--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit (Feb 1, 2017) :
Part Three of the interview translation is now ready.

Read the translated article here on the Phantom River Stone blog:
Part One: http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2016/12/yu-suzuki-interview-part-1.html
Part Two: http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/01/yu-suzuki-katsuhiro-harada-interview.html
Part Three: http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/02/yu-suzuki-katsuhiro-harada-interview.html
Part Four: Coming soon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A glimpse of a new illustration for Shenmue III plus some original images / documents from the days of working on "Virtua Fighter RPG" / Shenmue I & II.

These are from a new Japanese-language interview with Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada (from the Tekken series) published online at denfaminicogamer.jp.

Regarding an English translation of the Shenmue-related parts of the article, I am working on this and will post up a separate thread about it once ready.

For now, here are the Shenmue-related images from the article:

Shenmue III: Yu showing Tulou illustration
http://i.imgur.com/xKgKn6s.jpg

"Ren's hideout"
http://i.imgur.com/6MpzCny.jpg

"Pier at Langhuishan"
http://i.imgur.com/yrrcIkk.jpg

"Shelves at Tomato Convenience Store"
http://i.imgur.com/xEFglpu.jpg

"Suspension bridge"
http://i.imgur.com/81gT6IT.jpg

"Interior of Hong Kong restaurant"
http://i.imgur.com/0VyMrry.jpg

"Aberdeen"
http://i.imgur.com/TBj1Bds.jpg

"Hong Kong: Bird Street"
http://i.imgur.com/olmFaUD.jpg

"Part Time Job: Breaking Tiles" [translated version]
http://i.imgur.com/USrnUIb.png

”Fishing” [translated version]
http://i.imgur.com/rq3k7Rz.jpg

"Washing spot" [translated version]
http://i.imgur.com/v3Q5B3G.jpg

"Interior of the Yuki Dojo"
http://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/SCAN00801.jpeg

Article source: http://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/projectbook/virtua_fighter

I've written about what that famous quirky phrase "Especially since you bought merchandise" originally says in the Japanese version of Shenmue, and why it ended up as it did through the process of translating into English.

Read my in-depth analysis here: :)
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2016/10/especially-since-you-bought-merchandise.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuI0kZ8yybA

Is this something that could be legit?

http://gematsu.com/2017/01/shenmue-hd-domain-registered-sega-europe

SEGA Of Europe Has Registered “ShenmueRemastered.com” & “SheMnUeGame.com” Domains Too
http://www.tssznews.com/2017/01/05/sega ... mains-too/
I wonder if it possible to fake something like this or this is all legit?

REALLY hope it's a bundled release with Shenmue 1 and 2. Otherwise people who thought Shenmue 1 was slow and a tad uneventful will miss out on 2, where the series really opens.

Part Two of the interview is now up.

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/01/yu-suzuki-katsuhiro-harada-interview.html

This part has a focus on "the generation gap" with the younger Katsuhiro Harada talking about VR and paying homage to Yu Suzuki and his generation for their groundwork. He also points out similarities in the kinds of challenges he has been facing.

Here's a translation of one of the comic strips that used to be up on the official Japanese Shenmue.com site (before it was taken down). The comic was drawn by the Muecas team, which consisted of actual Shenmue project members.

http://i.imgur.com/NFZZNwV.png

For background notes (e.g. about Segata Sanshiro and the TV ads he was in), the full blog post can be read here:

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/01/shenmue-comic-training-in-guilin.html

I've completed giving the Fishing and Washing documents English annotations.

http://i.imgur.com/rq3k7Rz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/v3Q5B3G.jpg

Read my article at PhantomRiverStone about the documents here (any comments appreciated!):
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/01/gachinko-fishing-washing-place-shenmue.html

In Shenmue I & II Ryo gathered various pieces of information about the visit father made to Hong Kong & Guilin all those years ago, so I've tried to bring these together into a diagram showing some of these relationships and timelines.

The diagram includes some assumptions / guesses, which I talk about here:

Blog post:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/02/iwao-hazukis-china-visit-diagram-of.html

http://i.imgur.com/QvEB4lR.png

The character of Yuanda Zhu is quite enigmatic, as he seems to change what he says depending on who he is talking to. I don't think he has bad intentions towards Ryo, but I get the feeling he is hiding the true circumstances around the death of Sunming Zhao. It will be interesting to see how (or whether) this is developed in Shenmue III.

I've written a short blog commentary that compares some of items that Ryo encounters as he wanders through the Yokosuka suburbs with how they actually look in real life.

As you can see from the preview images below, they modeled them really closely!

The blog commentary is here:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/02/rotary-phones-milk-deliveries-shenmue.html

http://i.imgur.com/PVpT7jB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3wUqhqz.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/igNiA5e.jpg

Totally agree we shouldn't pester them and that they'll let us know when there's something to share and that there's little point it continually asking them the same question.

However, while I love and respect everyone here yourself included Peter... I don't agree with being pointlessly hostile to someone who, while perhaps misguided, was well intentioned and trying to help by sharing (albeit naive to its irrelevance) what they heard. Or with telling them to "toughen up" when they rightfully say that was too harsh. It was. "Toughen up" or "cry moar" or what have you, is what everyone being unnecessarily hostile always says online.

If you think that's too "soft" or "untough" because it should be permissible to act that way toward good intentioned people... okay, that's your prerogative. But if that's the case, then it's also others' prerogative to say how about you just refrain from being that way to people to start with? Especially when it seems likely the person in question is probably on the young, or at least somewhat naive/uninformed, side.

Sorry, I just don't brook that kind of treatment of anyone. I don't care who you are or how much longer you've been here, or what people think of me for saying it. It's not necessary, it's not helpful, and it's not in the spirit of this game or this community imo.

I'll likely be flagellated for this (or simply shut down,) but so be it.

To me it's more about what Open World features I don't want to see, like absolutely NO mini-maps with quest/enemy/item GPS tracking (actually no quest tracking at all on the UI if possible other than Ryo's notebook), NO battle HP item use and NO vast areas devoid of anything interactive, but merely transitional areas just to walk or run by.

