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. rtb
    Nov 19, 2019
    9
    My oh my how excited am I?! Guys, Shenmue 3 is here! After a long wait of almost 20 years we finally have our hands on the sequel we’ve always wanted, and the sequel we deserve. For those of you jumping into Shenmue for the first time, welcome, but be aware this game was intended for those of us who have waited 18+ years. We have a strong bond between this game and are finally able to haveMy oh my how excited am I?! Guys, Shenmue 3 is here! After a long wait of almost 20 years we finally have our hands on the sequel we’ve always wanted, and the sequel we deserve. For those of you jumping into Shenmue for the first time, welcome, but be aware this game was intended for those of us who have waited 18+ years. We have a strong bond between this game and are finally able to have our connection grow here today. Let me start off with how great it looks. Now compared to modern day game obviously Shenmue can’t compare. But for those of us who have waited in the Shenmue “Purgatory” this is exactly how we would’ve wanted our game to look and age. Everything feels smoother from combat to graphics and frame rates (PS4 Pro). It’s awesome to hear the familiar voice of Ryo Hazuki and Friends again, as well as meeting new friends and enmities along the way. So once again Shenmue friends! It’s here! Let’s celebrate! Here’s to Shenmue 3 and hopefully Shenmue 4 and more! Sincerely,
    Shenmue Fan    … Expand
  2. Dnikoles
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    An amazing adventure with rpg elements amazing game play with open world elements the story of this game will make you love it a must have game for everyone a true sequel to the originals
  3. Real1Gaming
    Nov 19, 2019
    9
    For as far as I have played, this game is one thing, and it is the most important thing; It is Shenmue! Flaws and all. Some might find it a bit stilted and I have noticed that the English translation is a bit off (I play in japanese and notice it with the subtitles) which results in strange conversations. It is a bit rough around the edges, but for the budget, Yu Suzuki managed to squeezeFor as far as I have played, this game is one thing, and it is the most important thing; It is Shenmue! Flaws and all. Some might find it a bit stilted and I have noticed that the English translation is a bit off (I play in japanese and notice it with the subtitles) which results in strange conversations. It is a bit rough around the edges, but for the budget, Yu Suzuki managed to squeeze out a really amazing game.… Expand
  4. vanjoelsandwich
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    A wonderful game.
    Has loads of what's missing in the industry right now. Authenticity.
    People should play this. Because past some technical imperfections due to budgetary issues, this game has more to offer than many AAA games with massive budget.
    A heartufl game.
  5. Shenmelda
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Amazing! What a great follow on from the original games. Now we need Shenmue 4!
  6. asurrealentity
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Anyone claiming "paid review" or are giving it a 0 or 1 needs to get their account deleted. The kickstarter was a success and it delivers the Shenmue experience perfectly.
  7. MarioMark
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Amazing. YS and his team has captured the essence of Shenmue from all those years ago and brought it to the present day. To say this was made on a limited budget with limited development tools adds to how much of an amazing achievement and package this is.
  8. madmad90
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    Bad Story, bad Gameplay and even worse graphics. This is one of the worse games ever released.
  9. Quiksylver
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    After 18 years, Shenmue 3 did not disappoint. Lives up to 1 and 2 and then some. Roll on Shenmue 4!!
  10. Spd03
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    An amazing experience. This is a must play for all gamers. A game made for the people, by the people.
  11. GTIBRO69
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    So there comes a time in everyones lives where we first fired up our dreamcast consoles and inserted shenmue....18 years later in 2019 with a low budget offer from kickstater, it appears to be not the AAA game that people were claiming or hoping for, as i played 6 hours into shenmue 3 on the PlayStation 4 Pro it has once again brought me where VIDEOGAMES were extremely fun and brought backSo there comes a time in everyones lives where we first fired up our dreamcast consoles and inserted shenmue....18 years later in 2019 with a low budget offer from kickstater, it appears to be not the AAA game that people were claiming or hoping for, as i played 6 hours into shenmue 3 on the PlayStation 4 Pro it has once again brought me where VIDEOGAMES were extremely fun and brought back nostalgia into my life!

