Shenmue II

 Xbox
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 161 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 142 out of 161
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 161
  3. Negative: 15 out of 161
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  1. BobS.
    Feb 10, 2003
    0
    This has to be the worst game ever created. Perhaps there was an engrossing story behind it, but I never got past the annoying "jobs" and horrible voice-overs to care. I made the mistake of getting a part-time job dropping a marble and watching it bounce through nails repeatedly for over 5 minutes... borrrring. I wouldn't recommend this game to an enemy.
  2. MichaelR.
    Dec 7, 2002
    4
    Pros: +Beautiful, detailed graphics, despite that it was originally made for the Dreamcast. +More action all around. +More minigames. +Ryo has multiple ways to earn money. +Comes with Shenmue the Movie, that details the events of the first game. Cons: -Short. You can beat it within a rental. -Fighting in a latter part of the game was simply a little frustrating, since they decided to use Pros: +Beautiful, detailed graphics, despite that it was originally made for the Dreamcast. +More action all around. +More minigames. +Ryo has multiple ways to earn money. +Comes with Shenmue the Movie, that details the events of the first game. Cons: -Short. You can beat it within a rental. -Fighting in a latter part of the game was simply a little frustrating, since they decided to use some odd, quasi first-person camera angle. -Story is lackluster and not as engaging as in the first game; ***SPOILER ALERT!!*** Youdontaccomplishanything; Bytheendofthegameyouarestilllookingforwhoyoucametofind ***End of spoiler*** -Just plain tedious. -The world is bigger, but there is actually less to explore than in the first game Overall: If you haven't played the first Shenmue, don't bother starting the series with 2. If you have, though, or are still interested in the game (since my review is about the only bad one), rent it. You will be able to beat the game and do just about everything within the rental period.… Expand
  3. drlowdon
    May 3, 2019
    4
    Set during the late 80's Shenmue II opens withRyo Hazuki arriving in Wan Chai, Hong Kong on the trail of his father's killer, Lan Di, of the criminal Chi You Men organization.

    Over the years Shenmue has garnered a cult following but, whilst I appreciate what this game was trying to do, I never really enjoyed it at the time and time hasn't been kind to it. The gameplay is often    Set during the late 80's Shenmue II opens withRyo Hazuki arriving in Wan Chai, Hong Kong on the trail of his father's killer, Lan Di, of the criminal Chi You Men organization.

    Over the years Shenmue has garnered a cult following but, whilst I appreciate what this game was trying to do, I never really enjoyed it at the time and time hasn't been kind to it. The gameplay is often monotonous with a lot of aimless wondering and dull side missions. The controls, which were poor even for the time, feel even more awkward by modern standards and graphical its stood up as badly as most early 3d games.

    We'll seen be seeing a third entry in the series pretty soon so Shenmue clearly has a decent fan base, I'm just not one of them.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best Xbox Game of 2002
6
#6 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
3
#3 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Gamestyle
    90
    Technically, the Xbox conversion of Shenmue 2 is a pot-pourri of highs and lows. Visually, it's two notches above its DC brother (AM2 have attached light sources to EVERYTHING - moreso at night, where neon bathes you in its "afterglow") but two notches below what the system is capable of.
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  2. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    Rarely has so much sheer brilliance been nestled side-by-side with such absolute tedium and badly conceived gameplay, along with wild shifts in tone guaranteed to make your head spin. [Winter 2002, p.88]
  3. Eurogamer
    60
    Ultimately, your perseverance with the sluggish pacing can be rewarding, but Shenmue 2 consistently proves itself an ageing game with ageing looks. It should never have happened like this.
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