shameless boomp

I only played the original dreamcast titles, but:
the virtua fighter combat is clunky, but works
the gte segments are annoying
the movement is clunky
the dialog is repetitive
the object interaction was innovative, for it's time, but is clunky by today's standards

did I enjoy it? absolutely. from the weather, which mimics irl weather of the day it takes place to the included arcade games, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I only tried yakuza ps2 games and couldn't get into it. I've been meaning to play the remakes. but, I enjoyed shenmue.

>>11486983
It is worth it. I own the game. The third game however is a mix bag, so proceed with caution. Unless you become a fan of these two games, then go ahead and get the third game. It's definitely a lot like Yakuza. You can unlock Sega Arcade games. By the way, I recommend downloading PDF's of the strategy guides if you want to 100% both games. When you learn fighting moves, you'll feel like a real martial artist within the world of Shenmue. There are so many secrets hidden within these games, leading to scenes not seen by many people because those events are easy to miss. But you'll become more and more interested in those scenes when you play through the game. Specifically Shenmue 2. But overall enjoy the game. I think there's a mod for one of them, where you can restore the original textures such as the Coca-Cola machine. But this is only available for the PC version of the game as far as I know.

>>11486983
I was one of those weirdos hyped for 3, and not only that, I enjoyed it a lot, to the point that I got these and replayed them right after. Replaying Shenmue 1 actually exceeded my expectations. I fell off partway through 2, but that may have been due to fatigue.

>>11487079
If you really enjoyed it despite the clunkiness you described, that's a good sign!
Y6 and Y2 Kiwami both use the new physics-based "Dragon" engine, fights are over the top and just stupid chaotic fun, but maybe a bit too easy. The Y-Zero engine was used for that prequel and Y Kiwami, fights on that engine are definitely more challenging.

I've read that Shenmue is more "relaxing" in a sense, and that fights aren't a constant occurrence as they are in Yakuza. Also Yakuza storylines and side quests often wander into batshit wacky territory (part of the charm, lol), Shenmue sounds a little more down to earth, more classic I guess. Kinda wanting something like that.

>>11487092
>>11487098
I do see Shenmue III for cheap, sometimes alternating with I&II. I kept up on it up until release, I guess the series' creator really made the game he wanted to make, modern gaming conventions be damned. lol.
These games have also been described as "slow", and I don't mind that in some games, provided the journey is worth it. I just wonder if that will lend to fatigue setting in as you described. But, also felt a bit fatigued from Yakuza, had to take a longer break between games. That's probably just a side effect from most Yakuza games.

Feel kinda spoiled not having to worry about miss-able content in most games today, I recently canned an early playthrough of Ys : Memories of Celceta after realizing I'd completed quests in areas out of order and missed things in the process. Could've continued, but it just bugs me when I miss stuff. Good suggestion on the strategy guide, I'll track them down if I do get these.

I'm really tempted, anons. And do appreciate your input!
I'll ponder a bit more. If anyone has any other input or suggestion, nifty anecdote, anything really, all ears!

Played it for the first time last year and loved it. Such stunning attention to detail for 1999 and even today the sheer amount of bespoke assets for every little nook and cranny is very impressive. Definitely not recommended for the ADHD inclined or anyone who needs games to hold their hand. With that said, progression is actually really straightforward and just involves talking to everybody, visiting locations and exploring. I never had to look up a guide even once. The forklift section towards the end is so maddening and tedious that its almost brilliant, it actually brought me back to working shitty warehouse jobs like that in my teens. Be warned that nothing really happens in this game, its all about the vibes, character interactions and the immersion of the setting. Journey rather the destination kind of thing. The story will never ever be finished but I also don't really mind, it's all just nonsense anyway.

Highly recommend it but I'm not sure I'd be so quick to compare it to Yakuza, though I've only played 0. HD version is good, play with the Japanese dub.

>>11486983
It's a work of art. Revisiting that world is therapeutic
https://youtu.be/oyjXTtwNKh4?=T5h5fp3TVXeuBgPw
https://youtu.be/XruY72JamWc?=XbYH_oR1VG9uEMBI

>>11486983
I got I, II and III for PS4 recently but don't have much time to play them yet. I do have some fond memories of playing Shenmue 1 on my DC when it was released, but I never played 2 because I didn't have an xbox

>>11486983
The big thing to know about Shenmue 1&2 is that they're more akin to story point-and-click games if "point-and-click" was walking up to every person and object for interactions, and then using minigames and sparse combat sequences to try to create a semblance of variety. The modern port is perfectly fine, but there are some graphics bugs or alterations from the original because Sega ports always have some quirks- you can play the games in full Japanese voiceovers though if the English dub isn't to your flavor. But Shenmue is a slow burn and a VERY acquired taste.

