Review — Shenmue I & II Remaster
Embark on an epic quest as Ryo Hazuki as you seek revenge for the death of your father in Shenmue.
It’s hard to imagine that it’s been almost 20 years already since Shenmue was released. Like many other people, I’ve never gotten the chance to play the game as I didn’t have a Dreamcast. I only heard people praising this now legendary cult game because it tried to do something completely new back in the days and it pioneered many game elements that are common these days, especially in open world games. With the release of Shenmue III looming about, Sega took the opportunity to remaster the first two games and bring them to a new audience.
Welcome to Yosuka, Japan
Shenmue is the brainchild of Yu Suzuki, who tried to create a cinematic experience in a living and breathing game world. It was an overambitious and costly project that in many ways was ahead of its time. But as the Dreamcast never became the commercial success Sega had hoped it would be, Shenmue never reached the masses. The sequel made its way to the Xbox, but it was not enough to save the series for a long time. Thanks to the concept of crowdfunding however, Suzuki found a way to continue this epic saga.
The story follows Ryo Hazuki, your average Japanese teenager who also happens to be a martial arts wunderkind who witnesses the murder of his father at the hands of a Chinese man called Lan Di. Soon after, Ryo embarks on a quest to find out why his father was killed and to seek revenge against the man responsible. In the first game you will mostly be gathering clues about Lan Di and trying to come into contact with a dangerous motorcycle gang that might lead you to him. While the game starts of great, I found there was a significant drop in quality once you were tasked to find a job at the harbor. At this point, the game drags on until you reach the finale and this was a real bummer.
Next up, Hong Kong
After the finale of Shenmue, you’ll be visiting the bustling city of Hong Kong in the sequel. Still chasing Lan Di, Ryo’s quest begins by locating Yuanda Zhu, who sent his father a warning letter before his death. Your quest will not only reveal why Lan Di killed your father, but you’ll also learn the secret behind the Phoenix Mirror and the Dragon Mirror and why Lan Di wants to obtain them. Ryo also finally meets Shenhua Ling, a girl only featured in dream sequences in the first game and who’s family is connected to the two mirrors.
The sequel introduced some new features, like the possibility to ask or directions and to fast-forward time, a much needed feature that was absent in the first game. There are several new minigames and ways to earn money, and you no longer need to find a tedious job. The story also becomes a bit more engaging, because in Shenmue I you’re basically running around town asking people for mundane clues for the bigger part of the games. With the most infamous one where you’re looking for some sailors.
Ahead of its time but outdated today
If we look back at the Shenmue series today, you can’t deny its importance in gaming history. It was the first game to feature quick-time events, an open world that felt like it was alive, with a somewhat dynamic weather system. There were mini games that you could play, but also other videogames, like Virtua Fighter, Outrun and Afterburner. You could even collect capsule toys, also known as gashapon in Japan. Certain events would only trigger at a specific time and you could open closets, doors, etc and even pick up and examine certain objects. I can imagine that 20 years ago, this game would be a true revelation.
Today however, the game feels very outdated. Because it was so pioneering, many of these game elements were rather primitive. The tank controls are also a relic from the past and it can be a pain to control the main character. There are some issues with the pacing, especially in the first game, and the English voice-overs have also been severely critiqued. I played the game with the Japanese voices, which are present in the remaster. So this is a big relief, both for newcomers and old fans alike.
Other improvements include faster loading times, improved graphics, with the game running at 1080p and a steady 30 FPS and an improved user interface. While the game is playable in 16/9, the cgi movies are still displayed in 4:3. Furthermore, you can switch between the original graphics and the polished up version, which is always a nice feature in remasters.
If you’re wondering if this remaster would be for you, it depends on what you’re exactly looking for. If you’re looking forward to playing Shenmue III, be it as a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, then these two games are certainly worth picking up. Don’t just play the games out of nostalgia, as you might be disappointed by how the games have aged. If you’re interested in discovering classics or you love Japanese games, you can also give them a try. Just don’t step into the world of Shenmue thinking it is like a modern open world game. Personally, I loved discovering these classics and playing them for what they are. I am also grateful that I was able to experience the spiritual predecessors of one of my favorite franchises, the Yakuza series.
3/5
Reviewed for PlayStation 4
