Pixel Twelve
Original cover art for Shenmue.

RELEASED

Shenmue

Investigate a murder across a living Yokosuka, following leads, learning martial arts, and managing time as Ryo Hazuki searches for Lan Di.

Platforms
Sega Dreamcast
Add to list
Scroll horizontally to see every section.

Media

Game Overview

Platforms

Sega Dreamcast

Shenmue follows Ryo Hazuki after his father is killed in the family dojo. The original Dreamcast chapter, also known as Shenmue: Ichishou Yokosuka, places the investigation in a detailed version of Yokosuka, where Ryo questions residents, examines objects, follows clues, and waits for the right people or locations to become available. Time advances through the day, and weather, appointments, and NPC routines give the search a schedule rather than a single straight path.

Read full overview

Ryo's investigation is interrupted by martial-arts fights, Quick Timer Events, and Free Battle sequences. The city also contains arcades, capsule toys, shops, and smaller activities that make the space worth exploring between story appointments. Martial-arts moves can be practiced and equipped, while saving and reloading helps the player keep the investigation manageable instead of repeating every errand after a failed encounter.

For a first session, write down names, places, and the times people mention instead of relying on memory. Check the clock before crossing town, save in the bedroom when the day is done, and use training to learn a small set of reliable moves before the story asks for them. Rushing from marker to marker can hide useful conversations and side activities. This is the original Dreamcast chapter, not Shenmue II or the later Shenmue I & II HD collection.

Community reviews

What readers think of Shenmue.

Loading community reviews…