Extremely Late To The Party: Shenmue 2...
- Thread starter UtadaBarkley
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Die Squirrel Die
Member
Oh no. Another Shenmue thread. I can't not post, but I'm just going to make myself all depressed.
Or maybe not so much. Maybe (probably) I'm being a bit delusional but Shenmue Online has given me hope that the series isn't totally dead. I'm still holding out for a rebirth for the next, most probably PS3 if not multiplatform.
I played through each Shenmue 3 times each, twice on DC for II and once on Xbox and overall I did prefer II to I. II just felt more expansive, refined and action packed than I, although it did feel a little less intimate, which I suppose fits in with Ryo being a stranger in a strange land. I also thought they handled the secondary characters better, giving you a more rounded picture of them. I also thought Wong was handled well given how much I usually hate children and child actors in films, TV shows, games etc.
As for the English dub, I thought II was a considerable step-up from I, although still far from perfect, or even good. I thought all the main characters were at least passable. And given the sheer amount of text to translate and voice overall not a bad job of it.
Or maybe not so much. Maybe (probably) I'm being a bit delusional but Shenmue Online has given me hope that the series isn't totally dead. I'm still holding out for a rebirth for the next, most probably PS3 if not multiplatform.
I played through each Shenmue 3 times each, twice on DC for II and once on Xbox and overall I did prefer II to I. II just felt more expansive, refined and action packed than I, although it did feel a little less intimate, which I suppose fits in with Ryo being a stranger in a strange land. I also thought they handled the secondary characters better, giving you a more rounded picture of them. I also thought Wong was handled well given how much I usually hate children and child actors in films, TV shows, games etc.
As for the English dub, I thought II was a considerable step-up from I, although still far from perfect, or even good. I thought all the main characters were at least passable. And given the sheer amount of text to translate and voice overall not a bad job of it.
Die Squirrel Die
Member
I just realised how many times I typed 'I thought' in my first post.
And for those who thought the book carrying was dull, you should do it while running. Better than any benami game. Well maybe not. But it wasn't all that bad, although I think they could have implemented it a little better.
And I was annoyed that they got rid of the pickups, those were great.
And for those who thought the book carrying was dull, you should do it while running. Better than any benami game. Well maybe not. But it wasn't all that bad, although I think they could have implemented it a little better.
And I was annoyed that they got rid of the pickups, those were great.
Oh yeah, it's not even fun unless you run with the books. Thankfully that only lasted a few days... but I did get so darn good at it.
Yeah, and I was hoping for ONE driving section. Shenmue 1 had 2 (well, one was the terrible motorcycle segment but the forklifts ROCKED) and Shenmue 2 had zero! Was this not AM2?
Yeah, and I was hoping for ONE driving section. Shenmue 1 had 2 (well, one was the terrible motorcycle segment but the forklifts ROCKED) and Shenmue 2 had zero! Was this not AM2?
Die Squirrel Die
Member
By the third playthrough I owned at speed book carrying.
And I suppose there was always the arcades for racing action.
And I suppose there was always the arcades for racing action.
I think the objectives behind the errand runs were more complex and realistic in SMII. Ryo's canvassing through the HK streets taught him to chill out and realize he was absolutely no match against Lan Di at his current skill level and state of mind. I found SMI's simple 'errand runs' throughout a very small neighborhood to be kind of a stretch, and hard to take seriously. As I played through SMI, all I kept thinking was this game's plot and progression was drawn out on purpose.Kiriku said:Yes, there were errand-runs in Shenmue 1 too, but the progress I made in Shenmue 1 felt more relevant to the main story than it did in Shenmue 2.
And the areas in Shenmue 1 were easier for me to navigate through. Probably because the locations often were more distinct in their appearance, and because you stayed in the same place throughout the game rather than having to re-learn a whole new area. Having someone walk you to your destination in Shenmue 2 just shows how much more a detailed map was needed IMO.
And I didn't feel like Ryo tried to interact with people. It's more like he avoided to interact with them in any way possible, while they tried to interact with HIM (see Joy for example).
I didn't find any of the Shenmue 2 characters to be very interesting. Maybe it was because of the horrible voice acting, I dunno...
