Few video game titles are as revered as Shenmue I and Shenmue II.
While I played a smidge of the Dreamcast original some 18 years ago, my exposure to the franchise was limited.
As time passed, the Shenmue games—originally envisioned as a sprawling, multi-part epic—gained a somewhat legendary status among my gaming friends.
Grandiose talk of Virtua Fighter-styled combat, vividly detailed towns, and forklift racing often came up.
The game spurred some of the most fascinating and confusing video game conversations I can remember.
Now that Sega's released these formerly console-exclusive games to PC, I can finally experience what my peers did when they played these action-adventure games nearly two decades ago.
Shenmue I and Shenmue II are odd games.
They're loaded with a head-scratching amount of underutilized content, hilariously awkward writing, and some horrific pacing issues.
But at the same time, they pack a startling amount of detail for games this old.
Furthermore, the gameplay mechanics are solid, the overarching story is engaging, and the game has an undeniable charm.
Yes, many titles have since improved upon the systems featured in Shenmue (notably Grand Theft Auto and Yakuza), but I can't shake the appeal of these classics.
The Roots of Revenge
Shenmue follows the adventures of Ryo Hazuki, a young man who returns home and witnesses his father's murder at the hands of a criminal named Lan Di.
Ryo ventures out to learn more about the incident, as well as his father's murderer, in hopes of exacting revenge.
While this setup sounds like the premise of a classic kung-fu revenge flick, Shenmue I & II are action-adventure games at heart.
You spend the vast majority of your time with these games simply bumbling around, asking people questions in search of clues.
Ryo keeps a journal to track important objectives, but both games are refreshingly hands-off about how you go about your snooping.
Once you start your day, you are free to talk to everyone you encounter for clues, or for optional side quests to undertake.
The flipside, however, is that all of the momentum built up during Shenmue's engrossing opening slows to a glacial pace.
While I appreciate that every NPC in Yokosuka has voiced dialogue, the constant talking and wandering feels more in line with an old-school point-and-click adventure, rather than the exciting revenge story the intro sets up.
Ticking Clock
The bizarrely in-depth simulation elements further cement this feeling—particularly the time system.
The in-game clock starts ticking the moment you get out of bed at 8:30 in the morning, and every character in the game has their own set schedule that they follow.
Stores open and close at specific times and some people only show up at certain times of day, so you need to plan your schedule accordingly if you are following a lead.
This can result in tedious time wasting, as quite often you'll obtain info that tells you to be at a certain place at a certain time.
However, there's no real way to pass the time, save for wanking about in the arcade (where you can play complete versions of Space Harrier or Hang-On, much like Yakuza 0) or futzing around with your combat moves in practice mode.
A Phantom Pain-like time skip feature would have been invaluable, and while it is nice that this mechanic appears in Shenmue II, I would have liked if the developers ported that function to the first game, as well.
While the pacing and adventure-oriented gameplay threw me for a loop, Shenmue's game world is fantastic.
In fact, it's still impressive when compared against contemporary video games' open worlds.
Yokosuka is a town that's large enough to feel lively and believable, yet small enough that a player can easily become familiar with it.
There is no patronizing way marker or objective compass to be found in Shenmue; if you need to find something in the game, you're expected to go out and look for it.
You can ask locals how to get around, or check the handful of map posts spread across town to get your bearings.
Walking around feels natural and satisfying, and adds to the investigative elements that Shenmue emphasizes.
Virtua Fighting
The Shenmue games have a nice chunk of action, despite being an adventure-oriented title.
They feature an advanced combat system—inspired by Sega's own Virtua Fighter games—that comes into play when Ryo encounters thugs and punks on his journey.
Ryo's move set is surprisingly robust and lets him punch, kick, evade, and combo any miscreant that challenges him.
Unfortunately, the targeting system is a touch unreliable at times and Ryo can be temperamental about where he's facing or who he's attacking.
This leads to frustrating fighting experiences, especially when Ryo faces multiple enemies at once.
In such fights, I found myself abusing evasion and constantly moving around the field to get a better position, because my attacks would fail to land on my intended target if I let myself get surrounded.
The fight with Chai at You Arcade is one I imagine many will fail on their first play through, as he is slippery and tough.
Some battles offer alternate cut scenes if you fail to beat your opponent, while others continue the story whether you win or lose.
I wish I hadn't learned that by botching a fight due to the awkward camera and targeting.
Searching For Justice
Shenmue II takes place immediately after the events of the original game, with Ryo entering Hong Kong to search for Master Lishao Tao.
Shenmue II utilizes many of the same gameplay elements from the original game, but streamlines and improves them so as to be less tedious.
For example, you have a wait function in the sequel, which makes passing time much more convenient.
An improved map system helps you get your bearings easier, too.
Both elements make Shenmue II's gameplay progression much snappier, and does wonders for the overall pacing.
However, problems arise around the midway point in the game.
Once Shenmue II takes you to Hong Kong's Kowloon region, the game cranks up the action and investigation takes a back seat to combat.
While I quite like the underlying combat system, Shenmue II doesn't do much to improve the camera or targeting of the first game, so I still found myself swinging at air all too often during fights.