Other than those I also have to point out to NO narratives that betray the game mechanics, like an avatar worrying about having enough money to live by and swearing to not use violence unless necessary but when translated into gameplay, he is able to amass a fortune in no time and is able to shoot or run over any NPC in front of him (GTA IV); or an avatar on a quest of uttermost urgency but the game doesn't actually press the gamer to do that in any way (Skyrim).
Well said. Couldn't agree more.
While games have evolved and Shenmue 3 would do well to learn from them in some aspects, thus also evolving, I do want Shenmue 3 to still be Shenmue and not yet another open world game, full of gamey stuff and hand-holding. To this day, one thing that Shenmue 1 and 2 still do better than all these modern open world games is their sense of immersion. Shenmue doesn't need, and shouldn't have, an overbearing HUD where every little thing is explained to you, where you'll never need to learn its streets, where you'll always know exactly what you should do next to advance, as if you were playing with a walkthrough. Sure, Shenmue needs to evolve, because, let's face it, the first two games are pretty outdated now, but it should not lose its soul and should not change the things that are still good about it just for change's sake and/or because "that's the way things are done now".

What I was thinking is what will be the size of Ryo? 2/3 of the screen like in the previous games or less? Will it interfere with the identification we have? And will we be able to move the camera freely with the mouse on the pc version ?I wonder how the gameplay evolution will impact our feelings towards the game. So much question... What do you think?


I think they should change the camera angle.

No one wants to look at Ryo's gargantuan caboose all day.
Disagree with that one. I think the fact that the camera was so close to Ryo, and kinda low, thus allowing for a better view of the surrounding environments, was one of the reasons why Shenmue was so immersive. You felt more inside of its world, so to speak.
Of course, as someone suggested before, an option to walk around the world in first person view would be lovely and would make it even more immersive. I once saw a video of a Witcher 3 mod, which allowed just that, and it made a huge difference. Would definitely love such an option.


Concordo com isso tudo.
I'd welcome a playing screen without HUD in it, or at least the option to conceal it.

I've completed an English translation of the recent Famitsu interview with co-producer of Shenmue III, Cédric Biscay.

The interview covers Cédric's background and reasons for starting his company Shibuya Productions, and he talks about some of the guests and goals of the MAGIC event.

And of particular interest for Shenmue fans, at the end of the interview Cédric is asked about Shenmue III and the current development progress. Here's the relevant section:

http://i.imgur.com/NlwmD3M.jpg

If you have a few minutes the whole interview is worth a read too. Link:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/03/interview-with-cedric-biscay-at-magic.html

Did a few new video grabs (directly frame per frame from the source video).

This is the best I can get of a few scenes/assets and the intriguing mini-map.

http://i.imgur.com/ch8yJ3S.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/UptFUxK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hmH4uSG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/butt44g.jpg

Here's a link to my post with my observations about the update on Phantom River Stone.

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/03/thoughts-on-kickstarter-update-65-dev.html

I was able to translate a few words off the projector screen at the Dialogue Meeting.
http://i.imgur.com/kEyqzaL.jpg

These represent minor spoilers, so I'll hide them inside a spoiler tag. :)
http://i.imgur.com/DXyqqWf.jpg

The top part looks like topics that Ryo may discuss with Shenhua. At the bottom is an intriguing mention of some kind of gift-based system.

I'm really hoping that, in Shenmue 3, they won't be using Japanese character variants in Chinese writing, as they did in Shenmue 2.
I'm talking about stuff like this: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDwimdjz00c/WAcu6yPBdBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/x5Anr2Z2z50vr-QFExhgKIN5cVrqDAUMwCPcB/s320/BuyingMap.png
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1V25Gtav_k/VPi_DSdfTPI/AAAAAAAAFKo/PKgfT-lDrEI/s1600/05.jpg

Notice, in the fist pic, the 図 instead of 圖， and, in the second pic, on the red sign on the right, the 広 instead of 廣.

Now, when I played Shenmue 2, all those years ago, on the Dreamcast, I didn't notice any of that. But a lot has happened in the meantime and, one of the things that happened, is that I've learned Chinese, learned about China, lived and studied there and travelled all over the country. And while this means that now, I'll be able to appreciate lots of new details in Shenmue 2 (waiting for the HD remaster to replay it, hopefully, not in vain) and in Shenmue 3, it also means that Japanese character variants in China stick out like a sore thumb. That's what happened when I came across these screenshots. And there are probably more examples. I'm pretty sure I've also seen a 仏 instead of 佛 (Buddha) in some screenshot too.

Frankly, I think they really dropped the ball on this one and find it very odd that, considering the fact that they even used real-world weather data for Yokosuka in 86, 87 (which, while a cool story, adds nothing to the experience, to be honest), they went ahead and used Japanese character variants for writing in China.

Also, since, as far as we know, Shenmue 3 will be set entirely in mainland China, they should use the simplified writing system which is used over there (thanks, commies!). For instance, the above-mentioned 図, which in Hong Kong (where they use traditional characters) should be 圖, in Guilin should be 图. The 広, which in Hong Kong should be 廣, in Guilin should be 广 (keeping in mind, however, that traditional characters are often still used in mainland China in certain situations, as in temple signs, paintings and all sorts of art, and, as a general rule, anything that should feel traditional).

I mean, c' mon, I'd say that using the proper writing system in the game's setting is far from a small detail, so I hope they won't disappoint in that regard with Shenmue 3.
Interesting point that I hadn't been aware of. By the way, does the "Man Mo" found on various signs around the streets approximate the Cantonese pronunciation?

The mysterious mirrors that lie at the heart of the Shenmue mystery were crafted from a substance with an equally mysterious-sounding name: "Phantom River stone".

Now, although its name is Phantom River stone in the English Shenmue games, in fact this differs slightly from the Japanese name in the games.

http://i.imgur.com/0ho4VKS.jpg

This post looks at what it is called in the Japanese version of Shenmue.

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/03/the-naming-of-phantom-river-stone.html

I'm really hoping that, in Shenmue 3, they won't be using Japanese character variants in Chinese writing, as they did in Shenmue 2.
I'm talking about stuff like this: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDwimdjz00c/WAcu6yPBdBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/x5Anr2Z2z50vr-QFExhgKIN5cVrqDAUMwCPcB/s320/BuyingMap.png
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1V25Gtav_k/VPi_DSdfTPI/AAAAAAAAFKo/PKgfT-lDrEI/s1600/05.jpg

Notice, in the fist pic, the 図 instead of 圖， and, in the second pic, on the red sign on the right, the 広 instead of 廣.

Now, when I played Shenmue 2, all those years ago, on the Dreamcast, I didn't notice any of that. But a lot has happened in the meantime and, one of the things that happened, is that I've learned Chinese, learned about China, lived and studied there and travelled all over the country. And while this means that now, I'll be able to appreciate lots of new details in Shenmue 2 (waiting for the HD remaster to replay it, hopefully, not in vain) and in Shenmue 3, it also means that Japanese character variants in China stick out like a sore thumb. That's what happened when I came across these screenshots. And there are probably more examples. I'm pretty sure I've also seen a 仏 instead of 佛 (Buddha) in some screenshot too.

