Shenmue 3 was celebrated when it was first announced during E3 2015. The adventure game developed by YS Net finally came out in 2019, and Shenmue 3 released to mixed reviews. But now a new crop of players can enjoy the game, as Shenmue 3 is finally coming to Steam.
Last year it was revealed that Shenmue 3 would be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Many were unhappy about the news. But the exclusivity is set to end, as the deal was for one year. On November 19, 2020, a year exactly after the game launched, Shenmue 3 will release on Steam.
The Shenmue series is in an interesting place. There was a massive 18-year gap between Shenmue 2 and 3. Remembered fondly as a cult classic, the return of the series is nostalgic for many, but also raises the question as to whether or not the franchise has life now moving forward in gaming. While the game has its fans, the fact that it is now releasing on Steam opens the doors to even more players. Perhaps the game will see a boost in success, which could lead to future titles in the series.
Shenmue 3 saw DLC and continual support after its launch, and there is still a community behind the game that truly enjoys it. Some may have decided to purchase the game through Epic Games Store, but for those who were waiting, or those who simply weren't aware of the game, it is nice that the massive Steam playerbase will be able to add yet another game to their collections.
Shenmue 3Â is available for PlayStation 4 and PC, with the Steam version releasing on November 19, 2020
Source: VGC