Shenmue 4: rumours fuel the anticipation of the next episode
Disclaimer: This article is based on rumours circulating on 4chan. The information presented here has not been officially confirmed and should be taken with caution.
In this article, we discuss the recent rumours surrounding Shenmue 4 on 4Chan, including its potential release date, story details, and more.
A glimmer of hope for Shenmue fans
It’s been 3 years since the release of Shenmue 3, and fans of the series, including myself, are eagerly awaiting any news regarding the continuation of Ryo’s adventures.
A few days ago, a post on 4chan caught the attention of the fan community, stating that Shenmue 4 is currently in development with Sega’s support, and its release is scheduled for late 2025.
We look at the latest 4chan leak and explore what it could mean for this highly anticipated sequel.
The Complicated Life of Shenmue 3
Before we get into the details of this rumour, let’s look back at the complicated development of Shenmue 3.
The sequel to the saga awaited by a massive community of fans worldwide, of which I am one, finally came out in 2019 after a record crowdfunding campaign and years of waiting.
What do I say years… decades!
While Shenmue 3 managed to convince some fans, including yours truly, others were left disappointed, citing a story that didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Nevertheless, in Japan, the PlayStation 4 version of Shenmue III sold 17,857 copies in its first week, making it the fourth best-selling game of its release week and the best-selling novelty.
The Success of Shenmue 3 and Possibility of Shenmue 4
The Embracer Group (Deep Silver, THQ Nordic) also appears to be satisfied with the sales figures, as its Games business increased revenues by 51%, generating net sales of 836 million (552) in the first quarter of 2020. The main drivers of this performance were stable sales of the catalogue of titles such as Metro Exodus, Wreckfest and Satisfactory, as well as the new titles Darksiders Genesis and Shenmue III. As the company announced in its financial report in early 2020.
The numbers have lived up to the publisher’s expectations, so it is not inconceivable that a Shenmue 4 is in the works. Especially since Shenmue 3, we’ve been treated with the release of The Shenmue Anime, which has been a significant success and brought new fans to Yu Suzuki’s licence.
Latest Shenmue 4 Rumours from 4chan
Now let’s talk about the rumour posted on 4chan this week. According to the author, the game’s graphics will improve over Shenmue 3, with many models being used but refined. New character designs, such as Ryo wearing a Gi or a green jacket instead of his iconic brown one, suggest the possibility of customising the protagonist’s clothing like in Shenmue 3.
What Can We Expect from Shenmue 4?
Rumour has it that Ryo, Shenhua and Ren will travel to Shanghai and discover the Chiyoumen’s hold on the city’s crime world. The story is said to feature the four leaders of the Chiyoumen, with Niao Sun as the main antagonist whom Ryo must defeat. Interestingly, it is rumoured that Ryo will not face Lan Di in this episode, although he is very present in the game.
Also, the post mentions new gashapon toys, including Sonic and Super Monkey Ball collectables, which would be a fun nod to other popular Sega franchises.
Conclusion: A word of caution
Of course, it’s important to remember that this is just a rumour at the moment. But as a fan, it’s hard not to get excited about this kind of rumour announcing the continuation of Ryo’s adventures. If this is the case, it would seem that Shenmue 4 could offer a more accomplished experience, with a scenario that we hope will be more elaborate and modernised graphics that could potentially.
We can only hope now, that Sega and Yu Suzuki are actually developing Shenmue 4 and giving us the ending to the saga we’ve been waiting for since 1999.
Fingers crossed that we don’t have to wait as long as between Shenmue 2 and Shenmue 3 for an official announcement. We don’t have decades to lose this time!