Frankly, I think they really dropped the ball on this one and find it very odd that, considering the fact that they even used real-world weather data for Yokosuka in 86, 87 (which, while a cool story, adds nothing to the experience, to be honest), they went ahead and used Japanese character variants for writing in China.

Also, since, as far as we know, Shenmue 3 will be set entirely in mainland China, they should use the simplified writing system which is used over there (thanks, commies!). For instance, the above-mentioned 図, which in Hong Kong (where they use traditional characters) should be 圖, in Guilin should be 图. The 広, which in Hong Kong should be 廣, in Guilin should be 广 (keeping in mind, however, that traditional characters are often still used in mainland China in certain situations, as in temple signs, paintings and all sorts of art, and, as a general rule, anything that should feel traditional).

I mean, c' mon, I'd say that using the proper writing system in the game's setting is far from a small detail, so I hope they won't disappoint in that regard with Shenmue 3.
Interesting point that I hadn't been aware of. By the way, does the "Man Mo" found on various signs around the streets approximate the Cantonese pronunciation?
Thanks! Love all of your translation analysis you regularly put out, by the way.
You're welcome, and glad to hear that!


Well, I've never really learned Cantonese, but rather Mandarin, but I'm pretty sure I've seen, in some Cantonese context before, 文武 (which, in Mandarin, would be "Wen Wu)" written as "Man Mo" (and maybe also as "Man Mou"?), so it seems about right to me.
I see, so at least here for the English they chose not to use the Japanese pronunciation ("Bunbu").


Having said that, this reminds me of something that now I remember having mentioned in another thread, back when Shenmue 3's locations were made known...

Baisha (白沙; lit. White Sand ) and Bailu (白鹿; lit. White Deer ) are both the Mandarin reading of those characters (as seen in that stretch goal artwork), but Choubu (鳥舞; lit. Bird Dance ) is definitely not Mandarin and I'm pretty sure it's a Japanese reading. In Mandarin, it would read "Niaowu".
I find it very odd that they are naming two of the towns according to its Mandarin reading and then one of them according to its Japanese reading, as all three of them are in China. This inconsistency is somewhat troubling and it does make me worried that in Shenmue 3, once again, we may get Japanese character variants in China...
However, since I don't know Japanese, I don't actually know what Ys Net has been calling those towns in Japanese. I'm only going by what we get in the translated press releases and interviews. So maybe they've actually been using the Japanese reading for all three of them, but, for some reason, whoever translated it into English, decided to only keep the Japanese reading in Choubu and use the Mandarin reading for Baisha and Bailu?
Switch?
Actually it's a mix of readings on the Japanese side as well: the names for Baisha (as you say, the Mandarin reading of 白沙) and Choubu (Japanese reading of 鳥舞) are the same as used in English, while Bailu village is called Hakkason (白鹿村) i.e. a Japanese reading. I guess they would want to keep the same pronunciation as used in Shenmue II for that one though.

In February, SEGA legend Yuji Naka was a special guest on an informal talk show streamed live online by the Japanese site DenFamiNicoGamer.

http://i.imgur.com/Io4LbL0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/g5pt52Im.jpg

Some of the inside stories he shared about his early days at SEGA are about Yu Suzuki, who was working there at the time. In particular, one previously-unheard episode ended up with the two not speaking for a couple of years!

I've translated these to English in this blog post:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/03/anecdotes-about-yu-suzuki-from-yuji.html

I've written a post about the bamboo fountain in the corner of the garden at the Hazuki residence. It's just another part of Shenmue that doesn't have any role to play in the main story, but it adds so much to the atmosphere.

http://i.imgur.com/a9e2gkE.jpg

The ornamental pond in the corner of the garden at the Hazuki residence is an oasis of tranquility. Flowering water lilies bob gently on the surface, rising and falling as Japanese carp glide lazily by underneath. Birds twitter in the trees and the water trickles continuously into a bamboo water fountain.

Every so often, the bamboo spout of the fountain pivots over, spilling its collected water into the pond, and makes a distinctive "clonk" as it returns to its original position. The sound can be heard from other parts of the garden as Ryo walks around.

Let's look at how the fountain works, what its name is in Japanese and finally some in-game footage of the fountain in motion.
Full post here:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/03/the-bamboo-fountain-in-hazukis-garden.html

I've received many requests on Youtube to include the dog and bird sounds into the FREE 1 track.

I've posted up a translation of an interview with Yu Suzuki that was published in January by Famitsu.com to commemorate the release of a new games collection by Sega that has ties to some of his old arcade hits.

In it, Suzuki gives his feelings towards Champion Boxing, and also talks briefly about Shenmue III, revealing how the Dreamcast console is playing its part in the development.

http://i.imgur.com/ttbgtfHl.jpg

Link to the interview:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/04/yu-suzuki-interview-for-release-of-sega.html

June 2017 update: RESULTS

The poll results are out now with Shenmue II ranking 6th and Shenmue ranking 2nd! Read the write-up here with bonus messages of thanks from the voice talent for Nozomi & Ryo from the Japanese dub, as well as Yu Suzuki.

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/06/results-of-famitsu-poll-action.html


Original post:

Help give the Shenmue series some extra publicity in this new poll being run by Famitsu in Japan for best Action-Adventure game.

http://i.imgur.com/xCSxZv5l.jpg

It's very straight-forward and will only take a minute - just a matter of giving up to 3 game titles.

[Poll link now expired]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjJpjUmc-2M


This thumbnail shows perfectly whats wrong with this character design IMO. The completely over exaggerated face features except the nose and ears:

- jaw
- joker mouth
- cheekbones
- whats wrong with the eyes?
- why are the eyelashes missing?
- what about the feminin eyebrows and the curve?

..also the lack of defined textures and the lighting makes the character doesn't look real. He looks like an action figure.
Don't get me wrong: I know Shenmue 1 & 2 had some freaky characters like chai but even they look more natural.
I have just made a few changes to his face in 5minutes and this is how he looks:

http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170531/tt7ceql5.jpg

Original:
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170531/2dpwigy9.jpg

I really hope this is by FAR not the final design because after two years to see this kind of character design is disappointing for me :(

I've put up a blog post about the announcement on Phantom River Stone:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/06/shenmue-3-rescheduled-for-2018.html

I made a slightly fuller translation of Yu's comment from the video. The official captions are fine so far as meaning but I felt they lost a little bit of the nuance.
http://i.imgur.com/DWFOG0g.png

I don't know exactly, but as a person who grew up in a country where anime is mainstream since about the late 70s i've seen a lot of stuff from that period during my childhood, and in some way now i'm really nostalgic about Showa era.

