Shenmue 1 - prolonging the main story

I originally wrote this as a reply to someone then thought that it might come in handy for anyone who wants more time to train their moves in game, or for getting high credits in the slot house and didn't realise, didn't know where, or forgot you could stop playing the main story to focus on other things in game.

What this guide is for?

Basically if you want to train more and get loads of capsule toys (for shenmue 2) or for getting high credits in the slot house (to get special capsule toys for bragging rights. lol) then you will need to prolong the main story.

This is just a quick guide on where you can do this.

The Bar QTE

The first would be to not go to see the sailors at the bar and the story will not progress until you do.

These are the last entries in your notebook before the fight








Do not go into the bar after the mini QTE if you want to halt the main story here.

Also pro tip the night you pot the ball in the MJQ bar you can stay out till 4am.

The fight after the QTE bar fight (the free fight in the parking lot)

You can dodge this by not coming from the main street towards the arcade (the trigger is around Komine Bakery)
You can still train in the parking lot or go to the arcade before this fight by approaching from Suzume Park and not the main street.

These are the last entries in your notebook before the fight (including the page before "Charlie will be in Dobuita at night")







Just a picture of "Abe store" and what way you should head towards Dobuita if you want to use the parking lot or arcade but not trigger the fight.







This image is just to show you what way you should not approach the arcade.

The tattoo parlour.

After the free fight in the parking lot you have to find Charlie where you will end up at the tattoo parlour.
If you do not go to the tattoo parlour then again the story will not progress until you do.

These are the possible last entries you get in your notebook before the tattoo parlour scene. Though... if you skip past all the looking and just go straight to the tattoo parlour the owner tells you "to come back tomorrow" and all these entries will not appear and instead the next time you go to the tattoo parlour the cutscene and mini QTE will play.... so obviously don't go till you want to continue.

Don't get the letter translated

Later in the game you receive a letter from Ine San and you will need to get it translated.








Do not visit the Russiya China Shop until you want the story to continue.

Don't go see Master Chen (first time)

If you choose to get the letter translated then after you get the phone number just don't bother ringing Master Chen.

Don't go see Master Chen (mirror time)

If you do go meet Master Chen this time, he explains about Hong Kong and you can't spend any money until after you have bought your boat ticket, you can only train during any free time here.

These will be the last entries in your notebook before you can again halt the main story. (there is also an entry for the gap but by getting that entry you miss all the others on the page before...)

Don't collect your boat ticket

When you pay for your ticket do not go back in 4 hours and just go when you want to.

Getting a job

Later when you have to look for a job don't bother...if you do bother and end up having the cut scene with Goro just don't show up at the Alpha Trading Office until you want to.
Goro will even phone you the first two days to remind you and on the second day you get an entry in your notebook... but nothing will penalise you for not going till you are ready to continue.


This is the last time of true freedom... after you get a job then you are limited.

If you have found the "stab armour" and "mystery" scrolls you can now get them translated by Gui Zhang (only translates one at a time).
You can do this while looking for work or before going to Alpha Trading Office to start work.

Day 2 and 3 of work (pro's and con's)

Day 2 of work can always be redone if you do not go behind warehouse 17 after work.
(The days will continue but the job will stay at day 2.)

Day 3 of work can always be redone if you do not go in front of the harbour cafeteria/tomato store after work.


The pro to being able to redo the same work day (I recommend day 2 so you can still visit harbour tomato store) is if you mess up forklift racing and want to redo races, want to collect multiple forklift trophies, collect loads of capsule toys, loads of food, or loads of drinks for winning cans for raffles at harbour store, then it's all good. You can also train your new moves till 7ish at warehouse number 4.

The con is you can't leave the harbour for the bus to Dobuita till 8:01pm.
(it is possible to catch the 8pm weekday bus if you wait on the edge of the harbour entrance until your clock is just visibly past 8... then run for it. lol. If it's 8pm exactly, Ryo will turn around when you try to leave the harbour and you will miss the bus.)

Not being able to get to Dobuita till 8:30 / 9 pm there isn't much time to spend your money in the arcade or slot house.

Tips

If you want to beat Hang On and Space Harrier's high scores and one credit achievements, rather then prolong the days I reckon it's best to save in the arcade and just reload over and over again until you do it.
This way you could complete it earlier in the game, not lose too much money and not waste days trying.

Slot house is obviously go to Lapis and get your lucky number and keep playing till you win (can sometimes take up to 4 hours game time to win 777 on the machine!) ...it's annoying when your lucky number is a 1 Bet machine though... which I always seem to be getting!. lol





One big pro about prolonging the days is you may end up getting the extra cut scenes that many people miss... also don't forget to phone Nozomi most days too. :)
(for all that don't know you don't have to dial the 0468 for any number)





Also if you do prolong the days REMEMBER to finish the game before April 15th to avoid the bad ending.

[j. fox]

Big thanks, take my points.

I still own the Dreamcast I bought on 9/9/1999 and a disc copy of the game, but no longer a tv to play it on with the standard cables and not enough time to make a few clicks on the internet to resolve this issue, but dammit when I need a shot of nostalgia, I can do it at my own pace with this guide and the Steam release! haha thanks again

[y0LAs]

Thank you! Lots of cool tips!

[El Berl]

Awesome guide!

[WinterzShadow]

thanks. nice pro tips

[VOID]

where can i gamble Harry?

[Harry Mason]

easy money doesn't come around till you can gamble for real money. Then all you need to do is save before and save again if you win, load if you don't.

[gotico gordo]

how to make some easy money? slot machines maybe?