Rate the Shenmue trilogy

Shenmue I - 9.5/10
Shenmue II - 10/10
Shenmue III - 6.5/10

Shenmue I & II are certified classics to me. I just prefer SII a little bit more.

Shenmue III is a bit complicated. I do like the gameplay and how it got modernized and adapted into the modern times. The fighting-system is also not a big issue to me because it does work, even though it is less satisfying and well executed than the one from SII&II. My biggest issues are the following:

- I don`t agree with the premise of the game, considering what was written in Shenhuas fathers note
- I think some aspects of Bailu are a bit weird considering what Shenhua tells us about it
- the story does move along a little bit but not as much as expected/hoped
- the reliance of particular moves to overcome an obstacle feels like a parody of what happened on the rooftop (this done twice, too)
- overabundance of some gameplay elements are a bit unnecessary
 
Back
Top