I think that one anime that could really fit here is Ranma, because from a lot of points of view it's basically Shenmue the Animation:

-Martial arts
-Late 80s
-Ranma and the (motherless) Tendos family living in an big old-fashioned house with a dojo
-Heavy Japanese/Chinese duality
-Lots of urban slice of life scenes
-A lot of Chinese classic culture
-Midi-based soundtrack inspired by mixed Chinese and Japanese influences

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xheK_Vwdvw8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fxDUsP_f3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGbWVaRkM0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujj-G910zgQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb13uy81cDA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmBHnfK5v6A

A lot of these tracks could actually be part of the Shenmue ost and nobody would notice the difference :D

Uh, well, i don't know about that. I mean, keep in mind that Ranma is way more comedic and a bit less grounded than something like Shenmue, with a ton of wacky characters, silly plotlines and some romantic stuff sprinkled here and there. I don't know exactly why you despise anime (i don't care about most of the post-early 2000s' ones too, honestly), but i guess you have to like japanese-flavoured comedy in order to enjoy it.

Personally, i really love it, all the characters are really likeable and i think it's actually pretty funny. In particular i love the anime version, it has a lot of that late 80s'/early 90s' charm (ie: no cheap cg bullshit shoved in it, no horrible, hyper-bright modern digital coloration, classy character design, fantastic syntethic music, etc), but i don't know how much of it can be enjoyed if watched today for the first time ever.
I also own a lot of the manga's books, and i like it too and it's probably funnier, but honestly even though i love Rumiko Takashi and most of her things i think it's very poorly drawn, and of course the fight scenes are better in motion anyway. I also enjoy the slower, more atmospheric pace.
The animated version is mostly faithful, with some occasional, notable differences, and in most cases i think it vastly wins over the manga one, but that's my opinion.

Anyway, i didn't want to shill Ranma here, it's just that i noticed a lot of coincidences with Shenmue :D

MCV UK recently interviewed Sega Europe's executive vice president John Clarke at E3. The interview talks about it's new remasters collection, and the benefits of PC. In regards to the success of it's PC remasters, Clark was asked specifically about Shenmue. Heres what he had to say:



The success of those titles has meant that gamers have been quick to make lists of other titles they’d love to see on their PCs. The most common title at the top of those lists? Shenmue.

“It’s something we would love to make happen, something we are trying to make happen," Clark says. "I think we want it to happen as much as anybody out there. Yes, it’s a serious task and it’s not a task that we’re not working on, if that makes sense. It’s something we’re actively pursuing.”

We ask whether Sega has its own list of possible console-to-PC conversions? “Yes, which is almost identical, I would say, to the community’s list," Clark replies. "You know, when we launched Bayonetta, there was a list created straight away on Steam that was saying, ‘What games do you want to see Sega release next?’ Those titles have been titles on our list for a long time.”

Disappointing news? Or clever speak? What do you guys think? Not....not working on it??? So you ARE working on it???

Oh Sega....

Full article can be read HERE

O Rei do Frango Assado wrote:this is Sega we're talking about

Just for fun I thought I'd google that phrase.

Would you believe it's seldom used in a positive tone?

OK, I've posted up an article at Phantom River Stone with more details, including some simple instructions for patching your own image of the Shenmue Passport disc.

Blog post:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/08/shenmue-passport-unlocked-hack-to-skip.html

Have a play around with applying the patch, let me know if it works for you.

http://i.imgur.com/4wElCDAm.jpg

True that.

Anyway, my biggest concern isn't how much of the game we will see at Gamescom. Even if they don't show off all that much now, they'll end up doing it eventually, further down the road.
My concern is: what if, after 15 years of despair and then, after E3 2015's glorious news, the game looks like... crap? *Knock on wood*

For sure, I'm optimistic that it won't. The game is still in Yu Suzuki's hands, after all, and my conviction is that we'll be blown away and cry tears of joy.
But, just knowing that, theoretically , the game could look like crap (and I'm not just talking about graphics, but rather the game itself, overall) is a scary thought.

Coming from someone who has seen the game and who's jaw hitting the floor was captured in photographic form, I can absolutely assure you that's not the case at all. Far.... Far from it.

This is an index of all articles published on the Phantom River Stone blog through to the archival of these old Shenmue Dojo forums at the end of July 2018 - visit the new forums for more. Enjoy!

⋅  "Like" the blog page on Facebook
⋅  Follow Phantom River Stone on Twitter
⋅  Support us on Patreon!

July 2018
https://i.imgur.com/qmvJAFls.png Examining the Warehouse Battle Scene
https://i.imgur.com/HvNXjkTs.png Shenmue Documentary Kickstarter Launched!
https://i.imgur.com/ST0gf44s.png SEGA's "Return to Dobuita Street" Video
https://i.imgur.com/HXdyjPDs.jpg The Changing Face of the Abe Store: Beta vs Release
https://i.imgur.com/v8Vo33Ys.png Yu Suzuki Selected as CEDEC 2018 Special Award Winner
https://i.imgur.com/3RAo10As.png Clouds, Smoke & Street Lights
https://i.imgur.com/2uwsgIBs.jpg Cédric Biscay Visits Yu Suzuki in Tokyo
https://i.imgur.com/zvrJWmns.png The "AI Battling" Stretch Goal
https://i.imgur.com/i6EfyBNs.png Leaving the Cave?
https://i.imgur.com/adAdkcms.png Shenmue I & II Release Date + Latest Details
https://i.imgur.com/HUnFwMls.png Shenmue I & II Rated by the ESRB

