Dreamcast

Shenmue II

Overall, Shenmue II was an incredible experience for me, from start to finish. The core gameplay formula isn?t much different from the first game, just packed with more action and improvements. So many improvements, in fact, that I am confident about giving Shenmue II an ?A? score. It isn?t a game for everyone, but in my opinion, it?s one of the best gaming experiences out there. It?s a damn shame that so many will have to wait more than a year to play it.

Donc au final (et vous l'aurez compris), Shenmue est pour moi le meilleur jeu de la Dreamcast (et même toutes consoles confondues !) et il serait vraiment dommage de ne pas en profiter. Rien de ce jeu n'a été bâclé et j'attends avec impatience le 3ème chapitre. Pourvu qu'il sorte !

Buy this game. Collectors will surely gobble up the Japanese Limited Edition release. If you want to get somewhere within a reasonable time, however, then get the European version.

Best DC Game Ever? I would say, although Hundred Swords and the upcoming Ikaruga might qualify too. Despite the ending, I loved Yu Suzuki's 2nd Shenmue, a game that will most likely be seen as his best work until Shen III is released, at least by me. Don't wait for the Xbox version - import this on Dreamcast, if only for the collectors value of it. With the US one we'll likely get the bad ending taken out and another laughable voice translation, possibly sans the text. Of course, this is mere speculation on my part, I could be wrong, but... you know the rest.

Das besonders schöne ist an Shenmue2 ist, wie auch schon beim Vorgänger, der asiatische Flair der beim Spielen rüberkommt. So lernt man durchaus die ein oder andere Verhaltensregel oder auch ein paar chinesische Legenden. Die Atmosphäre des Spiel ist sogar so dicht, das man nach dem Spielen von Shenmue unbedingt auch mal im "Real-Life" nach China oder Japan fliegen möchte. Ebenbürtiger Nachfolger zum wahrscheinlich besten Spiel der Dreamcast!

Si Shenmue II se juega "a saco", yendo directamente a los objetivos, sin jugar a los minijuegos, explorando sólo lo imprescindible se le puede estimar una duración de unas 20 horas aproximadamente; pero así no es como se debe de jugar Shenmue II, si realmente se quiere apreciar completamente la magnitud del universo creado por Yu Suzuki, hay que jugarlo sin prisas, buscar secretos, escenas ocultas... sólo así se disfrutará completamente del mejor juego de Dreamcast, y de uno de los mejores juegos que Sega haya creado jamás.

Una obra maestra, firme candidato a juego del año por segunda vez consecutiva y sobre todo, y lo que lo hace especial es ese sabor a gran clásico, a juego 10 donde todos debemos dar las gracias al equipo formado por Suzuki que dan vida a un mundo de eterna fantasía digital.

So then. What Do I think of Shenmue II? Well, a little disappointed to tell you the truth. Don’t get me wrong it is an awesome game, one of the best on the Dreamcast. However I was expecting four sequels at the least. I feel slightly cheated by Yu Suzuki and Co, I wanted Shenmue to span huge boundaries, never crossed before… but alas it was not to be, the series moves ever onwards and upwards, now to be on the X-Box, leaving Dreamcast owners in the darkness thinking, “Why did we buy this, it’s the Saturn all over again!”. Well looks like Mr Gates will be receiving a visit from Ryo. By hell he better be ready...

Niet alleen Metal Gear Solid krijgt deze maand zijn langverwachte opvolger, ook Shenmue's tweede deel ligt in de winkels en ik ben zwaar onder de indruk.

Overall, Shenmue II is for the fans, it’s not likely to attract new fans nor has it broken new ground in the genre but it’s undoubtedly a memorable and special experience. New to the series? Pick up the first game cheap. Loved that? Track down your own copy of this and get ready to be glued to your TV for days. Thunderbolt score: n

Shenmue II is… well, everything Shenmue II should be. It takes the original game, improves the portions that had problems, adds enhancements, and continues the story of Ryo Hazuki very effectively. The game is in no way perfect, and will still turn off fans of constant action because of its more slow paced, dialog driven gameplay. However, no one can deny what a wonderfully designed, well playing game it is. Sega, you gotta love ‘em.

For those RPGamers who enjoyed the original Shenmue, Shenmue 2 should come as a wonderful treat. For those who found the original too slow paced, it may come as a pleasant surprise. In either case, players will finally learn where that title comes from.

What it all comes down to is this: Is the game fun to play? The answer is "yes." It's a long and involving quest unlike anything before it (except Shenmue) that should appeal to both RPG and Adventure game fans. Though it would have been nice to see this game released in America, at least we now have an Xbox game to really look forward to. Sadly, this is the last new Dreamcast game I will ever play. But talk about going out with a bang... I couldn't have asked for anything more.

If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of this game. Suzuki and team are to be commended for vastly improving on nearly every aspect of game design, and seamlessly pulling it all off. If you didn't import the European version, be sure to pick up the Xbox title when it hits our stores sometime later this year, with even more enhancements thrown in. As for me, bring on Shenmue III.

Um es kurz zu machen: Shenmue 2 ist genial und muss sich im Besitz von jedem befinden, der einen Dreamcast oder Xbox besitzt.

Une nouvelle page se tourne dans l'histoire de Shenmue. Ce second volet permet à la Dreamcast de terminer sa carrière sur un titre qui marquera à tout jamais les esprits de ceux qui s'y essaieront. L'ambitieux projet de Yu Suzuki est bien en train de se concrétiser avec ce titre qui ne constitue toujours que le commencement de cette saga démesurée.

It's a shame Shenmue II will never see the light of day on the Dreamcast in the US. Its level of polish, technical prowess, and creativity make it one of the DC's finest titles. Fans of the series owe it to themselves to track it down and play it via Japanese or European import. It's that good. Hopefully it will shine just as brightly when the Xbox version is released.

In spite of its flaws, Shenmue II is a great improvement over Shenmue I, and is a quality game with many highlights. It demonstrates that Suzuki's pioneering vision is feasible, but also that he must improve particular aspects of the game. Fortunately, the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts when it comes to Shenmue II. Many discount the story as cliché, and this does have a certain ring of truth. But as Shenmue fleshes out the hackneyed storyline via its visual realism, you become immersed in the world, and the result is anything but cliché. Wait for the XBOX version or import a copy for the Dreamcast UK, because Shenmue II is a stunningly immersive experience, the only of its kind. It is a wonderful testament to the creative power of Yu Suzuki and a fitting last big hurrah to the legacy of the Dreamcast.

As a final swansong for Sega’s last console, this is the perfect game. Not without it’s flaws, it manages still to be charming, original, full of character, and fun. Still, it isn’t worth the hassle I’ve put up with, but at least I can laugh back at my friends who laugh at me for owning a Region 2 PAL DC.