Shenmue III Review: 10 Ups & 6 Downs

Downs...

6. Quite Tiring Events

Shenmue III QTE Boxing
Ys Net

Shenmue brought an absolute truckload of brand new inventions to the gaming industry, but rather crashed into a bollard when delivering quick time events.

The QTE, a once interesting and exciting way of making cutscenes interactive at a time when major, Uncharted-style set-pieces were simply not possible, has since became one of those inutterable terms amongst gamers. Ironically, it has become synonymous with a lack of player agency during a game's big moments.

Sadly, QTEs return in their most inimical form in Shenmue III, exhibiting all the hallmarks that have latterly earned derision. There wasn't one single sequence I passed on the first run through; the time allotted for recognition and input is simply too short, and more often than not, a correct button-stroke comes a fraction of a second too late.

As a consequence, a feature ostensibly designed to increase the game's narrative fluidity obstructs it; failure merely results in a restart, devolving into a process of memorised Simon Says.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.