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As you are all well-aware, the incredible and unique experience that is Shenmue II is set to make its way to the Microsoft X-Box, courtesy of Yu Suzuki and SEGA's AM2 one again, but with graphics that are bigger and better than before, with a lot-less 'slowdown' - hopefully. Better yet, we're all hoping for English speech to feature on all 4 of the Game Discs, rather than only on some of Disc 4, while Japanese voice actors are used to make the experience feel even more... 'oriental'.
Further-more, this game currently named "Shenmue 2x" will be the first and only Shenmue game released on Bill Gates' money-box, meaning that X-Box owners who have not played the prequel ("Shenmue)" to this game's identical brother on the Dreamcast, will not have any first-hand Gaming Experience of the original Shenmue hit which lead-us-on and set-us-up nicely for one of THE greatest RPG's ever created.
But while Shenmue 2x will be without the Playing Experience of the start of the adventure, anyone who doesn't have a clue will still be able to see what they've missed and need to know in a 90-minute DVD of the orignal game known-as "Shenmue: The Movie". So there's no real reason for any X-Box owner to say "No.".
After playing both the orignal Shenmue and having almost completed the sequel, on the Dreamcast, I can't help but think that by giving X-Box owners the first-game as a DVD Movie is not perhaps the best option to really get them ready for what awaits them in the main game. After playing through-it myself, I feel that it is a neccesity for all gamers who wish to entice in Shenmue 2x.
However, many Shenmue critics who have not even really given the first game a chance believe this is the best way to experience Shenmue before the second one.
But what do they know when they haven't even played it??
And what do you guys, as SEGA and Shenmue fans who have played the game, think about this?
By not playing the original, in my view, you miss-out on quite a lot if you've never played Shenmue before as you prepare yourself for the 2nd installment.
Well, for a start i'd have to say that you are totally un-prepared!
One thing that really grabs people in Shenmue is the Fighting, and how you can play it and don't only have to watch some brilliant character movements. In Shenmue, as Roy Hazuki, you find yourself envolved in a number of different Fights. Some are against just one, tough opponent, others see you up-against a whole group of Martial Artists! If you haven't played-through all-these yourself then you'll probably really feel lost in the second adventure when you are first pitted-up-against some of the greatest fighters Hong Kong has to offer. You won't have a clue about how to perform those killer-moves Ryo learnt in the past, you won't know what to expect from those skillfull opponents, and you just won't be on the path to realising your powers-within anytime soon. It'll take you a lot longer to complete it, and you'll become more frustrated because of it, without that 'Shenmue Experience'.
Did you honestly know what a QTE was BEFORE you played Shenmue?
Neither did I. And I doubt that many other people knew much about it either.
What would you think when you saw a big round "A" pop-up in the middle of the screen, or maybe a Directional Arrow... what would you do??
Very-few gamers actually read the manuals now to see what a game's all-about - especially when it's a sequel you've just spent £40-odd on.
Nobodoy can be good or even brilliant at anything without prior first-hand experience.
If Footballers like Wayne Rooney didn't practice hard throughout the youth ranks then they'd never make it all the way to the top, scoring blinders to end Arsenal un-beaten run. You can never win "Employee of the Month" unless you've learnt a lot from your job during the past few months and know how you can achieve your potential.
And Ryo Hazuki simply wouldn't have been able to succeed in battle without years of practice and guidance from his murdered father, Iwao.
The fact is that you NEED to play the original Shenmue if you want to get the best out-of the second one. Even if it does mean you have to buy a brand-new Dreamcast and scower the golbe for a copy of this game... You'll understand the whole adventure and stroyline a whole-lot-better after experiencing it first-hand.
I believe the critics are very-wrong, and that SEGA are failing already as 3rd Party Developers by releasing Shenmue II on the X-Box without even a playable Demo of the original for Bill Gates' mindless slaves.
They may have given the X-Box something else besides just Halo with the likes of Jet Set Radio Future and SEGA GT already, but for the first time in a very-long time (if not EVER), I have to admit that SEGA and Yu Suzuki are making a HUGE mistake here.
Not everyone has played Shenmue, you know. I only got around it this summer. And I know many-other non-Dreamcast owners who won't buy the console just for one or two games when they could have an X-Box, PS2 or GameCube.