And Ryo was a total loner in SMI, but he loosened up slightly in part two, when he worked together with Ren and Xiuying and Shenhua. And there were simply better characters in Shenmue II than retards like Tom and Goro, while decent characters like the motorcycle guy, Gui Zhang, Ryo's school friends etc. had too weak of a role in the game to leave a lasting impression on anyone, unlike the characters in SMII. I can't even fathom anyone favoring the characters from SMI to those in SMII, but to each his own.
johnjohnson
Member
Trojan X said:
IAWTP
The Prime Director
Banned
Uh, I got news for you, playing in Japanese wasn't any better. Shenmue was not meant to be played with subtitles. The Xbox version is the better version overall, except for the extra features you get when you put the DC discs in a PC. Vic Ireland obviously isn't a Shenmue fan, so he's not in a position to say anything meaningful about this.
Shenmue series imo is a gem, plain and simple. I can understand those who don't like it but it's one hell of a game and a rare one at that. Not many games put you directly in your character's shoes as much as Shenmue. You really feel like all this is happening to you and I'm always compelled to continue Ryo's quest. It's just a one of a kind series that does that to me. My favorite Xbox game thus far still. And the later half of the game, jeez.
I love those game directors that will do something different from the norm. It's just so refreshing to experience. Yu Suzuki's one of em. It's a real shame more people can't appreciate it. It's a story so well paced too. Stuff like carrying books I thought was an interesting concept. It's about discipline. But I'm sure most just wanted to run around going kung fu on everyone. Personally, the whole mentor/student and learning made the action so damn rewarding when it finally came. By the end I really felt Ryo's progression and becoming an actual threat to Lan Di.
Oh, and on Shenmue 1, that game had me compelled for the entire time it lasted. That winter break was spent eating potato chips and cereal in my boxers close to around the clock. Such a great experience. And how it ended left me going nuts. Then 2 comes along years later and I didn't think the series would be able to grab me again but somehow I was brought right back into the world. Awesome awesome game. And again, one of the best experiences playing a game. Not spent in boxers but quite a few late late nights. My buddy came over to hang out, and this girl who liked me kept trying to get my attention and came over on New Year's, but I wasn't putting the controller down for nobody. Man those were good times.
If they don't make a Shenmue III, it will be one of the biggest wastes in videogames ever. They really need more guys like Yu Suzuki and Hideo Kojima.
I love those game directors that will do something different from the norm. It's just so refreshing to experience. Yu Suzuki's one of em. It's a real shame more people can't appreciate it. It's a story so well paced too. Stuff like carrying books I thought was an interesting concept. It's about discipline. But I'm sure most just wanted to run around going kung fu on everyone. Personally, the whole mentor/student and learning made the action so damn rewarding when it finally came. By the end I really felt Ryo's progression and becoming an actual threat to Lan Di.
Oh, and on Shenmue 1, that game had me compelled for the entire time it lasted. That winter break was spent eating potato chips and cereal in my boxers close to around the clock. Such a great experience. And how it ended left me going nuts. Then 2 comes along years later and I didn't think the series would be able to grab me again but somehow I was brought right back into the world. Awesome awesome game. And again, one of the best experiences playing a game. Not spent in boxers but quite a few late late nights. My buddy came over to hang out, and this girl who liked me kept trying to get my attention and came over on New Year's, but I wasn't putting the controller down for nobody. Man those were good times.
If they don't make a Shenmue III, it will be one of the biggest wastes in videogames ever. They really need more guys like Yu Suzuki and Hideo Kojima.
Wait. You mean that you have to be a fan of a game to comment on it? News to me...I thought that all you had to play the game(s) and then, being human, you would/should have an opinion. Just because mine doesn't match yours doesn't mean it's right/wrong. It's just different. And it's pretty hard to deny that the audio clips of Shenmue II are pretty bad. It's the #5 most viewed game entry. On a site all about bad dubbing, it's not a good sign to be top 5.
Did you really like boring tasks like the book airing? Things like that made me hate the sequel.
This thread is really taking me back to all the amazing parts of 2. I'm reliving the last boss battle in my mind right now complete with the music. I just remember thinking, "HOLY CRAP!" and having to try to fight with my jaw totally hanging open.
Man I gotta reschedule in some Shenmue 2 time after I finish off the current Winter bumper crop of games.
Man I gotta reschedule in some Shenmue 2 time after I finish off the current Winter bumper crop of games.
Alex Anderson
Member
Vic Ireland saying something negative about SEGA? No way.
Anyway, stick with Shenmue 2. If you liked Shenmue 1, you'll love Shenmue 2. It's much bigger in terms of map area and there's much more to do. It has very memorable characters and the game's climax may be my favorite scene in videogaming. It's a shame they didn't leave the Japanese audio track in the game, though. Lishao Tao's English voice actor is horrible in capturing the personality of the character.