Don't expect Yakuza. Don't even attempt to expect Yakuza. Despite the latter having some inspirations from Shenmue, they're basically nothing alike.

Shenmue I, absolutely.
Shenmue II, not so much.

>>11487712
>>11487981
>>11488228

>Journey rather than the destination
>Stunning detail for 1999
>World is "therapeutic"

This is enticing, as I've expressed above the desire for something more down to earth and classic rather than Yakuza. The fact it's a highly detailed world that innovated a lot of things we take for granted now (even if some haven't aged particularly well), is a definite plus.

Vibes, character interactions and setting over a cohesive story isn't a bad thing. But, considering the story is more nonsensical and unlikely to be finished is kind of a bummer, but I'll probably remember the feeling of this game more than anything. Probably the same with me and most games, lol.

>More akin to point-and-click, via person/object interactions
>Minigames, sparse combat to pad things out
>Slow burn, Very acquired taste
> Do NOT expect Yakuza. Nothing alike.

This is down to game details (very useful), and is actually a bit surprising. I understand the game doesn't "hold your hand" as they do now, but a more classic adventure game setting is something I haven't played in a while. I'm getting a clearer picture of what I'd bet getting into. It being a slow burn of a game makes sense. I don't expect Yakuza, and that's a good thing. (lol)

As I'm typing this I watched an 8 minute review of the game (largely spoiler free), and it looks pretty great for a game from 1999! The did add optional wide-screen support, bloom, jap/eng subs and dubs, smooth textures, load times are practically instant, it's locked at 30fps which is cool.

The only detractor so far?

The voices. Oh man, those voices needed some help. I was only planning on playing with the japanese dub anyway. Not a deal breaker at all.

Think I'm gonna dive in anons. Thanks for your help! :)

>>11488909
You won't regret it anon like others said 3 is just OK so remember that going in. Don't feel the need to rush things even with days passing in the game. Explore the buildings drawers etc let it breathe. The voices were attributed to Yu Suzuki being stubborn and demanding the English voices be recorded in Japan which didn't happen often. As a result of the scope of the game many were straight from u.s. bases with no acting experience. Imo it definitely adds to the charm of the game. Ryos actor at least is a professional and returns for all of them.

Bumping for darts

>>11486983
>untouched

Absolutely not. Part 1 and 2 had different fighting systems. Part 1 was inspired by VF3 and part 2 was inspired by VF4. The re-release replaced part 1's fighting system with that of part 2, so the fighting in part 1 is totally changed. Part 1's fighting system was more methodical and intricate, and allowed a lot of fun juggling and countering. Part 2's is faster and more fluid, but also a bit sloppier.

>>11489521
Yea 1 has the best fight system bar none. Practicing the moves fits well with the progression. It still lacks in the rpg elements that could've been incorporated. I feel implementing that and more streamlined bosses and variety could've made it a gamechanger more then it already already was

>>11489521
Shenmue combat systems is totally different to VF.

>>11490986
>missing the point

File: gooutsidenerd.gif (1.17 MB, 640x524)

1.17 MB GIF

>>11490986
>literally virtua fighter, if final fight beat em up
>'it's totally different you guys'

Favorite track what about you guys
https://youtu.be/fpSRd8DE7tU?=-ontbeseqar_m1ew

>>11486983
Distinctive SEGA visuals and attention to detail. That's mainly what attracts me.

>>11491128
>>11493271
Shenmue
>punch
>kick
>guard
>throw

virtua fighter
>punch
>kick
>guard

File: artworks-GezqsKI6zyBCb4S4(...).jpg (140 KB, 1080x1080)

140 KB JPG

>>11493414
Read it in his voice

>>11490986
You can't be serious. Shenmue is literally an offshoot of Virtua Fighter.

