Shenmue

by Naat Jairam

First of all I'll like to say that I am not a true, bonafide 'RPGamer.' I haven't played all the good ones (although I have played the major ones) and I personally prefer the adventure-action 'with RPG elements' genre (i.e. Zelda, Metal Gear, Resident Evil). I am not illiterate in the ways of the RPG, however, since I have visited RPGamer.com for about 3 years now, subscribe to major magazines, and talk to my friends who have the dough and the determination to plough through all the RPG material out there. Enough about me; I'd like to discuss a game which ironically hasn't been gaining, in my opinion, the respect it deserves in the gaming community. It is a game which I feel can firmly place the status of 'computer entertainment' as an art form in the mind of any skeptic. It is a game that dares to be original, that taunts reality, and drowns us in atmosphere. That game is Shenmue: Chapter One - Yokosuka.

I add the Japanese subtitle since this game is a mere introduction, an eye-opener to what could be the greatest work in video game history: the completion of the 16 chapters of the Shenmue saga. Sega, unlike their competitors (notably Sony and Square et al.) have tried something daring in this episodic cascade through Yu Sukuzi's vision. They did not merely create another sequel, another rehash, to bring in the money for the undoubtably doomed Dreamcast. Instead, they ventured to create 'another reality'; a true collective spur of imagination to sell the system. Since, however, the Dreamcast has been buried by the inevitable scorched-earth domination of the Sony behemoth, and the game itself didn't live up to its grand reputation in sales, what is Shenmue's worth? Why all the one-liners? Why should I bring this to your attention?

Well there are many reasons.

During the course of the game you 'become' Ryo Hazuki, a typical determined, laconic tough guy who was clearly chosen as a representation of the Japanese ideals of a hero (honor, dignity, humility, etc.). The game begins with the murder of Ryo's father and sensei and the gameplay consists of the sometimes tedious chore of finding clues to unravel the mystery of where the killer, the mysterious Lan Di, is. Though the game doesn't create an alternate 'reality' (in some ways showing how real life can never be translated to a disc) it is unquestionably the most believable game world yet. The alarm clock rings, and you get up, look through drawers, listen to some music, look at your toy capsule collection, call someone, read the sayings on scrolls, take pictures off the wall, play your Saturn, pray, and receive allowance, spar with your friend...these are some activities you can engage in at your home, not to mention the whole game! The game is full of secrets and things to do, so that even if you're stuck in the game, or have to wait a while for a time-triggered sequence, you have the freedom to explore this detailed world, and the activities to keep you busy. The game can even seem too real sometimes, such as scenes where you get a job and- guess what- use a travel agency to get a trip. Sorry guys- no airships here.

The game successfully blends cinematics, the QTE sequences (you've heard enough about those), free quest, and fighting modes perfectly with a realtime engine that is the best seen on a console. The fighting system keeping with the want of reality is a free range system that though it isn't as complex as lets say DOA2 it is a nevertheless deep one on its own right. The game is to live as Ryo while the plot and all that seems to be intertwined in the adventure. The game and the adventure of playing it really have to be experienced first hand.

The most lauded quality of this game, the quality that deserves its recognition, is the character and personality that oozes dedication and creativity conjuring up a simply beautiful atmosphere. The graphics are only part of it. The game's aforementioned visuals are stunning, however; sometimes you will just stop to look at scenes in the everchanging realtime environment. Snow has fallen over night and during the first half of the day, twilight is now upon us. The traditional-style door of the Hazuki residence has snow clinging to its sides, and shrubbery around the scene is also bedecked with snow. A meow comes from a shrine nearby, quiet calm, serene, the stuff of haiku.

The game is also apt atrendering rigged, urban environments such as the bars at night and the harbor. The love story in Shenmue is told with pleasure and subtlety between the caring, charming Nozomi and the vengeful, headstrong Ryo. Unlike other games, the pleasure lies in conversations between the two, and their melancholic outlook on the past. Wonderful. Dreadful would be Final Fantasy VIII.

The pop song 'Always', though I would be the last to admit such a thing was moving, nonethless struck a chord, with the great cinematic camera placement matching the thoughtful tune. That brings up two things which stand out about this game: the music, and the cinematic nature of the game. The music is outright gorgeous, some of the best I have heard in a videogame thus far. Just so wonderful, it would blend into an intimate conversation between the lovers, or sound out thunderously in the sweep of emotion in the final sunset overlooking Ryo going to Hong Kong. The use of far-eastern instruments give the same alluring presence as in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." and the vocals are an addition, not a detraction.

Shenmue is also a gaming cinematic landmark, rivaling Metal Gear Solid on translating the sensibilities of a motion picture into an interactive game. The realtime engine again works great with multiple angles, panoramics, and the use of motion blur to add intensity. The QTE system is a good addition, despite earlier opinions likening it to a Hong Kong movie.

Complementing the atmosphere as a whole is a vivacious cast of characters that, like the game, seem alive and personable. Though Ryo thus far is a bland, flat character (so far being the key word) the other characters make up for it with their personality quirks. For instance Tom, with his happy, yet emotional character, Nozomi with her talkative, friendly nature, being unable to cope with leaving Ryo, and Chen Gui Zhang's opposing demeanor letting way to duty and understanding are all well realized.

This game is not perfect. There are a few faults that need to be addressed. There is a hint of slowdown, and some of the voices stink (decent voice acting overall, though). Some consider it a game without point, there are some problems with the camera, the slow progression of the storyline, and a number of other small issues. One supposedly major fault in this game is the unclimatic ending. I will admit that it wasn't what I was looking for, but the storyline cannot be judged as a whole since this game is just a part of the whole, complete 16-chapter storyline.

This is not a review. It is just my way of telling you that there are worthwhile games that aren't either sequels or shameless cash cows. There are games that want to be something else; they want to be art. Let me address the problem of Final Fantasy at the moment. Final Fantasy is just Square's money-making machine. The games (recent ones, anyway) are just blatant rehashes of the past ones, with the same annoying characters, the same battle system, the same love-conquers-all idealistic relationships, the same half-done, not smart enough to pull all the strings together effort, and the same stupid evil enemy and overdone boss battles. They just ship it out every year to get the money!

Some say Shenmue is overambitious. Some say all 16 chapters coming out is a joke, but I say that at least they are creating ART. They are creating something that no one has done before: to successfully link multiple self-worthy episodes into one grand, dare I say it 'EPIC.' They are trying something new, wonderful and grand, while most other developers stay fixed where the steady income is.

This same spirit was ironically in a Square game of the past, Chrono Trigger. Though it wasn't new it was full of character and outstanding gameplay doing what it did for the hell of it at the latter stage of the Super Nintendo lifecycle. Shenmue was excellent and just leaves for more and more to follow it up. The Chinese mysticism evoked by the dreamy scenes of Ling Sha Hua must be answered....

And Thus the Saga Begins...

-My name is Naat Jairam I don't have a cool pseudonym like the rest of you.