Aside from neon and cheeky references, video games don’t often mirror ’80s cinema. From the golden age of summer blockbusters all the way to cheap action schlock, that decade is full of off-kilter stories, catchy soundtracks, and killer scriptwriting. But sequels often hit the same notes as its predecessor to much lesser effect, feeling like reunion tours rather than worthy follow-ups. Video games have typically…
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A fantastic sense of place that invites players over time like a siren's song.
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A perfect recreation of Dreamcast-era gaming with only the slightest convenient tweaks.
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Frankly hilarious English voice acting and knowingly-bad translations bring the charm.
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A steep learning curve for anyone not intimately familiar with past Shenmue titles.
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Gameplay plays second fiddle to storytelling and setting, especially the mashy fighting.
