Shenmue II

 Dreamcast
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 353 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 317 out of 353
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 353
  3. Negative: 26 out of 353

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  1. Velvetvelvet
    Sep 8, 2023
    10
    Это просто ЛЕГЕНДА. Шедевр, недооценённый в полной мере. Возможности этой игры, для своих лет, просто поражают и многим аспектам игры могут позавидовать даже современные поделки игростроя.

    D3T спасибо за детство!
  2. RocherOX4
    Aug 14, 2023
    10
    Everything in this game is worth your time. The story is great and the location works as the perfect vehicle to get you to a different yet beautiful world. Production was superb, voice actors, music, mini games. Top 10 game of all time.
  3. FilipeGoncalves
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Great game with amazing story, graphics and music for a fantastic system.

    A must have have for Dreamcast.
  4. Gamer1994
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    Shenmue at its peak point. Innovative for its day. Spectacular awesome ost. You WILL become so engrossed in this game world. Highly recommended
  5. slim1985
    Jun 16, 2021
    10
    shenmue 2 is a brilliant masterpiece the pace of this game is way better than the first and its more action packed. shenmue was ahead of its time and the sequel was the best open world game when it comes to world interactions.
  6. rolent
    Feb 10, 2021
    10
    Just the best game ever created. And I’m always been a Nintendo fan.........
  7. Grizzlor_Alpha
    Jul 5, 2020
    10
    Shenmue II ist die gelungene Fortsetzung eines der besten Spiele, welches jemals veröffentlicht wurde. Ich hatte bereits zuvor 25 Jahre quasi Erfahrung in diesem Sektor (Gaming), allerdings schaffte es dieser Titel (bzw. die Shenmue Saga), mich derart zu fesseln, dass ich auch heute noch - 20 Jahre später - das Spiel in bester Erinnerung habe. Auch heute spiele ich es - auf meinenShenmue II ist die gelungene Fortsetzung eines der besten Spiele, welches jemals veröffentlicht wurde. Ich hatte bereits zuvor 25 Jahre quasi Erfahrung in diesem Sektor (Gaming), allerdings schaffte es dieser Titel (bzw. die Shenmue Saga), mich derart zu fesseln, dass ich auch heute noch - 20 Jahre später - das Spiel in bester Erinnerung habe. Auch heute spiele ich es - auf meinen DC-Systemen (ohne Mod), auf der Xbox (1) und gar als HD-Collection auf PC und PS4. Den Charme kann natürlich immer nur das System der Geburt wiedergeben – DC (nope, Saturn / Berkley steht mal nicht zur Debatte). Shenmue war zu seiner Zeit (!) technisch erhaben und gar PCler schautet interessiert herüber. Das Problem ist natürlich ein 80s-Martial-Arts-Rache-Epos mit einem introvertierten Charakter...das mag nicht jedem Gefallen, inkl. dem Setting...wiederum sind das auch nicht die Spieler, welche angesprochen werden sollten und spielen wollten. Ich mag das raue und ruhige von Ryo...das war das Beste was man tun konnte...der Charakter in ein Japaner, von eines strengen liebevollen Vater in der Kampfkunst trainiert...der Vater wird getötet...der junge Sohn / Mann sinnt auf Rache...deshalb finde ich entgegen vieler Stimmen diese Art und Weise emotional glaubwürdig.

