Shenmue II
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| Shenmue II | |
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| Developer(s) | Sega-AM2 |
| Publisher(s) | Sega (DC) Microsoft (Xbox) |
| Designer(s) | Yu Suzuki |
| Release date(s) | JP September 6, 2001 (DC) EU November 23, 2001 (DC) NA October 28, 2002 (Xbox) EU March 21, 2003 (Xbox) |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure, RPG, FREE |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T (Teen) USK: 12+ ELSPA: 11+ OFLC: M15+ |
| Platform(s) | Sega Dreamcast, Xbox, Xbox 360 Backwards Compatible (With HDD unit to store emulation files) |
| Media | 4 GD-ROMs (DC) 1 DVD (Xbox) |
| Input | Gamepad |
Shenmue II is the sequel to the Sega Dreamcast Modern Action Adventure, RPG, Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment (FREE) game Shenmue, written and directed by Yu Suzuki. The game was first released in Japan on September 6, 2001 for the Dreamcast. Soon after the release, it was announced that Microsoft had obtained exclusive rights to the game in the United States for its Xbox system, which cancelled the US release of the Dreamcast version. The Xbox version was launched in the US on October 28, 2002.
However, the Dreamcast version did get published in Europe by Sega of Europe (distributed through an agreement with BigBen Interactive) on November 23, 2001. Unlike Shenmue, no English dub was made for the Dreamcast's version of Shenmue II; the original Japanese audio was supplemented with English subtitles in the European release.
With the December 14, 2006 backwards compatibility update for the Xbox 360, the Xbox release of Shenmue II can now also be played on the Xbox 360.[1]
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[edit] Differences between the Xbox and Dreamcast versions
When the U.S. Xbox version was released in 2002, it brought some changes and enhancements to the original with it. The most significant difference is the inclusion of a full English dub, with Corey Marshall reprising his role as Ryo Hazuki (葉月 涼 Hazuki Ryō) from the first game. There are two new gameplay features – a Snapshot mode to take pictures of gameplay or cutscenes to store on the Xbox's hard disk and Filters to alter the colour filters used on the entire screen. The graphics were given a boost by the Xbox's more advanced hardware (more and better lighting during the night hours, better looking water, etc.), the frame rate is now at a consistent 30 frames per second with less loss in characters on-screen (the Dreamcast version used an aggressive character LOD that caused pedestrians to fade in and out of plain view in very crowded scenes) and shorter loading times. The Xbox version also used Quincunx Anti-Aliasing (like many Xbox games) and although the technique reduced "jaggies" associated with aliasing, it did in fact hurt image quality in the Xbox version of the game giving it a somewhat "blurry" or "washed out" look.[citation needed]
There are also many other curious, and somewhat baffling graphical differences, some of which have been documented on this page; http://park.fateback.com/differences.htm
Also added was a mode to view the player's snapshots and six side stories that could be unlocked by taking an in-game snapshot of certain characters. These side stories took the form of comics (or manga) and four of them expand on areas of the story that the main game touches on, while the remaining two contain bonus art.
While the original Dreamcast version came on four GD-ROMs, the Xbox version is on one DVD and came bundled with Shenmue: The Movie on a separate DVD for play on a standard DVD player. The film is comprised entirely of scenes from the first game.
One feature the Xbox version lost was the ability to import a save file from a completed Shenmue game, allowing the player to bring items and money collected in the first to the second game. However, since the player could not import his inventory, the Xbox port started the player off with (nearly) every item obtainable in Shenmue, including a majority of the capsule toys and other collectibles, though the cassettes (amongst a select few other items that can be re-obtained in this installment) are mysteriously missing. This is identical to starting the Dreamcast version without a cleared Shenmue save file.
[edit] Story
Shenmue II takes place in four main areas – Aberdeen, Wan Chai, Kowloon Walled City, and Guilin. The story continues the quest of the 18-year-old martial artist Ryo Hazuki to hunt down Lan Di, the mysterious Chinese man who murdered his father and stole a strange mirror with a dragon design.
