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{{GameInfobox | image = ShenmueDCbox.jpg | developer = Sega-AM2 | publisher = Sega | designer = Yu Suzuki | series = Shenmue | jp_rel = {{Release|1999|December|29|JP|Dreamcast}} | na_rel = {{Release|2000|November|8|NA|Dreamcast}} | genre = Adventure | features = Single-player | ratings = ESRB-T | platforms = Dreamcast | media = 3 x [[GD-ROM]] Discs | input = [[Dreamcast Controller]] }} {{nihongo|'''''Shenmue'''''|シェンムー|Shenmū}} is a 1999 [[Adventure game|adventure]] [[video game]] developed by [[Sega AM2]] and published by [[Sega]] for the [[Dreamcast]], produced and directed by [[Yu Suzuki]]. Suzuki coined a genre title for its [[nonlinear gameplay]], "FREE" (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment), for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player. Suzuki intended to achieve this by [[Simulation video game|simulating]] aspects of real life through the game, such as the [[Persistent world|day and night system]], real-time variable weather effects (unheard of in a game of this kind at the time), fully voiced [[non-player character]]s with their own daily schedules, [[quick time event]]s, and various other interactive elements such as vending machines, [[Video arcade|arcades]], and convenience stores.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,36614/ |date=2002-06 | accessdate=2008-01-28 | publisher=[[MobyGames]] | title=Moby Games - Yu Suzuki}}</ref> ''Shenmue'' borrows gameplay elements from several different [[Video game genres|genres]], but largely consists of an [[open world]] adventure segments with real-time [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[Beat 'em up|battles]] interspersed throughout. It was the most expensive video game at the time, with a production cost of $47 million,<ref>{{cite web |title=Yu Suzuki Teases Shenmue 3|publisher=[[destructoid]]|date=February 3, 2011 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/yu-suzuki-teases-shenmue-3-at-gdc-though-not-guaranteed-195502.phtml}}</ref> equivalent to $64 million in 2011.<ref name="Inflation">{{cite web|title=CPI Inflation Calculator|publisher=[[Bureau of Labor Statistics]]|url=http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm|accessdate=2011-03-22}}</ref> The game was followed by a 2001 sequel, ''[[Shenmue II]]'', with at least one more planned as a Dreamcast series. The budget for Shenmue amounted to $70 million,<ref name="IGN-Kolan">{{cite web|last=Kolan |first=Patrick |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/811/811423p1.html |title=Shenmue: Through the Ages |publisher=IGN |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> equivalent to $95 million in 2011.<ref name="Inflation"/> However, production on the series ended with the second game, leaving the story at an unresolved cliffhanger. ==Legacy== ''Shenmue'' has been included in several "greatest games of all time" lists. In 2006 and 2008 it was voted at numbers 81 and 63 respectively on [[IGN]]'s "Readers' Choice Top 100 Games Ever" list.<ref>[http://uk.top100.ign.com/2006/081-090.html Readers' Picks Top 100 Games: 81-90], [[IGN]], 2006</ref> In 2008, it was voted number 25 on [[Game (retailer)|GAME]]'s "Greatest Games of All Time" list, based on a user poll with over 100,000 votes.<ref>[http://www.game.co.uk/greatestgames/ Greatest Games of All Time], [[Game (retailer)|Game]], 22 May 2008</ref> It was also ranked at number 42 on [[Empire (magazine)|''Empire'' magazine]]'s "100 Greatest Games of All Time" list.<ref>[http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=42 42: Shenmue], ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'', accessed 2011-02-25</ref> ''Shenmue'' is regarded as a major step forward for 3D [[Open world|open-world]] gameplay, and considered the originator of the "open city" subgenre later popularized by ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 5 Underappreciated Innovators: Five genre-defining games that didn't get their due|author=Scott Sharkey|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|url=http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-underappreciated-innovators|accessdate=2011-04-01}}</ref> ''Shenmue'' was originally touted as a "FREE" ("Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment") game offering an unparalleled level of player freedom, giving them full reign to explore an expansive [[Persistent world|persistent]] [[Nonlinear gameplay|sandbox]] city with its own day-night cycles, changing weather, and fully voiced [[non-player character]]s going about their daily routines. The game's large interactive environments, wealth of options, level of detail and the scope of its urban sandbox exploration has been compared to later sandbox games like ''Grand Theft Auto III'' and [[Grand Theft Auto (series)|its sequels]], Sega's own ''[[Yakuza (series)|Yakuza]]'' series, ''[[Fallout 3]]'', and ''[[Deadly Premonition]]''.