>>717674174
Because in the case of Shenmue 1, the game world feels alive regardless of whether you're in it, the world exists without you. Where NPC's have routines and feel like they actually are living their lives in this world as you are just passing through. They don't just spawn in because you're there too, they are following another script that is independent from yours. This idea is still so advanced that it has rarely been in games since. A few that come to mind that touch on it a little is games like Deadly Premonition and Shadows of Doubt. And perhaps STALKER's A-LIFE system is a different version of said idea, i still don't think RDR2 was anywhere near the same idea. Every NPC you see in Shenmue has a backstory, there is no random NPCs. They all have friends, places to be, and homes to go to. Follow an NPC around for a full day and you'll see this quite clearly.