Here i am thinking about Shenmue IV again.
I froze at this starting line. Its very poetic. It also seems a song title.
I also hope for keeping supernatural into the series but sincerily prefer more ambiguity in the approach. There seems to be a necessity to explain everything, fill all and each plot holes... That's fatal imo and ultimately kills all the mistery aura.
Why is that oil blob eating those kids at the lake? Its oil or what?
Why the birds suddenly went rampage on Tippi Hedren? Well, go figure. I miss that creative attitude. Its my personal belief that overexplaining and overexpanding lore kills series, and to me it played as factor of Silent Hill decline i.e. The first two games were open almost to every player interpretation while the last chapters stablished a too strict universe. So new horror games with new mistery aura untouched gets the pole.
Im sorry because Im noting being more disperse than normally but this heat wave got me fried. Im also like grumpy because couldn't sleep well.
I really hope we can see something like this in Shenmue few things that i hope remain for Shenmue IV, things that to me are part of the essence and identity of Shenmue.
1. Ryo having to ask the NPCs for more informations and clues.
2. The notebook that Ryo writes all the clues and sometimes even his feelings.
3. The mystical elements like Shenhua’s powers, the mirrors and the Shenmue tree.
If i remember other things i will edit my post
1. Regarding the costs of dubbing those npc lines, I vouch for getting the same amount of detective part that we had already but certainly expanding those sections do really sounds me good. It would be awesome to get deeper social simulación in terms of npc affinity so getting certain info. Or, I know I always end into LA Noire, but this game interrogatories even rushed and I complete implemente remains ahead of its time and even today in terms of the "layers of truth, confidence, affinity". It lacked more substance beyond being what it ended, a bland minigame. But applied in Shenmue, with the events, weather triggers an such it could play a major role.
2. Absolutely please, do. Its Shenmue quintaessence and I'll confess underlooking it at my initial playthroughs when I was younger. It wasn't until some years ago that I went for a notebook's entry completion playthrough that it gaves me a deeper (and the correct) approach to Ryo and the whole story.
When it comes at costs, this feature doesn't represents a problem to keep or even expand but... Is the appeal to new audiences what troubles me. I hope it makes the cut.
3. I believe we can be at ease with this at least. Yu-san already started that he loves this supernatural elements and his lifetime willing of making a fantasy game (partially accomplished with Air Twister but I hope he really can make what he desires and tell me us fantasy tale) and for one thing its safe betting money its the continuity of magic in Shenmue.
I'll be happy if it develops the way it has been but my taste is more aligned with ambiguity, leaving not clear if we are in presence of "real powers". The Deacon in Batman: The Cult could be a nice example of what I mean. You can think both: the guy has powers or he is tricking "you".
Please, do. Update your post when you come with more because to many of us your care, devotion, love to the series serves as inspiration and draws a smile in bitter mornings.
Ps: kanjis look good but I prefer much Hiki. Because it sounds like Kontiki. Aayaya!