<ref name=Escapist>Brendan Main, [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_285/8455-Lost-in-Yokosuka Lost in Yokosuka], ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''</ref><ref name=GTM>[http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1148/interview-with-shenmue-creator-yu-suzuki Shenmue: Creator Yu Suzuki Speaks Out], ''[[GamesTM]]''</ref><ref name=IGN>[http://uk.games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/9.html Yu Suzuki], [[IGN]]</ref><ref name=1UP>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3182648 The Disappearance of Yu Suzuki: Part 1], [[1-up|1UP]]</ref> Shenmue is even considered superior to ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'' in certain areas, such as the ability to talk to any pedestrian, walk into almost any store or building, day-night cycles, stat building, commercial mini-games, and melee combat.<ref>http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/927750-playstation-3/67293537</ref> Even prior to release, the February 1999 issue of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' magazine recognized ''Shenmue'' as "the first go-anywhere, do-anything game that players had dreamed about since the dawn of video games."<ref>https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_207_1999-02_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n57/mode/2up</ref> ''Shenmue'' also introduced the [[quick time event]] mechanic in its modern form and coined a name for it. The mechanic has since appeared in many later titles, including popular [[action game]]s such as ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'', ''[[God of War (series)|God of War]]'', ''[[Tomb Raider: Legend]]'', ''[[Heavenly Sword]]'', and ''[[Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy]]''.<ref>Adam LaMosca, [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/waypoints/1310-On-Screen-Help-In-Game-Hindrance On-Screen Help, In-Game Hindrance], ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''</ref> In 2010, [[1UP.com]] ranked ''Shenmue'' at #2 in its list of "15 Games Ahead of Their Time," citing its "ambition and scope," various "forward-thinking" mechanics such as real-time weather effects, "[[Persistent world|day and night cycles]], and massive playable environments," its quick-time event mechanic, and for giving players a "living" world to explore, concluding that it "was ahead of its time in nearly every aspect of its [[Game design|design]]."<ref>{{cite web|last=Furfari|first=Paul|title=15 Games Ahead of Their Time|url=http://www.1up.com/features/15-games-time?pager.offset=2|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|date=August 2010|accessdate=26 September 2011|page=2}}</ref> In 2011, Kurt Kalata (of 1UP and [[Gamasutra]]) stated that it is "remarkable" that "years after ''<nowiki>Shenmue'</nowiki>''s release, the game's environments are still some of the best to come out of any video game ever."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|title=Shenmue|url=http://hg101.kontek.net/shenmue/shenmue.htm|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=1 October 2011|coauthors=Kolbe|year=2011}}</ref> On April 30, 2013, M! Games, the leading game magazine in Germany, announced on their website, MANIAC.de, that it will hold a tournament poll called ''Bundesspielewahl 2013 ''(which translates to Federal Election Games 2013) on the site to determine "The #1 Ultimate Best Game of All Time" with 128 video games competing, including ''Shenmue''.<ref>http://www.maniac.de/bundesspielewahl2013</ref> From May to September, ''Shenmue'' has beaten ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' in the first match, ''[[Guitar Hero]]'' in the second match, ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' in the third match, ''[[Resident Evil (2002 video game)]]'' in the fourth match, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' in the Quarterfinal match, ''[[Super Mario World]]'' in the Semi-final match, and ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' in the Final match to become the ''Bundesspielewahl 2013 '' tournament winner. <ref>http://www.maniac.de/content/bilder-bundesspielewahl-2013-wahlplan</ref> On September 23, 2013, M! Games officially announced ''Shenmue'' as "The #1 Ultimate Best Game of All Time".<ref>http://www.maniac.de/content/news-bundesspielewahl-2013-die-welt-hat-gewaehlt-das-ist-der-sieger-216172</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.brashgames.co.uk/2013/03/20/assassins-creed-sure-could-learn-a-lot-from-shenmue%E2%80%8F/ Assassin’s Creed sure could learn a lot from Shenmue], Brash Games {{Shenmue}}
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