    Shenmue 3 is absolutely breathtaking compare to other games weve all played    … Expand
  12. Saito86
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Shenmue 3 is a unique game.
    It is not perfect of course, but as his two predecessors, it is a true invitation to a journey in china.
    It has a really unique atmosphere , with gorgeous music and environnement.
    I can't recomand enough the game to the fan, and to the curious :)
  13. Fer0182
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Juego hecho para fans, continuista respecto a los anteriores, un milagro que exista .
  14. BossKing
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    not great than other game at 2019,but with very more details and funny npc make the game still is a classic .
  15. Shinolive
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Thanks Yu Suzuki!
    Masterpiece , work of art, great music !
    Great direction and gameplay coming as legitimate sequel .
  16. NeoSnk
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    It was worth the wait! After 18 years we finally have a game that is completely different from everything we have in the industry. Shenmue 3 does not have the best graphics, however the game has the soul from the golden era, where games had a message to pass.
  17. INCA-Channel
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    So eine tolle Atmosphäre habe ich schon lange nicht mehr in einem Game erlebt. Natürlich ist die Grafik nicht high end, aber sie ist eben vollkommen ausreichend und vor allem stimmig. Wer hier mehr erwartet hat, bei dem Budget, der hat schlicht zu viel erwartet. Storytechnisch, ist es gewohnt schön erzählt von Yu Suzuki. Endlich konnte er an Teil 2 anknüpfen, klasse gemacht, man muss sichSo eine tolle Atmosphäre habe ich schon lange nicht mehr in einem Game erlebt. Natürlich ist die Grafik nicht high end, aber sie ist eben vollkommen ausreichend und vor allem stimmig. Wer hier mehr erwartet hat, bei dem Budget, der hat schlicht zu viel erwartet. Storytechnisch, ist es gewohnt schön erzählt von Yu Suzuki. Endlich konnte er an Teil 2 anknüpfen, klasse gemacht, man muss sich allerdings bei dem Budget auch drauf einlassen können, dann verliebt man sich in das Game.… Expand
  18. Pinheadhell
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    Fans are overrating this, beware. 20 years after the second game and the story doesn't move an inch, what a joke.
  19. Astarothduke
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Playing it I felt like I was back when I was 25 years old. A pleasant and melancholic sensation at the same time.
  20. OldSilentHill
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Shenmue magic is back in a "indie-kickstarter" form, and we can't be more happy about it!
  21. 200ft87
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    This game is a miracle. Period. Buy this game, you wouldnt regret it. Everyone should experience shenmue 3 at least once.
  22. Tulkas82
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    La continuación de la mejor saga de juegos de la historia. El presupuesto y medios disminuyen, la magia permanece. Bienvenido a casa Ryo, te he estado esperando durante 18 años...
  23. Napcoskun
    Nov 19, 2019
    5
    In che senso? Si............................................................
  24. Ortonator
    Nov 19, 2019
    8
    Full disclosure: I'm a longtime Shenmue fan and someone who backed Shenmue 3.
    Review: Shenmue 3 is what Shenmue fans want - mostly. The game feels like the sequel we were robbed of back in the Dreamcast era. The charmingly awkward dialogue is back, and this time I feel like it's a choice rather than a product of it's era, simply to please the fans who've come to love it so much.
    In    Full disclosure: I'm a longtime Shenmue fan and someone who backed Shenmue 3.
    Review: Shenmue 3 is what Shenmue fans want - mostly. The game feels like the sequel we were robbed of back in the Dreamcast era. The charmingly awkward dialogue is back, and this time I feel like it's a choice rather than a product of it's era, simply to please the fans who've come to love it so much.

    In terms of pacing, Shenmue 3 picks up a lot faster than the previous two games in the series. You're immediately thrown into a "small open world" area and introduced to a variety of mini games and combat. In earlier entries, Shenmue took it's time to build to your first encounter, or let you discover the mini games after the initial "prologue" of the game, but not here. In fact, Shenmue 3 doesn't have a prologue, as it picks up immediately where Shenmue 2 left of, as if the last 18 years never happend.
    As a Shenmue fan, i like this.

    However, the reason I'm giving this an 8 (which is still very high by my standards) and not a 10 is because of 2 things. One of them bugs me as a Shenmue fan, the other just bugs me in general.

    1) The combat: Shenmue 1 & 2 had some great combat. It came down to throws, punches, kicks and dodges. Timing moves right and landing a hard-to-pull-of throw resulted in beautiful animations that made you feel like a martial arts master. The combat felt real, heavy but not sluggish, and rewarding. Shenmue 3, however, ditches the throws entirely and opts for a faster-paced, combo centric fighting system that is a lot more "button mashy." It's... okay. It can be fun. But it doesn't feel as rewarding, and the lack of throw moves altogether (maybe due to budget limitations in the animation department) definitely hurts my experience as a longtime fan.

    2) The main menu: There is no excuse for this game to have a Jpeg for a menu screen. It's a huge diservice to the game. It's the first thing people are going to see, and it's going to make them think they've bought into a cheap experience. Now, i know Shenmue 3 was made on a budget - i helped add to that budget - but an animated, asethetically pleasing menu wouldn't break the bank now, would it?

    Overall, the game is what i wanted, minus 1 or 2 things. It adds new mechanics, which are fine, and gives longtime fans what they want. Although, i really can't say if this game will sit well with anyone who hasn't played the series before. I'm far too invested to pretend to have an objective opinion at this point.    … Expand
  25. kozzy420
    Nov 19, 2019
    2
    After 5 hours on the game so far, i am not very impressed. Most elements are average to good. Nothing is great in this game, where as Shenmue 1/2 there was lots of great elements. It might improve the more I play, but so far it is decent, but far from great. Check some reviews before you buy
  26. Supernake
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    I have been waiting for this game for 18 years, and it really dilivers what I was waiting for. I still can't belive this is real. Ty all shenmue fans that never let the dream die.
  27. Alvaruco
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Llevo 18 años esperándolo, solo por eso ya es un 10. Yo sé de lo que me hablo, este juego no todos debemos puntuarle ya que muchos no entenderían lo que representa poder jugarlo a día de hoy.
  28. Kmika7e
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    This game deserves to be the GOTY alongside with Resident Evil 2 Remake. It has the most detailed environments of the generation. A masterpiece that all gamers should play.
  29. TNTNitro
    Nov 19, 2019
    0
    I am very sad to see what this classic franchise has become. on my PS4 the graphics are blurred, 720p and 30fps. In the game the commands do not respond well, the mini games are very poorly done and boring, turtle racing.... Where are we? in 2019? very disappointed.
  30. Dietsoap
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    10/10 it's perfect, masterpiece, GOTC, etc. Thanks Yu! Niao Sun is my waifu btw
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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.
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  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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