by Let's Get Sweaty » Sun Sep 09, 2012 7:10 am
I think the fact that Shenmue III's locations are likely to be so different to the previous games would make it easier to accept the inevitable graphical and gameplay alterations. As Ryo heads deeper into China and possibly beyond, he moves further away from the world he's used to, and so these changes could actually be a source of immersive empathy in longtime players. We have to adjust along with Ryo to this new environment and new way of doing things.
At least, that's how I'll be trying to look at it. In an ideal world, the nostalgic within us all would prefer a direct continuation of the style that we know and love (warts and all). But realistically, if we're going to get any kind of sequel at all, we have to be prepared to make the best of it and learn to embrace the differences instead of resenting them. They likely will be for the better, when viewed objectively, as there will obviously be an intention to appeal to new customers who view the older games as badly paced and clunky. Newcomers won't be as conditioned to look beyond those criticisms as we are.