June 2018
https://i.imgur.com/tVWtsbUs.png Choubu Inn Floor Plans | Translation & Commentary
https://i.imgur.com/63Y0wXYs.png Shenmue III Backer Survey Information: Distilled
https://i.imgur.com/jhKqaoIs.png [Part 2/2] "15 Secrets of Shenmue" 1999 interview
https://i.imgur.com/hf9LT9ls.png Shenmue Premiere Blue Tri-fold Pamphlet (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/Ekr0DKBs.png The Announcement of Shenmue I & II | On-the-Ground Report
https://i.imgur.com/GgtFs84s.png iPhone/iPad: Guide to Downloading Kotodaman Outside Japan | Guest Post
https://i.imgur.com/82UpULos.png Android: Guide to Downloading Kotodaman Outside Japan
https://i.imgur.com/9ve85S3s.png Toshihiro Nagoshi on Yu Suzuki | Sega Fes Livestream
https://i.imgur.com/4wUEADks.png Shenmue I & II Announcement Video (with English Subtitles)
https://i.imgur.com/a5U1fzQs.png Shenmue Premiere Poster (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/LGoft7Ss.png Mystery Posters on Dobuita Street | Shenmue I
https://i.imgur.com/4cVGuQGs.png Phantom River Stone Gets Soupy
https://i.imgur.com/1Et43ZCs.png Trailer: Learn Japanese through Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/27yZvIms.png "Sukajan" Jackets on Dobuita Street | Tax-free for Shenmue Fans
https://i.imgur.com/DEGoso0s.png Tour of Dobuita Street in Under One Minute | Hyperlapse Video
https://i.imgur.com/RI4OxWgs.png Kickstarter Update #81: Shenmue III Release Window Moved to 2019

May 2018
https://i.imgur.com/vOHZFKNs.png Examining the New Shenmue 3 Images in the THQ Nordic Presentation
https://i.imgur.com/ZFEsAJHs.png Commentary: Shenhua's new voice actress | Kickstarter Update #82
https://i.imgur.com/thlOz0Zs.png Image of a Day's Worth of Shenmue 3 Script
https://i.imgur.com/MbkRSSn.jpg A Visit to the Forbidden City - Guest post by James Brown
https://i.imgur.com/v4bnOvf.jpg [Part 1/2] "15 Secrets of Shenmue" 1999 interview with Yu Suzuki | Translation
https://i.imgur.com/0M6Z0jr.jpg "Soft Launch" of Backer Survey Emails | Kickstarter Update #83
https://i.imgur.com/h9GitnZ.jpg Brief New Shenmue I & II footage from E3 2018
https://i.imgur.com/U74AhJF.jpg Patron's Choice Blog Topic for June
https://i.imgur.com/CJQPILx.jpg Japanese Lesson #1 (Video) | Learn Japanese Through Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/PuThaqps.png Shenmue Premiere Bag (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise

April 2018
https://i.imgur.com/5eoHZRXs.png Masaya Matsukaze Prepares to Reprise Role as Ryo Hazuki
https://i.imgur.com/LcAlMCys.png It's Really Happening! Shenmue I & II Coming to Modern Platforms in 2018
https://i.imgur.com/ADUfMyJs.png "HUGE announcement" to be made at SEGA FES
https://i.imgur.com/yRTsL4Js.png SEGA Fes 2018 English Schedule & Information | 14-15 April 2018
https://i.imgur.com/1ssI0r0s.png Shenmue 1 Start of Game Flowchart | Early Design Document Translation
https://i.imgur.com/vmDZhRJs.png New Series: Learning Japanese through Shenmue

March 2018
https://i.imgur.com/pdnBWxps.png Diorama of the You Arcade: Interview with its Creator
https://i.imgur.com/q3bD58ts.png A Survey of Red TVs in Shenmue | Guest Post
https://i.imgur.com/588g6HMs.png Erhu Concert by Ryuji Iuchi & Hiroko Suzuki
https://i.imgur.com/yn8zHKws.jpg Yu Suzuki's MAGIC Conference in English | Transcript & Video
https://i.imgur.com/7A1o0N0s.png Announcement: Phantom River Stone is on Patreon!
https://i.imgur.com/0QqWbD2s.png Be Credited in SEGA's Upcoming Mobile Game "Kotodaman"
https://i.imgur.com/SvqsR1Bs.png Promotional VMU Sticker Sheet | Shenmue Merchandise

February 2018
https://i.imgur.com/Gk9iXVKs.png 4 New Screenshots from MAGIC 2018 | Kickstarter Update #80
https://i.imgur.com/TgP8NRvs.png Recap: Yu Suzuki at MAGIC 2018
https://i.imgur.com/twbdze0s.png Shenmue 3 at MAGIC 2018: Schedule Summary
https://i.imgur.com/yCPgH6Ds.png Draw Result: Shenmue Guide Map Giveaway on Twitter
https://i.imgur.com/G2o1nKrs.png Interview with Shenmue 2 Designer: Norikazu Hirai | Translation
https://i.imgur.com/NJGp6oTs.png Ryo Hazuki Cameo Confirmed for SEGA's New Mobile Game
https://i.imgur.com/9HyQOFrs.png "Shenmue Gaiden: A Christmas Story" | Fanmade Visual Novel
https://i.imgur.com/1NvTUAhs.png The Old Red TV | Chinese Restaurants in Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/TOJMIces.png Help Ryo Hazuki Appear in SEGA's Mobile Game "Kotodaman"
https://i.imgur.com/vvijoSOs.png Hong Kong Diner | Translated Shenmue II Design Document
https://i.imgur.com/ArKJxqHs.png Shenmue Guide Map Giveaway on Twitter | Closes Feb 19th (JST)

January 2018
https://i.imgur.com/UBAG0W7s.jpg IGN Japan Interview with Cédric Biscay
https://i.imgur.com/1504Aa4s.png A Visit to Yokosuka After Snow | Photo Gallery
https://i.imgur.com/7a7KCu5s.png 1999 Shenmue Promo Leaflet
https://i.imgur.com/qqQQj8Fs.png Showcasing the Shenmue Guide Map | Video
https://i.imgur.com/H7e5LFcs.png Kickstarter Update #79: Shenmue III Conference at MAGIC 2018
https://i.imgur.com/y2EUvmSs.jpg Examining the 3 New Shenmue III Screenshots | MAGIC Press Conference
https://i.imgur.com/uM47HAOs.png Sakuragaoka Park in Real Life
https://i.imgur.com/fxiveVDs.png Sightings Near Dobuita That Made a Shenmue Fan Look Twice

