Yu Suzuki says he’s thinking about a Yakuza 0-style Shenmue prequel
Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki has discussed the future of the series and revealed he’d consider working on a prequel game set in the original’s Yokosuka.
Shenmue 3, the long-awaited sequel to the 1999 Sega Dreamcast RPG, released for PS4 and PC in November 2019, much to the delight of fans who had been waiting for a new instalment for nearly two decades.
However, the game seemingly failed to find a significant audience beyond its 70,000 Kickstarter backers, with even its publisher Deep Silver calling it “a core niche” game and not a “a mass-market product.” Regardless, Suzuki has expressed a desire to continue with the series.
Speaking in a new interview with IGN Japan, Suzuki did not directly confirm plans for Shenmue 4, but he discussed broad ideas for where he could take the series next, if allowed.
One of those ideas is a prequel similar to the Yakuza series’ Yakuza 0, which turned out to be a turning point for the franchise by presenting an accessible entry for new players.
Asked if he had thought of a similar approach for Shenmue, Suzuki told IGN: “Yes, I have. I cannot go into detail at this point, but it is something I have been thinking about.
“I think recreating the streets of Dobuita with modern visuals on a new engine alone would make it worth doing. It also connects to the topic of not simply expanding in size. Making an even more detailed Dobuita than the original Shenmue is an interesting idea, especially if it’s not a remake but a prequel with a new story.”
Suzuki reiterated that, if Shenmue 4 happens, he wants to make it more accessible to new players than Shenmue 3, which was primarily designed to please hardcore Kickstarter backers.
“I want Shenmue 4 to be enjoyable for newcomers,” he said. “To make that possible,
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