Shenmue review: How about a game of Lucky Hit HD? A classic reborn for a new generation

So many innovations that took place during that influential decade had a pivotal role in the shape of games today.

From the pioneering 3D worlds of Super Mario 64, to the introduction of the analogue stick with the N64 and the Dreamcast kickstarting online console gaming.

The 90s was a turning point for games which shaped what consumers expected from the medium for years to come.

And one of the most influential titles that came out during that era was Shenmue on the Sega Dreamcast.

The impact of Shenmue on modern gaming cannot be underestimated.

The never-ending stream of high production, open world 3D games that followed all owe a debt of gratitude to Yu Suzuki’s masterpiece.

While fully 3D games had been around for years by the time Shenmue was released, vast open world games weren’t.

The amount of freedom Shenmue offered, and the level of detail in that living, breathing world was – at the time – unprecedented.

But that forward thinking came at a cost – when Shenmue was released it was the most expensive video game ever made.

While the original Shenmue went on to become the Dreamcast’s fourth-bestselling game, its sales did not recoup its vast development cost.

But even though it was dubbed a commercial failure, the experience Shenmue provided was so far ahead of its time that it garnered an illustrious reputation.

Speak to anyone who fell in love with the Dreamcast classic during that era and they’ll wax lyrical about what a seismic gaming event it was.

And now Shenmue fans – and those who missed out on it first time round – get to jump back in and experience Ryo Hazuki’s adventures again thanks to a new release.

Ahead of the launch of Shenmue 3, SEGA have brought Shenmue 1 and 2 – their “most requested re-release of all time” – to the PS4, Xbox One and PCs in one package.

Shenmue charts the journey of Japanese teenager Ryo as he seeks vengeance after watching his father – a martial artist – get killed right in front of him in a fight with the villainous Lan Di.

Ryo begins his quest in his hometown of Yokosuka in Japan in the first Shenmue before moving onto Kowloon, Hong Kong in the second game.

The PS4, Xbox One and PC collections of Shenmue can be played in any order, but if played chronologically progress from the first game carries over to the second.

While not a remaster, the latest versions of Shenmue 1 and 2 are easily the best looking builds to date, with the Dreamcast classic running in crisp HD visuals on current gen consoles.

Other subtle tweaks have been added such as the ability to have the original Japanese voice acting track running alongside English subtitles as well as an updated user interface.

Also, controls have been tweaked slightly so that Ryo can be controlled with an analogue stick as opposed to a D-Pad on the Dreamcast.

All these subtle tweaks add to providing what is arguably the most well rounded Shenmue experience to date.

But, by and large, this is the same game that was first released almost 20 years ago.

So that means Shenmue still offers that unique mishmash of different genres – part beat em-up, part open-world game and part life-sim.

Ryo is always chasing a lead as he tries to track down his father’s killer, which means asking locals questions and following up little tidbits of information until he gets somewhere.

All these locals have their own distinct routines – working or just hanging out at certain spots during specific times of the day and sometimes being completely unavailable to talk to.

The routines they have, while simplistic, all add to the feeling of being part of a living, breathing world.

Shenmue operates on a day and night cycle, so sometimes you’ll find an NPC you need to speak that isn’t around for a few hours.

During those times you can while away the hours practising your kung fu or hanging out in the arcades playing full versions of classic SEGA games like Hang On or Space Harrier.

Or, you can just kick-back and buy a few capsule toys, tend to a stray cat you’ve come across or grab a quick drink from a vending machine to take a breather.

It may sound bizarre, but it all adds to the unique character of Shenmue and immersing you further into its compelling world.

Often when you do reach the lead you’ve been pursuing it’ll descend into a brawl or a chase – with the former playing out like a Virtua Fighter style battle.

If it’s the latter then it’ll likely be a Quick Time Event (QTE) – another innovation Shenmue introduced – where you have to quickly press a button that appears on screen.

It’s without a doubt a mishmash of different genres, all pushed along by a script that at times has awkward dialogue delivered with all the panache of an overwrought voice actor.

But, for those who love Shenmue, that just adds to its idiosyncratic charm.

That being said, Shenmue is not a game for everyone.

Those who weren’t enamoured first time round by its mix of Virtua Fighter style battles, open-world exploration and life-simulation won’t find anything in this release to change their minds.

But it is, without question, a title that all gamers should experience due to the hugely influential legacy it left behind.

And for those who fell in love with Shenmue on the Dreamcast first time round, this is the perfect opportunity to jump back in and experience one of gaming’s most iconic titles.

VERDICT: 4/5

• Express.co.uk tested a physical PS4 version of Shenmue 1 and 2 which ran perfectly for us. We have not tested the Xbox One or PC builds.