December 2017
https://i.imgur.com/eNFjhFKs.png Ancient Game of “Go” Spotted in Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/fQXsmxvs.png Yu Suzuki's Keyword for 2018: "Immersion" [Famitsu.com]
https://i.imgur.com/PkAqYQqs.png Yu Suzuki's End-Of-Year Comments to 4Gamer | Romance in Shenmue 3
https://i.imgur.com/u0nOoFrs.png Commentary on Kickstarter Update #78: "Then, Now and Tomorrow"
https://i.imgur.com/JnCfGThs.png Merry Christmas 2017 from PhantomRiverStone.com
https://i.imgur.com/eIXGJ8as.png Shenmue Master's Interview with Yu Suzuki | Gamescom 2017
https://i.imgur.com/wdnW4jXs.png Interview with Yokosuka City | The Story Behind the Shenmue Guide Map
https://i.imgur.com/hQaluzYs.png "Sacred Spot" Guide Map: Official English Version
https://i.imgur.com/QyP51EUs.png "Sacred Spot" Guide Map Translation: Road to Amihama
https://i.imgur.com/Io37TkRs.png Announcing: the Phantom River Stone Translation Service
https://i.imgur.com/60qWKZPs.png "Temple Maiden" Model & Lakshya Digital | Kickstarter Update #77
https://i.imgur.com/ZV4q6g0s.png Where is Amihama in Real Life? (Part 2/2) | Route Information Signs
https://i.imgur.com/HlPfB35s.png Cédric Plays Shenmue III: "So Cool"
https://i.imgur.com/JZgKOkos.png Download the Shenmue "Sacred Spot" Guide Map (Japanese)
https://i.imgur.com/G5lH1yTs.png Shenmue "Sacred Spot" Guide Map Announced

November 2017
https://i.imgur.com/ygVIZtps.png Where is Amihama in Real Life? (Part 1/2)
https://i.imgur.com/ysq0Gh4s.png Ryo spotted joy-riding through Dobuita
https://i.imgur.com/OJMDP9ds.png The Road to Amihama | Shenmue Realism
https://i.imgur.com/VY5IsLls.png The Bus to Amihama | Shenmue Realism
https://i.imgur.com/VY5IsLls.png Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 3: Translating the Last 3%
https://i.imgur.com/lOlXGgis.png Cédric Biscay in Tokyo | Photo

October 2017
https://i.imgur.com/38BKFq9s.png 2 New Additions to the Shenmue Community | Shenmue Blog & Shenmue Lounge
https://i.imgur.com/AAehVDUs.jpg Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 2: The Kogami Release
https://i.imgur.com/Op4FOivs.jpg Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 1: The Sm1th Release
https://i.imgur.com/cWaz3RTs.png Earning Money to Meet Ren | Shenmue 2 Flowchart #2 Translation
https://i.imgur.com/7p8o9xps.png Shenmue 2 Concept Sketch: "Wharf Near Langhuishan"

September 2017
https://i.imgur.com/i8wj36es.jpg Kickstarter Update #75: Face Animations & Subtitles Translation
https://i.imgur.com/CMU2qLws.png Gamescom 2017 Photo Report (from the Dojo's yuc02)

https://i.imgur.com/XKlIxUas.png SEGA Dreamcast: Collected Works Kickstarter | Shenmue Special Edition
https://i.imgur.com/BeFsywns.png YS Net Studio Visit by Koch Media with Blurry Dev Screenshot | Photos
https://i.imgur.com/M33Q5uls.png Zhu Yuan Da or Yuanda Zhu? | Character Names in Shenmue I vs II
https://i.imgur.com/j3jVQLis.png Shenmue 500K Interview with Yu Suzuki | Gamescom
https://i.imgur.com/hdhJToOs.png Recap: Shenmue III Japanese Media Interviews | Gamescom 2017
https://i.imgur.com/Sz3bFQgs.png Ryo's Arrival in Hong Kong | Shenmue II Design Document Translation
https://i.imgur.com/LO1mOJas.png "Easter Egg" Characters Discovered in Shenmue III Teaser
https://i.imgur.com/28lU7Yds.png The Shenmue Art Book - Characters Section | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/Ita4TZSs.png The Shenmue Art Book: Overview of Contents
https://i.imgur.com/zD1Llf3s.png Yu Suzuki Interviewed by Shenmue Dojo
https://i.imgur.com/w8Q5HR0s.png Masaya Matsukaze Visits Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/XIsHZ6xs.png Famitsu Poll Results: Best All-Time Game

August 2017
http://i.imgur.com/fcyZoMBs.png Kickstarter Update #74: New Ryo Pics
http://i.imgur.com/oFyAxZLs.jpg Seven Interesting Details from the Shenmue III Teaser | Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/cH288IFs.png Video Interview with Cédric Biscay by Team Yu | Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/dm8i0iAs.jpg Translation: 4Gamer Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/w2ySYzqs.jpg Translation: Dengeki Online Interview with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/sCek1CHs.jpg Translation: GAME Watch Interview with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/1xOO0HZs.jpg Translation: Game*Spark Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/ZLKRROxs.jpg Translation: Famitsu Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/2DCAeE7s.jpg New Shenmue III Logo Designed by Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/s9TIzQBs.jpg Shenmue III Title Screen Image
http://i.imgur.com/061htQes.jpg New Shenmue III Character + Promo Screenshots
http://i.imgur.com/pYBUkOys.jpg Ryo & Shenhua Images on Famitsu.com
http://i.imgur.com/L8BGuiFs.jpg Yu Suzuki's Journey to Gamescom | Photo Selection
http://i.imgur.com/0Y53uBRs.png Shenmue III Video "The First Teaser"
http://i.imgur.com/520Cwq3s.jpg Close-up on the New Shenmue III Art
http://i.imgur.com/yvJB9n4s.jpg Global Publishing Partner Announced for Shenmue III
http://i.imgur.com/34RWUTAs.png Yu Suzuki's Meet & Greet Schedule at Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/0eQ6QJ8s.jpg List of Ryo's Goals | Shenmue Passport Disc
http://i.imgur.com/HRwqCJes.jpg Shenmue Passport Unlocked! | Hack to Skip Dial-up Check
http://i.imgur.com/1o3nvyxs.jpg Two Dazzling Shenmue-Inspired Projects: a Rock Opera & a Fan Manga

July 2017
http://i.imgur.com/0vzaHjts.jpg Tai Chi in Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/nJsRGKLs.jpg Shenmue III at Gamescom 2017: What We Know So Far
http://i.imgur.com/1nOV5eUs.jpg Shenmue Telephone Cards | Shenmue Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/C5kWWnTs.jpg Vote Shenmue as Best All-Time Game! | Famitsu 1500th Edition Poll
http://i.imgur.com/HFeP8dAs.jpg How to Get to Dobuita Street | Dobuita Guide Series Part 1
http://i.imgur.com/dHynmPcs.png Comments on Kickstarter Update #69: August Event, Revised Logo & New Characters

