Shenmue 3

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 392 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Shenmue 3 Game Cover
A seamless continuation of the series that makes up for its limitations with pure heart. It's like Ryo never left us.
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"Shenmue III" is the 2019 sequel to the 2001 action-adventure game, continuing the journey of teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki seeking his father's killer in 1980s China. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015, raising over $6 million, the game became the most funded video game in the platform's history. The game offers an open-world environment with a focus on exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 392 reviews
story37 positive mentions
grinding24 negative mentions
  • Shenmue III successfully captures the charm and atmosphere of the original games, making it a nostalgic experience for long-time fans.
  • The game features beautiful graphics and detailed environments, enhancing the immersive quality of the world.
  • The inclusion of various mini-games and side quests adds depth and variety to the gameplay, allowing players to engage with the world in multiple ways.
  • The combat system feels clunky and simplified compared to the original games, which may disappoint fans looking for a more refined experience.
  • The pacing of the story can be slow, with some players finding the dialogue and cutscenes tedious and repetitive.
  • The game ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many plot threads unresolved and potentially frustrating fans who have waited years for a continuation.
  • story202 mentions

    The story of Shenmue III is a continuation of Ryo Hazuki's quest for revenge, but many players feel it lacks meaningful progression compared to its predecessors, often describing it as slow-paced and filled with filler content. While the nostalgic elements and character interactions are appreciated, the game ends on a cliffhanger, leaving fans frustrated and yearning for a more conclusive narrative. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, appealing primarily to long-time fans of the series, but disappointing for newcomers or those seeking a satisfying resolution.

    • “The story is what makes it.”
    • “This game heavily relies on its nice settings and the story; everything else is average at best.”
    • “The shenmue saga is about a young man named Ryo Hazuki from Japan, who is on a mission to avenge his father Iwao Hazuki's death by the hands of a Chinese man named Lan Di.”
    • “The story ends on a cliffhanger less natural than the previous ones.”
    • “The story, however, is basically filler, with very little progressing in the overall plot.”
    • “The plot moved about an inch in a game I waited 18 years for, and it all feels very rinse and repeat.”
  • gameplay75 mentions

    The gameplay of Shenmue III has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its outdated mechanics and grindy nature, reminiscent of the original titles. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the return of classic features like exploration and martial arts, others criticize the tediousness of tasks and the lack of innovation, leading to a feeling of frustration. Overall, the game captures the essence of the series but struggles with modern expectations, resulting in a gameplay experience that feels both familiar and flawed.

    • “The weird characters, the slice of life gameplay, all the small moments of zen that people love about this series are here.”
    • “However, where this game shines is in its beautiful setting, slow, relaxed pace, and (of course) its tried and true adventure game mechanics.”
    • “The pros: looks better than ever, gameplay is fun from a legacy Shenmue perspective, and the locations are great.”
    • “There's no refining the old mechanics into something more modern.”
    • “The gameplay is very grindy (mostly just earning money to buy x item to move the story along), and it leaves you feeling unrewarded given the recycled fights/gameplay loop.”
    • “What have they done... it feels really weird with those horrible cut-scenes, simple dialogues, extremely repetitive and boring gameplay, and on top of that the plot is lacking any interest, you are going to basically find clues everywhere until you get sick and abandon the game if you have better things to do.”
  • graphics67 mentions

    The graphics of Shenmue III receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful visuals and the nostalgic feel that aligns with the original games, enhanced by Unreal Engine 4. However, critics point out that despite the graphical updates, the game still feels dated in terms of mechanics and performance, with some noting issues like framerate drops and a lack of customization options. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered decent and visually appealing, they do not significantly elevate the gameplay experience, which remains clunky and reminiscent of older titles.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous; I enjoyed exploring the world here. It looks like they took a lot of time designing these locations, and it shows.”
    • “The visuals will not be appealing for many modern players, but they are very much in line with the original, which I feel is a good thing in this game, as it's a continuation of a story and the fact that it looks like Shenmue I and II feels authentic and not overdone.”
    • “What the development team has done with the artwork and the map layouts is phenomenal.”
    • “Shenmue 3 feels like an old Dreamcast game painted over with modern graphics, and what I mean by this is that instead of building on or learning from Shenmue's old mechanics and fixing the problems that plagued those two games, Shenmue 3 decides instead to embrace those problems while adding new ones that make Shenmue 3 feel like an incredibly outdated game.”
    • “The graphics are outdated and there are noticeable framerate drops and random glitches in the cutscenes.”
    • “It does a horrible job at being a sequel, nothing has been improved with the exception of graphics.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Shenmue III is heavily criticized for its tediousness, requiring players to invest significant time in repetitive tasks such as earning money and completing mini-games to progress the story. Many reviewers note that the game feels slow-paced and often lacks rewarding gameplay, with some tasks, like catching 1000 fish, being particularly egregious in their grindiness. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, the overall sentiment is that it detracts from the experience, making it feel unnecessarily prolonged.

    • “It felt that every major revelation in the game was accomplished only after you spend large amounts of time grinding.”
    • “The gameplay is very grindy (mostly just earning money to buy x item to move the story along), and it leaves you feeling unrewarded given the recycled fights / gameplay loop.”
    • “Too many grindy quests with little payoff.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to capture the spirit of the franchise, with many reviewers highlighting the fantastic soundtrack and its nostalgic value. While some mention that the original score may feel a bit dated or disappointing in parts, the overall ambiance created by the music is considered a significant strength, enhancing the gameplay experience. Despite some criticisms regarding abrupt transitions, the soundtrack remains a standout feature that many players appreciate.

