First big Gamescom 2025 reveal is a Shenmue 3 re-release

Although there’s still no sign of a sequel, Shenmue 3 is getting a second chance on current platforms.

The announcement of Shenmue 3 at PlayStation’s E3 2015 showcase was without doubt one of the biggest gaming reveals in history, as it had been roughly 16 years since Shenmue 2’s cliffhanger ending and it seemed almost impossible that there would ever be another sequel.

Thanks to the hype generated by the reveal, it had a very successful crowdfunding campaign and launched for PlayStation 4 and PC in 2019… only for it to turn out to be a wasted opportunity that didn’t attract any new fans and only reported mediocre sales.

While there remains no sign of the promised Shenmue 4, today’s announcement shows the series hasn’t been abandoned entirely, with Shenmue 3 to receive an enhanced re-release for modern platforms, including Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

Simply titled Shenmue 3 Enhanced, German company ININ Games has taken over as publisher (the original release was published by Deep Silver), which makes sense as it worked with Shenmue series director Yu Suzuki before, on bringing his Apple Arcade rail shooter Air Twister to consoles in 2023.

There’s no release date, but the plan is for this upgraded re-release (they seem to be purposefully avoiding the word ‘remaster’) to be available on PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

ININ Games doesn’t specify if it will be Switch 1, Switch 2, or both, but either way this will mark the Shenmue series’ debut on Nintendo’s platform.

Aside from improved graphics and performance, Shenmue 3 Enhanced is promising gameplay changes and new options, such as ‘optional stamina system adjustments, health restoration before fights, and reduced money barriers for smoother progression.’

There will also be new accessibility options, like expanded windows for quick time events, the ability to skip cut scenes, and ‘streamlined navigation’, as well as a classic camera mode that’s akin to the original Shenmue games.

What’s more, all the major changes will be an optional toggle, so Shenmue 3 purists can turn them off if they want to.

No footage or screenshots of Shenmue 3 Enhanced have been shared, but ININ has said the game will be ‘officially unveiling at Gamescom 2025,’ meaning there should be a trailer at the Opening Night Live showcase on Tuesday night.

If you already own Shenmue 3 on PlayStation 4 or PC, ININ will offer an upgrade path of some kind, but it hasn’t said if it will be free or if you’ll need to fork over a small fee.

The listed improvements do make it sound like this will be a more optimal way to enjoy Shenmue 3, but it’s too soon to tell if this re-release will improve the game’s reputation with fans.

There’s no explicit mention of dealing with the annoying eating requirements needed to progress (maybe that’s part of the ‘streamlined navigation’) and there’s unfortunately no way to salvage the banal dialogue or the plot, which does very little to progress the series’ overarching storyline.

Perhaps this is to help gauge if there’s still interest in Shenmue. Suzuki has repeatedly said he wants to make Shenmue 4 someday, but there’s been no sign that he has the funding to do so.

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