>>11493443
punch
kick
BLOCK
block
block

>>11486983
Depends, these games are polarizing for a reason. If you're patient and can appreciate them as more exploration / detective / fetch quest games as opposed to action / adventure games, they're interesting. The first one is extremely story-driving and has quite a lot of QTE sections but very little combat, but it has space harrier, hang on, a cat you can look after, forklift racing, a motorcycle segment etc. Gambling is completely optional, and the two points that tend to filter people are the stealth section (which is honestly quite easy imo) and the job section in disc 3 (which I never had an issue with). Shenmue 2 has more action, but has 3 issues that filter people - 1) you basically have to gamble to make money and further the plot, 2) the book balancing section, and 3) the ending hike that lasts forever.

I think the ports were pretty good.
Shenmue is the kind of game you play during the holidays with a cup of hot chocolate while you wonder around yokosuka. Theres not much else like it retro or not.

>>11486983
If you're expecting Yakuza you're going to be horribly confused and frustrated. Either take it for what it is or don't bother, most of the gameplay involves talking to people, figuring out the map and waiting at the arcade.

>>11488909
>The only detractor so far? The voices.
You were on the right track until this point. The english voice acting is great and hilarious, and a huge part of what makes the experience. Allow yourself to have fun, jesus fucking christ

>>11487712
i havent worked for nearly 5 years and I forgot how fun it can be to work kek, i wonder if this was sega's attempt to encourage neets to get a job

OP Here,

So far the game holds true to what you all told me. And I'm really digging it!

Decided no strategy guides, taking my time and exploring every nook and cranny (pleasantly surprised to the extent I'm able to do so). I see how some neat cutscenes could be easily missed now that I've discovered a couple, but being a thorough explorer I don't think I'll be missing much. Really feeling the "adventure game" aspect of this one :)

Honestly damned impressed with this game considering its age. I'm trying to dig back through all I'd played up to that point, if I'd had a dreamcast for some reason in 2000 this would have absolutely blown my mind. Looking at how well it's held up all things considered, it still does.

The intro cutscene, the music, even the slightly lo-fi dialogue (intentional or just product of the time) is reminiscent of a classic martial arts epic. Awesome!

>>11489521
>Part 1 and 2 incorporated fighting system
Haven't thrown a punch yet, but that's interesting. Of the minor "improvements" listed on the Shenmue wiki, nothing about the combat system was mentioned. One source mentioned that the fighting systems in both games also incorporated simplified mechanics from
>Shenmue III

>>11494919
>have fun you monster! >:(
lol, jk.

Anon, I'm having a great time with the game. My usual preference for foreign movies or games is english subs and foreign dubs anyway. I understand the charm and nostalgia here, wasn't trying to tread on anyone's preference for this game.

For me, I've heard some great english dubs and I've heard many not-so-great ones. The latter yank me out of the experience and vibe, every. single. time. That's just me. Another anon above detailed why the english dub didn't get the same treatment the japanese one did. All I meant was, I felt it would've helped and I could have easily played with either. As it is, I'm just vibing with the japanese dub.

All in all, it's great so far! Can't wait to play more!

If it weren't for Shenmue there's a good chance I wouldn't have japanese kids today.
This game's impact on my circle of friends is pretty unquantifiable. It's been 25 years and I can fly 6000 miles around the world, crack open a beer with my bros and suddenly give them a look and say "DARTS.. ONE GAME, ONE HUNDRED YEN"

>>11487192
>I do see Shenmue III for cheap, sometimes alternating with I&II. I kept up on it up until release, I guess the series' creator really made the game he wanted to make, modern gaming conventions be damned
The problem is that it has nothing to do with the story of I&II and nothing happens. Nothing people liked then or now about I&II is present in III.

https://youtu.be/kIPFttZPYME?=Pegqo_-Jx9-M3z5B

>>11497828
It does and it doesn't. The frustration is understandable Yu doesn't play games and it shows and the full epic 11 game chapter couldn't be told which will always be a shame

>>11497967
Why do the female characters have such good face models while Ryo (the main character) looks like that?

>>11497984
Face had to rendered through 1000 different animations bro. They literally debugger this game on excel

>>11497828
Yeah I just haven't had the heart to check out III, I and II meant so much to me I don't want to be disappointed. Seeing that goofy phone call with Nozomi in the other thread was enough nostalgia for me.

>>11497984
Ryo's face went through a lot of model changes for some reason. It was always wider in game than in a lot of the early concept art.

