In summer 2015, crowdfunding history was made when Shenmue 3 became the most-funded game on Kickstarter. So how is the long-awaited sequel shaping up one year later? According to series creator and director Yu Suzuki, development has "really taken off" since January of this year, when he and his team at Ys Net created a prototype build.

Suzuki also says that the team has run simple dialogue and combat tests in Unreal Engine 4, and that he's pleased with the progress made thus far. "Battles and facial expressions are coming together, and cheers from the crew are growing," he says in a behind-the-scenes update video. "It makes me feel it will turn out to be a good game."

Unfortunately, our heroes Ryo and Shenhua are nowhere to be seen. So while Suzuki promises that progress is being made, it seems like it's going slowly. Call me a pessimist, but I'm not so sure Suzuki and his crew are going to make their slated December 2017 release window.

Seen something newsworthy? Tell us!