Anyway, stick with Shenmue 2. If you liked Shenmue 1, you'll love Shenmue 2. It's much bigger in terms of map area and there's much more to do. It has very memorable characters and the game's climax may be my favorite scene in videogaming. It's a shame they didn't leave the Japanese audio track in the game, though. Lishao Tao's English voice actor is horrible in capturing the personality of the character.
Mega Man's Electric Sheep
Member
vireland said:
Just checked out the audio clips.
Ryo: "Can you help me?"
Lobotomized passerby: "I don't know!"
Ryo: "I..........understand." :lol
I loved Shenmue 1 when I first played it. Still like it quite a bit. Shenmue 2 was just mindblowing...probably my favourite non-racing game ever. In both games I felt like I was living in their world, so completely sucked into both games that I had dreams about both games for several nights. Very few games have grabbed me in that way...Panzer Saga, Flashback, Fate of Atlantis and Wing Commander 2 are about the only ones I can think of.
Some say that Shenmue 2's vast size and akwardness in terms of knowing where to go was a negative, but I saw that as a strength. In Shenmue 1 Ryo knows those surroundings since he's lived there all his life. In Shenmue 2 he's in a completely different country for the first time, and anytime you go somewhere new you're gonna be a little overwhelmed by the differences and what's going on. I wish the two games had been one as was originally intended, as it would've made that contrast all the more clear. Plus the Shenmue 1 portion would've been heavily streamlined.
As for Shenmue 3, I'll always maintain that it'll show up on XBox 2. If Sega's gonna bother with freaking Shenmue Online, I see no reason not to put out a third game in the series. The R&D was already done years ago, so the major costs would come from new console start up development and voice acting.
Some say that Shenmue 2's vast size and akwardness in terms of knowing where to go was a negative, but I saw that as a strength. In Shenmue 1 Ryo knows those surroundings since he's lived there all his life. In Shenmue 2 he's in a completely different country for the first time, and anytime you go somewhere new you're gonna be a little overwhelmed by the differences and what's going on. I wish the two games had been one as was originally intended, as it would've made that contrast all the more clear. Plus the Shenmue 1 portion would've been heavily streamlined.
As for Shenmue 3, I'll always maintain that it'll show up on XBox 2. If Sega's gonna bother with freaking Shenmue Online, I see no reason not to put out a third game in the series. The R&D was already done years ago, so the major costs would come from new console start up development and voice acting.
lachesis
Member
Well, I am an avid fan of the series - but I have to admit that its getting old. However, it's 3-4 year old engine, and it is indeed showing its age quite a bit - especially compared to more recent games. The interface could use a bit more of face-lift and ironing out, but I am asking for an old, already existing game to change. At the time of playing the game few years ago, I didn't notice much inconvenience. Then again, when I go back to last gen's games, I find things even worse. (heck, I'm playing Zelda OOT, some uphold the game as the best game ever, these days, and I'm feeling the same thing regarding control/response time/framerate and all.) I guess the technology is really taking up my preference here, but on the other side, its a good thing that games are getting better every year.
Anyhow, as for the game itself - I really love the game, its atmosphere and all - and it really does sadden me that we won't see next chapter for quite some time. And no, I am not too excited about online version either. If you just play the game and try not to compare with more recent games in terms of graphics and presentation and all - you've got a tripple A title with very little shortcoming - sans horrible voice acting. JP DC, while it had some minor bugs - was the best due to its voice acting, especially for Yuan. However, Euro DC with subtitle and changed Yuan's voice is pretty good too. Xbox version is better and smoother in terms of graphics - but has horrible voice acting - but you probably heard many times...
I would love to see Shenmue 3 and at least see the end of the story. However.. with recent termoil within Sega, I highly doubt....
lachesis
Anyhow, as for the game itself - I really love the game, its atmosphere and all - and it really does sadden me that we won't see next chapter for quite some time. And no, I am not too excited about online version either. If you just play the game and try not to compare with more recent games in terms of graphics and presentation and all - you've got a tripple A title with very little shortcoming - sans horrible voice acting. JP DC, while it had some minor bugs - was the best due to its voice acting, especially for Yuan. However, Euro DC with subtitle and changed Yuan's voice is pretty good too. Xbox version is better and smoother in terms of graphics - but has horrible voice acting - but you probably heard many times...
I would love to see Shenmue 3 and at least see the end of the story. However.. with recent termoil within Sega, I highly doubt....
lachesis
There's an appeal to the Shenmue series that's a lot like the hobby of miniatures: the fascination with recreating mini, life-like scenes out of little model trains, houses, people, towns, etc. Just exploring the extent of detail to which the world and its inhabitants are realized is engrossing, with a society of distinct characters each given backstories, families, and life routines. This fills the experience with unique moments when trying to test the limits of suspended disbelief, such as managing to stay out passed curfew and the assumed end of the game's day-night cycle and discovering that the town still operates beyond midnight and even has nocturnal workers close up shop and walk to their homes eventually.
