It’s always nice to see Shenmue being recognised in gaming media, so we are absolutely delighted to see long-running news site CBR mentioning the series and giving it some attention.
In a new article written by Emma Singer, Shenmue II is given the spotlight and called the “most ambitious game on Dreamcast”. Here’s what she has to say:
The Shenmue games were some of the first to truly attempt to bridge the gap between video games and movies, and while the first game in the series might have more charm, Shenmue II is the entry that more so succeeds in this specific way. Its world is bigger, its characters are more interesting, its visuals are superior, and the climax is utterly unforgettable.
Shenmue II directly continues the story of the original game, following Ryo Hazuki as he fights to get revenge on the man who killed his father, Lan Di. The plot is easily the best that can be found on the Dreamcast and, rather than being an action game as one might suspect from its premise, Shenmue II is actually a revolutionary life simulator, where players are given the freedom to do just about anything they could in the real world.
We could not agree more that the iconic second game in the series perfectly balances ordinary moment-to-moment life with insane set pieces and high-adrenaline action sequences. It’s the reason why many Shenmue fans consider it their favourite in the series.
As we wait for further news about Shenmue III Enhanced, and hope for any kind of news about Shenmue IV, it’s gratifying to see the older games in the series getting some well-deserved love.
