Shenmue 1 and 2 remaster - (X-BOX)

Admin
Mar 29
4 min read

Updated: Apr 14

Shenmue: A Revolutionary Journey of Vengeance

Publisher: SEGA Europe Ltd

Developer: D3T

Also available on: PlayStation, PC

Shenmue follows the story of Ryu, an 18 year old Japanese student and martial artist trying to avenge his fathers death. The original game had ground breaking graphics at the time, an open free roam world (first of its kind) real time weather effects, passage of time that affects the world, QTE's (another first at the time) and shops to buy items from. Even today the graphics don't look that dated, as these have also been given a slightly updated look (more smoother textures and sharper details).

Shenmue 1

Set in a real late 1980s Japan, you start at Ryu's home and can go where you decide. Drawers, cupboards, etc., can be opened, and items can be picked up, examined, or taken. That is true for all places in the massive game world. You have to travel around and ask the locals for information on your quest or where to go next. Every NPC can be spoken to, with nearly all of them having different faces and voice actors, which is very impressive for a game originally made in 1999. Payphones can be used to talk to anyone you have met, provided you also know their number, or you can get a weather forecast. There are many locations to visit; the original game came on four discs because of the size of the world and story.

The Quick Time Events (QTEs), which have you press the corresponding buttons shown on screen, are so good in this game because if you miss a button during a chase, Ryu might fall over, making the chase more difficult. If you keep missing the right button, then the bad guy will eventually get away, but instead of failing the story, it lets you continue with the guy having escaped rather than forcing you to replay it. Only very key events that usually result in Ryu's death force you to replay it, like a Boss QTE. You can practice your martial arts moves in the park or spar in the Dojo, or enjoy playing games in the arcade, gambling, or even play against NPCs in bars with darts, etc.

Ryu has to earn money, though, to be able to buy items and progress through the story. You can earn money from betting or from getting a job at the docks, where you actually have to wait for the bus to arrive and take you there each day (you also have to pay for the rides). Buses will arrive on their scheduled time, and the time passes in a 24-hour cycle albeit faster than real life. As you uncover more clues about who the mysterious killer is, you'll find yourself being targeted and attacked by people and gangs, and you will have to be on watch for these attacks. They can be free mode attacks or QTE-based. There are a lot of martial arts moves to master, and using them will level them up. Any of the things in your backpack that you have picked up or bought will carry over into the second game too.

Good points:

+Graphics don't look too outdated and have been polished some

+Beautiful music and sound effects

+Movie like storyline

+Combat

+Many items can be interacted with

+Long game that originally came in 4 discs due to size

Bad Points:

-QTE's on this version can be difficult to decipher which button to press

-Rare bugs

Grade: A+

Like a martial arts movie that you star in; full of charm and wonder, an amazing game.

Shenmue 2

Carrying the save file into the second game, this is set in China where Ryu continues his journey to search for his father's killer. Right off the boat, you're left to get on with things again and have to talk to the locals for information as in the first game. Money can be spent on maps of the large areas, or on collectibles like Zippo lighters and capsule toys, or on move scrolls. This game is much larger than Shenmue 1, so if you get lost, you can always ask the locals where to go, and some will even offer to take you there. Ryu has to stay in lodgings overnight, and that costs money. Jobs can be acquired to earn money, and there are even more gambling games than in the first game. Martial arts fights and street fights are also a way to earn money. Pawnshops are another source of income in which you can sell any of the collectible capsule toys or full sets of them for even more money. Ryu will meet many new characters along the journey here, including Shenhua, the main female of the series first shown in visions/dreams in the first game. The notebook still keeps track of all the events and clues that you unlocked in the first game leading up to your current situation. The game ended on a cliff-hanger for many years; only recently has Shenmue 3 been released to continue the story.