No matter how you look at it, SEGA would profit more financially with the release of the original Shenmue on the X-Box also - even if it was part of a box set titled "Shenmue" - with Shenmue II included.
For a company that has blessed-us with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage over the years, this just isn't like SEGA to make a big-mistake.
Further-more, this game currently named "Shenmue 2x" will be the first and only Shenmue game released on Bill Gates' money-box, meaning that X-Box owners who have not played the prequel ("Shenmue)" to this game's identical brother on the Dreamcast, will not have any first-hand Gaming Experience of the original Shenmue hit which lead-us-on and set-us-up nicely for one of THE greatest RPG's ever created.
But while Shenmue 2x will be without the Playing Experience of the start of the adventure, anyone who doesn't have a clue will still be able to see what they've missed and need to know in a 90-minute DVD of the orignal game known-as "Shenmue: The Movie". So there's no real reason for any X-Box owner to say "No.".
After playing both the orignal Shenmue and having almost completed the sequel, on the Dreamcast, I can't help but think that by giving X-Box owners the first-game as a DVD Movie is not perhaps the best option to really get them ready for what awaits them in the main game. After playing through-it myself, I feel that it is a neccesity for all gamers who wish to entice in Shenmue 2x.
However, many Shenmue critics who have not even really given the first game a chance believe this is the best way to experience Shenmue before the second one.
But what do they know when they haven't even played it??
And what do you guys, as SEGA and Shenmue fans who have played the game, think about this?
By not playing the original, in my view, you miss-out on quite a lot if you've never played Shenmue before as you prepare yourself for the 2nd installment.
Well, for a start i'd have to say that you are totally un-prepared!
One thing that really grabs people in Shenmue is the Fighting, and how you can play it and don't only have to watch some brilliant character movements. In Shenmue, as Roy Hazuki, you find yourself envolved in a number of different Fights. Some are against just one, tough opponent, others see you up-against a whole group of Martial Artists! If you haven't played-through all-these yourself then you'll probably really feel lost in the second adventure when you are first pitted-up-against some of the greatest fighters Hong Kong has to offer. You won't have a clue about how to perform those killer-moves Ryo learnt in the past, you won't know what to expect from those skillfull opponents, and you just won't be on the path to realising your powers-within anytime soon. It'll take you a lot longer to complete it, and you'll become more frustrated because of it, without that 'Shenmue Experience'.
Did you honestly know what a QTE was BEFORE you played Shenmue?
Neither did I. And I doubt that many other people knew much about it either.
What would you think when you saw a big round "A" pop-up in the middle of the screen, or maybe a Directional Arrow... what would you do??
Very-few gamers actually read the manuals now to see what a game's all-about - especially when it's a sequel you've just spent £40-odd on.
Nobodoy can be good or even brilliant at anything without prior first-hand experience.
If Footballers like Wayne Rooney didn't practice hard throughout the youth ranks then they'd never make it all the way to the top, scoring blinders to end Arsenal un-beaten run. You can never win "Employee of the Month" unless you've learnt a lot from your job during the past few months and know how you can achieve your potential.
And Ryo Hazuki simply wouldn't have been able to succeed in battle without years of practice and guidance from his murdered father, Iwao.
The fact is that you NEED to play the original Shenmue if you want to get the best out-of the second one. Even if it does mean you have to buy a brand-new Dreamcast and scower the golbe for a copy of this game... You'll understand the whole adventure and stroyline a whole-lot-better after experiencing it first-hand.
I believe the critics are very-wrong, and that SEGA are failing already as 3rd Party Developers by releasing Shenmue II on the X-Box without even a playable Demo of the original for Bill Gates' mindless slaves.
They may have given the X-Box something else besides just Halo with the likes of Jet Set Radio Future and SEGA GT already, but for the first time in a very-long time (if not EVER), I have to admit that SEGA and Yu Suzuki are making a HUGE mistake here.
Not everyone has played Shenmue, you know. I only got around it this summer. And I know many-other non-Dreamcast owners who won't buy the console just for one or two games when they could have an X-Box, PS2 or GameCube.
No matter how you look at it, SEGA would profit more financially with the release of the original Shenmue on the X-Box also - even if it was part of a box set titled "Shenmue" - with Shenmue II included.
