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Shenmue II (Dreamcast)
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| Description:
The much-awaited second installment of Sega's hugely ambitious adventure is likely to be made extremely welcome by Dreamcast gamers, as Shenmue 2 packs another four discs full of entertainment. Heck, you can even start with your save game from episode one if you managed to finish it. The game picks up with Ryo arriving in Hong Kong as he continues his quest to avenge his father's killing. It's quickly obvious that aesthetically things have improved further; the graphics are at times outstanding, with clearly little expense spared. The game itself follows a similar format to the original, as you explore, interrogate, fight and solve the puzzles needed to progress. Again, you don't have to do everything to get to the end of the game, and there's an awful lot of time needed to get there. It really is business as usual, and it's every bit as good as before to play. On the downside, and presumably to speed the release of the game, Sega have dispensed with an English translation, instead opting for subtitles throughout the game. It's not the end of the world, but it does now require a much more concentrated effort to play. And while it's not hard for those new to the franchise to dive in here, familiarity with previous events is still a help. Nonetheless, this is a compelling and cinematic title, and while it doesn't add an awful lot in terms of gameplay to the first game, Shenmue 2 is an excellent, well-written adventure that's well worth taking the time to explore. --Simon Brew
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5/5 |
the second best game ever made
(February 16, 2004) |
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no shenmue 1 isnt better than 2, shenmue 2 is an improvement in everyway and several unexpected ways as well. the shenmue world is grand and beautiful, with hundreds of people living their lives, working, playing, or just out doing their exercises. its simply so stunning and realistic you dont even need to play it, just wander and marvel at the realism and detail that makes up the most expensive game ever made's sequel. shenmue 2 is so much simpler than its predecessor. you are thrown right into the story and action, no more waiting for the right weather or day or person, you literally live ryos life for a couple of months while he traces his fathers killer. think of it as the best martial arts movie ever made, and your making it, with so much scenary and beauty that i cant wait to complete it again. never before have i felt like such an important part in a game. its not about winning or losing, theres no cheating to get a good score, no special technique needed to pass a difficult point. just discover the truth, live the adventure and go about it the way that seems best to you. simply astounding, and once you complete it you will come to realise the truth as i did, sega and dreamcast rule the console world, then now and for a long time to come. dreamcast was the the pure heart of the console market. and it will beat again. |
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5/5 |
Consuming
(April 15, 2003) |
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This game, along with it's predecessor, is consuming. You will find yourself playing it for hours on end. The only downside to it that I found was that at the time I purchased it I hadn't heard that there was going to be third so when I got to the end I found myself slightly disapointed and hungry for a conclusion. I will be borrowing my friends X Box when the final installment comes out so that I can continue this game. Shenmue 2, though it is spoken in japanese with english subtitles, is still better than the first. There are many many more things to do to pass the time and it is fast paced throughout the whole thing. |
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5/5 |
Can this game ever be matched by its rivals
(March 13, 2003) |
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Yet again sega prove how great their producind skills are by producing the second installment of the shenmue saga.In the second game you arrive in Hong Kong on the hunt for lan di the killer of your father and leader of the chi yo min but first you must find zhu yunda a man who knows why your father had to die.The game has had many more improvements since shenmue such as loading times are dramatically cut and also the enviroment is much larger than the first almost twice the size of its original.I truly belive at the moment this game cannot be matched other producers are attempting to match its systems like (FREE) but are not suceeding for example the game''shadow of memories'' very similar graphics similar actions but different story but other than that no game comes close |
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5/5 |
Genius on a disc... or 4!
(November 06, 2002) |
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Shenmue 2 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the finest role playing game ever created. It outshines it's predecessor by a mile a million and every other RPG game on any other console. Shenmue 2 was originally, like the first game, designed to appear on the Sega Saturn. But extreme in-game slow down and not enough memory (32-bit) made the games unable to run properly and look as gorgeous as creator Yu Suzuki had hoped. And so his ideas were shelved, until Sega designed their high and mighty Dreamcast, with 128-bit capabilities. What this allowed the designers of Shenmue to do was incorporate amazing graphics, speeded up game play and squeeze in sensational storylines to marvellous effect.
In Shenmue 2, Ryo Hazuki is following his leads to Hong Kong to track down the murderer of his father, the honourable and legendary Iwao Hazuki, master of the Hazuki style, and as Ryo learns, also highly popular in China.
From the start, you are swept away with geniously designed landscapes and lovable characters that pull you in - unable to treat you to a decent nights sleep and making you phone work to tell them you aren't feeling too good to spend more hours with the console.
On his quest to find Lan Di, the murderer of his father, and to learn the truth behind the 'Pheonix' mirror (of which his father kept a secret from young Ryo), Ryo joins forces with some utterly distinguishable characters.
The amazing Joy, popular resident of Hong Kong and able to help Ryo through many difficult situations.
Wong, young child theif but good at heart and becomes great friends with Ryo.
Ren of 'Heavens', a street wise punk who's past is unclear.
And Xiuyang, a master of many Chinese Kung Fu styles, who will direct Ryo to becoming wise and to strip him of all foolishness which could render him dead when he finally finds Lan Di.
The world of Shenmue 2 is over 3 times bigger than that of the original. In short, there are more shops, more streets, more characters and more adventures, in-game mini games etc.
The town of Kowloon, full of danger, is the place where Ryo must find information leading to Lan Di and the secrets of the Pheonix mirror.
The most thrilling aspect of the game thus far is the following of a criminal to lead Ryo to his results, sneaking about with Ren of 'Heavens' and trying not to get noticed. It will have you gripping the control with sweat.
And Guilin is his final destination of this adventure, where the time spent with Shenhua, a girl raise by mother nature, is truly like living in a dream - the whole of disc 4 plays like you are really there as it will take you 2-3 days to reach Guilin by foot, and in true Shenmue style, it will take you hours of play to reach the end of the game with its amazing climax.
A fantastic treat for all Dreamcast gamers, every time you play this game, the Dreamcast will remain very much alive.
You will not be dissapointed. This game is finely directed.
Quite frankly, and I speak for many, this is the finest game you will ever have the honour of playing... Enjoy! |
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5/5 |
Shenmue 2 displayed in all its glory
(September 12, 2002) |
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This is an epic of a game, to put it plainly, I coulden't stop playing until I had finished it. With breathtaking graphics and an amazing storyline, this must have been one the greatest games ever! This is a must-buy if you are a devoted dreamcast owner. |
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