Random Shenmue Thoughts

Third consecutive play through of the three games… day off work, today visited Warehouse No.8 the first time, Nozomi and Ryo’s conversation by the cat, fight with Guizhang.

So much still unexplained set up there.

just curious

do you mean at that point in the game specifically
or
after all three parts, there is still so much left uncovered about these points?
 
Wow, I've played these games numerous times over the years and somehow I almost forgot to get the Double Blow. Read in another post that you can still get it after finding the sailors so hopefully I can still get it.

Also ended up missing that little side thing where you help the old lady find that one house. Weird that I missed that one cause I used to always trigger that.
 
Working in warehouses in other parts again of the country but im really hoping for a harbour at some point.
 
just curious

do you mean at that point in the game specifically
or
after all three parts, there is still so much left uncovered about these points?
I kind of meant in general, obviously we all know there’s still a lot to be revealed, but came across those three points in fairly quick succession yesterday and it just underlined it for me.

Warehouse No.8 and Chen talking about the Chi You Men - still loads of detail to find out about them.

Ryo and Nozomi - do they end up together at, I guess, the end?

Fight with Guizhang - he says something to the effect of you still don’t understand your role do you? What’s he referring to there?

Wow, I've played these games numerous times over the years and somehow I almost forgot to get the Double Blow. Read in another post that you can still get it after finding the sailors so hopefully I can still get it.

Also ended up missing that little side thing where you help the old lady find that one house. Weird that I missed that one cause I used to always trigger that.
Another realisation now, I’ve missed learning it, this time around. Balls. Not too bothered about the move, I just like the scene. Missed the old lady on my previous playthrough, but got her this time. Cant win em all I suppose.
 
Another realisation now, I’ve missed learning it, this time around. Balls. Not too bothered about the move, I just like the scene. Missed the old lady on my previous playthrough, but got her this time. Cant win em all I suppose.
Very true. Now I'm wondering if I ended up missing the scenes with Mai at the harbor because this time when I started Disc 2 the time was more in the evening and the scene didn't trigger when I went by the lunch stand while searching for the warehouse.

At least missing a move isn't too bad, I did a Shenmue 2 Dreamcast playthrough once on a fresh file without importing a save and I was surprised to learn that unlike the Xbox version you actually don't have any of the optional moves from the first game. I was still able to play through it just fine but it was really surprising since I assumed a fresh start would be similar to the Xbox version.
 
Yeah, I don’t think I ever really used that move at all on my first couple of plays. If I’m honest all I really do is use the normal punch and kick buttons and whatever that running kick is called. Windmill? Maybe some dodging, and that’s it. I’m not very technically minded when it comes to the fighting elements.

I’ve never played the DC version of S2 all the way through, which annoys me a bit. I played it when it was new, stopped playing for whatever reason, then went with the Xbox version when I got back into the games a few years ago. My DC was driving me mad - I persevered and finished S1, but despite the console turning on fine it’d take 20 minutes of turning the console on and off to get it to read a disc. In fairness to the poor old thing, according to my still existent save on the memory card, it hadn’t been turned on since 2002.

Below photo was taken 21/03/21 when I first restarted S1

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Oh wow, I never knew that Liu actually explains the meaning of the "Father's Heaven" code to you if you talk to him after talking to Master Chen. I swear every time I play this game I find at least one or two small new things I haven't seen before.
Yeah, I don’t think I ever really used that move at all on my first couple of plays. If I’m honest all I really do is use the normal punch and kick buttons and whatever that running kick is called. Windmill? Maybe some dodging, and that’s it. I’m not very technically minded when it comes to the fighting elements.

I’ve never played the DC version of S2 all the way through, which annoys me a bit. I played it when it was new, stopped playing for whatever reason, then went with the Xbox version when I got back into the games a few years ago. My DC was driving me mad - I persevered and finished S1, but despite the console turning on fine it’d take 20 minutes of turning the console on and off to get it to read a disc. In fairness to the poor old thing, according to my still existent save on the memory card, it hadn’t been turned on since 2002.

Below photo was taken 21/03/21 when I first restarted S1

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I know the feeling. I actually had my disc drive replaced with a TerraOnion MODE because my system refused to read Disc 3 of Shenmue 1. At least the nice thing about having such a device is now I can play the PAL versions of S1 (instead of my NTSC copy) and 2 on original hardware and I don't have to worry about the disc drive. Being able to play just about any game I want on my Dreamcast now is extremely nice, I get good use out of it now.
 
By coincidence, I discovered last night that Yamagishi explains the same thing to you in Suzume Park at that point? I think it was Yamagishi anyway, not great with NPC names. First time I’d come across it as well. On my third playthrough and each has been different in terms of what I’ve come across. So much going on in the game, it’s incredible.

Out of curiosity, what’s the TerraOnion MODE?
 
By coincidence, I discovered last night that Yamagishi explains the same thing to you in Suzume Park at that point? I think it was Yamagishi anyway, not great with NPC names. First time I’d come across it as well. On my third playthrough and each has been different in terms of what I’ve come across. So much going on in the game, it’s incredible.

Out of curiosity, what’s the TerraOnion MODE?
It's an optical drive emulator for the Dreamcast, Saturn, and PS1. Lets me play any Dreamcast game I want on an SD card but you can also use a hard drive with it. The one part I don't like is how the SD slot is in a cramped spot so I have to take the thing out every time I want to reorganize things... I spent all day not long ago troubleshooting stuff only to realize I forgot to plug it in all the way. It's a bit expensive and TerraOnion itself has a bit of a mixed reputation as a company but it's worked very well for me.

For the Dreamcast it was simple enough to set up (removing the GD-Rom drive is... "fun" though my drive was dying anyways) but for the other consoles I think the setup is a bit more advanced.
 
Ah I see, thanks for the reply - just looked it up and part of me is tempted, as I’d really like to have a Dreamcast that wasn’t a pain in the arse to play, but then reality makes me realise I haven’t got the money for one and probably not the patience to install it either. Also don’t have a laptop/desktop to put the actual games on the SD…
 
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Xbox promoting anime month. Is there a hidden Shenmue mech mini game we've never known about?!
 
do you guys think shenmue 1/2 (ps4) will ever be a "free" ps essential game?

i cant think of an easier way to make some new shenmue fans then offering shenmue1/2(ps4) as a "free" monthly game.
 
Shenmue II made #19 and Shenmue I made #9 in the new Retro Gamer best games of all time (up to 2007) poll.

Shenmue I is the highest Sega game. For context the last poll's #1 (Super Mario World) dropped to #10.

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It doesn’t really need saying to you lot I guess, but third time finishing S1, it’s incredible.

Nothing else comes close to setting up something so huge and riddled with mystery and potential.

At that point in the series it could go absolutely anywhere, and I suppose the situation is still the same, which makes it something worth clinging to.
 
It doesn’t really need saying to you lot I guess, but third time finishing S1, it’s incredible.

Nothing else comes close to setting up something so huge and riddled with mystery and potential.

At that point in the series it could go absolutely anywhere, and I suppose the situation is still the same, which makes it something worth clinging to.
This is why, while I would absolutely love to see the series continue, I won't be completely upset if it doesn't. I'm not concerned with the outcome (we all know how it ends I'd bet), because the journey we took to get there has been incredible, nearly every step of the way.
 
You’re totally right.

Still, greed compels me to want more.
 
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