Shenmue 3 - Mugen
It has now been 18 years since the last entry in the Shenmue-series was released on Dreamcast, ending on quite the cliffhanger. The series was at the time quite revolutionary and helped pave the way for the open-world genre. Starting November 19, we will finally get to know the next chapter for Ryo and Shenhua when they keep on searching for the murderer of Ryo's father, Lan Di, in rural China. As the older games (remasters of I&II are available on e.g. Steam), we anticipate a slower-paced action-adventure, with emphasis on exploration, investigation, martial arts and interesting characters.
After being announced as a Kickstarter-project during E3 2015 by industry legend Yu Suzuki, Shenmue III continued to amass over $7 million through crowdfunding. Despite this, Shenmue III has had it's fair share of controversy to say the least, mainly surrounding the game's production and publishing. However, recent impressions on the game's trial version sounds promising, among other things evoking the feeling of the previous games.
Blacksad: Under the Skin Uzzy / Cor
Blacksad: Under the Skin, from Pendulo Studios and YS Interactive, and published by Microids, is an adventure game and adaptation of one of the best graphic novels to come out of Europe in the last few decades. You play as John Blacksad, a hardboiled private detective in 1950's New York, solving crimes in the film noir style. The owner of a Boxing Club is found dead, and the rising star has gone missing, and you've been hired by the owner's daughter to solve the case. You'll have to descend into the depths of New York, using all your detective powers and fighting skills to get out alive and just maybe bring the bad guy down.
Well this certainly looks the part, with a lovingly recreated world and characters straight out of the graphic novels, and the whole film noir adventure game is long overdue for a comeback. It's been how long since The Wolf Among Us? Hopefully this'll be good!