For a company that has blessed-us with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage over the years, this just isn't like SEGA to make a big-mistake.
Try:
www.classicvideogames.co.uk
They have it for £34.99 (+p&p) Brand New.
That's where I got my copy.
Only problem is that it's the original PAL version with Japanese speech.
www.classicvideogames.co.uk
They have it for £34.99 (+p&p) Brand New.
That's where I got my copy.
Only problem is that it's the original PAL version with Japanese speech.
Doesnt SR have it?
Unfortunatley I wouldnt sell my copy for the world.
Unfortunatley I wouldnt sell my copy for the world.
well guys id love the opportunity to actually play shenmue 2 but i cant find a copy anywhere! anyone out there wanna share the "experience" with me?
eg sell me a copy of the game!!!!
great posts on this topic by the way.
eg sell me a copy of the game!!!!
great posts on this topic by the way.
I don't think that could be too-far-off from the truth actually...
In the 2 Shenmue games you've always been able to interact-with the surrounding enviroment and everything that is going on around you - pretty much. It helps to make the game quite personal and exclusive to you.
With the abillities to change his appearence this would only help things further and really help give the Shenmue series the kick it may need.
In the 2 Shenmue games you've always been able to interact-with the surrounding enviroment and everything that is going on around you - pretty much. It helps to make the game quite personal and exclusive to you.
With the abillities to change his appearence this would only help things further and really help give the Shenmue series the kick it may need.
Solskjær wrote:
> That's interesting... But bad for me as a GameCube owner.
> But isn't the PS2 also getting its own Hard Drive to support its
> on-line plans? And the same could possibly happen with the GameCube
> too.
> So why shouldn't these 2 consoles get a look-in instead of just the
> X-Box?
I think he said this right at the beginning before Sony's hard-drive plans were announced. This, and the "so-called" graphical superiority were the main reasons why he chose to continue the series on the XBOX.
Things may change in the future, but I think he should be careful not to constantly chop and change the consoles on which the Shenmue series appears.
> I wonder how that would work?
> Would it be like all the things you can do in Blinx with the Time
> Manipulation using your Vacum Cleaner?
> Hopefully it wouldn't just be for storing game data, although it would
> be great news to here it would be used to store data for ENORMOUS
> games in the series.
It's hard to say, but if more stuff and gameplay events can be stored in the memory, then this will only enhance the game - make them less linear.
Perhaps we'd see an arcade jammed with loads of old SEGA games instead of just a handful?
Perhaps Ryo will age in a natural way, or show the scares of battle depending on how you play the game.
Perhaps Ryo could (if you wanted) visit a hairdressers and get a new and unique hair-style.
The same thing could be done with Ryo's clothes: you could change Ryo's appearance to how you wanted it. Everyone's Ryo would look different.
The hard-drive would save and remember each little difference.
> That's interesting... But bad for me as a GameCube owner.
> But isn't the PS2 also getting its own Hard Drive to support its
> on-line plans? And the same could possibly happen with the GameCube
> too.
> So why shouldn't these 2 consoles get a look-in instead of just the
> X-Box?
I think he said this right at the beginning before Sony's hard-drive plans were announced. This, and the "so-called" graphical superiority were the main reasons why he chose to continue the series on the XBOX.
Things may change in the future, but I think he should be careful not to constantly chop and change the consoles on which the Shenmue series appears.
> I wonder how that would work?
> Would it be like all the things you can do in Blinx with the Time
> Manipulation using your Vacum Cleaner?
> Hopefully it wouldn't just be for storing game data, although it would
> be great news to here it would be used to store data for ENORMOUS
> games in the series.
It's hard to say, but if more stuff and gameplay events can be stored in the memory, then this will only enhance the game - make them less linear.
Perhaps we'd see an arcade jammed with loads of old SEGA games instead of just a handful?
Perhaps Ryo will age in a natural way, or show the scares of battle depending on how you play the game.
Perhaps Ryo could (if you wanted) visit a hairdressers and get a new and unique hair-style.
The same thing could be done with Ryo's clothes: you could change Ryo's appearance to how you wanted it. Everyone's Ryo would look different.
