Oh I know but personally I don't want it to come out then. I want to play it right when it comes out so I hope it comes out during a light month.
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Shenmue I & II Remaster (8/21/2018; PC/PS4/XB1 - $29.99)
- Thread starter Y2Kev
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Oh I know but personally I don't want it to come out then. I want to play it right when it comes out so I hope it comes out during a light month.
Not sure how I feel about the Timeskip feature... I feel like new players will be too eager to use it and miss the naturalistic feeling of the game.
I'm eager to play these games again. When they came out it was like looking into the future. Now I'm not really sure they've aged that well. But these games gave me a sense of place that few games accomplish.
I'm eager to play these games again. When they came out it was like looking into the future. Now I'm not really sure they've aged that well. But these games gave me a sense of place that few games accomplish.
Could you go into more detail, because this just sounds like "I didn't like it", which doesn't necessarily translate into "this is not a great game".
Regardless, Shenmue II is magnitudes better (and bigger) than the first one, so if you didn't play that because you didn't like Chapter I, that sucks.
Ehm no, this here looks like straight from the PC emulation thread, I expected a little more love as recent remaster raised the bar quite a bit, should have called it PORT
As the thread title states, this is going to be a re-master and not a remake. So I'd expect the original game to be pretty 1-1 to the Dreamcast original, while adding a few optional gameplay tweaks.
The only visible upgrades is the higher resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio. I'm also guessing that it will probably be locked at 30fps due to the way animation works in the game.
For a 1999 release, the game looked pretty amazing. Those character models were some of the best on a home console or even home PC for that matter, that didn't appear in a 3D fighting game. But all the same, it is a nearly 20 year old 3D game.
Soooo...play shenmue instead of whatever else might be in the way?
The power is in your hands and yours alone, nothing stopping you.
Do you remember what HD remasters used to be like until the waters got muddied by quasi-remakes masquerading under the remaster terminology started popping up?
Res bump + widescreen + improved textures + dual audio + new UI + classic and new control schemes & more. Calling it just a port is downplaying, and it fits the general accepted standard for a HD remaster until these remakes except in name only started popping up.
Your post genuinely came across as low effort bait.
I agree. Good way to describe it.
Still has a lot of unique elements even by today's standards, but the execution is noticeably archaic, particularly with Shenmue 1.
If it's not a remaster, I'd love to hear your definition of what a remaster IS then.
I think that's very much a matter of opinion.
I has aged well for me but I also have extreme nostalgia tied to the game and a love for it's quirks.
They haven't mentioned it yet. Seems doubtful.
II still holds up quite well IMO. Cinematic direction, "teaching" players lessons with mechanics woven into the story, and the ebb and flow of the pacing especially.
I think a lot of games could learn from the way Shenmue II handles its ending too. Guilin acting as decompression after Kowloon's climax made for, IMO, an ending I felt really satisfied with. Most games now just shoot their wad and roll credits.
I should have have been more specific.
The gameplay and controls can be noticeably archaic (although this will now include a modern controls option).
Yes, things like the cinematic presentation and soundtrack hold up extremely well.
Yeap. As long as mods are supported I'm sure well see an effort to improve assets, etc. Something like what happened with the original Resident Evil 4 release.
Gonna play these for the first time I guess.
They're like atmosphere heavy lifestyle-ish simulators right?
They're like atmosphere heavy lifestyle-ish simulators right?
Good stuff!
Shenmue 1 and 2 are exclusive to two separate consoles that really didn't shift tons of units, so this package will certainly help people get ready for 3.
Shenmue 1 and 2 are exclusive to two separate consoles that really didn't shift tons of units, so this package will certainly help people get ready for 3.
Yup. With heavy adventure game elements. There's also a pretty deep fighting system based off the Virtua Fighter system, which is highlighted more heavily in Shenmue II.
And there's definitely strong story beats through out it all. You're always working towards something.
Awesome. Never played them and I backed the Shenmue III Kickstarter. So now I'll be able to play the whole series.
I had some nostalgic love for Shenmue, but I played them both recently (in the last 1-2 years) and wooooow they're rough. Something incredibly charming about them, but I don't know how much that'll carry over to people playing it for the first time now. I'm sorta worried there'll be a backlash around these re-releases that might do some damage to 3's chances.
But maybe everyone will love them as much as a bunch of us do and it'll all be awesome! I guess we'll see!
But maybe everyone will love them as much as a bunch of us do and it'll all be awesome! I guess we'll see!
Wait, this is $30 for both? I expected twice that given the series's cult status. This isn't exactly my kettle of fish but at such price I may need to reconsider.
My best advice for first time players would be to be patient and take your time. Don't try to rush through it or try to figure out the meta. You'll just get frustrated. Especially with Shenmue I.
Treat Shenmue 1 like you're a tourist seeing some bizarre long lost land for the very first time lol. Explore the nooks and cranies, the details are what makes the first game so special. Things pick up considerably once you're launched into Shenmue II.
The thing about Shenmue is, it isn't a conventional action game. It's mostly an adventure game with occasional combat. The amount of combat is probably its first main difference from Yakuza, which is a much more "conventional" video game despite how unique that series is.
And in terms of open-world simulation, Shenmue is actually much closer to a Bethesda game like Skyrim. The way it goes for small details and the extent to which it tries to simulate the daily schedules of hundreds of unique NPCs is somewhat akin to an immersive sim, though Shenmue's world isn't as reactive as the immersive sims.
