They still somehow hold up.
What They Say:
Revisit the original Dreamcast series that launched an action RPG empire with Shenmue I & II for PlayStation 4. An updated user interface provides streamlined gaming experiences, and a choice of modern or classic controls lets you decide how to experience each adventure. Arcade games, duck racing and a host of side activities deliver a break from the game. Shenmue I & II includes faithful recreations of both Hong Kong and Japan for retro-inspired fun.
The Review:
Here we are, nearly 20 years after the original release of Shenmue on SEGA Dreamcast while the sequel came shortly thereafter to the Dreamcast in 2001. These two titles have been loved for years by an extremely dedicated fanbase, one that rightfully was ecstatic to learn that an upcoming third entry would continue the franchise.
When that sequel now set to come in 2019, it only makes sense to allow for those same dedicated fans and potential fans to check out the series with the Shenmue I & II HD collection for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. For me, I fall into the latter category of someone who has long known about the series but never had a chance to check it out until now.
I’m happy to say that even someone who has no prior history with the series was able to fully appreciate the games for what they are. While they don’t fully hold up in some cases, Shenmue I & II HD is a collection of two titles that everyone should check out. The original title follows Ryo Hazuki, a young man in Japan whose father is murdered right in front of his eyes.
The games follow his tale of vengeance as he attempts to find the murderer, discover the reason behind it, and subsequently get payback. It is a classic premise, one that is held up by a solid cast of characters. Ryo himself is your atypical protagonist but that isn’t such a bad thing.
It’s easy to connect with Ryo and wish for things to work out for him. It also helps that the supporting cast is an eclectic group of people ranging from potential love interests to odd foreigners who all showcase just how odd games could be back in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.
The story is a compelling one with each sequence in both games playing out like surprisingly good older Asian movies. From thwarting crooked business owners to fighting gang members singlehandedly, there is a lot to love about the tale of Ryo and company.
This is further helped by the voice cast that, interestingly enough, still holds up today regardless of picking the English or Japanese voiceovers. The only unfortunate casualty of Shenmue I & II HD is the audio. Though the graphics have been updated to allow for widescreen support (outside of cutscenes), the audio has taken a big hit in this remastered collection.
For some reason, the music and voices are really muffled. This takes quite a bit of time to get used to and it was pretty noticeable given the quality of the other parts of the remastered collection. If you’ve never played these games before, it’s worth noting how the gameplay is.
This isn’t your cliche third-person action adventure title. Instead, it’s more like the progenitor of the “walking simulator” games with a ton of quick time events and the occasional Virtua Fighter-inspired fighting sections. Majority of the time, you’ll find yourself wandering around the hub areas, speaking with NPC’s, and figuring out the vaguely described next objective.
It was a little surprising to a newcomer like me that this is the vast majority of the game. However, as a fan of walking simulators, this wasn’t a huge problem to overcome. But it is worth noting that the first game, in particular, does have some pacing issues that can be frustrating. Frequently, you will have moments where you have to wait until nighttime to continue the story or wait until the next day.
Normally, this isn’t an issue but there isn’t really any good way to speed up time in the game. Thankfully, this is alleviated in the sequel but it is unfortunate that SEGA didn’t take the time to implement an optional workaround in this remaster. On the bright side, completionists will be happy to know that there is a ton to do in Shenmue I & II HD that will absolutely keep you busy in the meantime.
There are arcades with actual SEGA classic games to play, side quests, collectibles, a breadth of optional story cutscenes, and a whole lot more. While both stories will keep you moderately busy, the amount of extra content in both is staggering and will keep you occupied for many, many hours. This, coupled with the low price, makes the collection a true bang for your buck.
In Summary:
Shenmue I & II HD hold up surprisingly well, nearly 20 years later. The story is excellent, highlighted by some cliche but well-done characters like protagonist Ryo Hazuki. Being that this is an older game, there are some setbacks like odd controls, poor audio, and odd pacing, but these are certainly worth overcoming in order to enjoy these two games that are deserving of your attention. With a third game finally set to arrive next year, there’s no better time to try Shenmue I & II than now, regardless of if you’re a newcomer or dedicated fan.
Grade: B
Released By: SEGA
Developer: D3T
MSRP: $29.99
Release Date:
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
This review was done with a review copy provided by the publisher. We are grateful for their continued support.
