have to say that Shenmue is one of the best franchises I've ever played, and Shenmue II is still theFirst of all, if you expect Shenmue to be a game full of action and adventure, know that this is not what you will find. This franchise offers a unique and difficult to explain experience. It takes a certain maturity to face it, and a taste for simple things. I'm a big longtime fan and I have to say that Shenmue is one of the best franchises I've ever played, and Shenmue II is still the best game.

    Frankly, Shenmue III disappointed me a lot in the story part, because in Shenmue II Ryo knows people who try to teach him about how bad the desire to get even is, but he is so obstinate about it that he doesn't give up ... I hoped that in Shenmue III there would appear at least a moment when some great master tried to teach him about how bad it is to want to take revenge, which being one of the main themes of Shenmue II, I honestly felt that this part was left out in Shenmue III. Another thing I didn't like was the unnecessary moments of humor, especially in high tension fights. Another criticism I make is the amount of events that this new game brings, it is considerably much smaller than Shenmue II, and even Shenmue I had more events than this new game, at the end of the game I got the feeling that I have progressed in almost nothing in history.

    Precisely because it fails with history, presenting little content, there are few exciting moments, few pauses for Shenmue's incredible songs to be played and contemplated with the beautiful backgrounds in the background. It seems that Yu Suzuki forgot to be romantic and made his masterpiece a kind of comedy without much content. The game also has several sidequests, they are cool and meet the modern demand that says that every RPG needs sidequests, but I find many of them out of place, because for a character as obstinate as Ryo, I really don't think he would stop his investigations to help someone in a sidequest have nothing to do with their goals.

    Regarding gameplay, there are few moments of QTE (quick time events) because there are few events in history, there are few fights, few dangers, when compared to Shenmue II, and to make matters worse, the response time to press the button at these times is very short ... If I made almost no mistakes in Shenmue II (missing only very difficult and unexpected sequences), in Shenmue III I practically missed them all.

    On positive aspects, we have very beautiful scenarios, which meet the expectations of the fans precisely because they are not ultra realistic cinematic scenarios of the great AAA games, but at the same time it is not as if we were playing a Playstation 2 game. On the positive side, we have the expectation if we see Shenmue IV, maybe Yu Suzuki will be able to make a great game again, just like Shenmue II. The grade I gave is high because it is from the heart, I love this franchise and this game was ok enough for me to continue loving, despite everything I recognize the effort of Yu Suzuki's team, you can see that they gave their best in the project , and I have expectations that in Shenmue IV they will deliver a much better story, as they will not need to spend so much time on graphics and new mechanics, since they have already created them for this game.    … Expand
  25. BarryBlanc
    Jan 29, 2020
    10
    Shenmue III is everything I was hoping it would be, and even more. It's like time stand still since Shenmue II and I mean it in a good way. Now let's hope for Shenmue IV!
  26. rfederer
    Feb 13, 2020
    10
    Shenmue, a game of the heart, to try it is to adopt it.
    This 3rd opus has never split public opinion as much.
    But what game can boast of having 3 sequels to its story?
    Try the FPS vision and discover details of rare richness. [link deleted]
  27. VJS1980
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Absolutely loved this game. As someone who waited 18 years, I was completely in love with it. Shenmue 3 stays true to the spirit of the original games and adds a lot more. If you want an original, fun and deeply engrossing game, play the Shenmue series. There’s nothing else like it.
  28. Thor4803
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Shenmue remains Shenmue, the world would be worse off if it was not there. Thank you You !
  29. 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.
  30. Xeneise_gonza
    Aug 6, 2020
    10
    It’s Shenmue, you either love it or hate it.
    I understand that it may look boring and weird for younger audiences, but they have to understand is the continuation of a magnificent saga that changed the way we knew video games.
    Definitely worth playing if you loved the first two titles, you get to feel that unique and wonderful “shenmue feel”.
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 78 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 78
  3. Negative: 7 out of 78
  1. PSX Extreme
    May 18, 2020
    30
    What a horrible experience this was. Whatever minuscule redeeming qualities this game might have are drowned out by just how infuriating it is. And I can’t think of anybody who is a fan of this franchise that can honestly call this game good with a straight face. Get this game if you’re a fan of the series, but don’t be surprised if it just ends up making you hate yourself for waiting nearly two decades for what is essentially the video game equivalent of Freddy Got Fingered.
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  2. PSX Extreme
    May 18, 2020
    30
    What a horrible experience this was. Whatever minuscule redeeming qualities this game might have are drowned out by just how infuriating it is. And I can’t think of anybody who is a fan of this franchise that can honestly call this game good with a straight face. Get this game if you’re a fan of the series, but don’t be surprised if it just ends up making you hate yourself for waiting nearly two decades for what is essentially the video game equivalent of Freddy Got Fingered.
    Read full review
  3. Cubed3
    Apr 13, 2020
    50
    Shenmue 3 is a tough recommendation for general audiences. It won't please the die-hard fans of the originals due the step backwards in terms of game design. Neophytes who are curious about it will be confused and bored by the sleep-inducing pace, plus the how the voice acting has not changed since the early '00s. The visuals may have improved, and the loading times are a thing of the past, but this is still has the soul of a Dreamcast title. It won't live up to the expectations that fans have, nor will it excite interest in the franchise. Nothing of substance gets solved by the conclusion, and there's a lack of a pay-off to playing such an intentionally slow experience. The highs in Shenmue 3 involve doing what amounts to nothing; that is just taking in the atmosphere and exploring.
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