To be honest, even Shenmue does not compare to the impact that Tetris can have.
(Nearly endless replay-ability and efficient simplicity.)
I think that Shenmue tried and mostly succeeded in having this replay-ability.
However, it takes more time to feel hocked, at first.
If we are talking about more complex games,
I will cite two classical games : Prince of Persia and Age of empires
Prince of Persia : (Or "Timed Parkour, the game")
Racing against the clock, while solving the puzzles of each level.
This is quite an organic game to play, with fun "death fails".
(Impaled : "Oops", mistimed going through these guillotine blades : Your exploration is cut short...)
[I liked that Jordan Mechner was speaking at Magic 2018 just before Yu Suzuki's first conference.
Seeing both back to back should has been a good video-game-fan memory.]
I think "PoP" is a really solid game,
that definitely connect to anyone that like platform games and "Metroidvania" games.
Age of empires (2) : (Or, "try and handle an expanding civilization in real time")
A game about securing territories and ressources.
It is amazing how complex a game can get, with just a tech tree to unlock as you see fit,
and handling borders with neighbor groups with the same interest in ressources and territories.
If you think about it, this is a computerized and more real-like version of the Go board game.
With a lot of well thought triggers and events, you also get access to well crafted in-game stories.
(These chapter-stories are combined into a linear campaign telling a grander tale.)
Playing against others on randomized maps, with lots of possible options.
The game also came with an extensive scenario editor to spend time on.
Minecraft has been mentioned, but "Aoe" also offered this ability to create your own worlds.
I think that Shenmue has common grounds with both PoP and Aoe, in that :
>The game offers you a lot of glimpses at how you can fail.
(And, people enjoy them, it seems.)
>You explore complex areas and try and find a way to go forward to the next step.
(Sometimes, fighting your way against worthy opponents.)
>Simple things of life induce great moments.
(And, you can simply explore and act with the world the way you want.)
>The games made great use of the technologies of the time.
In the end, all of these games left a "Wow" feeling on me,
because of the way, they run with simple concepts in a smart and engaging way.
(This is a long post, but keep the shift key pressed and you should not lose your grip.)