Yu Suzuki
Shenmue

Even though programming techniques in the video game industry are constantly updating, presenting increasingly sophisticated products, I still find it challenging to identify a product that is original, artistically valuable, and intellectually stimulating.

If I were to choose, however, the creation that most excited me, without doubts or uncertainties, I would name Shenmue (© CRI 1999, 2000 Presented by AM2 of CRI, 4 GD-ROM) for DC. A video game that in my opinion still today is astonishing for its poetry, love, and almost obsessive attention to the tiniest details.

Published in Europe in December 2000, Shenmue is a masterpiece of graphic, musical creativity, and AI, the result of Yu Suzuki's genius. Its development took about 5 years, with enormous production costs for those times. Unfortunately, the DC was a console that did not achieve the success it deserved, due to Sega's lack of support and ruthless competition. Shenmue is a complex and articulated third-person dynamic adventure with RPG elements and a 'cinematic style', set in 1986 in Yokosuka, a typical Japanese suburb.

Ryo is the protagonist, but other characters will also be encountered, each performing actions and 'living their life', all with precise characteristics and facial expressions suitable for the context. The dramatic introduction shows us the death of Ryo's father in the Dojo, at the hands of the dangerous and powerful Lan Di (the antagonist), who is searching for a mysterious talisman. Ryo's task will be to seek revenge, discovering the reason for his father's killing. The use of the 'revolutionary' FREE (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment) allows for a wide range of interactivity: roaming the streets, talking to and framing each character, opening, taking and examining structures and objects, making phone calls.

Yokosuka includes: The Hazuki Dojo in the small village of Yamanose, Sakuragaoka, and Dobuita with its port. The structures are vast and full of details, all explorable, and include: shops of various kinds, bars, restaurants, residences, and more. The FREE system does not stop there but includes the concept of the passage of time (night-day) and weather (rain, snow, cloudy sky, sun). The weather conditions use a system called Magic System Weather, which randomly generates climatic variations. There is even the management of objects and menus: watch, notebook, collection, cassette tape, tokens, calendar, money.

The video game consists of 4 sections. The Free Quest, which allows you to move freely in every place, work, earn money, converse with characters, investigate, obtain information and objects. It will even be possible to use vehicles like the forklift and motorcycle. The Qte, composed of a series of quick actions that need to be resolved by immediately pressing a sequence of buttons within a time limit. The Free Battle, a sort of 'beat 'em up' where Ryo must defeat opponents using martial arts. Throughout the plot, it is possible to acquire a large number of new moves, and with practice, increase their level of efficiency. Lastly, the View Mode which automatically trigger at certain points in the game and develop the storyline. Not to mention the included minigames: Hang On, Space Harrier, Darts, Excite QTE2, QTE Title.

Thanks to its freedom, you can explore any place without having to proceed with the phases of the adventure. And it is precisely this artistic and peculiar aspect of the game, as it should be 'savored' calmly in all its aspects and possibilities. The fourth disc (Passport) offered additional options and internet connectivity via the modem built into the DC (the first console with a modem).

Currently, it seems that Yu is engaged in the development of Shenmue Online.

Good work and [domo arigato gozaimasu] Yu.

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