In an ideal world, Shenmue III would have launched on the Dreamcast in the early noughties, completing Yu Suzuki’s legendary trilogy. But sadly, this world is neither ideal nor perfect, and so here we are almost twenty years later.
Considering many had succumbed to the fact that a third Shenmue was never going to happen, to finally have a copy in their hands seems like a genuine miracle.
Playing Shenmue III is, allegedly, like being transported back to 2001. Sure, the graphics are vastly improved, but it’s still the same old Shenmue underneath the new gloss. Depending on your persuasion, this is either a blessing or a curse – times have changed, this much is true, but would Shenmue still be Shenmue if it wasn’t a little bit campy, daft and rough around the edges?
The first review score out the door is VG247’s 3/5. “Repetitive, rough, but strangely endearing,†was their final verdict.
Games Radar’s review is still underway, meanwhile. “It’s ludicrously self-indulgent, constantly absurd, often beautiful, objectively awful and yet somehow wonderful,†their reviewer claimed. “Somehow Shenmue III is not only real, but it feels 100% authentic after all this time and against all the odds,†they continued.
Other new releases for this week include the currently review-shy Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts. IGN posted 12 minutes of gameplay footage on YouTube, which doesn’t look any better or worse than the last Ghost Warrior game. We’re in very familiar territory from the looks of it.
Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 – out on all three major formats – offers platforming frolics with some curvaceously rounded visuals. It’s curious to note the change of perspective from the last Asterix & Obelix game, going for a more top-down approach.
Fans of French animation may also be interested in Titeuf Mega Party, based on the troublemaking tyke. It’s a remake of a PS2 title which we don’t recall ever seeing for sale in the UK.
Like last week’s Terminator: Resistance, arcade revival Bubble Bobble 4 Friends also heads to Europe first. This Switch exclusive was billed as “a simple, satisfying revival of an all-time great†by Eurogamer.
Nintendo Life enjoyed it a tad more, opting for an 8/10. “The focus on teamwork will be wonderful for families and friends looking for some co-op fun, but the lack of online play and the absence of any real competitive features could limit its longevity,†they said.
Elsewhere, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI makes the jump from Switch to PS4 and Xbox One, We Happy Few receives its We All Fall Down add-on (trailer below), while Curve Digital gets ready to launch the action strategy TV tie-in Narcos: Rise of the Cartels.
The Switch receives a bunch of new physical releases too, including the sleeper hit Children of Morta and the cult classic Deadly Premonitions: Origins.
New release showcase
Shenmue III
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts
Asterix & Obelix XXL 3: The Crystal Menhir
We All Fall Down – We Happy Few
Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
New digital multi-format releases
- Narcos: Rise of the Cartels
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Munchkin: Quacked Quest
- Farmer’s Dynasty
- Asterix & Obelix XXL3: The Crystal Menhir
- Titeuf Mega Party
- Lost Ember
New on PSN
- Shenmue III
- Golem
- Atelier Ryza: Digital Deluxe Edition
- Kitten’d
- The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
- Arcade Archives IN THE HUNT
- Trax
- Lost Ember
- Stretch Arcade
- Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe+
New on Xbox One store
- Debris
- G.R.E.E.N. The Life Algorithm
New Switch retail releases
- Asterix & Obelix XXL 3: The Crystal Menhir
- Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2
- Zumba Burn It Up
- Deadly Premonitions: Origins
- Ghost Parade
- Children of Morta
- Lastfight
- AeternoBlade II
- Will: A Wonderful World
- Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
Next week: Where the Water Tastes Like Wine: Xbox Edition, Blacksad: Under the Skin – Limited Edition, Gas Guzzlers Extreme, Soccer: Tactics & Glory, and GOLAZO!