Shenmue's major difference from Bethesda games and its second major difference from Yakuza is that you can't manipulate time in Shenmue. There's no rest function and you have to sleep at a certain time of the day. You have to find something to do with every hour of Ryo Hazuki's day, and you have to more or less follow the daily pattern of a normal person. This is really where the life simulation element of Shenmue comes in.
Those life simulation elements plus the world simulation plus the relative rarity of combat make Shenmue's pacing far different from any traditional open-world game. Most of the time it is a leisurely adventure game, which is likely what was so off-putting back in the day (combined with the awkward English dub).
And in terms of open-world simulation, Shenmue is actually much closer to a Bethesda game like Skyrim. The way it goes for small details and the extent to which it tries to simulate the daily schedules of hundreds of unique NPCs is somewhat akin to an immersive sim, though Shenmue's world isn't as reactive as the immersive sims.
Shenmue's major difference from Bethesda games and its second major difference from Yakuza is that you can't manipulate time in Shenmue. There's no rest function and you have to sleep at a certain time of the day. You have to find something to do with every hour of Ryo Hazuki's day, and you have to more or less follow the daily pattern of a normal person. This is really where the life simulation element of Shenmue comes in.
Those life simulation elements plus the world simulation plus the relative rarity of combat make Shenmue's pacing far different from any traditional open-world game. Most of the time it is a leisurely adventure game, which is likely what was so off-putting back in the day (combined with the awkward English dub).
You know, I was thinking to myself that something looked off from the trailer, and this comparison confirms it. Th desaturation filter from the opening scene is missing, and some of the lightmaps seem to be missing. But then again, that is probably the reason why there is a "work in progress" message at the beginning of this trailer. They probably anticipated that people would point out those missing things.
- They are ports - not remasters
- Showing comparisons of the cutscenes only is pretty redundant
- From the information so far, very little is being touched up and only the PC version seems to have some extra options in terms of graphics
I actually really enjoyed playing it, not quite as much as the Gametrailers/EasyAllies guys seem to have but I enjoyed it quite the same.
I'm so excited yo play through these games again.
Feel like making some general posts without specifically replying to anyone.
I played both Shenmue 1 and 2 when they were new in America. I thought the first game was a little hard to get into at first, but ended up loving it by the end. Number two is, in my experience, the greatest game I've ever played (what's with the dude who said Shenmue 2 is horrendous?). They're games you experience, warts n all. I'm sure they've aged and the voice acting & script are unquestionably bad at times, but I really didn't care about any of that.
I don't think it's even slightly possible these re-releases will negatively impact Shenmue 3. The only thing that will negatively impact Shenmue 3 is if Shenmue 3 is bad. These games being around for people to play can only help endear the series to newcomers and refresh the experience for series veterans. Now, if Shenmue fans don't put their money where their mouths are and don't buy the re-release, they will probably sink any chance of Sega showing continued interest in the franchise. That's where we need to hope for the best.
I don't think people have fooled themselves into loving this series. Shenmue 3 is still, to this day, the highest funded gaming Kickstarter and interest in these remasters was mostly driven by fans pestering Sega for years. This isn't some sort of series exclusively bolstered by mass delusion. Thousands of us played the games and loved them, and twenty years later we're still dying to continue Ryo's journey.
I played both Shenmue 1 and 2 when they were new in America. I thought the first game was a little hard to get into at first, but ended up loving it by the end. Number two is, in my experience, the greatest game I've ever played (what's with the dude who said Shenmue 2 is horrendous?). They're games you experience, warts n all. I'm sure they've aged and the voice acting & script are unquestionably bad at times, but I really didn't care about any of that.
I don't think it's even slightly possible these re-releases will negatively impact Shenmue 3. The only thing that will negatively impact Shenmue 3 is if Shenmue 3 is bad. These games being around for people to play can only help endear the series to newcomers and refresh the experience for series veterans. Now, if Shenmue fans don't put their money where their mouths are and don't buy the re-release, they will probably sink any chance of Sega showing continued interest in the franchise. That's where we need to hope for the best.
I don't think people have fooled themselves into loving this series. Shenmue 3 is still, to this day, the highest funded gaming Kickstarter and interest in these remasters was mostly driven by fans pestering Sega for years. This isn't some sort of series exclusively bolstered by mass delusion. Thousands of us played the games and loved them, and twenty years later we're still dying to continue Ryo's journey.
This is very exciting news! I never got to play either game when they were originally released, so I'll definitely be picking this up.
In that video comparison, the only differences to my eye:
- some textures have been improved (Shenhua's face -- passport?)
- resolution, hence the original looking a lot softer. It's not fog
- hue/saturation, hasn't been toned down for the intro. Looks a little less ominous
What is this madness?!
The story is definitely a slow-burn, but it's still incredibly engrossing and it gets really good in Shenmue II as the scope cracks open.
And the characters are forgettable? What? Shenmue II in particular has one of, if not the best, most memorable cast in gaming!
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Yeah, I think that's pretty accurate. I've had to temper some friends where the game is concerned, because there's so much unnatural hype around 3 and I just don't think many people know what Shenmue actually is. I feel like there are weird expectations surrounding the series now, almost entirely from people who've never played one.
I think if people go in with the right expectations, there's a ton to love, but if they're going in expecting something even remotely action heavy or, god forbid, anything close to the modern "cinematic action" game, they're going to be supremely disappointed.
I think the combination of updated controls and Japanese voice option will help a lot to make both games feel better compared to modern standards and hold up better, those were the two biggest things holding S1+2 back I think, the awkward controls and bad voice acting. Add in time skipping in S1 and 1080p resolution and I don't think there's too much to fear. Some people won't like it for sure, but that goes the same for any adventure game.
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