As of today, Shenmue III backers with capable computers can play a demo version of the upcoming release, which includes a small portion of Bailu Village to explore. The surprise here is that it genuinely looks superb: the long-awaited sequel is every inch the successor to the Dreamcast classic that we’d hoped for, with awkward dialogue and delectable scenery everywhere you turn.

Seriously, the project has really come together in the last few months, and while non-fans may still balk at the floaty camera and cumbersome minigames, we reckon those who grew up with the franchise will get a kick out of certain audio cues and lines of dialogue. The full game’s due out in just a couple of months, and we already can’t wait.

[source youtube.com]