Guys, I am such a big ass fan of this series that I just beat it a few weeks ago and wanna play it again eventually. TV kinda went out so I have to buy a new one. So, soon I'll be replaying shenmue 3. But, I wanna show you guys how I came to know of this Shenmue. It's a story I never told on the old version of this forum.
So, a 14 year old me had a friend I been friends with since I been 8. We would go over his house and do everything together. Well, he had a gaming uncle who was much much older than us. Like his 30's. He would come over and play games with us. We considered him a gaming god. Because playing against him in anything was a challenge. Well, he told us about Shenmue. And, he had me wrapped. Like early days, a before it ever came out. It was touted as a game you can do anything in. So, fast forward a couple years later. I got a dreamcast. And, he never lets anyone borrow games. So, I asked him could I please borrow his shenmue 1 dc copy. he surprisingly said yes. So, I took the copy and went home. this was 2001. And, I didn't leave my house for two weeks. Just wrapped up. Well, when I beat the game. I felt unsatisfied. What about part two. So, I got on the cell phone a nokia brick phone. lol. Called him. Said you played Shenmue 2 and have it? He said no. It never came state side. I was crushed. I made a promise that day, I was gonna somehow get that game. And when I do. I'll let him borrow it. He said okay.
2003. I came across my chance. Bought a copy of Shenmue 2 dc for 18 dollars. I felt like the divine gods of gaming have answered. I didn't tell Jeff, that I achieved my goal. I played the game, beat it. That next day after beating it, overcome with emotion that I am now left at another cliffhanger. I wrapped up my system, and all the cords and grabbed the game. And traveled to his home. I still have yet to tell him. I wanted to surprise him. I felt I owe him for introducing me to something I came to love and without knowing him this may have never happened. I felt a sense of accomplishment. I knocked on his door and came in with my bookbag. Sat down and we chatted for an hour. Eventually, he asked me what was in the bookbag cause I never bring it. I smiled and said oh yeah, thats right. I pulled the bag up and brought out my dreamcast and sat it down. His eyes lit up, cause his dreamcast has long since stopped working. He said why did you bring a dreamcast? He picked it up and looked at it. It works? I said yeah. They still sell em Jeff. He then said he wouldn't buy another because of no Shenmue 2. I then unzipped the front part of the bag and pulled it out of his view and just handed it to him quickly. He looked at it, then at me. then back at it again. His eyes big, he yelled you got a fucking copy!? how?! why didn't you tell me?! I said well, I wanted to surprise you Jeff. He said you letting me borrow it?
I said what kind of friend would I be if I didn't. It's why I am here. He started smiling and seemed really happy. He said you know I'm gonna need this for a few months. I said that is fine Jeff. You can borrow it as long as you need. I have already beaten it. It was thanks to you I even knew of Shenmue, and its because of you I got to play it. I am just happy I got the chance for us both to experience the next part. Needless to say, he was very happy. He asked me, how did I like it? I said Jeff I loved it. Even more than part one. His eyes got big.
I just wanted to share that. The moment still very vivid for me. Sadly, I dunno if he ever got to play three as I moved away and we lost contact. But, I know Jeff. And he got to play it. I think. It's crazy to me, to think of a friendship with his nephew which if I never had would have never lead me to meet him. And never lead me to this. It's just amazing to me.
