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Intro  Years
in production and millions of dollars later, Yu Suzuki's opus of revenge and mysticism
set in the 1980's was realized in the first installment of Shenmue. Since then,
European and Japanese gamers were treated to the sequel, while North American
gamers had to wait, and salivate, at the import reviews and screenshots. Tacking
on a few extra months in development, Shenmue II has been released on the Xbox,
and despite some slacking in the porting department, the sequel manages to surpass
the original in all regards and make itself one of the finest games to date.Gameplay: 9/10 Shenmue was a benchmark title. There is no other way to put it; even if someone wasn't fond of the game's pacing, the quicktime events, or some other aspect, they had to respect just how immersive the game was. Past offerings like Daggerfall were dwarfed by Shenmue's crowded streets, bustling populace, and fully realized markets that could be entered and perused at the player's leisure. Those who stuck with the game found the fairly generic plot of a boy (Ryo Hazuki) seeking revenge to be much more than what it appeared on the surface. A mysterious mirror, dreams of unknown women, a murder plot, and daily life all played a huge role in making Shenmue a unique experience that blended the imaginative world of gaming with the mundane tasks of everyday life. For those who loved the original, Shenmue II is more of the same, but in a more refined format and presented in a more balanced manner. There's less dry spells with more action, mini games, stores, people, and fighting. Not everything has been improved though, and there are still those unfortunate following sequences where the player must slow their pace down to that of a snail and follow an NPC to a certain destination. What doesn't sound like much is really a pain as it bogs down the game's pacing and is just plain boring. Helping to alleviate some of that boredom are more frequent quicktime events. For the unfamiliar, these are pre-scripted actions that require the player to press a button whenever it flashes on the screen -- think Dragon's Lair timing sequences. However, in this sequel, they are better implemented and act as a solid enhancement to the gameplay, rather than as curious oddities. The classic fighting engine makes a return as these sequences have been beefed up, which is great news since they were so memorable in the first. The fast pacing isn't the only reason that Shenmue II is good: it's really about the game's story. After leaving Japan for Hong Kong in the first, players find themselves exiting the boat at the beginning of this sequel and venturing off to find out more about the fabled Phoenix Mirror and to track down the murderous Lan Di. If this sounds unfamiliar, that's alright; some weren't able to play the first, and to see that nobody is lost, a DVD of the original is included that summarizes what happened by showing the cutscenes. This is a great idea, and for those who enjoyed the original, it's a great refresher and nostalgia piece. This land isn't like home though, as Hong Kong is huge and the player will be traversing more ground than they could've imagined. To guide themselves through the maze of streets, there are maps that can be purchased and marked, thanks to Ryo's trusty color pencils, which act as reminders. He won't be alone in these dangerous streets alone though: newcomers Joy and Wuying Ren are also there to add their own twist to the story and help Ryo find the answers he needs. Like the real world, there are responsibilities. Ryo can't go gallivanting off on adventures anytime he feels like it: he still needs a place to live and he still needs to earn money to pay for said place. Yes, the trivial tasks of carrying books, playing the host on street corner games, and gambling will all be needed to pay rent. There's also the importance of sleep, which acts as saving, and recreation - thank you arcade! The emulated Sega classics from the original return, but now gamers can partake in Outrun and Afterburner; these can also be played separately via the main menu. These will all seem familiar to fans of the original, but those jumping into the story now will find themselves a little confused as Shenmue is unlike any other game. It
is part detective story, part love story, part action story, part RPG, part FREE;
it's a mixture of styles, genres, everything. That's what makes the game so great
and that's also why some people couldn't get into it. The plodding pace is still
there, and although it has been much improved over the original, it can still
be daunting for newcomers and even a bit much for fans as well. There are still
some parts that will drag on and on, and some that make little sense. In the end,
though, this is a fine piece of storytelling and it's a fantastic combination
of elements that come together to make a unique title that will last far beyond
its contemporaries, if it even has any, and stands as a solid means of how gaming
really is an art. Graphics:
8.5/10 Sound: 8/10 The
music fares much better with the variety and tone like those found in the original.
There's nothing like walking down the street and hearing the cluttering and movement
of cars, people, bikes, then walking into a store and hearing Muzak as the sound
of the door closing is heard from behind. There's also the epic overtures that
fit the scope of the game and bring a lot of emotion. Exceptional all-around,
the music is a key factor in conveying such a convincing atmosphere and it's treated
in the same manner as the game itself. Control:
8.5/10 Overall:
9/10 However, given all the enhancements and the increased action, not to mention that the story really kicks into high gear, it very may well be enough to convert some over. For players who are looking for something that's unique and requires more from them than most titles, it's time to sit down with a chilled two-liter of your favorite beverage, some snacks, and that Members Only jacket; it's time to go back into the 80's and relive one of the greatest stories yet to be told. [ top ] | |||
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