So, I bought Shenmue II. An Xbox Original game, however the game itself was brought to us on the Sega Dreamcast. Shenmue on the Dreamcast brought back very fond memories for me. To this day its one of the best if not the best games ever created. This was created and directed by Yu Suzuki. If I were ever to meet Yu Suzuki I would shake his hand and by him many a beer, but I would need to a join a very long queue, as the following this game has to this day still has people signing petitions for them to bring out Shenmue III to continue the series.
But why would a standard gamer be typing on blog about a game that possibly many would never of even heard of. Its simple really, of all the next generation games titles and technical abilities. What can a classic game possibly compare to games of today
Well Shenmue I & II affects you in an emotional way, there are very few games that actually affect you emotionally. You play the role of character called Ryu Hazuki, who witnesses his fathers death, its a journey of revenge and maturity for Ryu. That draws you into the free roaming world with so much to do. This game is so difficult to describe in text, you have to play the game to feel what the game has to offer, however if you lack patience then the game may not be for you. As you speak to people that you meet, get a job, it may frustrate some as you have to walk to the other end of town to save the game, even sleep. As you have to work yes, get a job, to get some money. Which actually is effective in the game, but some my find it a tad tedious.
As you progress on your journey you learn new skills, in a karate kid, kind of way. If you have seen karate kid he has to paint the fence or catch a fly with chopsticks. During the game of Shenmue II. I had to stand underneath a tree with my fingers, I was to catch a single leaf with a scissor motion, when I achieved it the master up the ante, I had to catch x3 leaves simultaneously. This was a test of patience, as it took me x2 game days to catch one. Let alone three in a row.
You look at the tree, using the stick to track a leaf as all the leaves fall, then attempt to catch them, to complete the task in hand to continue on your journey. Also there are quick time events, when by surprise you may have to chase some that may have stolen something of you, or a great martial arts fight suddenly occurs, where you have to hit the corresponding button in time, otherwise you loose the thief, or you get beaten up.
I just wanted to say how beautiful this game is, also this is far ahead of any game that has been brought out recently. On any next generation games console. With the freedom to play the game at your own pace, shall you want to spend all day, playing in the arcade Space Harrier, then you can, I understand that this game still holds the World Record of the most expensive game created, it cost over $20,000,000 and seven years to be created, bearing in mind this was released in 1999. Which sadly was its downfall, or the fact it was on the Dreamcast was also died a death. Sega did make a loss on this so its going to be a very long till Shenmue III hits the shelves.
Also the fighting controls in game are basically Virtual Fighters, fans of Virtual Fighter will be familiar to the fighting controls. When was the last time, you thought sod it there is nothing on television, and chose to play a game instead then were suddenly blown away, by the escapism into this virtual world, were felt the you, yourself were involved in the journey. I have nothing else to say. I just want to play more Shenmue. Before I get all emotional .
More on Shenmue from Wikipedia here