Early on, Ryo's main goal is to locate and learn from Master Lishao Tao who will be able to help him find Yuanda Zhu, as he was instructed to do so at the close of the first installment. Yuanda Zhu, according to Master Chen, can help Ryo find Lan Di. In the midst of uncovering clues to Tao's whereabouts, he inadvertently becomes involved with the inner workings of Aberdeen and discovers the existence of a gang known as The Heavens.
Ryo meets Lishao Tao who happens to be a woman named Xiuying. She lets Ryo stay with her and teaches him a great deal about martial arts and about himself. She tries to show him that he has no chance against Lan Di and that his quest for vengeance is bound to lead him down an immoral path.
Lishao Tao is unwilling to aid Ryo in his search for Yuanda Zhu and so Ryo works on his own to find him. She does however, keep somewhat of a watchful eye over Ryo. Ryo soon discovers that the only person who is aware of Zhu's location is the leader of The Heavens, Wuying Ren (who is commonly referred to as Ren throughout). With the help of Joy and Wong, Ryo is able to locate the base where The Heavens operate from and soon meets with Ren. However, Ren initially sets out to pull a fast one on Ryo until Ryo finally confronts him during a hectic chase through Aberdeen that culminates in the revelation of the existence of the phoenix mirror to Ren. Ren seizes the opportunity to help Ryo in exchange for whatever amount of money and riches that might be involved.
Shortly after that, Ryo meets again with Ren in Kowloon and begins his quest to pinpoint the location of Yuanda Zhu. Throughout the course of this, they discover that they are not the only people searching for Zhu and they soon discover that Dou Niu, the leader of a gang known as The Yellowheads (which, fittingly, are the rivals to Ren's own gang) and his partner, a woman called Yuan, are also hunting Zhu down in an effort to turn the man over into Lan Di's custody.
After acquiring a number of clues, Ryo and Ren finally make there way to a seemingly abandoned building in a section of Kowloon. There they finally meets Yuanda Zhu but the meeting is cut short when Dou Niu, Yuan and a number of the members of The Yellowheads ambush them. In the midst of an ensuing battle that forces Ryo out of the building, The Yellowheads kidnap Zhu and lock him up in their headquarters while they wait for the arrival of Lan Di.
Ryo, with the help of Ren (and later Wong and Joy), then makes a last gambit to rescue Zhu from his captors. Together, he and Ren storm the Yellowhead headquarters, often getting separated from each other in the process. During a notable sequence of events, Ryo is led to an underground elevator and fighting arena where he discovers that Joy has been taken hostage by thugs and a powerful martial artist named Baihu. He engages him in combat under the agreement that if he wins, Joy is to be set free.
Beyond that, Ryo (with Joy in tow) soon comes to the building where Dou Niu (along with Zhu and Wong - Wong who had been captured along with Joy but separated for undisclosed reasons) are positioned atop the roof (this takes place on the highest building in Kowloon). Once Ryo reaches the roof he is rejoined by Ren and while there he notices Lan Di hovering above on a rope ladder dangling from a helicopter.
Despite the momentary distraction, Ryo then engages Dou Niu in battle for the final time. In the aftermath, he is able to save Zhu from the clutches of Lan Di but he is unable to stop Lan Di from fleeing the area. Shortly thereafter, Ryo and Zhu discuss many things while in Ren's hideout on Dragon Street in Kowloon.
Zhu reveals the real name of Lan Di (Longsun Zhao) and the purpose behind the two mirrors depicting the phoenix and the dragon. The mirrors reveal the location of a treasure that is destined to lead to the resurrection of the Qing Dynasty. Zhu tells Ryo that he would be better off looking for information in Bailu Village in Guilin. Ryo though is more interested in the region because he is told that Lan Di is headed there. At the end of the scene it appears that Ren intends to follow along on Ryo's quest though he does not depart with him.
