Shenmue I & II

About

"Shenmue I & II" is an open-world action adventure game that combines jujitsu combat, investigative sleuthing, and RPG elements. The story follows Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist on a quest for revenge against Lan Di, who murdered his father and stole an precious artifact. The game is known for its immersive open world, engaging story, and pioneering features such as quick time events and day-night cycles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,254 reviews

story284 positive mentions

grinding70 negative mentions

Shenmue is a groundbreaking game that was ahead of its time, offering a unique blend of storytelling, exploration, and character interaction.
The attention to detail in the game world is impressive, with NPCs having their own routines and the ability to interact with almost every object.
The nostalgic value and immersive experience of Shenmue I & II make them a must-play for fans of story-driven games.

The controls are clunky and can be frustrating, especially for modern players used to more fluid mechanics.
The pacing can be slow, with significant waiting periods for certain events to trigger, which may deter some players.
The voice acting and dialogue can be awkward and cheesy, detracting from the overall experience for some players.

story
938 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The story of Shenmue is a deeply engaging tale centered around Ryo Hazuki's quest for revenge after witnessing his father's murder, blending elements of martial arts, exploration, and character development. While the narrative is often described as slow-paced and occasionally tedious due to time-wasting mechanics, many players appreciate its immersive world and the emotional depth of its characters. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and dialogue, the overall storytelling is considered a significant achievement in video game history, with a rich atmosphere that captivates players even decades after its release.
- “The story is phenomenal as it keeps you engaged with the world and its intricate characters.”
- “Rich storyline: the game’s narrative is deeply engaging, with a compelling quest for revenge that unfolds in a detailed and immersive world.”
- “Shenmue is an excellent game with a wonderful story and was a major player in popularizing quick time event sequences.”
- “There are so many instances in the main quest where you're forced to kill time.”
- “There's an entire chapter of the game, maybe a third of the story, that just feels like actual work.”
- “The missions can be tedious or boring and the second game especially feels incredibly rushed.”
graphics
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
67%
9%
The graphics of Shenmue I & II are often described as dated, reflecting their origins from the late 1990s, yet they were groundbreaking for their time, showcasing impressive detail and interactivity that set a standard for future games. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and aesthetic consistency, others note that the visuals may not hold up against modern standards, with occasional graphical glitches and limitations in texture quality. Overall, the remastered versions offer improved resolution and some graphical enhancements, but players are advised to manage their expectations regarding the visuals compared to contemporary titles.
- “I absolutely love Shenmue with a passion and it became my ultimate favorite game as a 12-year-old. Now, 22 years later, I am still baffled by how the graphics look considering its age; it still holds up.”
- “Not to mention the graphics are far ahead of their time by years, considering this game was created in the late 90s and surpasses many of the games that would be released even five years later.”
- “This is such a beautiful, polished port, with stunning visuals.”
- “Graphical limitations: while the graphics were groundbreaking at the time, they may not hold up well against modern high-definition visuals.”
- “The graphics during the time were 'eh' but the gameplay and story make up for it.”
- “It does show its age, especially when it comes to graphics and controls; the movement can feel awkward at times.”
gameplay
342 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
74%
9%
The gameplay of Shenmue I & II is characterized by a slow-paced, exploration-focused experience that emphasizes interaction with NPCs and immersion in the game world, often at the expense of action and depth in mechanics. While the games pioneered several innovative features, such as quick-time events and a living world, many players find the controls clunky and the gameplay repetitive, leading to a mixed reception that highlights both nostalgia and frustration. Overall, the unique blend of investigative gameplay and martial arts elements may appeal to some, but the dated mechanics and pacing can deter newcomers seeking more dynamic experiences.
- “The gameplay has barely any action at all and it is really just about exploring the game world, getting to know the important NPCs and soaking up the atmosphere, which I enjoyed quite a lot.”
- “Unique gameplay elements: the game includes a variety of activities, from martial arts training to arcade games, adding to its charm and replayability.”
- “I really enjoyed the gameplay which demands you immerse yourself in the game world and the story is great in my opinion too.”
- “It's an interesting game with interesting ideas, but I see it as a lesson in game mechanics that don't work and aren't fun.”
- “Due to the limited gameplay mechanics, some parts of the game actually start to drag heavily.”
- “Most of the people will be frustrated by extremely slow-paced gameplay and clunky controls.”
music
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
3%
The music in Shenmue I and II is widely praised as one of the standout features of the games, with many reviewers calling it "incredible" and "one of the best soundtracks ever created for a video game." The atmospheric and diverse soundtrack enhances the immersive experience, fitting each location perfectly and evoking a strong sense of nostalgia and emotion. While some minor issues with sound mixing have been noted, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the games' charm and artistic value.
- “The music and atmosphere of Shenmue are so good that they give you the chills.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and probably one of the best to ever come out of a game to date and it adds tons of emotion to the story.”
- “The music is wonderful, making each area its own character due to how well the music fits every location.”
- “Maybe it is the extremely bad voice acting, or the annoying music.”
- “I love this game, but for some reason when the launcher starts it starts playing music and it blares in the background of the entire game and I can't figure out how to turn it off.”
- “But even without them my first impressions weren't particularly good: from the obnoxiously loud sounds in the menus to the repetitive music, cheesy dialogue and cliché story to the bad controls...”
atmosphere
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The atmosphere in Shenmue is widely praised for its immersive and detailed world, effectively transporting players to 1980s Japan and later to China, with a strong emphasis on exploration and interaction with NPCs. The game's relaxing music, attention to environmental detail, and nostalgic aura contribute to a unique and engaging experience, making it ideal for players seeking a slower-paced adventure. Despite some gameplay criticisms, the overall ambiance and storytelling create a captivating atmosphere that resonates with many players.
