Its crazy to think Shenmue was released in 1999 and they managed to accomplish all of that.
Another thing to note about Shenmue which makes it so real / immersive are the NPCS. All of them have their own lives that they live independently to Ryo. They have their own schedules, personalitys, problems, jobs, etc. They're not just mindless NPCS that wonder the street for the players benefit.
I haven't played shenmue for 10 + years, but it still my greatest gaming memory ever. I still remember waking up for work and arriving at the harbor for 8:30am. I would work until lunch time and then speak/get to know my fellow co workers during the break. Sometimes i would visit the old tramp and buy him a coffee. After work, Id call home to make sure everything was ok and then hang with that elvis dude named goro for a bit. When it got late, id catch the bus home. Once back in Dobuita, id see Santa clause hopping along and christmas songs playing throughout the town. Id quickly drop by the arcade for some hang on and darts, and then go and speak to some of my friends who were still out and about. Eri would have a go at me because i wasn't paying attention to Nozomi's feelings and the jacket shop dude would tell me about his relationship problems with his girlfriend at the flower stool. When ever the mood was gloomy, Id speak to Tom as he was always super positive. Sometimes id stop by the bar for a quick game of pool and then head to the shop for some cat food. Before reaching home id feed the orphan cat and grab a quick drink. Once back home, id do a little training in the dojo and then see how ine san and fuku- san were doing (house keeper and student). Before heading to bed, id make a few phone calls. Mainly to Nozomi, the love interest xxxx. Sometimes she be super happy to hear from me and ask me to meet her. Other times she wasn't there. In which case, id phone my other mates and shoot the shit with them for a bit. Id then head to bed and begin another day.
What i just described must sound ridiculous to anyone who hasn't played Shenmue. But all of this is going on whilst the amazing story is also taking place. There's multiple threads of story telling, character development and freedom that ive never seen in any other game since. Its such a unique experience.
I must say however, Shenmue is not for everyone. If you want to roam the streets and fight npcs or attack everything in sight, it wont happen. Not unless its called for. E.g, you're walking down a dark alley a night in a dodgey area. Sometimes you might see some thugs who want to attack you. Sometimes not.
The pinnacle of Shenmue greatness imo is in Shenmue 2 disk 4. That has got to be one of the emotional, magical and beautiful arcs in gaming story telling. The interactions between ryo and shenhua were amazing.
Fuck, give me Shenmue HD SEGA.
_/¯