    Grafisch war es wundervoll – die Menschen, die Welten – eben alles, der Score absolut in jeder Sekunde stimmungsvoll und die Geschichte spannend und aufreibend vom Anfang bis zum Ende. Es war oder ist ein – nennen wir es „abenteuerlichen Eastern“ um Ehre, Mut, Macht, Liebe, Magie, eine Reise in die menschliche und deren geistige Reife. Stigmatische Hollywoodelemente treffen hier auf Untergrundpartien der Ferne. Dieses Spiel ist definitiv etwas für Asien-Liebhaber, die natürlich Inszenierung und Spannung massiver Action favorisieren...in diesem 2. Teil kommt bzgl. dessen der Fan voll auf seine Kosten, da Teil 2 deutlich größer und actionlastiger als der Vorgänger ist. Shenmue I dagegen ist tiefsinniger, baut die Geschichte erst auf, lüftet die ersten Geheimnisse und macht Lust auf mehr. Der zweite Teil bringt noch coolere Charaktere mit in den Plot ein, welche man schnell hasslieben lernt und zeigt Teile des Landes in opulenter Optik durch fortschrittliche Technik...bitte niemals vergessen...in den 2000er war das ein optischer Hammer. Die Passagen finden alle zusammen...es gibt keine Logiklöcher, keinen technischen Mängel...sehen wir ab von QTE´s, Minigames, Street & Areafights, InGame-Arcade, cineastischen Szenen, die Einflüsse der VMU (DC only) und und und...das wurde sicherlich zu Genüge genannt...Shenmue II ist einfach ein bombastisches Abenteuer, ein virtuelles Erlebnis, dass dich - den Spieler - in die Welt von Ryo sendet...in das spannende Asien der 80er belebt und spielbar in Kinoqualität. Ich liebe das Spiel bis heute...die Shenmue-Reihe ist meine Nummer 1 in der Spielewelt und bis dato konnte diese Saga nicht abgelöst oder gestürzt werden - und obwohl ich heute noch aktiver Spieler bin, fand ich nie etwas, was mich mehr in seinen Bann ziehen und emotional bewegen konnte...so, ich wollte gar nicht viel schreiben...aber so schnell verliert man sich in der Welt von Shenmue. Nun schreibe ich das, was sicherlich fast jeder oder viele bereits mitteilten – SHEMUE II ist ein Meisterwerk! Grizzlor_Alpha 2020    … Expand
  8. Solaris123
    Jan 5, 2020
    10
    The game is almost perfect, the plot of the champion, characters the same, then the rockstar could clean the shoes of this game, to this day hardly any game can match its genre.
  9. Leoncillo206
    Nov 11, 2019
    10
    The most amazing game ever... That simple
    Simplemente el más increible juego hecho por la humanidad.
  10. Calculinho
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    Shenmue II nos presenta un primigenio mundo abierto y vivo basado en varios barrios del Hong-Kong de los años 80, continuista con lo presentado en la primera parte; pero en esta ocasión con un tamaño mucho mayor y con muchas más tiendas o actividades que hacer. Además es el juego que más exprimió la Dreamcast en su corta vida, mucho más que Shenmue I, y sólo por eso merece la pena darse unShenmue II nos presenta un primigenio mundo abierto y vivo basado en varios barrios del Hong-Kong de los años 80, continuista con lo presentado en la primera parte; pero en esta ocasión con un tamaño mucho mayor y con muchas más tiendas o actividades que hacer. Además es el juego que más exprimió la Dreamcast en su corta vida, mucho más que Shenmue I, y sólo por eso merece la pena darse un paseo por su mapa.

    Podría decirse que la primera parte de Shenmue es una suerte de tutorial largo donde se nos presenta a Ryo en un ambiente familiar y afectivo. El propio juego terminaba con una frase que es toda una declaración de intenciones: And thus... the saga begins. Y efectivamente, la saga comienza con este Shenmue II donde nuestro personaje se encuentra en un país extranjero alejado de la comodidad de su casa, de sus amigos y conocidos.

    El juego tiene mucha más acción y una historia más emocionante que la primera parte, el cuarto disco pone un cierre narrativo que merece un broche de oro y que en buena parte es la razón por la que mucha gente ha esperado 18 años por una tercera entrega que al fin vamos a recibir.    … Expand
  11. Art_Connoisseur
    Aug 26, 2018
    10
    No other games captivates you as immersively as this game has and that's unique.
  12. vanjoelsandwich
    Aug 17, 2018
    10
    What a great expirience! Following the first game wich was spectacular for its time, Shenmue ll continues the story with many many great climax moments. Outstanding graphics for the time, memorable soundtrack and plenty of minigames and things to do make this game a 10 out of 10 for me.
  13. shuvakox
    May 19, 2018
    10
    uno de los juegos que marcaron Historia en el mundo de los video juegos, una historia envolvente, mucha acción, para mi el creador del estilo mundo abierto .
  14. OldSilentHill
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    It´s probably the best mix between a graphic adventure & a semi open world game, with one OST that easily makes the top 10 in the industry. A truly magnificent piece of art. But be warned: those who want an hamburger, should look someone else. This is gourmet gaming at its finest.
  15. Meta1234
    Apr 20, 2018
    10
    Amazing game for its time.

