Suzuki renamed the game Shenmue, a Japanese word meaning "spirit tree." Originally pitched as an RPG, Shenmue was wildly experimental and combined 3D fighting elements with adventure game-like information gathering and a finely detailed town that players could explore at their own pace.

For combat, Ryo is the heir to the Hazuki Family Combat Style (a mix of Jujitsu and Karate). He has been trained by Iwao since a child and haven't fully mastered his training to succeed the school.

The setting is modeled on Dobuita in Yokosuka, Japan.

While it doesn't seem like Shenmue 4 or a Shenmue prequel is officially in development, the possibility alone should be exciting news for Shenmue fans. But Shenmue is not the only thing Suzuki has been busy with. “Besides Shenmue, there are various ideas for other games that I would like to make,” he said.