June 2017
http://i.imgur.com/yfS73Nvs.png Guizhang Promo Clip Voiced by Eric Kelso
http://i.imgur.com/dsQvfQds.jpg Interview with Eric Kelso: Voice Actor for Ren, Guizhang & Fuku-san
http://i.imgur.com/FA4ta1Ms.png Eric Kelso Interview Coming Soon | Fuku-san Promo Clip
http://i.imgur.com/eSpxmHVs.png Eric Kelso Interview Coming Soon | Ren Promo Clip
http://i.imgur.com/JXYQatNs.jpg Submit Questions for our Interview with Eric Kelso [now closed]
http://i.imgur.com/EVFzD5Is.jpg Sealed What's Shenmue | Ebay Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/X1kVazYs.jpg Kickstarter Update #68: Shenmue III Rescheduled for 2018
http://i.imgur.com/eapK7Ois.jpg The Streets of Shenmue: Street Addresses | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/mt4BSD3s.png Results of Famitsu Poll: Action-Adventure Game Top 20 [June 2017]

May 2017
http://i.imgur.com/E8zNFPDs.jpg Comments on Kickstarter Update #67 | New Character Model & Absence from E3
http://i.imgur.com/bcak7Kts.jpg Sealed US Shenmue | Ebay Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/ucIOJUFs.jpg Shoes On... Shoes Off | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/dBWF9V8s.jpg Gio Corsi Visiting Yu in Tokyo [May 17, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/MqAatxNs.jpg The Meaning & Origin of "Dobuita" | Placenames
http://i.imgur.com/uz6KQl8s.jpg Comments on Kickstarter Update #66 [Yu-san on Story Building]

April 2017
http://i.imgur.com/6hRqzg4s.png Guide to Famitsu Poll: Best Action-Adventure Game [closes 8th May, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/guRxybQs.jpg Retro Games Exhibition: Sega Taikan Games | Photo Report
http://i.imgur.com/RACi6dEs.jpg Ryo and the Tiger-skin Pants | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/IrqlCqzs.jpg Fuku-san's Incredible Money Counting Skills | Video
http://i.imgur.com/4ouU0kos.jpg Yu Suzuki Interview for the Release of "SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3" | Famitsu]

March 2017
http://i.imgur.com/xrUGYHUs.jpg The Bamboo Fountain in the Hazuki's Garden | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/nQIB30Xs.jpg Anecdotes About Yu Suzuki From Yuji Naka | DenFamiNicoGamer [14 Feb, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/ACl0FlYs.jpg Shenmue Documentary Update Video | Chasing Shenmue: EP03
http://i.imgur.com/3F2klfBs.jpg Guide to SEGA Japan's Twitter Questionnaire [Closes March 26, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/wcPwXEss.jpg The Naming of Phantom River Stone | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/2mmK343s.jpg Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #65 [Dev Room Progress Report Vol. 2]
http://i.imgur.com/mG6K4mUs.jpg Interview with Cédric Biscay at MAGIC 2017 | Famitsu.com [Mar 9, 2017]

February 2017
http://i.imgur.com/6KiiKFrs.jpg New Song "Winter Sunset" by Shenmue Composer Ryuji Iuchi
http://i.imgur.com/Cgp2vgCs.jpg "You should have come yesterday" | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/wVMLlZJs.jpg Rotary Phones & Milk Delivery | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/8Mgc1xHs.jpg How to View the Passenger Plane and Fighter Jet Cutscenes | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/0yWEWCIs.png Iwao Hazuki's China Visit | Diagram of Relationships & Timeline
http://i.imgur.com/6VEc2Yes.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 3 | DenFamiNicoGamer

January 2017
http://i.imgur.com/VZ9PVsAs.jpg "Gachinko Fishing" & "Washing Place" | Shenmue Document Translations
http://i.imgur.com/EU27OuMs.jpg Ryo & Ren Comedy Video with English Captions (2001)
http://i.imgur.com/PqSdIWus.jpg Yu Suzuki at the AM2 Summer Festival (2001) | Article Translation
http://i.imgur.com/vIGPSMms.jpg Tile-breaking Job | Early Shenmue Document Translation
http://i.imgur.com/PZWjXavs.png Shenmue Comic: Training in Guilin
http://i.imgur.com/0RUQb9Hs.jpg Kowloon Cut-scene Music: 65 Tracks | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/YvN2RZjs.jpg Shenmue 3 Reward Dinner in San Francisco with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/CFADrwrs.jpg Shenmue III Reward Upgrades Coming in Summer
http://i.imgur.com/8j6i3Szs.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 2 | DenFamiNicoGamer [26 Dec, 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/BVgZW6Xs.jpg "Shenmue Gaiden: Christmas Event" | New Fanmade Visual Novel
http://i.imgur.com/b1azRTNs.gif New Year's Illustration & Cultural Notes

December 2016
http://i.imgur.com/wWc7IWgs.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 1 | DenFamiNicoGamer [26 Dec, 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/3dMiVTBs.jpg Yu Suzuki's New Year Resolution [Famitsu.com, Dec 29]
http://i.imgur.com/xr5QFaGs.jpg Yu Suzuki Comments on the Past & Coming Year [4Gamer.net, 28 Dec 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/gnO9bNOs.jpg Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #64 [Season’s Greetings!]
http://i.imgur.com/ubglJ2ls.jpg Winter Heating in Japan | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/qOwmG9Bs.png Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #63 [Campaign and Progress Update]
http://i.imgur.com/nYb2Vjes.jpg Shenmue III "Pre-Orders" for PC Start Tomorrow (Dec 15, 2016)
http://i.imgur.com/exgJDORs.png "Let's Get Sweaty" | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/ag4zj5us.png Yu Suzuki Currently In California
http://i.imgur.com/5zWHSeWs.png Shenmue Campaign Timeline
http://i.imgur.com/IjeW1pXs.png Shenmue's Absence From PSX 2016
http://i.imgur.com/gk1HKhvs.png Yu Suzuki Interview Video (Subtitled) - Retro Games Expo 2016
http://i.imgur.com/bAbAulBs.png Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #62 [Yu Suzuki on the Music of Shenmue]

November 2016
http://i.imgur.com/9BM8AYWs.png Is Lan Di the Leader of the Chi You Men?
http://i.imgur.com/BlCr0Kns.jpg Lan Di Statue Photos (Exclusive Edition)
http://i.imgur.com/rgviLMts.jpg Shenmue Dojo Broadcast Special - 3 December, 2016
http://i.imgur.com/xJNJWIWs.png SEGA Online Poll Results & Video Recap
http://i.imgur.com/qhAiA9As.png Guide to the SEGA Japan Online Poll. [Now Closed]
http://i.imgur.com/Xn2vFoes.jpg Cédric Biscay hints at Shenmue III material for the PSX event
http://i.imgur.com/Jin2uvWs.png "It can't be... you... ?"
http://i.imgur.com/pnN7iUxs.png Top 200 Dreamcast Games Poll Results [DCJY 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/6f2w06Us.jpg Yu Suzuki Comments on Shenmue 3 - Nov 2 Famitsu interview

