Do the Shenmue games even hold up? Has anyone actually played it recently? Or is this just some insane rose tinted nostalgia?
I think, as a 3D game from 1999, they still look exceptional. The detail in the texturing and in the environment is unmatched in games of that era. Even today they look good because of the small scope; they feel far, far more modern than something like GTA3 or even GTA4. It's still the only "open world" game where I genuinely buy the world and its inhabitants. Its dense and rich in detail.
The things about it that are annoying today are things that were annoying back then. The control scheme for general movement is awkward, the voice acting is poor, the lack of a time skip function (introduced in Shenmue 2) is annoying, and the script is really awkward. But it's oh so fun!
The plotting and pacing of the game are really wonderful and unique. It's a true slow burn and it's hard to think of many games that are as satisfying narratively as Shenmue 1's build into Shenmue 2 and then Shenmue 2's absolutely unparalleled climax and denouement.
The way Shenmue 2 ends is just like....and then they....and you don't get to see the end...and...
god.