‘Shenmue III’ will get its first DLC ‘Battle Rally’ on January 21.

Image Source/ Bang Showbiz

Deep Silver and YS Net Inc. announced the release date this week and shared some more details about what fans of the action-adventure game can expect, including Wuying Ren and main “hero” Ryo Hazuki’s sparring partner, Wei Zhen, become playable characters.

As per a press release, ‘Battle Rally’ “offers fresh gaming activities in a race unlike any other, as contestants engage in head to head battles whilst racing their way through the course.

“Furthermore, for the first time in ‘Shenmue III’ players will have the chance to step into the shoes of another protagonist!

“In addition to playing the hero of our story Ryo Hazuki, players can also choose the treasure-seeking Wuying Ren and making her first appearance in this game, Ryo’s sparring partner, Wei Zhen.”

The DLC pack comes with a price tag of £6.49 ($8.48) and will be available to purchase individually from the day of release through the Sony Store and Epic Game Store.

Meanwhile, ‘Shenmue’ creator Yu Suzuki previously vowed to continue the franchise.

After the third title, the follow-up to the 1999 action-adventure game ‘Shenmue’ and its 2001 sequel, was finally released after a series of delays last year, Suzuki promised fans they can expect a fourth instalment and vowed to “never give up” trying to “complete its story”.

In a thank you letter to fans, he wrote:

“For as long as there are those who wish to see Shenmue live on, I will never give up on my own personal journey to complete its story.

“As with Shenmue 3, the Shenmue story is with you.

“I sincerely hope that, together, we can continue to spin the tale of Ryo and his adventures in Shenmue 4. (sic)”

‘Shenmue’ features Chinese martial arts fighting, but the protagonist, Ryo, isn’t the only one involved.

As well as the main gameplay, there are mini games in the form of fan-favourites, Lucky Hit, forklift truck racing, Excite QTE, and toy capsules.

Its sequel was released for the Dreamcast in Europe and Japan in 2001, but was ported to the original Xbox the following year.

Both games put players in the role of Ryo, who is on a quest to avenge his father’s death and ultimately uncover the secret behind a mysterious relic known as the Dragon Mirror.

The titles are renowned for their impressive open world, deep battle system.

‘Shenmue III’ became Kickstarter’s most-funded video game ever, raising $7.1 million.