Shenmue I & II

Critic reviews

• ZZTGD

  John Whitehouse · Oct 10, 2018

  7.0

  It may also be worth holding on a little while and picking it up in an inevitable future sale. Alternatively, if these do not sound like your cup of tea it may be worth taking a look at the Yakuza 0/Kiwami games as these seem to be the natural advancement of Shenmue, with many considering them to be representative of what would have been if Shenmue had been able to continue as a franchise.

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• GSGame Skinny

  Edgar Wulf · Sep 01, 2018

  9.0

  It's hard not to recommend Shenmue 1+2 to anyone who appreciates exceptional storytelling and highly interactive environments and if you've ever felt the urge to experience the unique appeal of these classic titles by Yu Suzuki, then this compilation is the best way to go.

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• HPHey Poor Player

  Colin Regan · Aug 31, 2018

  6.0

  Shenmue I & II as a collection of both games felt like the ideal way to experience these games, warts and all. There is a fascinating story here with Ryo’s journey, but so much of what you actually do in these games just feels repetitive and slow that it may deter you from wanting to continue. Your mileage may vary, but these games do have a lot of historical significance that it warrants attention from hardcore gamers who want to see the evolution of game mechanics and the idea of a “lived-in” world.

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• PSPush Square

  Sammy Barker · Aug 28, 2018

  7.0

  Shenmue I & II divided players and critics on the Dreamcast, and will continue to do so on the PlayStation 4. These games are an acquired taste, but there’s nothing quite like them, and if you can overcome some of their more awkward idiosyncrasies, you’ll be rewarded with a set of revolutionary sandboxes that impress even today.

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• DDestructoid

  Peter Glagowski · Aug 27, 2018

  5.5

  It doesn’t make the games feel modern, but that likely isn’t the point. This HD remaster is mainly here to provide fans with a new way to play some of their favorite games. I can’t fault Sega too much for wanting to stick true to the original vision of Shenmue. If you were worried about compatibility issues or crashing, then you can rest easy. These ports are fine.

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• CCOGconnected

  Lou Sytsma · Aug 27, 2018

  8.5

  For those who have fond memories of Shenmue I & II, these ports will allow you to revisit and experience why you fell in love with them. New players who feast on GTAs and Yazukas may find the pace a little too languid but with a little perseverance should soon fall under the Shenmue spell. A stellar port by d3t and here’s to hoping Shenume III can pull off the tricky balancing act of appeasing original fans in tandem with bringing the franchise into the modern gaming world.

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