    Very big with great graphics and dialogue cinematics, mini-games, story progression, music, attention to detail, everything.

    Dreamcast was purchased for this game.
  16. karelpica99
    Dec 21, 2017
    10
    Brilliant from start to finish.I Play many games and this game is my best i ever play is like adream is fantastic.I buy XBOX only for this game and i am happy to make that because SHENMUE 2 is brilliant game that i would never forget.10/10
  17. No1Livz4ever
    Dec 17, 2017
    10
    Simply. The. Best. Game. Ever. Made. .
  18. hoogafanter
    Aug 3, 2017
    10
    This is the single greatest gaming experience I have ever had. I was enthralled from start to finish, and the ending left me wanting more. The atmosphere is glorious, gameplay is solid, and story is phenomenal. Best game to ever grace this console easily...

    It's the software personification of the dreamcast IMO. Just as Dreamcast symbolizes the end of a hardcore gaming era whilst    This is the single greatest gaming experience I have ever had. I was enthralled from start to finish, and the ending left me wanting more. The atmosphere is glorious, gameplay is solid, and story is phenomenal. Best game to ever grace this console easily...

    It's the software personification of the dreamcast IMO. Just as Dreamcast symbolizes the end of a hardcore gaming era whilst trailblazing the future of the industry(for better or worse), Shenmue is the prime software example of this. A beautifully animated character driven narrative focused open world game, now of which are a dime a dozen, but with arcadish gameplay and a sense of immersion that still has yet to be matched 18 years later.

    Absolutely everything about Shenmue, just like the dreamcast itself, was painfully detailed and no effort was spared. It also pioneered and/or popularized so many common modern gaming tropes its astounding. So much that we take for granted today was absolutely breathtaking with the release of Shenmue...    … Expand
  19. szymon247
    Mar 31, 2017
    10
    This is the best game I have ever played and in hindsight provided experience that no other came close to providing. I would say it changed and shaped my life, something no other game was able to do. The problem is after you finish it, you realize what games could be like, but they arent. Playing it makes you imagine a world of amazing experiences told through games, that didn't materialize.
  20. RenanSH
    Oct 21, 2016
    10
    With an expanded universe, Shenmue 2 brought us improved mechanical, with better graphics and significant additions compared to its predecessor. Some old problems like fps drop, but not compromise the amazing experience that the game gives us.
    The two games certainly are one of the largest not only contributions of the sixth generation of consoles, but from all the gaming industry!    With an expanded universe, Shenmue 2 brought us improved mechanical, with better graphics and significant additions compared to its predecessor. Some old problems like fps drop, but not compromise the amazing experience that the game gives us.
    The two games certainly are one of the largest not only contributions of the sixth generation of consoles, but from all the gaming industry!
    Shenmue and a perfect game!    … Expand
  21. crimsondoor
    Sep 30, 2016
    9
    This original and the best open world game needs no introduction. It has the best details of all games I've seen, amazing variety of Gashapon, all characters including pedestrians are voiced and have unique lines which change according to your progress. I wonder how many players even managed to hear 50% of the total dialogues?

    Anyway let's get to the flaws. Slow pacing is a very obvious    This original and the best open world game needs no introduction. It has the best details of all games I've seen, amazing variety of Gashapon, all characters including pedestrians are voiced and have unique lines which change according to your progress. I wonder how many players even managed to hear 50% of the total dialogues?

    Anyway let's get to the flaws. Slow pacing is a very obvious flaw of this game. You spend hours and hours on this game doing missions and mini-games, yet the story is still getting nowhere. The long loading screen after every map transition also doesn't help at all.