    • “The music is great.”
    • “Amazing music/graphics and loveable characters.”
    • “It's a gorgeous world with an incredible soundtrack, great world building and fun gameplay if you can get past some of the more dated mechanics.”
    • “The soundtrack is a bit disappointing though.”
    • “It's a little weird that cut scenes keep blacking out between transitions and the music abruptly cuts off when entering new areas of the game.”
    • “Okay-ish OST true to the original.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by lively voice acting and quirky dialogue that often elicits laughter, with characters delivering funny lines and unexpected revelations. Players appreciate the blend of intentional and unintentional humor, reminiscent of past series, while the slow-paced nature of the game allows for amusing interactions and memorable moments. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted charm to the experience, making it enjoyable despite some frustrations with the game's history.

    • “Relaxing slow-paced game with a funny dub.”
    • “Funny fact, when the game starts it says: we advise to use a controller ;p”
    • “The dialogue is just as awkward and unintentionally hilarious as the past games; I actually found myself laughing randomly because of the dialogue and how little our protagonist seems to care.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in Shenmue III is praised for its immersive worldbuilding and laid-back exploration, reminiscent of its predecessors. While the game features gorgeous environments and a unique vibe, some players feel it struggles with repetitive gameplay elements. Overall, the atmosphere remains a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “With Shenmue II being an excellent game with an incredible atmosphere, great characters, and ending on a cliffhanger, it would be an understatement to say that Shenmue III had a lot to live up to.”
    • “Laid-back exploration: like the classics, this game still lets you take your time and enjoy the atmosphere and mundanity of its locations.”
    • “Shenmue III succeeds majorly on the small things that make the series unique, and most notably the vibes and atmosphere that make the Shenmue games genuinely world-class at worldbuilding without making it feel particularly signposted and gamey.”
    • “Yes, I know 2 hours is not enough, but the conversations and atmosphere seem quite old.”
    • “To me, even though I was drawn in by the promise of a revolution at first, I quickly became detached from the atmosphere and the story delivered.”
    • “Go play the Shenmue I and II compilation to see if you like the atmosphere and gameplay.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for significant stuttering issues and a lack of customization options for graphics settings, limiting players to only low, medium, or high presets. Additionally, the requirement for an always-online connection and the absence of cloud save features further detract from the overall performance experience.

    • “The game features quality of life enhancements carried over from Shenmue 2, while modernizing the controls for a smoother experience.”
    • “Despite some stuttering issues, the game maintains a visually faithful representation, showcasing the potential of Unreal Engine 4.”
    • “The optimization efforts are evident in the transition from tank controls, allowing for a more fluid gameplay experience.”
    • “As for the performance, being a game running on UE4, there are stuttering issues.”
    • “Performance is bad, stutters a lot, cloud save is non-existent, and the game requires an always-online connection.”
    • “Technically limited (you can't even customize the graphics, only choose low, medium, or high). Badly optimized.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as a beautifully told tale that resonates deeply with players, particularly those familiar with the series. While some criticize the slow pacing and awkward dialogue, many find these elements endearing, contributing to a memorable and immersive experience that evokes strong feelings and nostalgia. Overall, the game is seen as a rewarding and wholesome journey for those willing to invest in its unique storytelling.

    • “Beautifully told and an emotional tale for many to remember.”
    • “I played the entire series; I was already emotionally involved before playing Shenmue 3, so don't trust my word for it when I say it's a masterpiece.”
    • “I like that you have a longer time before that final game over. As someone who played Shenmue 1, I shed a tear!”
    • “The emotional storyline felt forced and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I was expecting a gripping narrative, but instead, it was a tedious experience that failed to evoke any real feelings.”
    • “The game tried to be emotional, but the execution was so poor that it left me feeling indifferent.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it is largely bug-free and runs smoothly on PC at 60+ fps, players have reported outdated graphics, noticeable framerate drops, and random glitches during cutscenes on other platforms.

    • “But at the same time, there's a certain quality to it, attention to detail, basically bug-free, laid-back charm, and spirituality that Shenmue drives for.”
    • “On PC, it runs great and feels great at 60+ FPS.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, and there are noticeable framerate drops and random glitches in the cutscenes.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and connectivity issues, which ruined the overall experience.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized, with one reviewer noting a lack of depth, particularly highlighting that the protagonist, Ren, has minimal dialogue. Additionally, the voice acting and character designs vary significantly in quality, contributing to an overall mixed reception of the characters.

    • “There is no character development; Ren barely says anything.”
    • “First of all, the voice acting ranges from very good to terrible, and the same applies to the character designs.”
    • “It's not for everyone; it's a quirky Dreamcast-feeling game with odd character designs and animations.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the Shenmue series for its artistic integrity, contrasting it with modern games that often prioritize profit over creativity, suggesting that the monetization approach in Shenmue is more focused on delivering a genuine gaming experience rather than exploiting players for cash.

    • “The Shenmue series as a whole is a throwback to when video games were an art and not formulaic big business cash grabs.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Shenmue 3 offers significant replayability through its continuation of the story and extensive branching dialogue options, allowing players to explore different conversations and outcomes.

    • “Shenmue 3 continues right where the second game left off and features a hefty amount of great dialogue and conversations with branching questions, which gives the game extra replay value.”
    • “The multiple story paths and choices in Shenmue 3 encourage players to experience the game in different ways, enhancing its replayability.”
    • “With various side quests and character interactions, each playthrough of Shenmue 3 feels unique, making you want to dive back in for more.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy Shenmue 3

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
1-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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