> Shenmue is poised to usher in a new genre known as FREE (Free Reactive Eyes Entertainment).  It's basically a go anywhere, see everything, real time action, multi-faceted interaction extravaganza!  Add in mini games, arcade games, Quick Time Events (QTE), Quick Time Battles (QTB), and mucho collectable items to produce many hours of varied gameplay.

     > You are Ryo Hazuki.  Your main objective in life is to find the man responsible for murdering Iwao Hazuki, your father.  What is the connection between your father and his murderer... the Dragon Mirror and Phoenix Mirror??  The mysterious leader of a criminal organization, Lan Di, is the man you seek...

     > Forget about importing this one from Japan.  There's too much speech and information to be discovered.  It has collector's value only, unless you're fluent in Japanese.  The only other reason to import would be for the "Omake" files.

     >  Speaking of locales, they're awe inspiring.  Everything from time of day to weather changes on-the-fly.  The sheer magnitude of each section is amazing.  There are lots of buildings, animated characters, vehicles, and even wildlife.  It's a virtual world, and you can explore it all.

     > While exploring, you'll mainly use the third person view (which works really well).  You can use the first person view to get a closer look at your surroundings, or to gain perspective.  If you get into a QTE or QTB, then a floating view (usually side) graces the screen.  While fighting in a QTB, I have experienced situations where the view was not optimal.  It doesn't detract much from the game though. 

     > Your view of the surroundings is almost as impressive as seeing the many characters.  Eyes move and change size, individual fingers flex, and general character animation is excellent.  In addition, the polygon models and textures combine to make the game's characters come alive!  And to think, AM2 promises much improved graphics in the next part!

     > Most of the time you'll be looking for certain people, clues, or items by talking to people throughout the various locales.  Sometimes you're supposed to call somebody at a certain time.  Other times you may be asked to meet someone, somewhere, at a specific time.  You're always free to blow some time playing games, gambling, or collecting items (like Saturn games, which can be used at home).  Every so often you'll enter the QTE mode, where quick controller inputs decide the fate of your current situation.  There's also a reason to practice fighting moves.  In the QTB mode, you'll have to fight in real time against one or more opponents!  These QTBs play a lot like Virtua Fighter.  Heck, you'll even get job in this game...

     > As expected, nearly everything makes a realistic noise.  For example, cats meow, dogs bark, motorcycles rumble, sliding doors swoosh, arcade systems play entice music, and footsteps clap.  The main effect of concern is the voice acting.  Yes, it's very good.  That's a relief, as speech is in every conversation.  Oh yeah, environmental effects are great too.

     > Shenmue's adventure is fairly straight forward.  QTEs and QTBs are automatic, once you're time and location are proper.  Along the way, there are usually multiple paths to the same objective.  Even so, you're hardly ever wondering what to do next -- and that's the way I like it.  Any way you cut it, many hours of Sega fun await your controller.