Shenmue 1 & 2 Reviews
The first two Shenmue games are undeniably very important, but they fall just short of being great. They are undeniably unique, even all these years after their release, and the best thing that can be said about them is that they are interesting. It is a really fun world the games put forward, and it is great to explore and figure out where to go and what to do next. At the same time, though, they don't necessarily play that well, and they show their age in a lot of unfortunate ways. This is definitely more of an acquired taste, and it is probably best to say that these are better experiences than they are video games. They're worth checking out, particularly for someone that has fond memories of them on the Dreamcast, but be warned that there are some warts that need to be looked past before you dive in headfirst.
Shenmue I and II are clearly games of their time, and many newcomers will find it hard to understand the fascination of these games. But for me it was a celebration of joy to to stroll again through the dreamy streets of Yokosuka, or to fight my way through a skyscraper in Hong Kong. Sure, the 18-year-old hothead Ryo sometimes steers himself like a tank, and yes, the story has its lengths and the presentation its weaknesses. Nevertheless, todays games rarely offer such an atmosphere, credibility, immersion and charm. Shenmue I & II ultimately became exactly what I wanted it to be: A worthy remaster for fans.
Review in German | Read full review
If you're looking forward to Shenmue III, this is the perfect time to brush up on the series.
Yes, it looks a little shiner and it is of course the first time the two games have been available as a collection on a console that isn't the Dreamcast (Shenmue II was ported to the original Xbox) but if you have never played these games before, expect a little resistance. It may also be worth holding on a little while and picking it up in an inevitable future sale. Alternatively, if these do not sound like your cup of tea it may be worth taking a look at the Yakuza 0/Kiwami games as these seem to be the natural advancement of Shenmue, with many considering them to be representative of what would have been if Shenmue had been able to continue as a franchise.
Shenmue I & II are great games for Dreamcast, but not for modern consoles. Let them rest.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
If looking for a simple port, as well as a bundle of the Shenmue duology, you are in for a treat, despite the fact that the enhancements of this version are underwhelming. Those expecting an action-adventure that is as good as it is popular, though, get ready for a rude awakening, because, nostalgia, and pioneering innovations aside, this just isn't fun anymore.
Shenmue I and II on PlayStation 4 is a great way to enjoy two classics from the Dreamcast era that many players probably never got a chance to play back in the day.
Shenmue I & II collects Sega's classic open-world games and gives them modern touches. The titles feature fun combat and quirky humor, but they also suffer jarring pacing issues.
Shenmue 2 is an excellent continuation of not only Ryo Hazuki's story, but also showing the evolution of open-world adventure RPGs around the turn of the century. Shenmue 1 & 2 paved the way for so many other greats; Dragon Age: Origins, Grand Theft Auto IV and V, Demon's Souls/Dark Souls, and even the Tomb Raider reboots. Though they may not have necessarily pioneered some of the now-standard aspects of gaming, Shenmue 1 & 2 showed that abrasive functions like the QTE or that open-world aspect of "alive" worlds. With Shenmue 1 & 2's rerelease, gamers of all ages can experience a cult classic that deserved for more exposure than it received. Now, with it releasing on common platforms, Shenmue 1 & 2 has a larger audience than ever before, and those that decide to follow Ryo's story will be richly rewarded.
After years of waiting, Sega finally delivered the Shenmue experience we deserve. Although it's clunky and a little dated, the series holds up incredibly well after nearly 20 years.
Fans of the Shenmue series place the games on a pedestal reserved for the gaming greats, heralding it as one of the greatest things to ever happen in the industry. In a sense, this isn’t incorrect; for all its faults, Shenmue blazed a trail that many amazing games would go on to follow. Its ideas at the time weren’t just novel but borderline revolutionary, and its reputation in that sense is well deserved. That said, the games have aged incredibly poorly, and by modern standards, they are downright terrible to play for a multitude of reasons. A slow and dull story, clunky controls, more forced waiting than an MMORPG, and any other number of design elements that haven’t aged well. Effectively, they’re an essential part of gaming history, but they aren’t fun to play. For new players coming into the Shenmue series on nothing but recommendations alone, temper your expectations with the understanding that “cornerstone” in this industry does not automatically mean “classic.”
It is a good modern version that works to visually upgrade the game while preserving the original Dreamcast version and will attract both old and new fans, but it is not without flaws.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
When it comes down to it all though? Shenmue I & II are fantastic and must plays. The character designs, the efforts into the locations, the various gameplay systems from the QTEs which are actually good to the Free-Fighting system that is among the best that I’ve ever tried. All of it, comes together so well that it’s sad to think that it was a commercial flop and that it took this long for the series to come out to KickStarter in order to once again see the light of day. I’m quite looking forward to the third once it finally arrives. Check out PY's Part 1: http://www.chalgyr.com/2018/09/Review-PS4-Shenmue-1-2-Part1.html
If it weren't for some technical aspects and mechanics held back by their age, Shenmue would be easy to recommend to just about anyone. So long as Shenmue 3 really adapts itself for the modern gamer while still remaining Shenmue at its core, it could be something incredibly special. After hearing about this series for so long (both through praise and criticism), I can safely say I am a believer in Shenmue and can't wait to play 3 next year.
Discover the magic of Shenmue and find out why these games are so beloved by fans
Shenmue I & II is a great way to revisit gaming history from the past. The games were so far ahead of what was in the industry at the time focusing on a fully open world and finding ways to integrate you into it. I have heard from several game designers in interviews about how this game made them want to design games and infomred how there current products are being created. The voice work sounds dated and the contorls even with modern upgrades still don't feel great either, but this is a second chance to play gaming history. Don't miss out on it and get caught up before the Trilogy ends next year with Shenmue III.
When compared to other games that received the proper remaster treatment by Sega, Shenmue 1 & 2 HD doesn't shine with its minimalist rework for the new console generation.
This Shenmue 2 is a title that borders on excellence, but once again we find the immense obstacle of a remastering that has failed to live up to the legend.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shenmue is game that truly becomes captivating because of the experience and the story that surrounds itself with mystery. For those without the patience, the progression may not be what others are looking for, but I think more story-heavy games should incorporate that kind of steady build-up that balances with timely action sequences that makes it feel a little less linear than it actually is.
As antiquated as they may be by today’s standards, Shenmue 1 and 2 are classic and impressively forward-thinking games that overcome their technical issues with their epic stories and charming characters. They certainly aren’t perfect, but this well-made collection proves that they’re definitely worth revisiting.