Shenmue: how Sega made boring fun
Picture this: You’re in 1980’s Japan, you’re a young man whose father was just killed in front of him, and you’re on a mission for revenge. Sound interesting? Good. What I just described was a pretty basic description of Shenmue’s plot. As another Japanese release in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, it seems like a pretty action-packed plot, but in reality, Shenmue is a pretty tame game.
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Shenmue makes the most of the controller and less of the brain. It’s pretty much a glorified walking and talking simulator with a few punches thrown in there. You don’t have to think much as you can just converse with a nearby NPC and they’ll tell you all you need to know. So, if you are thinking that Shenmue will be anything like the Yakuza series, think again. All in all, you control the protagonist by walking (or running) around different environments asking as many questions as you can to find information to take you to the next location.
How did Sega make Shenmue a cult classic? Simply put, it’s the very thing that makes the game boring. Sure, the game mechanics are wonky and outdated for its time, but it’s what you can do within the game that really shines. It’s not just about getting revenge for your father’s death, it’s also about finding secrets, getting into trouble, and indulging in everyday life in Japan. Yes, walking and talking is boring, but when you’re doing it in Japan? How could you ever be bored when you collect gacha toys, eat at a ramen shop, or play actual games in the arcade?
The most recent release in the series, Shenmue 3, is nothing new to the hardcore fans, but it can be daunting to newcomers. Besides the fantastic updated graphics, everything about the gameplay is the same. Choppy speech, blocky walking, and even more opportunities to gamble your money away.
In the end, Shenmue is a gem in its own right. Yup, it’s boring, but it has it’s special moments that can only be found during your own gameplay. That’s what makes the game so great, it has something for everyone. If you have played Shenmue either in the past or in the present, did you enjoy it? What were your favorite moments? Let's be nostalgic together.