October 2016
http://i.imgur.com/4E8j5b9s.jpg Kickstarter Update #61: Halloween Greetings
http://i.imgur.com/Ujnkac3s.png Two Fan-made Shenmue Videos Not to Miss
http://i.imgur.com/AduBuT3s.png Map of Langhuishan - Shenmue 2 Unused Asset
http://i.imgur.com/hmdWTwcs.jpg Shenmue Realism: Yamanose Shrine
http://i.imgur.com/NrX84UHs.jpg "Especially Since You Bought Merchandise."
http://i.imgur.com/2FQiu2gs.png Ryo performing Victory Pose from Virtua Fighter
http://i.imgur.com/jGoYDoFs.jpg Shenmue 3 Dev Team Expanding! Leaflet Translation

September 2016
http://i.imgur.com/LpTFsAKs.jpg Kickstarter Update #60: Dinner in Japan Report
http://i.imgur.com/BIZyrmEs.png QTE Sound Collection
http://i.imgur.com/m4okNn6s.jpg Yu Suzuki Interview Translation (Retro Games Expo / 2016)
http://i.imgur.com/IfyMKHys.jpg The Cryptic Notes in Fukuhara-san's Room
http://i.imgur.com/M4EPqtHs.jpg New "Shenmue AM2" Podcast Series
http://i.imgur.com/EsuuvpWs.jpg Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Dinner Party in Japan
http://i.imgur.com/Rypgz9es.jpg Recent sightings of Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/h3pJ2bKs.jpg Yu Suzuki Arcade Games at Retro Games Exhibition in Saitama, Japan
http://i.imgur.com/raoDtKjs.jpg Cédric Biscay: No "big update" on Shenmue III for the near future
http://i.imgur.com/HFrPyUas.jpg Dorimaga Awards Part 2: Best Script (Dorimaga / March 2000)
http://i.imgur.com/1gOEjcOs.jpg Sega TGS 2016 Merchandise: the Ryo Marshmallow
http://i.imgur.com/0ktXJTps.jpg TGS 2016 & Shenmue Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/mBOebs6s.jpg Shenmue Realism: Washing Machines
http://i.imgur.com/8w8RmTxs.jpg Shenmue Wins Best Dreamcast Title (Dorimaga article / March 2000)
http://i.imgur.com/DYH3Z2Ss.jpg "This..." Unnatural Utterances at the Tomato Convenience Store
http://i.imgur.com/vVIonJts.jpg Slacker Backer: update on the PC version reward

August 2016
http://i.imgur.com/iVesGfVs.jpg Kickstarter Update #59: observations
http://i.imgur.com/G5LuJZhs.jpg Kickstarter Update #59 - From the Dev Room
http://i.imgur.com/KNza7MLs.jpg A New Shenmue Blog is Launched

Well, this week will seem like an eternity...

I know it seems that way, right? If possible, everyone should take a few moments to try and enjoy this particular period of time and the uncertainty and anticipation of it. I wonder what it will be like when the game is revealed. I have a lot of hopes, a few worries. It truly is a time of wonder. Here we are, in it, right now - at perhaps the absolute apex of anticipation. It's a special time and some day, it will be as long ago as the DC days.

Taken from the official YSNET press release which can be seen here:

http://www.ysnet-inc.jp/

0 being set in the 80s made it feel completely fresh for me, the story is my favourite by far and although Kamurocho felt familiar it also felt like a different place due to the change of themes, atmosphere and layout to a certain extent. The changes in a lot of gameplay elements also contributed to it feeling like a fresh experience. I enjoyed 4 for branching out in to different characters while not focussing much on Kiryu who I had become bored with at that point, the changes it made to Kamurocho was enough to keep the location from feeling too familiar for me. As for 5 you don't spend much time in Kamurocho and it has some really cool moments but overall I enjoyed it less than 4 and especially 0 that has become my favourite in the series. Even though 5 is huge with lots of new places to see it felt like it dragged on a lot of the time, I still put something like 80 hours in to it though so I didn't find it be a bad game by no means.

I mainly play Yakuza for the atmosphere and story though so I'm probably willing to overlook at lot of things that could bother other people.

O Rei do Frango Assado wrote: That logo looks like it was written by a right-handed person using their left hand.

Brilliant!

Although it's really not that bad! Nowhere near as bad as the papyrus logo.

The environments look great.
Everything else, no.

Its been a great journey.

Well, I was never one of those people and never understood those who said such things. Shenmue 1 and 2 were masterpieces and I expect it to keep that way. I'd rather have nothing at all, than having a manga, a novel or a shitty game just to say they finished the story.

Obviously, it sometimes still feels like a dream that Shenmue 3 is a reality. I had lost all hope many years ago and, as a gamer, Shenmue 3's announcement was the best videogame news I've ever had in my life. So I am grateful for it. Now, does this mean that I should be happy about everything they show us? No, if it looks like shit, it looks like shit.

Again, I'll hold my judgement until I see a more final version of the game and that too in motion. I know this is just work in progress material, not to mention they just did a simple photoshop of the characters on top of the background, with no lighting, shadows, or anything. That's why I'm not too worried yet, because this is simply not enough to know how the game will actually look like and I'm still optimistic that it will look great, so don't get me wrong about that.

Having said that, this is what we have now and this thread is about these pics that they just released, so we are talking about what we think about these pics. And Ryo and Shenhua look like shit in that pic. At least to me, they do. Again, they're certainly an improvement over the KS pitch video (especially Ryo), but that's not saying much. They still have a very long way to go. And I find it odd that, after all this time, they still haven't managed to make a better-looking Ryo than some stuff already made by fans at their homes.

Anyway, in just a few days, we'll have a much better idea of what the game, and, namely, the characters, will actually look like (though that too will still be work in progress).

Well said. After all these years, the Shenmue saga deserves better than this.

My quickly slapped-together "Shenmue 3 Ryo with Passsport hairstyle and less godawful oversaturation" pic

Shenmue 3 Ryo's face with Passport Ryo's hairstyle and adjusted coloration comparison #2:



So uhm...? This seems pretty good to me?

Yu is ready to go!

Edit: the restaurants in the background reveals he is at the Haneda airport terminal.

Tweet: "I'll be heading to Gamescom now".

This Ryo looks much better

https://twitter.com/WillJPowers/status/ ... 2463557632
https://twitter.com/WillJPowers/status/ ... 1117132800