Shenmue III Now on Steam (with New Images)

Following the announcement of the Shenmue III release date in August's trailer, the game now has its own store entry on Steam.

Store page for Shenmue III on Steam

A list of supported languages is provided, although with the game still being under development, any information on the page should be considered subject to change.

Supported languages table

Furthermore, the page contains two images we have not seen before; the first being the header image on the right-hand side, showing Shenhua and Ryo, with the carved mirrors from the cave behind them. (The image below is the large version, retrieved courtesy of Sappharad).

Steam header image (large version)

The model of Shenhua here is very similar, but not identical, to the one in the Prophecy trailer that announced the release date, with the result that (for me) she has a slightly worried air about her in the image on Steam.

Shenhua in the Prophecy trailer (left) vs the Steam page image (right)

In the screenshots section of the page, there is a second new image of Ryo at a QTE Title game machine, with plenty of graphical detail to be enjoyed: from the convincing model of Ryo himself, to the textures on Ryo's jacket and T-shirt to the rust on the walls and the finely-crafted evidence of wear and tear on the pads and machine. The lighting is also effective here, with the glows emitting from the machine reflecting off the pads and other surfaces.

(Tap/click to enlarge).

New image showing Ryo playing QTE Title

This is our first proper look at the QTE Title machine after its logo was glimpsed in an Developer's Report video in early 2017:

The distinctive QTE Title logo seen in 2017 (from Dev Room Progress Report Vol. 2)

Note: a clip of Ryo playing at the machine was also part of an extended trailer for attendees at MAGIC 2018, but this was never officially released publicly.

The upgrade in overall graphical detail can be readily appreciated when compared to its appearance in the first Shenmue game, even using a higher-resolution image from the re-release. (The machine in Shenmue III has also gained a smart red trim along the edges!)

QTE Title in the first game (above) vs Shenmue III (below).

Just as in the You Arcade in Shenmue I, next to the QTE Title machine can be seen part of an Excite QTE machine - with the difference that the version showing is "3" rather than "2".

The panel of usage notes at the front of the machine has been redesigned. Interestingly, the Japanese wording refers to the machine's name as "QT" - or possibly "Cutey", since it's written phonetically - Title. I assume this is not deliberate and is to be adjusted.

The writing is rather indistinct and hard to read, but the right-hand side is titled "QT Title: Notes for Use", and is followed by a list of instructions on what to do and not do. (As far as I can make out, the last one is a request not to wear boxing gloves when playing the machine!)

The redesigned notes panel

Final Comment

It's a nice surprise to see some new Shenmue III material, and the appearance of an entry in Steam for the game is a pertinent reminder that the game is now less than a year (10 months!) from its official release date. We are in for an exciting year to come.

Link to Shenmue III on Steam

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