Shenmue 3 Delayed Into 2019

Shenmue III has been delayed. The highly anticipated new installment in Yu Suzuki's beloved series was originally slated to release for PS4 and PC later this year, but publisher Deep Silver has announced that the game has now been pushed back into 2019.

According to Deep Silver, the delay is to give the development team more time to further refine the game. In an update on its website, the publisher said, "The extra time will be used to polish the quality of the game even further, to the high standards it deserves and release the product in the best possible timeframe."

The delay doesn't come as much of a surprise; despite being slated to launch in 2018, we've heard and seen little of Shenmue III thus far. A recent batch of screenshots showcased some improved character models, which were criticized for looking stiff and emotionless in the game's first teaser trailer.

Shenmue III was first announced during Sony's E3 2015 press conference. A Kickstarter campaign launched shortly after the title was revealed, and it would go on to become the most-backed video game in Kickstarter history, raising more than $6.3 million from nearly 70,000 backers.

While we may have to wait longer to see where Ryo's journey takes him, fans will soon have a chance to relive the previous two installments in the series. Sega recently announced it is releasing a Shenmue I & II collection on PS4, Xbox One, and PC later this year. Sega says the package features "fully scalable screen resolution, choice of modern or classic control schemes, PC graphics options, an updated user interface, and the option to enjoy either the original Japanese or English voiceovers."