'Shenmue's' World Is One to Linger In

‘Shenmue’s’ World Is One to Linger In

By AARON CURTISS

Dec. 28, 2000 12 AM PT

aaron.curtiss@latimes.com

It took playing almost 200 video games this year to come to this--the last review of the 20th century and the best title of 2000. Going forward in 2001, I plan to be lost amid the subtleties of “Shenmue,” a sprawling visual adventure for Sega Dreamcast.

“Shenmue” is, quite frankly, the best game so far on Sega Dreamcast and the best game of the year on any platform. It fully realizes Dreamcast’s processing and storytelling potential and sets a new standard for interactive adventures that will be tough to match--let alone beat.

If Sega is to survive the bloody video-game console war expected in the fall, titles like “Shenmue” will be its best weapon. Microsoft and Nintendo both are expected to launch advanced game systems in the fall, bringing to four the number of high-powered consoles on the market. In October, Sony launched PlayStation 2, but production gaffes have severely limited its availability--giving underdog Sega the opportunity to build up a user base.

The key to “Shenmue” is that its technical grace enhances and complements the story by creating a seamless experience in which players can talk freely to other characters, fight when necessary and handle and examine almost any object they find.

Players become Ryo Hazuki, a young man who watched his father get murdered by the mysterious Chang Long. Ryo sets out to find his father’s killer--a journey that takes him from his small town to China. Along the way, Ryo learns more about himself and improves his fighting skills. In a nice touch, players engage in real-time fighting sequences with opponents, which allows for variety not often seen in most adventures.

But it’s the depth of Ryo’s world that amazes me most. Players can open practically every drawer and cupboard they see, talk to anyone they meet, manipulate almost every object they find. For instance, when visiting an arcade, Ryo can drop some money into a machine and play various games. And little kids constantly come up to him asking if he wants to play one game or another.

This level of detail is highly unusual, but it makes for a fascinating game in which players are encouraged to linger and explore. The challenge for 2001: Find a better game than “Shenmue.” It won’t be easy.

‘Banjo-Tooie’

It’s hard to imagine a game more sugary sweet than “Banjo-Tooie.” This sequel to the Nintendo 64 title “Banjo-Kazooie” lets players control a huggable honey bear and his shrill bird companion as they hunt down an evil witch. Even the villains are precious enough to make teeth hurt.

Even so, it works.

This is clearly a game for kids, but plenty of adults will enjoy the puzzles that make “Banjo-Tooie” more than just another lavish jump-and-run adventure. Sure, everything is big and colorful and designed for 8-year-old eyes.

But that’s not always a bad thing.

Aaron Curtiss is editor of Tech Times.

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The Skinny

Title: “Shenmue”

Genre: Adventure

Price: $50

Platform: Sega Dreamcast

Publisher: Sega

ESRB* rating: Teen

The good: Beautiful and deep

The bad: Absolutely nothing