C'mon. Not fair...or balanced. O'Reilly would be shocked!
For the record, I've had plenty of good things to say about SEGA, on balance more than the negative things I've said. The tipping point was when SEGA seemed dead-set on running the company into oblivion. The fanboys were really after me when I posted "lies" about SEGA getting out of hardware and had licensed games like Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5, and others out to PS2 while still publicly insisting they hadn't. Look back...uh, all of it was right...because it was the truth. Fanboys of the time could wish and dream it was all a lie, but I was just trying to let people know they were heading down a dead end street.
I still love many things about SEGA (many of my favorite games as a player and publisher are FROM SEGA), but there's no denying they have made a terrible mess of things relative to where they were in the early 90s. The $60 Million blown on Shenmue would have easily financed 6-10 high profile games that together would easily have sold more than both chapters of SMI-II combined. Was it an interesting experiment? Yes, but not one worth $60 Million. How much has SoJ/SoA lost? I stopped counting at what? 500 Million?
Many of the great SEGA teams and franchises are simply gone or horribly diluted now. It's really messed up, but I just hope they can get it together to make more games like Dragon Force, Sonic (no, REAL sonic), Phantasy Star, Golden Axe (not ages, but a real update with cinemas like the PC-Engine CD Death Adder version!), and the Panzer Dragoon RPG. I'm ALL about a SEGA software revival! I'd even play Shenmue 3 just to see what happens, but give Yu a solid budget this side of the universe this time. They can't blow another 60mil on another chapter or two.
Alex Anderson
Member
Yep, it wasn't fair. It was bait Me so sorry!
But I do own Silhouette Mirage for PS1. And its case is shiny \
/
Me so sorry!But I do own Silhouette Mirage for PS1. And its case is shiny \
/UtadaBarkley
Member
Damn you guys love this game... I was thinking about puttin it down, but the amount of praise the game gets in here will make me continue... This better be good! (the ending) I loved Shenmue 1's ending.. I loved the character's, I loved everything about the game, but that was several years ago. My patience isn't nearly as great as it was back then... 
SEGA-Related Silhouette Mirage trivia factoid: The Japanese PS version of SM has all its movies degraded because it was recompressed Cinepak. Apparantely no one in Japan noticed the nasty Cinepak "signature" on the movies and realized that they weren't working with the source, so it was sent out to market with PS-recompressed Cinepak movies. When we did the US version, I noticed the telltale sig and had them search for the source data so the US version could have decent-looking movies. Big difference if you look at them side-by-side.
JeffDowns said:Damn you guys love this game... I was thinking about puttin it down, but the amount of praise the game gets in here will make me continue... This better be good! (the ending) I loved Shenmue 1's ending.. I loved the character's, I loved everything about the game, but that was several years ago. My patience isn't nearly as great as it was back then...
If you loved Shenmue 1 then you just have to love Shenmue 2.. it's just better.
BlackClouds
Member
I've always thought of Shenmue as an rpg series made for people who absolutely hate traditional rpg's (like me). Glad to see some positive remarks about Shenmue 2. Just played it the other day on my HDTV and I think it more than holds up to newer games. It's the reason why Ninja Gaiden's environments failed to impress me that much (the game shines with the various characters and bosses in the game, imo).
Now. far as the book airing, I'd probably not like it that much if that wasn't important to the character development of Ryo. It's one of the aspects of the game that really attracted me to the game, the Japanese/Asian culture. I suspect the reason why much of the game is slower paced because everything serious in Japan is slow paced. I have never seen a serious Japanese movie that wasn't laid back in pacing. I'm pretty sure there's a word for it,
Now. far as the book airing, I'd probably not like it that much if that wasn't important to the character development of Ryo. It's one of the aspects of the game that really attracted me to the game, the Japanese/Asian culture. I suspect the reason why much of the game is slower paced because everything serious in Japan is slow paced. I have never seen a serious Japanese movie that wasn't laid back in pacing. I'm pretty sure there's a word for it,
BlackClouds said:
I guess you are onto something there. I too absolutely despise RPG`s but the Shenmue games, especially 2, is one of my absolute favourite games. Depressing to think about all the work they have put into the Shenmue games, yet most people have never even heard of it, much less played them. :/
I havent played the Xbox version though, only the DC one with subs.
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