The hard-drive would save and remember each little difference.
Nomad Soul wrote:
"I read somewhere that Yu Suzuki wants to continue the series on XBOX because he wants to utilize the advantages of the XBOX's hard-drive."
That's interesting... But bad for me as a GameCube owner.
But isn't the PS2 also getting its own Hard Drive to support its on-line plans? And the same could possibly happen with the GameCube too.
So why shouldn't these 2 consoles get a look-in instead of just the X-Box?
I wonder how that would work?
Would it be like all the things you can do in Blinx with the Time Manipulation using your Vacum Cleaner?
Hopefully it wouldn't just be for storing game data, although it would be great news to here it would be used to store data for ENORMOUS games in the series.
"I read somewhere that Yu Suzuki wants to continue the series on XBOX because he wants to utilize the advantages of the XBOX's hard-drive."
That's interesting... But bad for me as a GameCube owner.
But isn't the PS2 also getting its own Hard Drive to support its on-line plans? And the same could possibly happen with the GameCube too.
So why shouldn't these 2 consoles get a look-in instead of just the X-Box?
I wonder how that would work?
Would it be like all the things you can do in Blinx with the Time Manipulation using your Vacum Cleaner?
Hopefully it wouldn't just be for storing game data, although it would be great news to here it would be used to store data for ENORMOUS games in the series.
Shenmue II on the XBOX was one of the major reasons why I bought an XBOX, and I suspect many other Shenmue fans thought the same way.
I don't know why SEGA aren't releasing both Shenmues at the same time, but at least the series isn't going to die.
If it sells well, then Shenmue III will be on XBOX. If it doesn't sell well, then I suspect that the whole project might be left on the scrap heap. Perish the thought.
I read somewhere that Yu Suzuki wants to continue the series on XBOX because he wants to utilize the advantages of the XBOX's hard-drive.
I don't know why SEGA aren't releasing both Shenmues at the same time, but at least the series isn't going to die.
If it sells well, then Shenmue III will be on XBOX. If it doesn't sell well, then I suspect that the whole project might be left on the scrap heap. Perish the thought.
I read somewhere that Yu Suzuki wants to continue the series on XBOX because he wants to utilize the advantages of the XBOX's hard-drive.
We both feel the very-same way!
Only problem is that it's never likely to happen unless Nintendo release a chunky Dreamcast-espue Controller for the Cube - kind-of like the X-Box one. But even though the descision may not be all-about what the controller's like, you must admit it would probably work best with that over-sized pad.
But I believe the majoirty of Shenmue fans own a GameCube, and possibly a PS2. Nintendo and SEGA are very similar companys with very similar games - so it's likely. Oh, and EVERYONE I know has a PS2! All X-Box owners are plainly after Halo and the other FPS's - not Shenmue.
Shenmue II is being introduced to X-Box gamers to try and get them into the series like we are. Will it really work that well without them having played the first game? Will they really take-to-it?
If they do, then we can expect to see No.III on X-Box only. If not, then it may be headed in the direction of the Cube.
Or maybe Gates will buy the rights to it anyway... :P
Only problem is that it's never likely to happen unless Nintendo release a chunky Dreamcast-espue Controller for the Cube - kind-of like the X-Box one. But even though the descision may not be all-about what the controller's like, you must admit it would probably work best with that over-sized pad.
But I believe the majoirty of Shenmue fans own a GameCube, and possibly a PS2. Nintendo and SEGA are very similar companys with very similar games - so it's likely. Oh, and EVERYONE I know has a PS2! All X-Box owners are plainly after Halo and the other FPS's - not Shenmue.
Shenmue II is being introduced to X-Box gamers to try and get them into the series like we are. Will it really work that well without them having played the first game? Will they really take-to-it?
If they do, then we can expect to see No.III on X-Box only. If not, then it may be headed in the direction of the Cube.
Or maybe Gates will buy the rights to it anyway... :P
Great post - I don't care about the X box version, the Shenmue series are my favourite all time games. I want Shenmue 3 - but on Gamecube!
PLEASE!
PLEASE!