    Quality of the game gets worse towards the end of the game. The trend started at the end of disc 3. The dungeon is so unnecessarily long playing the game becomes a chore. More pronounced is disc 4 where Shenmue 2 gets very strange. It becomes a cinematic game. There is no fight, you just walk and talk for hours, wondering if the conversations are going to end. Then immediately after arriving at your destination you get to the shocking ending. I think that's when the developers realised they were developing for a dead console so they just decided to get it over with. I can't blame them, yet I can't help but feel the ending is a let down after such an epic journey.    … Expand
  22. GamecubeLover
    Aug 3, 2016
    10
    Xbox version I would give a 9 but the dreamcast version is better. Cause is more memorable and more nostalgic than almost every dreamcast game. (besides Sonic Adventure 1&2)
  23. Kadeemluvmusic
    May 25, 2016
    10
    It's kinda sad that its been nearly 15 years since SEGA started throwing in the towel and discontinues not only the Dreamcast, but buried in the home console market and the dream just nearly died too soon. Even though I haven't even own a Dreamcast, but I was floored by playing a criminally under-appreciated RPG game that's stands the test of time. And that game was Shenmue. No, notIt's kinda sad that its been nearly 15 years since SEGA started throwing in the towel and discontinues not only the Dreamcast, but buried in the home console market and the dream just nearly died too soon. Even though I haven't even own a Dreamcast, but I was floored by playing a criminally under-appreciated RPG game that's stands the test of time. And that game was Shenmue. No, not Shenmue II (Get it right, Metacritic. Shenmue is only available for the OG XBOX console), just the original Shenmue. It was eventually become the Dreamcasts last gasp at creating a world like I've never seen before. I fell in love with this game as much as everyone does. Not only I enjoyed the peaceful soundtrack, but an lists of jaw-dropping graphics, a Final Fantasy-ish story that is perfect, the gameplay was so special in my view, outlandish characters and a blended amount of hype that made series creator Yu Suzuki very proud and very sad on how developing a long hard cycle for the game that has took a long time to build and it went through development hell just after Shenmue II because fans desperately wants serious questions why an announcement to Shenmue III never happened. I also give a extra praise to AM2 for adding new features that had to be played online by using an somewhat obscure Dreamcast keyboard and mouse so that you can chat with so many players online and QTE (quick time events) is entirely focuses on the player has to choose right or wrong decisions to make sure you are keeping track in progress. It's a gifted open-world adventure that keeps pushing us together and as of today, several open-world games continue to buck the trend after Shenmue (which continues to feature an outpouring of support by fans around the world despite the Dreamcast's short-lived lifespan). Let's face it! GTA III, Fallout's 3 and 4, Bioshock, Skyrim, Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII, the originator of the open-world genre, both Ultima and Myst, Super Mario 64, and The Legend of Zelda. And don't forget No Man's Sky for the PS4 is coming up soon and so does E3 2016.

    I know SEGA is in rough shape right now, but I got to thinking if they were be able to breath new life and announce a big comeback in the console market, I would love to see a Dreamcast 2 in the future. Good news: now that the Kickstater campaign was a huge success, my prediction at E3 will be an announcement to the most anticipated games of the century, Shenmue III, to be announced in 2017 and l wish it could be a unaminous GOTY contender. Please SEGA, make an Shenmue I and II HD Remaster for me? I'm gonna be so tearfully joyed.    … Expand
  24. damianradical
    Apr 12, 2016
    10
    mi juego favorito... shenmue 1 y 2 unas joyas de los videojuegos y a la espera del lanzamiento del shenmue 3. una super historia de suspenso accion. mi unico y favorito rpg
  25. Sonnington
    Feb 10, 2016
    5
    Meh, it was alright. It was much better than the first, but still had far too much tedium. The story is really boring and kinda convoluted. It just takes way too long to do anything. For instance, I counted and it takes 14 seconds to use an elevator NOT including the load time. So the game shows you walk into the elevator, hit the button for the floor you want, then it brings you to theMeh, it was alright. It was much better than the first, but still had far too much tedium. The story is really boring and kinda convoluted. It just takes way too long to do anything. For instance, I counted and it takes 14 seconds to use an elevator NOT including the load time. So the game shows you walk into the elevator, hit the button for the floor you want, then it brings you to the load screen, then it shows you step out of the elevator. This happens every time you use an elevator. That **** adds up as Kowloon is basically all elevators. This is just one example of tedium you'll encounter in Shenmue games.

