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But that’s exactly how it needs to feel to properly capture the spirit of the incomplete, once-thought-abandoned tale. I just want more of that, and I’m glad Shenmue 3 knows not to overreach.
#Shenmue 3 ps5 Ps4
Having recently replayed both the original games in their PS4 remastered editions I was reminded of how unique and compelling they are as mystery games that really force you to explore the world to find answers. It’s slow and clunky – but at the same time oddly decadent. We play casino games, chop wood to earn a little pocket change, and slowly converse with villagers (Ryo's original English voice actor, Corey Marshall, returns for the dub) to learn more about a mysterious bookie with a scar on his face. While we don’t see too much of the plot in our hands-on, we have a good amount of time to explore the rural Chinese village Ryo’s ended up in.
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These require Ryo to repeat an action in a minigame, for example tapping a button to make sure he achieves the perfect squat. There also seem to be more specific areas where you have to go to train certain moves (like a one-inch punch) or stances (such as horse stance). "Playing Shenmue 3 is a strange experience in a way it feels like a remaster of a game from the early 2000s that never actually existed" (Image credit: Ys Net, Sega, Deep Silver) It's not in spite of those reasons – it's actually because of them. But we can’t help loving the hour we spend with the game. The graphics, while nice enough, aren't cutting-edge like those of the original games were when they launched the controls don’t follow the default standards we're used to these days and animation and dialogue is stiff and rigid. There are no two ways about it: even though Shenmue 3 looks fairly pretty, it feels like an old game in a lot of ways. That sensation might just end up being Shenmue 3's greatest strength and biggest weakness all rolled into one.
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Game looks more beautiful than its predecessors thanks to the capabilities of the new hardware, and, yes, we're definitely holding a different controller – but without even thinking about it, we’re able to wrangle the game’s obtuse controls and jump right back into playing as if a year had passed instead of nearly 20. It’s as though those 18 Shenmue-free years never happened. Sitting down to go hands-on with the game on PS4 we feel almost transported in time. Get the latest PlayStation news on your doorstep early and for a better price! Subscribe to OPM here (opens in new tab). This feature first appeared in Official PlayStation Magazine.