Worse still, this portion of the game injects some obnoxious Quick Time Events, which feel cheap even the first time you encounter them.
QTEs appear in Shenmue I, but they pop up sparingly.
The ones presented during Shenmue II's second half aren't as well telegraphed as the ones in the first game and failing them often forces you to repeat a lengthy sequence of Simon-like, button taps.
As I'm not a fan of QTEs at the best of times, this sort of punishment very quickly grates my nerves.
The Look of a Classic
Despite their ages, the Shenmue games look surprisingly good.
This high-definition collection bumps the in-game resolution to 1080p, includes widescreen support, and even offers Japanese language options.
Sure, the voices all sound like they're coming through a tin can, but I imagine that's just a result of the recording tech at the time.
The frame rate is capped at 30 frames per second, but that isn't much of an issue as the Shenmue games aren't particularly action-intensive titles.
The ports also offer an option to turn off bloom, which I found particularly useful in Shenmue II, which overuses the effect in sunny Hong Kong.
The games launched with a few bugs and issues, but Sega has released several patches since then to iron out any wrinkles fans may encounter.
I'm pleased to say that I haven't encountered any of the audial or cinematic bugs reported at launch; the game runs smoothly and without any issue on my gaming desktop that houses a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU and an Intel i5-4690 CPU.
In fact, Shenmue I & II has paltry minimum system specs.
Sega states that your gaming PC should contain at least an Intel i3-560 or AMD FX-4300 processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti or AM Rdeon 6990 graphics card, 4GB of RAM, 30GB of storage, and the 64-bit Windows 7 operating system.
A Blunderful Masterpiece
The Shenmue series laid the groundwork for open world games, and it's clear why fans of the series are so enamored of it.
These games craft some wonderful settings, feature solid gameplay systems, and also have a fair share of amusing quirks that lend to the game's charm.
Shenmue I & II is not without its flaws,and a more cynical player might write off the games as dated, but it would be a shame to overlook these classic, groundbreaking titles that could've very easily been lost to time.
Pros
A wonderfully crafted, richly detailed world.
Great visuals that hold up, despite the games' ages.
Enhanced resolution and aspect ratio.
Cons
Time-based events force you to wait until specific hours before taking action.
Annoying QTEs, especially in Shenmue II.
Unreliable targeting during combat.
The Bottom Line
Shenmue I & II collects Sega's classic open-world games and gives them modern touches.
The titles feature fun combat and quirky humor, but they also suffer jarring pacing issues.
Few video game titles are as revered as Shenmue I and Shenmue II.
While I played a smidge of the Dreamcast original some 18 years ago, my exposure to the franchise was limited.
As time passed, the Shenmue games—originally envisioned as a sprawling, multi-part epic—gained a somewhat legendary status among my gaming friends.
Grandiose talk of Virtua Fighter-styled combat, vividly detailed towns, and forklift racing often came up.
The game spurred some of the most fascinating and confusing video game conversations I can remember.
Now that Sega's released these formerly console-exclusive games to PC, I can finally experience what my peers did when they played these action-adventure games nearly two decades ago.
Shenmue I and Shenmue II are odd games.
They're loaded with a head-scratching amount of underutilized content, hilariously awkward writing, and some horrific pacing issues.
But at the same time, they pack a startling amount of detail for games this old.
Furthermore, the gameplay mechanics are solid, the overarching story is engaging, and the game has an undeniable charm.
Yes, many titles have since improved upon the systems featured in Shenmue (notably Grand Theft Auto and Yakuza), but I can't shake the appeal of these classics.
The Roots of Revenge
Shenmue follows the adventures of Ryo Hazuki, a young man who returns home and witnesses his father's murder at the hands of a criminal named Lan Di.
Ryo ventures out to learn more about the incident, as well as his father's murderer, in hopes of exacting revenge.
While this setup sounds like the premise of a classic kung-fu revenge flick, Shenmue I & II are action-adventure games at heart.
You spend the vast majority of your time with these games simply bumbling around, asking people questions in search of clues.
Ryo keeps a journal to track important objectives, but both games are refreshingly hands-off about how you go about your snooping.
Once you start your day, you are free to talk to everyone you encounter for clues, or for optional side quests to undertake.
The flipside, however, is that all of the momentum built up during Shenmue's engrossing opening slows to a glacial pace.
While I appreciate that every NPC in Yokosuka has voiced dialogue, the constant talking and wandering feels more in line with an old-school point-and-click adventure, rather than the exciting revenge story the intro sets up.
Ticking Clock
The bizarrely in-depth simulation elements further cement this feeling—particularly the time system.
The in-game clock starts ticking the moment you get out of bed at 8:30 in the morning, and every character in the game has their own set schedule that they follow.
Stores open and close at specific times and some people only show up at certain times of day, so you need to plan your schedule accordingly if you are following a lead.
This can result in tedious time wasting, as quite often you'll obtain info that tells you to be at a certain place at a certain time.