File: SII.111.jpg (96 KB, 1006x406)

96 KB JPG

>>11486983
The Dreamcast originals are still the best way to play both games. Every subsequent release has stuff changed and removed, as well as the weird texture downgrades from the Xbox version.

>>11498000
I'm similar to Joe's opinion on 3
https://youtu.be/IeWhI0l89qM?=Qw-6Luvs43mzChb1

>>11498008
Quick loads on 1+2 remaster are best for normies tho

>>11493292
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdZ3821-k8Y

>>11493292
https://youtu.be/VOVN4UKBi_o?=0U5fd0wWnPKAbasa
Chefs kiss

>>11486983
I am a true blue Shenmue autist. These have been my favorite games of all time since the day they came out and I have played them hundreds of times over and know just about every single thing about them.

Let me tell you personally that Shenmue 1&2 HD is one of the worst ports of all time. Just absolutely riddled with bugs and issues. It was so bad at launch that Sega Japan *publicly* went on the record and said it was dogshit and that they had to get OG devs to come back and try and salvage it with a couple patches. Its a lot less broken than when it launched but since it probably didn't sell all too well it only got a small handful of patches before they just gave up so it's still not really good enough. Just right off the bat, voice quality has been cut in half across the board. The voices were already heavily compressed to fit all 30 something hours of dialogue onto 3 1gb discs, and now its literally twice as bad. Two, the game is buggy as shit. Cutscenes will just suddenly break in random ways, animations glitching out, the camera just fucking straight up falling through the floor, etc. If you buy more than a couple capsule toys in a row they just turn invisible. There is random dialogue that is just missing from the NPCs. QTE prompts sometimes just don't show up. Certain graphical effects are just broken or missing from the original because they relied on special tricks from the Dreamcast hardware or weren't tweaked to account for increased resolution. Shenmue 2 is incredibly dark for some reason and instead of just fixing it they just patched in a gamma slider in the options as if to say "idk fix it yourself I guess". It's fucking embarrassing.

You're far better off just emulating the original on something like Flycast, it plays perfectly these days. I also prefer the Xbox version of 2 due to the much more stable framerate and enhanced lighting. It also emulates pretty good on Xemu.

>>11489521
>The re-release replaced part 1's fighting system with that of part 2, so the fighting in part 1 is totally changed. Part 1's fighting system was more methodical and intricate, and allowed a lot of fun juggling and countering. Part 2's is faster and more fluid, but also a bit sloppier.

Your entire post is completely wrong. The rerelease didn't touch the combat in either game. Also, rerelease or otherwise, the combat in 1 and 2 are pretty much identical. 2 just has a lot more moves you can unlock. I think you just haven't actually played the game.

Shenmue is trash, Dreamcasters and Xboxers cope hard with it about "muh sega sovl" and all that non sense. Yakuza on PS2 is where is at, Nagoshi mogged Suzuki.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCFyIah0j4w
PS: Shenmue on PS4/Switch/XB1 sucks ass, it has no brands and it looks and feels like shit. Play the real thing on DC/XB.

https://youtu.be/daYxJeOC_uU?=iGO1grPrO5hi7218

>>11498123
I see

>>11487192
>I guess the series' creator really made the game he wanted to make, modern gaming conventions be damned. lol.

That's honestly not really the problem. I'd love Shenmue 3 if it was exactly like the first two. The real problem is the lack of budget, no support from Sega, and the devs complete and utter lack of experience with Unreal Engine. Mostly the budget though.

Shenmue 3 doesn't progress the story at all and in some cases actively retcons the previous games(the crazy and mysterious ending from 2 is completely brushed aside and remade so they could get out of explaining it). The game also just completely lacks the intimacy and detail of the first two. Again likely because of the low budget but the game painfully obviously uses stock assets purchased from an online marketplace throughout the entire game. Theres way less NPC dialogue, many NPCs can't even be talked to not even for a generic "Im busy" response. They also decided to just poorly reuse unfitting music from the first two games.

Worst of all though, this is perhaps the most padded out game I have ever witnessed. I know Shenmue has a lot of running around and talk to this person to find out to go talk to this person stuff but it's completely unreasonable in 3. Catch chickens for 10 days in a row and thats the only thing you can do for the entire day, grind $2000 to learn a move, grind $2000 again to learn the same exact move again(???), objects inexplicably placed deliberately on the map directly in the way of where you need to go so you are forced to slowly walk the longest way to your goal, hell even the hunger/stamina mechanic was only added to just make the game last longer. If none of this padding was there and you were allowed to progress at the same pace you do in the original games, the game would be over in like an hour because literally nothing happens throughout the entire story.