- “Due to its slow pacing, great atmosphere, relaxing music, and low overall difficulty, it's the perfect game for stressful times when you really just need to shut down for an hour or two and immerse yourself into a well-made and atmospheric world.”
- “Atmospheric world: the attention to detail in the game’s environments creates a strong sense of place and time, transporting players to 1980s Japan.”
- “Even though the story is nothing groundbreaking, the atmosphere, the choice of presentation, and grand soundtrack just make the experience so immersive, as if you’re actually part of that world.”
- “That's what killed the game for me—a real pity, as the atmosphere was quite cozy.”
- “While the first Shenmue was taking place in Japan and oozed that special atmosphere, Shenmue II takes place in China and it feels absolutely different!”
- “I kinda liked the atmosphere of the small Japanese town but that's pretty much all...”
grinding
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tedious and repetitive nature, with many players finding the character interactions, job tasks, and mission structures to be frustratingly slow and unengaging. While some appreciate the immersive world-building, the overwhelming sentiment is that the gameplay often feels like a chore, detracting from the overall experience. Players express a desire for more meaningful combat and less focus on mundane tasks, particularly in the second game, which is seen as significantly more tedious than its predecessor.
- “Everything in this game is insanely tedious, and the quests are so shallow, the time spent isn't worth it.”
- “The missions in Shenmue 2 are significantly more boring and tedious than Shenmue 1's (i.e. the atrocious book carrying minigame), and the story feels like it drags on a little more than before.”
- “It's tedious and a waste of time.”
humor
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its notoriously bad English voice acting and awkward dialogue, which many players find unintentionally hilarious and charming. While some animations and translations add to the comedic experience, the overall humor is often described as a mix of genuine amusement and cringe, making it a unique aspect of the game's appeal. Players appreciate the funny characters and mini-games, suggesting that the humor enhances the enjoyment of the story and gameplay despite its flaws.
- “The hilarious voice acting is entertaining and really funny.”
- “Somehow, all the hilariously awkward dialogue and awful voice acting become a huge part of Shenmue's charm, and you find yourself really into it.”
- “It's funny and enjoyable while also having a very in-depth story that invests you in the characters.”
stability
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of graphical and audio glitches, inconsistent framerates, and frequent crashes, making it frustratingly buggy for many players. While some users noted minor issues that were manageable, others found the game nearly unplayable due to these persistent problems. Overall, the port is seen as flawed, but it remains the best option for experiencing Shenmue compared to older versions or emulators.
- “Runs great.”
- “Runs great.”
- “Annoying audio glitches out of the box, voice lines cutting off constantly, crackles and poor quality that seemingly is exclusive to this version.”
- “This game is so buggy it's basically unplayable.”
- “It's a wonderful game; unfortunately, a plethora of bugs and glitches keep it from being an enjoyable experience.”
emotional
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply tied to Ryo's poignant journey for revenge, which resonates with players who invest in his story and the characters he encounters. While the narrative explores themes of futility and personal growth, it requires patience and a willingness to embrace the experience beyond traditional gameplay. Many fans find the emotional soundtrack and the game's cinematic quality to leave a lasting impact, making it a memorable and heartfelt experience.
- “The story hammers at you about the futility of revenge, but you can't help but want to see Ryo succeed. If you're prepared to invest emotionally in Ryo's plight, you'll stick with these games.”
- “I think Shenmue has a heartfelt story to tell, and it can be very captivating at times.”
- “Nineteen years later, I still get emotional just hearing the soundtrack and playing Ryo again.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
57%
29%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting severe graphical and audio glitches, inconsistent framerates, and stuttering that detracts from the overall experience. Some users experienced significant performance issues, including CPU overheating, while others reported smooth gameplay on specific setups, suggesting that performance may vary widely depending on hardware. Overall, the game appears to require patches to address these optimization concerns and improve stability.
- “Runs smoothly.”
- “In regards to performance, everything runs well for me. I am on an i5 3570k, 16 GB of RAM, and an EVGA GTX 960 with 6 GB of VRAM.”
- “Performance-wise, almost flawless; a few hiccups with some of the fancy effects but nothing too jarring.”
- “Has such poor CPU optimization that with certain setups it can genuinely cause the CPU to overheat and crash the system (a game 2 decades old!).”
- “Sloppy performance like this mars the game's unique and engrossing atmosphere, and the last thing you want with Shenmue is any barrier to the vibe that Yu Suzuki intended.”
- “Every single test showed dropped frames, weird skips, and generally unstable performance.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
Shenmue I & II offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to its diverse activities, hidden events, and multiple outcomes based on player choices. While some players may find the slow pace and controls off-putting, the game's intricate details and mini-games encourage exploration and repeated playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted a lack of significant replay value, suggesting that the experience may not appeal to everyone.
- “There's tons of things to do inside the game, lots of hidden events and cutscenes that are easy to miss, which gives the game a good level of replayability.”
- “If it weren't for the somewhat stiff controls, overcompressed sound, a few dragging sections and the generally non-existent replay value, Shenmue I & II would easily be a solid 5 (maybe even a low 6) out of 8, but the gameplay premise is indeed somewhat of an acquired taste and it might be just too slow and 'unexciting' for people who are looking for some action, so for currently 35 euros at full price this collection is way too expensive.”
- “There's so many little details that you're never going to catch all of them on the first time you play through it, so it has some replayability to it even if you know how the story goes.”
- “It has some replay value too; due to its mini-games, some different outcomes depending on what you do, how long you take to do it, whether you find and train all of your moves, etc.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization in Shenmue is characterized by excessive and intrusive Sega advertising, which detracts from the overall gaming experience.
- “Shenmue has lots of intrusive Sega advertising.”