Shenmue II

"A beutiful exsperience and a wonderful game."

To start off, I am a HUGE Shenmue fan. Mainly of Shenmue II, which is the game that captured my heart. But being that I am a Shenmue fan I am not going to give this game a bias opinion.

To start off,

GRAPHICS: 10/10
The graphics and details on this game are amazing. They push the Sega Dreamcast to its maximum capabilities. One of the most beutiful Dreamcast games I have ever seen. The realism of it is so amazing. Go to this building notice a cracked brick then look to your left and the bricks are perfect except that little stain on the wall. The details for this game is the best that I have EVER seen in any game on any console. So that is why I gave it the score I gave it.

CONTROLS: 10/10
Everything on the controller is in the best spot possible. Every control setup for each situation your in works perfectly well and makes sense.

STORY: 10/10
Shenmue IIs story is the best I have experienced through a game in my life time. I have played a lot of games that were recognized for their story also. This story is so twisting, suspenseful, unique, action filled, filled with love and when your done it will leave you staring in awe. You feel like you are inside the game when playing this. This games story is more of an experience then a story. Also such a unique RPG stry compared to others that are so repetetive.

SOUND: 10/10
The BEST sound track I have ever heard in a game period. I have never heard anything this good. So many great fully orchestrated songs. The songs on this game could be a top seller if the soundtrack sold nationally. Beutiful sound effect. Wether your walking on dry or wet ground the sounds are different, walking on stones or tiles and walking on grass or gravel the sounds are all so different.

GAME PLAY: 8/10
I think the game play is spectacular and everything works perfectly fine for me. But some people tend to have a problem with the Virtual Fighter style of fighting. Over looking that one problem everything else in the game play is great. Navagation of the character is smooth and easy. But sometimes the game has some slow down when running through crowded areas. But it isn't that bad. There are things called QTEs Quick Time Events, what these are-are Dragon Lair style events. Where a button on the controller flashes on the screen and you must press it in a limited amount of time. Sounds simple, but it is not because in Shenmue II they have added ''Combo QTEs'' where the screen freezes and a the buttons are hit in a specific order and you must memorize that order and quicly follow behind it to excute the command. The ''Free Battle Mode'' is where people have a problem with the Virtual Style fighting. It is pretty self explainatory so I will skip it. This about covers most of the game play. I will leave the rest for you to find out.

REPLAY: 10/10
This game has the best replay value of any game so far. I garuntee you going through this game 30 times you WILL see something different each time. Depending on the time of the day and the day or month everything changes. How many people you talk to, how often you talk to them, the places you go all change what might happen. This game has endless possibilites and tons of secrets in it HUGE enviroment.

OVERALL: 9/10
This definently is a fantastic game but may not always appeal to a small amount of people. The fighting system may also not appeal to everyone. Then occasional slow down (which is to be expected) does bother some people. Besdies that this is one of the best games ever created. Are you
ready to exsperience a new world, the world of Shenmue?

This game is a definite buy for anybody. My own opinion on this game is a 10 but because other people see things differently I had to take that into consideration. I recommend this game to anyone. If you have questions just E-mail me. Thanks for reading, bye!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/09/02, Updated 08/09/02