Shenmue

Shenmue is a Japanese action-adventure video game series created by Yu Suzuki and developed by Sega. Originally conceived as a Sega Saturn title, it was ultimately released on the Sega Dreamcast in 1999 (Japan) and 2000 (worldwide). Shenmue is notable for its open-world environment, detailed characters, realistic day-night cycle, and innovative gameplay mechanics dubbed "FREE" (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment).

The series revolves around Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist seeking revenge for the murder of his father in 1986 Yokosuka, Japan. Ryo's quest takes him across Japan and eventually to China, where he uncovers a deeper mystery connected to ancient artifacts.

Shenmue's gameplay emphasizes exploration, investigation, and combat. Players can explore a detailed environment, interact with non-player characters (NPCs), engage in quick-time events (QTEs), practice martial arts, and perform various activities such as playing mini-games or working part-time jobs. The game's realistic world and character interactions were groundbreaking for its time.

The original Shenmue was followed by Shenmue II (2001), also on the Dreamcast (later released on Xbox). After a long hiatus, Shenmue III was released in 2019, funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign. The series is considered a cult classic and has been praised for its innovative features and immersive world. While commercially unsuccessful upon initial release, the Shenmue games are highly regarded for their artistic merit and influence on subsequent open-world games.