The game isn't bad because it ignores modern game design, it's bad because its just fucking bad lol.

>>11498146
You're not totally wrong and yet I still want to revisit it Stockholm syndrome maybe

>>11498101
You're just a scrub.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmdku1dWgR0

I'm not aware of a guide or walkthrough for it, but I remember hearing that it's possible to completely fill the journals in both games.

>>11498123
yakuzafags are embarassing. the games aren't even comparable besides the contemporary japanese setting. yakuza is a button-mashing beat-em-up for children. if your series was actually good you'd think the fans could go 2 seconds without comparing it to shenmue.

it's pretty much a prototype yakuza. if you like those games you'll probably like shenmue

>>11498123
>Shenmue is trash
False. Without Shenmue, there would be no Yakuza. Also unlike Yakuza, Shenmue is a much deeper game. The fact that I get to play both games on a PC, along with modding back the original textures from the DC version and adding the Coca-Cola branding on the soda machines, makes the PC version the definitive version of Shenmue 1 and 2. No brands? Maybe on a console, but not on PC thanks to mods.

P.S. I do own the Dreamcast and Xbox versions as well. It's just way better on PC.

Oh yeah. Google randomly alerted me about saving Shenmue IV from shenmuedojo. How did that go?

>>11499451
Texture mods won't make the PC version any less buggy, or undo the censorship in Shenmue II. If you're happy with your slop then that's fine, but deliberately trying to mislead people is pretty low.

>>11499232
>the games aren't even comparable
I know, that's why Yakuza is a great commercial success with 9 main titles while Shenmue is a failed IP that has failed meeting commercial expectations, with only 3 titles and the last one being a huge disappointment.

>>11499475
You're the only one being misleading bruh. But go ahead and enjoy that disc rot of the DC and Xbox version.

>>11499451
>Without Shenmue, there would be no Yakuza
It is unnecessary to go this far. Shenmue is not dependent on Yakuza for its glory. Shenmue is a monumental game all its own.

>>11499613
>I PLAY WHICHEVER GAME MAKES THE MOST MONEY
So you're a soulless vapid consumer with no recognition of artistry or soul. Got it!

>Shenmuefags perpetually coping
>Yakuzafags perpetually seething
>SpikeoutGODS keep winning

>>11498146

>story elements retconned to avoid explanation :/
>all intimacy, gone
>stock assets abused
>little dialogue, not even "go away, I'm busy"
>poorly fitting music
>must pay $2000 every time for the same move
>deliberate obstacles placed to keep your goals out of reach
>hunger/stamina always an issue
>Realize nothing of importance is happening
>Wonder how this managed to last more than an hour

Damn, anon. Shenmue III is sounding a lot like modern dating. Hard pass.

Thanks for the warning!

>>11499702
>Spikeout : Final Edition

Had no idea this even existed until today!

Too bad Die Hard Arcade wasn't built off this game, looks like it released two years before Spikeout

Im stuck in the job part and it repeats forever

You know what’s better than Shenmue and Yakuza?

Sleeping Dogs

Play that instead you gweilo weebs!

File: snoozingmutts.jpg (65 KB, 620x348)

65 KB JPG

>>11500159
>Sleeping Dogs

I freaking loved this game! Even picked up the definitive edition a long while later for another playthrough :) (although, having finally gotten to the dlc only one of the two was anything nifty, and altogether not nearly as good as I'd hoped they'd be. Hoped they'd be better.)

Fantastic game, really well done open-world crime game. Absolute shame it was the underdog against GTA V the following year with disappointing sales.

Wanted a Sleeping Dogs 2 so bad, and Square-penis had to go and shut down United Front. Would've made a great franchise.

Maybe we'll get the sequel someday on a kickstarter like Shenmue III. Hopefully it'll live up to the first one.

>>11499696
>>11499696
see >>11498123
>Shenmue is trash, Dreamcasters and Xboxers cope hard with it about "muh sega sovl" and all that non sense
imagine talk about "soul" to justify a kusoge gæm that bankrupted SEGA.

>>11499702
>Spikeout
A Nagoshi game that mogs Suzuki's?! I can't believe it!!