Shenmue III

About

Shenmue III follows Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down the man who killed his father in 1980s China. The sequel to 2001’s Shenmue II, it blends beat ‘em up combat with open-world exploration, letting players roam markets, solve puzzles, and interact with NPCs to uncover clues. Ryo teams up with Shenhua Ling, a local girl with her own ties to the mystery, as they travel through Guilin’s villages and cities. Combat stays fast and technical, requiring timing and strategy, while side quests and environmental storytelling fill out the world. The story moves at a deliberate pace, balancing action with quiet moments of investigation and character development. The game stood out for its ambitious Kickstarter campaign in 2015, which raised $6.3 million in under 30 hours, still a record for a video game. Players praise its deep lore and environmental details, though some note the slow progression compared to modern titles. With a mix of martial arts brawls, investigation, and character-driven moments, it’s a long, winding adventure that leans into the series’ signature blend of patience and payoff.

Storyline

Shenmue III begins March 21, 1987. Ryo Hazuki has made his way to Guilin, China in search of his father's killer, Lan Di. There he meets a new travelling companion, Shenhua Ling, and learns of a legend from her village that has foretold their path together. The story continues as Ryo and Shenhua start off on a new journey that will take them farther into enemy territory, deeper into mystery. Part I: Bailu Village Shenmue III begins in Bailu Village in Guilin. Shenhua begins to suspect that perhaps Lan Di and the Chi You Men abducted her adoptive father, Yunshen Yuan, which would explain his sudden mysterious disappearance, and so she intends to rescue him, her motives overlapping with Ryo's. Ryo and Shenhua discover that a group of thugs have attacked and raided several stonemasons in search of the Phoenix Mirror, leaving their houses a mess. This includes stonemason Guowei Xu. With the help of martial arts expert JiuSi Sun, Ryo defeats the thug leader, Yanlang. Shenhua interrogates Yanlang and learns her father and Xu are in Niaowu. Ryo and Shenhua are also attacked by familiar face Chai, but Ryo thwarts him away.