As you are all well-aware, the incredible and unique experience that is Shenmue II is set to make its way to the Microsoft X-Box, courtesy of Yu Suzuki and SEGA's AM2 one again, but with graphics that are bigger and better than before, with a lot-less 'slowdown' - hopefully. Better yet, we're all hoping for English speech to feature on all 4 of the Game Discs, rather than only on some of Disc 4, while Japanese voice actors are used to make the experience feel even more... 'oriental'.
Further-more, this game currently named "Shenmue 2x" will be the first and only Shenmue game released on Bill Gates' money-box, meaning that X-Box owners who have not played the prequel ("Shenmue)" to this game's identical brother on the Dreamcast, will not have any first-hand Gaming Experience of the original Shenmue hit which lead-us-on and set-us-up nicely for one of THE greatest RPG's ever created.
But while Shenmue 2x will be without the Playing Experience of the start of the adventure, anyone who doesn't have a clue will still be able to see what they've missed and need to know in a 90-minute DVD of the orignal game known-as "Shenmue: The Movie". So there's no real reason for any X-Box owner to say "No.".
After playing both the orignal Shenmue and having almost completed the sequel, on the Dreamcast, I can't help but think that by giving X-Box owners the first-game as a DVD Movie is not perhaps the best option to really get them ready for what awaits them in the main game. After playing through-it myself, I feel that it is a neccesity for all gamers who wish to entice in Shenmue 2x.
However, many Shenmue critics who have not even really given the first game a chance believe this is the best way to experience Shenmue before the second one.
But what do they know when they haven't even played it??
And what do you guys, as SEGA and Shenmue fans who have played the game, think about this?
By not playing the original, in my view, you miss-out on quite a lot if you've never played Shenmue before as you prepare yourself for the 2nd installment.
Well, for a start i'd have to say that you are totally un-prepared!
One thing that really grabs people in Shenmue is the Fighting, and how you can play it and don't only have to watch some brilliant character movements. In Shenmue, as Roy Hazuki, you find yourself envolved in a number of different Fights. Some are against just one, tough opponent, others see you up-against a whole group of Martial Artists! If you haven't played-through all-these yourself then you'll probably really feel lost in the second adventure when you are first pitted-up-against some of the greatest fighters Hong Kong has to offer. You won't have a clue about how to perform those killer-moves Ryo learnt in the past, you won't know what to expect from those skillfull opponents, and you just won't be on the path to realising your powers-within anytime soon. It'll take you a lot longer to complete it, and you'll become more frustrated because of it, without that 'Shenmue Experience'.
Did you honestly know what a QTE was BEFORE you played Shenmue?
Neither did I. And I doubt that many other people knew much about it either.
What would you think when you saw a big round "A" pop-up in the middle of the screen, or maybe a Directional Arrow... what would you do??
Very-few gamers actually read the manuals now to see what a game's all-about - especially when it's a sequel you've just spent £40-odd on.
Nobodoy can be good or even brilliant at anything without prior first-hand experience.
If Footballers like Wayne Rooney didn't practice hard throughout the youth ranks then they'd never make it all the way to the top, scoring blinders to end Arsenal un-beaten run. You can never win "Employee of the Month" unless you've learnt a lot from your job during the past few months and know how you can achieve your potential.
And Ryo Hazuki simply wouldn't have been able to succeed in battle without years of practice and guidance from his murdered father, Iwao.
The fact is that you NEED to play the original Shenmue if you want to get the best out-of the second one. Even if it does mean you have to buy a brand-new Dreamcast and scower the golbe for a copy of this game... You'll understand the whole adventure and stroyline a whole-lot-better after experiencing it first-hand.
I believe the critics are very-wrong, and that SEGA are failing already as 3rd Party Developers by releasing Shenmue II on the X-Box without even a playable Demo of the original for Bill Gates' mindless slaves.
They may have given the X-Box something else besides just Halo with the likes of Jet Set Radio Future and SEGA GT already, but for the first time in a very-long time (if not EVER), I have to admit that SEGA and Yu Suzuki are making a HUGE mistake here.
Not everyone has played Shenmue, you know. I only got around it this summer. And I know many-other non-Dreamcast owners who won't buy the console just for one or two games when they could have an X-Box, PS2 or GameCube.
No matter how you look at it, SEGA would profit more financially with the release of the original Shenmue on the X-Box also - even if it was part of a box set titled "Shenmue" - with Shenmue II included.