However, there's no real way to pass the time, save for wanking about in the arcade (where you can play complete versions of Space Harrier or Hang-On, much like Yakuza 0) or futzing around with your combat moves in practice mode.
A Phantom Pain-like time skip feature would have been invaluable, and while it is nice that this mechanic appears in Shenmue II, I would have liked if the developers ported that function to the first game, as well.
While the pacing and adventure-oriented gameplay threw me for a loop, Shenmue's game world is fantastic.
In fact, it's still impressive when compared against contemporary video games' open worlds.
Yokosuka is a town that's large enough to feel lively and believable, yet small enough that a player can easily become familiar with it.
There is no patronizing way marker or objective compass to be found in Shenmue; if you need to find something in the game, you're expected to go out and look for it.
You can ask locals how to get around, or check the handful of map posts spread across town to get your bearings.
Walking around feels natural and satisfying, and adds to the investigative elements that Shenmue emphasizes.
Virtua Fighting
The Shenmue games have a nice chunk of action, despite being an adventure-oriented title.
They feature an advanced combat system—inspired by Sega's own Virtua Fighter games—that comes into play when Ryo encounters thugs and punks on his journey.
Ryo's move set is surprisingly robust and lets him punch, kick, evade, and combo any miscreant that challenges him.
Unfortunately, the targeting system is a touch unreliable at times and Ryo can be temperamental about where he's facing or who he's attacking.
This leads to frustrating fighting experiences, especially when Ryo faces multiple enemies at once.
In such fights, I found myself abusing evasion and constantly moving around the field to get a better position, because my attacks would fail to land on my intended target if I let myself get surrounded.
The fight with Chai at You Arcade is one I imagine many will fail on their first play through, as he is slippery and tough.
Some battles offer alternate cut scenes if you fail to beat your opponent, while others continue the story whether you win or lose.
I wish I hadn't learned that by botching a fight due to the awkward camera and targeting.
Searching For Justice
Shenmue II takes place immediately after the events of the original game, with Ryo entering Hong Kong to search for Master Lishao Tao.
Shenmue II utilizes many of the same gameplay elements from the original game, but streamlines and improves them so as to be less tedious.
For example, you have a wait function in the sequel, which makes passing time much more convenient.
An improved map system helps you get your bearings easier, too.
Both elements make Shenmue II's gameplay progression much snappier, and does wonders for the overall pacing.
However, problems arise around the midway point in the game.
Once Shenmue II takes you to Hong Kong's Kowloon region, the game cranks up the action and investigation takes a back seat to combat.
While I quite like the underlying combat system, Shenmue II doesn't do much to improve the camera or targeting of the first game, so I still found myself swinging at air all too often during fights.
Worse still, this portion of the game injects some obnoxious Quick Time Events, which feel cheap even the first time you encounter them.
QTEs appear in Shenmue I, but they pop up sparingly.
The ones presented during Shenmue II's second half aren't as well telegraphed as the ones in the first game and failing them often forces you to repeat a lengthy sequence of Simon-like, button taps.
As I'm not a fan of QTEs at the best of times, this sort of punishment very quickly grates my nerves.
The Look of a Classic
Despite their ages, the Shenmue games look surprisingly good.
This high-definition collection bumps the in-game resolution to 1080p, includes widescreen support, and even offers Japanese language options.
Sure, the voices all sound like they're coming through a tin can, but I imagine that's just a result of the recording tech at the time.
The frame rate is capped at 30 frames per second, but that isn't much of an issue as the Shenmue games aren't particularly action-intensive titles.
The ports also offer an option to turn off bloom, which I found particularly useful in Shenmue II, which overuses the effect in sunny Hong Kong.
The games launched with a few bugs and issues, but Sega has released several patches since then to iron out any wrinkles fans may encounter.
I'm pleased to say that I haven't encountered any of the audial or cinematic bugs reported at launch; the game runs smoothly and without any issue on my gaming desktop that houses a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU and an Intel i5-4690 CPU.
In fact, Shenmue I & II has paltry minimum system specs.
Sega states that your gaming PC should contain at least an Intel i3-560 or AMD FX-4300 processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti or AM Rdeon 6990 graphics card, 4GB of RAM, 30GB of storage, and the 64-bit Windows 7 operating system.
A Blunderful Masterpiece
The Shenmue series laid the groundwork for open world games, and it's clear why fans of the series are so enamored of it.
These games craft some wonderful settings, feature solid gameplay systems, and also have a fair share of amusing quirks that lend to the game's charm.
Shenmue I & II is not without its flaws,and a more cynical player might write off the games as dated, but it would be a shame to overlook these classic, groundbreaking titles that could've very easily been lost to time.
Pros
A wonderfully crafted, richly detailed world.
Great visuals that hold up, despite the games' ages.
Enhanced resolution and aspect ratio.
Cons
Time-based events force you to wait until specific hours before taking action.
Annoying QTEs, especially in Shenmue II.
Unreliable targeting during combat.
The Bottom Line
Shenmue I & II collects Sega's classic open-world games and gives them modern touches.
The titles feature fun combat and quirky humor, but they also suffer jarring pacing issues.
