Shenmue I & II

 PC
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Hardcore Gamer
    Aug 27, 2018
    90
    These are epic adventures and can now be enjoyed on modern-day hardware for the first time. Anyone who loved them before should get them as soon as possible to prepare for Shenmue III, while newcomers to the series have a fantastic starting point to get fully caught up on Ryo and his adventures.
  2. PC Gamer
    Aug 20, 2018
    88
    A weird, beautiful, melancholy martial arts adventure. Flawed, but an unforgettable, singular experience.
  3. Riot Pixels
    Oct 4, 2018
    85
    Shenmue and Shenmue II are both very ambitious games jam-packed with many ideas and concepts that were considered groundbreaking at the time of their release, but do not relegate them to the ash heap of history yet — they’re still just as relevant and fun to play today.
  5. COGconnected
    Aug 27, 2018
    85
    For those who have fond memories of Shenmue I & II, these ports will allow you to revisit and experience why you fell in love with them. New players who feast on GTAs and Yazukas may find the pace a little too languid but with a little perseverance should soon fall under the Shenmue spell. A stellar port by d3t and here’s to hoping Shenume III can pull off the tricky balancing act of appeasing original fans in tandem with bringing the franchise into the modern gaming world.
  6. We Got This Covered
    Sep 12, 2018
    80
    After years of waiting, Sega finally delivered the Shenmue experience we deserve. Although it's clunky and a little dated, the series holds up incredibly well after nearly 20 years.
  7. GameGrin
    Aug 28, 2018
    80
    Shenmue I & II brings the Dreamcast classics to a new audience as well as those nostalgic for the old days. They are still fun, exciting games even with a few quirks due to their age and are well worth playing in 2018.
  8. RPG Site
    Aug 24, 2018
    80
    To me, both Shenmue 1 and Shenmue 2 are the epitome of what Japan was able to accomplish when publishers gave the developers under them very long leashes to just go out there and make whatever game they desired to. The industry was still in a growing stage, and that has all but evaporated in today's world. As a result, this is truly something that is well worth experiencing whether you're a newcomer or simply looking to find out whether that rose-tinted nostalgia you have still holds up. It may not be for everyone, but you shouldn't pass up Yu Suzuki's magnum opus.
  9. GameWatcher
    Aug 20, 2018
    80
    Shenmue is incredible- All open world games should be this good. Players hoping for a little more action and less Forklift Operating should check out the Yakuza series.
  10. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Aug 29, 2018
    78
    We're back to the epic and unique saga that defined modern gaming. The saga and Shenmue Legend begin…again. Shenmue's open world is still unrivaled in depth and detail.
  11. GameStar
    Sep 23, 2018
    75
    A carefully preserved milestone of this medium, inviting to start a fascinating journey through time to the beginnings of modern game design.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 115 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 115
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 115
  3. Negative: 18 out of 115
  1. Dicimania
    Sep 22, 2018
    10
    for tme Shenmue is the best game ever, its actually not a game, its a masterpiece....
  2. Chiyou
    Aug 26, 2018
    10
    Not just a fundamental classic in any video game fan's library. This game caused a change in the way games were made. You play in a very realNot just a fundamental classic in any video game fan's library. This game caused a change in the way games were made. You play in a very real world in Yokosuka in the 1980's. searching every part of dubuita for the mystery of who was the man who killed your father. Along the way there are so many activities to do that you'll spend Ryo's allowance far too quickly. You'll need to get a job at the harbor to replenish your habits of capsule toys, arcade machines, buying pointless snacks just for a chance to win a raffle, and gambling at the casino. If you want to have a lot of fun play with the english audio.. but if you want to take the story a little more serious try out the japanese audio.

    Now for the other part.. D3T did a decent job at porting the game to PC, XB1, and PS4... However they clearly had far too big of a job for the tiny company that they were. They shipped the game with quite a few bugs, Most of them don't break the game but they are annoyances for a superfan who wants to see everything run smoothly. It does however run smoothly, especially when comparing it to the dreamcast and xbox versions. However occasions do pop up where things that clearly should have been noticed by the developers will catch your eye. This game has 2 trophies on PS4 and some pretty easy trophies/achievements. I wish it was a little more of a challenge to be honest.

    In conclusion: this is a must own.    … Full Review »
  3. Fhhd
    Nov 19, 2019
    10
    Outstanding games then. Outstanding games still. There's so much atmosphere in these games. They have such a sense of place and scale fromOutstanding games then. Outstanding games still. There's so much atmosphere in these games. They have such a sense of place and scale from small details to big themes.… Full Review »
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