Product Description

Shenmue II is an epic adventure that has all the elements of a great movie–drama: mystery, suspense and action–-and offers a unique gameplaying experience that seamlessly blends elements of action, adventure, fighting and RPG games. Players assume the role of Ryo Hazuki, a young man dedicated to the task of tracking his father's murderer and unlocking the mysteries of the Phoenix Mirror. Shenmue II continues where Shenmue left off and brings Ryo to Hong Kong with many questions still unanswered as he follows the trail of Lan Di, the man who killed his father.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12985 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sega
• Released on: 2001-11-23
• Platform: Sega Dreamcast

Amazon.co.uk Review
The much-awaited second installment of Sega's hugely ambitious adventure is likely to be made extremely welcome by Dreamcast gamers, as Shenmue 2 packs another four discs full of entertainment. Heck, you can even start with your save game from episode one if you managed to finish it.

The game picks up with Ryo arriving in Hong Kong as he continues his quest to avenge his father's killing. It's quickly obvious that aesthetically things have improved further; the graphics are at times outstanding, with clearly little expense spared. The game itself follows a similar format to the original, as you explore, interrogate, fight and solve the puzzles needed to progress. Again, you don't have to do everything to get to the end of the game, and there's an awful lot of time needed to get there. It really is business as usual, and it's every bit as good as before to play.

On the downside, and presumably to speed the release of the game, Sega have dispensed with an English translation, instead opting for subtitles throughout the game. It's not the end of the world, but it does now require a much more concentrated effort to play. And while it's not hard for those new to the franchise to dive in here, familiarity with previous events is still a help.

Nonetheless, this is a compelling and cinematic title, and while it doesn't add an awful lot in terms of gameplay to the first game, Shenmue 2 is an excellent, well-written adventure that's well worth taking the time to explore. --Simon Brew

Manufacturer's Information
The epic masterpiece created by the legendary Yu Suzuki continues its magnificent tale with the release of Shenmue II. Ryo Hazuki, born in Japan and trained in the martial arts, arrives in Hong Kong to continue his quest to avenge his father's murder by the warlord Lan Di. Determined to unravel the mystery of the Phoenix mirror, Ryo must explore a world brought to life by Shenmue II's enhanced 3-D technology. Journey through expansive environments full of intricately detailed tenements, Taoist temples and mysterious mountain caves. Shenmue II takes you on a thrilling action adventure of cinematic proportions full of spectacular surprises and emotional encounters. As only the second game to be released in the highly acclaimed Shenmue series, Shenmue II will amaze gamers with its revolutionary graphics, incredible attention to detail and exceptionally realised characters and story.

Customer Reviews

Best ever
Without a doubt Shenmue 2 is the best game out this year and probably the last 4 years. Ive played the Japanesse version of Shenmue 2 and I absolutley loved it. I may have used a walkthrough but thats because I cant read or speak japanesse but even at this disadvantage I still loved it.
People who have played the first game will know pretty much about the storyline and what to expect from the sequel. Shenmue 2 is much more longer than the first and with more QTE, Freestyle Fights and loads more characters. With a action packed storyline with the greatest looking graphics ever seen on a home console Shenmue 2 is the ULTIMATE GAME.

You also get chance to play some of the SEGA classics like OUTRUN, HANG-ON,SPACE HARRIER, AFTER BURNNER and a few none sega games like Darts, QTE Boxing.

The only down point to the PAL version is that it will have Japanesse voices and english subtitles. The Reason for this is that Yu Suzuki thinks it makes the game more Japanesse movie like.

But even with this set back Shenmue 2 will still be 1 of the greatest games ever made.

the second best game ever made
no shenmue 1 isnt better than 2, shenmue 2 is an improvement in everyway and several unexpected ways as well. the shenmue world is grand and beautiful, with hundreds of people living their lives, working, playing, or just out doing their exercises. its simply so stunning and realistic you dont even need to play it, just wander and marvel at the realism and detail that makes up the most expensive game ever made's sequel.

shenmue 2 is so much simpler than its predecessor. you are thrown right into the story and action, no more waiting for the right weather or day or person, you literally live ryos life for a couple of months while he traces his fathers killer.

think of it as the best martial arts movie ever made, and your making it, with so much scenary and beauty that i cant wait to complete it again. never before have i felt like such an important part in a game. its not about winning or losing, theres no cheating to get a good score, no special technique needed to pass a difficult point. just discover the truth, live the adventure and go about it the way that seems best to you.

simply astounding, and once you complete it you will come to realise the truth as i did, sega and dreamcast rule the console world, then now and for a long time to come. dreamcast was the the pure heart of the console market. and it will beat again.

Genius on a disc... or 4!
Shenmue 2 is, without a shadow of a doubt, the finest role playing game ever created. It outshines it's predecessor by a mile a million and every other RPG game on any other console. Shenmue 2 was originally, like the first game, designed to appear on the Sega Saturn. But extreme in-game slow down and not enough memory (32-bit) made the games unable to run properly and look as gorgeous as creator Yu Suzuki had hoped. And so his ideas were shelved, until Sega designed their high and mighty Dreamcast, with 128-bit capabilities. What this allowed the designers of Shenmue to do was incorporate amazing graphics, speeded up game play and squeeze in sensational storylines to marvellous effect.
In Shenmue 2, Ryo Hazuki is following his leads to Hong Kong to track down the murderer of his father, the honourable and legendary Iwao Hazuki, master of the Hazuki style, and as Ryo learns, also highly popular in China.
From the start, you are swept away with geniously designed landscapes and lovable characters that pull you in - unable to treat you to a decent nights sleep and making you phone work to tell them you aren't feeling too good to spend more hours with the console.
On his quest to find Lan Di, the murderer of his father, and to learn the truth behind the 'Pheonix' mirror (of which his father kept a secret from young Ryo), Ryo joins forces with some utterly distinguishable characters.
The amazing Joy, popular resident of Hong Kong and able to help Ryo through many difficult situations.
Wong, young child theif but good at heart and becomes great friends with Ryo.
Ren of 'Heavens', a street wise punk who's past is unclear.
And Xiuyang, a master of many Chinese Kung Fu styles, who will direct Ryo to becoming wise and to strip him of all foolishness which could render him dead when he finally finds Lan Di.
The world of Shenmue 2 is over 3 times bigger than that of the original. In short, there are more shops, more streets, more characters and more adventures, in-game mini games etc.
The town of Kowloon, full of danger, is the place where Ryo must find information leading to Lan Di and the secrets of the Pheonix mirror.
The most thrilling aspect of the game thus far is the following of a criminal to lead Ryo to his results, sneaking about with Ren of 'Heavens' and trying not to get noticed. It will have you gripping the control with sweat.
And Guilin is his final destination of this adventure, where the time spent with Shenhua, a girl raise by mother nature, is truly like living in a dream - the whole of disc 4 plays like you are really there as it will take you 2-3 days to reach Guilin by foot, and in true Shenmue style, it will take you hours of play to reach the end of the game with its amazing climax.
A fantastic treat for all Dreamcast gamers, every time you play this game, the Dreamcast will remain very much alive.
You will not be dissapointed. This game is finely directed.
Quite frankly, and I speak for many, this is the finest game you will ever have the honour of playing... Enjoy!