Summary
- Shenmue 3's new publisher, ININ Games, is surveying fans about potential new ports of Shenmue 3 to come to other platforms.
- The survey asks fans for their opinions on potential graphical and performance improvements for new versions of Shenmue 3, also mentioning new platforms for the game.
- Shenmue 3 has seen heavy request from fans for an Xbox Series X port of the franchise's third main entry, with ININ also including the Switch, Mac, and PS5 as options.
A new survey distributed to fans by Shenmue 3's new publisher ININ Games is hinting that the developer may be interested in bringing the game to the Xbox Series X. The Shenmue franchise became a cult classic in the late 1990s and early 2000s for its ambitious scope and the impressive graphics for the era. The franchise would see a long hiatus before eventually returning with Shenmue 3, following a successful Kickstarter campaign and releasing in 2019. Now, the franchise's new publisher may be looking at bringing the game to more platforms.
The highly-anticipated release of Shenmue 3 made waves long before its 2019 debut, thanks to its tumultuous history. The game was considered to be in "development hell" for several years with an 18-year-long gap between the release of Shenmue 2 on the Sega Dreamcast and Shenmue 3 on the PS4 and Windows. Shenmue 3's crowdfunding approach was also a landmark for gaming projects on Kickstarter, becoming the most-funded gaming project ever on the crowdfunding platform. However, a new update from the game's publisher may reveal more ambitious plans for the third game.
Hope Restored for Shenmue Fans as Publishing Rights Change Hands
The publishing rights for Shenmue 3 have been transferred over to ININ Games, opening up some exciting possibilities for the legendary franchise.
As reported by PureXbox, a recent survey from publisher ININ Games may suggest there is still hope for an Xbox version of Shenmue 3. The survey asks fans a variety of questions about what they would like to see from new versions of Shenmue 3, including graphical and performance improvements alongside fans' favorite moments. The questionnaire specifically asks fans about what platforms they would like to see Shenmue 3 come to next, following recent fan petitions for an Xbox Series X version of Shenmue 3. The PS5, Switch, and Mac are also mentioned as potential new platforms.
Shenmue 3 Publisher Gauging Interest in New Ports
A version of Shenmue 3 on Xbox Series X would not be the first time that the franchise has made its way to the Microsoft platform. Both Shenmue and Shenmue 2 received high-definition ports on the Xbox One in 2018, following renewed interest in the games with the highly successful Kickstarter campaign. The potential reveal of an Xbox version of Shenmue 3 would also come as part of a major milestone for the franchise, with Shenmue celebrating its 25th anniversary in Japan later this month.
While fans wait for news of new Shenmue 3 ports, the franchise's developer is reportedly keeping itself busy. Ys Net director Yu Suzuki announced last year that the Shenmue studio is working on its next game, though he did not give any details about the project at the time. While Suzuki did confirm that he was not finished with the Shenmue franchise, many fans have expressed doubt that the next game from Ys Net will be a Shenmue sequel. Fans of the franchise will likely have to wait a while longer to see the conclusion to Ryo Hazuki's journey.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 68 /100 Critics Rec: 36%
- Released
- November 19, 2019
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ys Net
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Shenmue
WHERE TO PLAY
The brainchild of award-winning game director, Yu Suzuki, Shenmue is commonly known as one of the most ambitious game projects in history, which captured the imagination of players from around the world. Shenmue established the open-world format for action RPG games. An awe-inspiring world with an immersive story, featuring cinematic sequences, a realistic fighting system, and entertaining mini-games, Shenmue garnered acclaim and adoration all over the world.
Play as Ryo Hazuki, an 18-year-old Japanese martial artist hellbent on avenging his father’s death. In this third installment of the epic Shenmue series, Ryo seeks to solve the mystery behind the Phoenix Mirror, an artifact sought after by his father’s killer. His journey takes him to an immersive representation of rural China, brimming with activity and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Ryo’s adventure leads him to towns and mountain villages where he can further his training, try his hand at gambling, play arcade games, and work part-time jobs while investigating those who know truth behind the Phoenix Mirror.
