I loved it, and it actually has a pretty big cult (for lack of a better word) following. For its time it was so different, and ahead of its time. It was one of the very first games I played with QTE sequences as well. There was SO much to do! Multiple ending for each game aside, choices affected the story (this originally came out on sega cd in 96 then went to dreamcast in 1998-99) in such random ways. Like in Shenmue 2 for , in a QTE chase scene you if you miss the button in one certain spot, you will knock over a girl carrying a tray in a little bar type of place. "IF" you knock her over, you can go back, and apologize later(Pay for the damages as well I think, bt its been a while now). If you do, she will give you a silver token which later you can use to get into a fighting arena, where you can win a gold token. I won't go through the whole thing, but at the end of the events required you actually can unlock a duck race lol (quirky I know) you get this duck, you can bet on it to make some money and even work on its stats. Thats one small easter egg the series is loaded with them. It was made by the guy that did the Virtua Fighter games, along with Afterburner, Burnout etc. You can run around town and play those as well. (or on Ryo's at home in the first game!) I won't even get into the forklift races before Ryo starts work on the first game lol.

I dunno, its a hard game to describe. The voice acting isn't always the best and by todays standards I know most would consider the graphics dated, but it was SOOOO original, and detailed (great music as well). I guess picture a action, detective style at times (looking for clues as how to find the guy that killed the main characters dad). Its a "real time" game, if you don't get to the end in by the given time you get the "bad" ending. Plenty of time to enjoy the world is given though.

Sorry for the long rant, the best way to see if its good (its probably my all time favorite) is to try it I have not scratched the surface yet on all the stuff you can do that depends on if you do things by a certain time, or whatever. Very hit or miss game, never seen anyone say "its ok". People either love it or hate it. IMO Great story, great gameplay, Not always great voice acting, lots of replay value. And the first Shenmue has a 70 vs. 1 fight you can do after you beat the game. No super powers, or anything (Ryo is just a guy from Japan trained in martial arts) just you, your skill and 70 opponents to defeat. Its a rather fun time based challenge. Ok, I'm gonna shut up now....