For a company that has blessed-us with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage over the years, this just isn't like SEGA to make a big-mistake.
Further-more, this game currently named "Shenmue 2x" will be the first and only Shenmue game released on Bill Gates' money-box, meaning that X-Box owners who have not played the prequel ("Shenmue)" to this game's identical brother on the Dreamcast, will not have any first-hand Gaming Experience of the original Shenmue hit which lead-us-on and set-us-up nicely for one of THE greatest RPG's ever created.
But while Shenmue 2x will be without the Playing Experience of the start of the adventure, anyone who doesn't have a clue will still be able to see what they've missed and need to know in a 90-minute DVD of the orignal game known-as "Shenmue: The Movie". So there's no real reason for any X-Box owner to say "No.".
After playing both the orignal Shenmue and having almost completed the sequel, on the Dreamcast, I can't help but think that by giving X-Box owners the first-game as a DVD Movie is not perhaps the best option to really get them ready for what awaits them in the main game. After playing through-it myself, I feel that it is a neccesity for all gamers who wish to entice in Shenmue 2x.
However, many Shenmue critics who have not even really given the first game a chance believe this is the best way to experience Shenmue before the second one.
But what do they know when they haven't even played it??
And what do you guys, as SEGA and Shenmue fans who have played the game, think about this?
By not playing the original, in my view, you miss-out on quite a lot if you've never played Shenmue before as you prepare yourself for the 2nd installment.
Well, for a start i'd have to say that you are totally un-prepared!
One thing that really grabs people in Shenmue is the Fighting, and how you can play it and don't only have to watch some brilliant character movements. In Shenmue, as Roy Hazuki, you find yourself envolved in a number of different Fights. Some are against just one, tough opponent, others see you up-against a whole group of Martial Artists! If you haven't played-through all-these yourself then you'll probably really feel lost in the second adventure when you are first pitted-up-against some of the greatest fighters Hong Kong has to offer. You won't have a clue about how to perform those killer-moves Ryo learnt in the past, you won't know what to expect from those skillfull opponents, and you just won't be on the path to realising your powers-within anytime soon. It'll take you a lot longer to complete it, and you'll become more frustrated because of it, without that 'Shenmue Experience'.
Did you honestly know what a QTE was BEFORE you played Shenmue?
Neither did I. And I doubt that many other people knew much about it either.
What would you think when you saw a big round "A" pop-up in the middle of the screen, or maybe a Directional Arrow... what would you do??
Very-few gamers actually read the manuals now to see what a game's all-about - especially when it's a sequel you've just spent £40-odd on.
Nobodoy can be good or even brilliant at anything without prior first-hand experience.
If Footballers like Wayne Rooney didn't practice hard throughout the youth ranks then they'd never make it all the way to the top, scoring blinders to end Arsenal un-beaten run. You can never win "Employee of the Month" unless you've learnt a lot from your job during the past few months and know how you can achieve your potential.
And Ryo Hazuki simply wouldn't have been able to succeed in battle without years of practice and guidance from his murdered father, Iwao.
The fact is that you NEED to play the original Shenmue if you want to get the best out-of the second one. Even if it does mean you have to buy a brand-new Dreamcast and scower the golbe for a copy of this game... You'll understand the whole adventure and stroyline a whole-lot-better after experiencing it first-hand.
I believe the critics are very-wrong, and that SEGA are failing already as 3rd Party Developers by releasing Shenmue II on the X-Box without even a playable Demo of the original for Bill Gates' mindless slaves.
They may have given the X-Box something else besides just Halo with the likes of Jet Set Radio Future and SEGA GT already, but for the first time in a very-long time (if not EVER), I have to admit that SEGA and Yu Suzuki are making a HUGE mistake here.
Not everyone has played Shenmue, you know. I only got around it this summer. And I know many-other non-Dreamcast owners who won't buy the console just for one or two games when they could have an X-Box, PS2 or GameCube.
No matter how you look at it, SEGA would profit more financially with the release of the original Shenmue on the X-Box also - even if it was part of a box set titled "Shenmue" - with Shenmue II included.
For a company that has blessed-us with the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage over the years, this just isn't like SEGA to make a big-mistake.