The game comes to an ambiguous close shortly after Ryo reaches Guilin and encounters a young woman named Ling Shenhua, an inhabitant of Bailu Village (who he had only seen in the previous installment through dream sequences), and it is here that it is revealed that the title "Shenmue" refers to an ancient tree. Shenhua leads Ryo to her home on the village outskirts and upon arrival Ryo discovers that her family has some sort of connection with the mirrors. They travel to the stone quarry where her father works to find it completely abandoned. There is a cryptic note and a strange sword there. Using the sword and the mirror Ryo sets off a device revealing a massive depiction of the two mirrors. Near the end of the game things start to change with Shenhua seeming to have somewhat supernatural powers and the device in the caves causing the sword of the seven stars to float. The game ends on this cliffhanger saying that the story will go on...
[edit] Main characters
[edit] Ryo Hazuki
Ryo is the main character and protagonist of the story. He was born and raised at the Hazuki (Bukan) Dojo in Yokosuka by his father after his mother died of an illness when he was three years old. Although Ine-san, the live-in housekeeper, and Fuku-san, his father's student, also live there, his father Iwao was Ryo's only living relation-until of course, Lan Di murdered him. Ryo began training in the Hazuki Style of jujitsu when he was very young. This training enabled him to grow very strong both physically and mentally. Although he harbors a strong love and devotion to the martial arts, he hasn't expressed much interest in succeeding his father as master of the Dojo. Ryo is well behaved and knows how to handle himself in a fight. Consequently, he's well known in the neighborhood of Yokosuka. Rather stubborn and competitive to a fault, he tends to act impulsively rather than think through a situation logically. A good example of this is the fact that despite knowing how Nozomi Harasaki feels about him, he hides his feelings and acts indifferently towards her. Ryo's quest to avenge his father's death now brings him to Hong Kong, China. What awaits him there?
[edit] Ling Shen Hua
Shen Hua is a mysterious girl who grew up surrounded by nature. Her innocent looks hide her power and courage created by the wilderness of China. She is pure and simple, with great compassion and strength. Though her presence is shrouded in mystery, Ryo's fate will be deeply influenced by her. Appearing in his dreams several times, she guides him on his journey.
[edit] Lan Di (Zhao Long Sun)
Lan Di is one of the high-ranking members of a Chinese cartel called the Chi You Men, which secretly controls black market trading in China. He is an expert of a legendary martial art, which was thought to have been lost and to exist only in fable. His cold, merciless personality makes his martial arts prowess seem even fiercer, and his coercive glare keeps people at a distance. Even within the Chi You Men, only a few people can talk to him without feeling intimidated or belittled. He and Iwao Hazuki appear to be connected by some secret involving the Dragon Mirror.
[edit] Ren Wu Ying
Ren is the leader of the Heavens, a street gang which has its own territory in the Beverly Hills Wharf. He is a bold and charismatic leader who leads by example. Ren doesn't trust anyone, and is obsessed with money. He is also quick-witted and good at gambling.
[edit] Joy
Joy is a very spirited woman who speaks her mind, but tends to be misunderstood by everyone because of her bluntness. The real Joy is gentle and honest. Her father runs a big trading company in Hong Kong, who do business with Master Chen (which is how her and Gui Zhang know each other), and Zhu Yuan Da's Five Stars Corp. This is why everyone in Hong Kong is so nice to Joy. She also has a strong affinity for motorcycles.
[edit] Wong (Ni Xian Weng)
Wong adores Ren as an older brother and admires his masculinity. He has a strong sense of duty even though he is a young boy, and never forgets to return a favour. He is also good with his hands and is particularly good at picking locks. Wong often joins Sam, Larry, and Cool Z in mischief and petty crimes around the Pier area, but he is a good boy at heart. He is also friends with the young Heavens member, Dai Zhong Shi, and Xuan Feng Lin (the kid who plays darts). His real name is Ni Xian Weng.
[edit] Hong Xiu Ying (aka Master Tao Li Shao)
Xiu Ying is fond of Chinese tradition and culture. She is well versed in Taoism, history and martial arts, specializing in literary and martial arts. Xiu Ying is a very thoughtful person and always thinks ahead before taking action. She does not speak much, nor does she show much expression, but it seems she hides a great deal of sorrow behind her beautiful eyes.
