Shenmue 1 & 2 Reviews
Yu Suzuki's classics remain as unique and fascinating today as they ever were, if you can tolerate the painfully slow pacing and wooden dialogue.
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
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.
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.
If you're looking forward to Shenmue III, this is the perfect time to brush up on the series.
A carefully conserved milestone of the medium, inviting to a fascinating journey through time to the beginnings of modern game design.
Review in German | Read full review
An couple of outstanding adventures almost 20 years ago that are coming almost untouched... That's a good and a bad thing at the same time. If you are an old school gamer that's looking for reliving the original experience it's perfect, but the games are getting old to be as entertaining as they were.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Shenmue is still a great game. A masterpiece in art direction. It's emotions,
Review in Italian | Read full review
A no brainer for fans of classic gaming. It hasn't aged well in some facets and the port is a bit lazy, but it still offers an unique experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Despite the technical issues with the game, it still a great gaming experience and worth the try
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Shenmue I & II brings the Dreamcast classics to a new audience as well as those nostalgic for the old days. They are still fun, exciting games even with a few quirks due to their age and are well worth playing in 2018.
Shenmue and Shenmue 2 have never looked or felt this good. Experience these unmissable classics in the best way possible.
Despite a lack of optimization in needed areas and some aspects of both games that haven't aged very well, this collection presents a good excuse to jump back into Shenmue 1 and 2, both of which remain inherently engaging games even today.