They attracted positive reviews and a cult following, but were commercial failures.

I understand that Suzuki wanted to stick to his original vision with 12 chapters or whatever, but there just aren't enough people that care about Shenmue, and after Shenmue 3 absolutely flopped I doubt we'll ever see a Part 4. But it is the end of the series.

He estimated that Shenmue III is only 40% of his vision of the series, and that ideally, a Shenmue IV or V would be the end of the series. At the end of Shenmue III, there is a gratitude message from Yu Suzuki saying he still intends to create Shenmue IV.

It follows the teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki as he sets out in revenge for the murder of his father in 1980s Yokosuka, Japan. The player explores an open world, fighting opponents in brawler battles and encountering quick time events.