    The music was really good though.    … Expand
  26. psylife
    May 25, 2015
    10
    It was the best interactive experience of all time when it came out, and still is today. What Shenmue had achieved in 2001 is still unmatched as of today.
  27. cadash06
    May 25, 2015
    10
    Those who played shenmue, surely will put this game on their top ten list of "best games of all time"!!! Don't know if the current generation will love this game, but I am sure that a remastered edition and eventually Shenmue 3 would bring happiness to a legion of fans.
  28. abraham_b
    May 4, 2015
    10
    Shenmue 2 is a fantastic game which was well ahead of its time. The most stunning aspect of the game is its sheer detail; for example, you can enter pretty much enter every building and every apartment/room in those buildings. The music is memorable, the graphics are great for the time and the pacing issues of the first game are solved and it is far more action-packed. Highly recommendedShenmue 2 is a fantastic game which was well ahead of its time. The most stunning aspect of the game is its sheer detail; for example, you can enter pretty much enter every building and every apartment/room in those buildings. The music is memorable, the graphics are great for the time and the pacing issues of the first game are solved and it is far more action-packed. Highly recommended for anyone who owns a Dreamcast.… Expand
  29. b1z2a3
    Apr 10, 2015
    10
    Possibly the greatest gaming experience you will ever have. Shenmue 1 was a good build-up and prologue (and an amazing game), but Shenmue 2 simply blows it out of the water. The environments, gameplay, storytelling, and character development are second to none. Once I started my first playthrough I could hardly put down the controller. The game hardly has a dull moment, and if you canPossibly the greatest gaming experience you will ever have. Shenmue 1 was a good build-up and prologue (and an amazing game), but Shenmue 2 simply blows it out of the water. The environments, gameplay, storytelling, and character development are second to none. Once I started my first playthrough I could hardly put down the controller. The game hardly has a dull moment, and if you can survive the relentless quick time events, it's an absolute blast. I just wish Sega would wise up and find a way to bring us the next two or three games.… Expand
  30. Aventinus
    Mar 5, 2015
    10
    In this players humble opinion, the greatest video game ever created. Yu Suzuki's brainchild, Shenmue 1 and 2 was a work of art , and came very close to simulating a young Japanese man's life and struggles in the late 80's. The innovation was staggering....It was an archetype for many features we see in gaming today, including QTE's, weather effects (weather was randomized and actualIn this players humble opinion, the greatest video game ever created. Yu Suzuki's brainchild, Shenmue 1 and 2 was a work of art , and came very close to simulating a young Japanese man's life and struggles in the late 80's. The innovation was staggering....It was an archetype for many features we see in gaming today, including QTE's, weather effects (weather was randomized and actual recorded weather forecasts were used), interactivity etc. It propelled the medium to new heights and left a lasting impression on those that had the privilege to play it. Although it was a financial failure, and left the world with a whimper, it was an attempt to defy the tested the tried principles of gaming mechanics and transcend the boundaries of video gaming as a whole.

    The atmosphere was just off the charts. You could start chatting with just about anyone, and you truly felt like you were part of a living, breathing world. You could visit an arcade , collect toys , feed kittens or just hang out at the soda machine and gulp down fizzy drinks all day. Later , you could participate in arm wrestling matches with Spanish men that oozed machismo, or take a load off and play a round of darts with a snobbish mustachio dude. The world was yours to discover and manipulate as you saw fit. The variety in gameplay methods never allowed the game itself to drag on, the sheer quantity of things to do and places to go could keep you busy for hours. There were easter eggs like obtaining a sega saturn game or participating in duck racing. Ahh, the memories.

    The graphics were unparalleled at the time. The Dreamcast's 200mhz (or so) processor was tested to it's limits, everything was thrown at it except the proverbial kitchen sink, but it did not falter and other than a few areas (pigeon park) where the frame rate would slow to a crawl, the game ran smoothly. The orchestral score and in game music were also memorable , from the opening prologue and Lan Di's enigmatic entrance scene to the tomato convenience store theme (best jingle evah!).

    Yu Suzuki and his team poured their souls into this game, it's just a damn shame that there will probably never be a deserved conclusion to this masterpiece.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Dreamcast Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Discussed Dreamcast Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Shared Dreamcast Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Total Video Games
    90
    The big improvement for me is that everything is a lot less linear then before; it really does feel that your actions directly influence Ryo’s progress through the adventure.
    Read full review
  2. Planet Dreamcast
    90
    I loved Shenmue. But as great as I thought that game was, nothing could have prepared me for Shenmue II.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    87
    Shenmue II is so much better than its predecessor, refining nearly every aspect of the original. It's a polished game that serves as a showcase for the DC and the evolution of the RPG genre, and fans should definitely find a way to play it.
    Read full review
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