[edit] Xun Fang Mei
A fourteen year old girl, Fang Mei is cheerful and likes to help everyone, and because of this, she is loved by everyone. Fang Mei was adopted by the temple members, so she works there to repay their kindness for adopting her. She is respectful of her elders, but will also speak her mind if she sees that something is wrong, though she is neither arrogant nor spiteful. Fang Mei likes to keep herself busy, taking care of people's needs but goes overboard if someone special catches her eye.
[edit] Zhu Yuan Da
Zhu was the owner of Five Stars Corp, a big trading company in Hong Kong (and he also wrote a book on martial arts, the Wulinshu). However, the company went bankrupt. Also, the Chi You Men and Yellow Head were after him (presumably the Chi You Men wanted to find him as they assumed he had the Phoenix Mirror). Zhu went into hiding in the Ghost Hall Building, a run-down building in Kowloon. Zhu sent a letter to Iwao warning him Lan Di was coming to kill him, but the letter arrived too late...
[edit] Zhang Shu Qin
Zhang is a man who works closely with Zhu Yuan Da, and acts as his aide. He is kidnapped by the Yellow Heads twice, who are looking for Zhu, but Ryo manages to rescue him both times.
[edit] Dou Niu
Dou Niu is the leader of the Yellow Heads, a huge criminal organization whose territory is Kowloon. Due to his large size, he is quite a formidable fighter, but very slow. He shows no mercy and will not hesitate in killing anyone who gets in his way. He attempts to find Zhu Yuan Da in order to gain the favour of the Chi You Men and senior member Lan Di.
[edit] Yuan
Yuan is Dou Niu's "partner", his right-hand man. Yuan is a very odd person, for example one of his hobbies is collecting knives. He often blackmails Kowloon's shopkeepers, as they are all afraid of him and Dou Niu. He is a very clumsy person and doesn't fight with his hands very often. He sometimes even arms himself with a chainsaw. Yuan hates all "disgusting things".
- Note: In the original Japanese version of the game, Yuan is male, and appears to be a homosexual transvestite. In the European Dreamcast version, this was changed to make it appear she was a woman; her voice was re-recorded using a female actress and all references to his gender are changed in the subtitles. His physical appearance was not altered at all, however. Yuan remains a woman in the later-released Xbox version, which was the first version of Shenmue II to feature English voices (her voice is provided by the same actress for the character of Joy, Lisle Wilkerson. Lisle, however, did reveal in an interview that the producers of the Xbox version originally did consider reverting Yuan to a man)
[edit] Gameplay
Shenmue II features gameplay similar to that of its predecessor, Shenmue.
However, there are many additions and changes, and many fans consider it to be a completely different experience.
One marked difference in this installment of the game series is the abundance of action sequences, mostly relying heavily on the use of QTE events in lieu of Free battles (whereas the first installment had a fair balance of the two). This adds to the game's cinematic feel but it also pushes the player through the story in a far more linear and somewhat constrained pace than that compared to its predecessor.
This installment also introduced an air of mysticism into the story with the formal introduction of Ling Shen Hua. It was never openly discussed during the course of the game, but a notable cutscene reveals that she possesses the ability to interact with nature on more than just a normal level that most others can. This, coupled with the revelation of the purposes of the two mirrors lends the game a more fantasy-styled approached in story and apparently sets the stage for further inclusion and expansion of such elements of mysticism and myth in the series next (and possibly final) installment(s).
Whereas the first Shenmue consisted of a single world with an immense amount of detail (for example, the ability to open almost every drawer in Ryo's house and often pick up the contents inside) Shenmue II consists of several worlds with less intricate detailing.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official Shenmue Website
- Shenmue II at MobyGames
- Shenmue II (Xbox) at Game Rankings
- Shenmue Dojo a complete Shenmue resource at GameSpy
