Shenmue III is finally here and if you’ve never played the other two, or have never seen a Dreamcast in real life, then we’re here to help! We’ve scoured the internet and found the top two Wikipedia articles to get you caught up just in time for Shenmue III.
2 – Shenmue (Video Game)
“Shenmue (Video Game)” is one of the absolute must-read Wikipedia articles for new and returning Shenmue fans. If you find yourself asking “What is Shenmue?” then you are going to want to check out the Wikipedia entry for Shenmue (Video Game).
Apparently this game has you play as Ryo Hazuki, a martial artist who witnesses his father being killed. That sounds like an awesome, action packed setup. Unfortunately, according to the article you spend the majority of the game playing with vending machines and driving forklifts in real time.
Honestly, you’re better off just reading the article because forklifts are not as exciting as avenging your father’s murder sounds, and no amount of vending machine prizes will ever fill the hole in your heart that your father’s murder left.
1 – Shenmue II
This list was certainly a challenge to make, but anyone clicking this article knew what would be in the number one spot: Wikipedia’s “Shenmue II.” If you’re going to get serious about checking out and understanding Shenmue III, then “Shenmue II” is definitely the Wikipedia article you want to read as soon as possible.
The first important thing to note about Shenmue II is that it did away with the boring forklift portions from the first game. Turns out working in a warehouse as forklift operator/racer did not help you solve your father’s murder. Instead, according to the Wikipedia article, Shenmue II has you work as a gambler, Pachinko Machine operator and street fighter.
The skills you gain from those jobs prove more valuable than a forklift operator, but not valuable enough to find your father as the game ends with you failing to avenge your father’s death.
Now that you’re all caught up on the Shenmue series you are ready to dive in to Shenmue III today — or, even better, the Wikipedia article “Shenmue III.”
Check out the newest episode of the Hard Drive podcast where we watch and discuss every episode of 1989’s The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!