Shenmue (series)

Shenmue is a saga of Video games created by Yu Suzuki, and equips it with Sega AM2. It remains in the history as the saga of video games most expensive in the world (referred in the book of the records): 23 Million Euros. It is made up of 16 chapters and remains for the moment unfinished.

Genesis of the saga

Eager to create a RPG drawn from the series Virtua Fighter , Yu Suzuki carries out research in China with an aim of creating a play of the name of Virtua Fighter RPG . This project becomes Project Berkley thereafter and is announced on the console SEGA Saturn. The arrival of the Dreamcast changes gives it and it is at the end of 1998 which this project becomes Shenmue , play based on system F.R.E.E, meaning Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment. I.e. you can in Shenmue all look at, all to see, and practically to do everything.

Running 1999 is announced various information on Shenmue like the presence of mini-plays such as Space Harrier or Hang it , or of the introduction of QTE, Quick Time Event, handling being posted with the screen to carry out as soon as possible. Taking as a starting point Virtua Fighter , one notes the presence of a mode of combat named Free Battle.

Shenmue will be presented to several living rooms during the year 1999, like the Digitaliland, the E3 or the Tokyo Game Show. The date of the play is not defined yet and to make have patience the players, a playable demo is delivered with the Dreamcast Japanese under the name of What' S Shenmue .

Shenmue leaves the December 29th 1999 to Japan. The play beats at the time all the records of reservation but the sales appear disappointing with final and will not reach the hoped million. The play leaves on the American continent the November 7th 2000 in a version with voice and English subtitles. In Europe, it is on February 1st 2000 which Shenmue leaves, version which appears identical to the American version.

At the end of 2000 is presented Shenmue The Movie , a film including/understanding principal kinematics of the play Shenmue , one duration of one hour and half and is doubled in English.

The July 6th 2001 leaves to the Japan US Shenmue , version of Shenmue doubled in English, who makes it possible to choose between the English and Japanese subtitles.

Shenmue II arrives at the Japan the September 6th 2001, always on Dreamcast and includes/understands chapters 2 to 6 of the saga. However, it will not leave to the the United States due to exclusiveness to the Xbox but will arrive well in Europe the November 30th 2001.

Shenmue IIx , name given to the version Xbox of Shenmue II leaves to the the United States the November 6th 2002, delivered with the DVD of Shenmue The Movie to compensate for the absence of the first shutter. This play will also leave in Europe the March 21st 2003.

Thereafter, no true information on Shenmue III , announced like the last shutter of the saga, will filter, with the great distress of the fans. It will be necessary to await the August 3rd 2004 and Shenmue Online, a MMORPG announces it on the universe of Shenmue to again hear of this series.

Shenmue

(Chapter 1 of the saga)

Comings out date:

Shenmue first of the name left on Dreamcast. It is the first play to use system F.R.E.E (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment), and met one big hit. It however raised a small criticism in the European countries not-english-speaking: voices and subtitles are in English.

US Shenmue

Comings out date:
  • Japan: July 6th, 2001
  • the United States: Not left.
  • Europe: Not Left.

US Shenmue is a special version of Shenmue, left on Dreamcast in 1999 in Japan. The characteristic of this title is to propose English doublings of the characters of the play, with the choice between the Japanese and English subtitles.

Shenmue II

(Chapters 2,3,4,5,6 of the saga)

Comings out date:

Always on Dreamcast, the saga continues in this second episode, gathering chapters 2 to 6 of the saga.

The play is much more beautiful than the first episode, and offers even more possibilities, a scenario better built and an increased lifespan.

All the voices of the play are in Japanese, and the English subtitles. However, and contrary to the first opus, some elements of the play (mainly the notebook of voyage of Ryo) are the subject of a translation in various languages for the European market (of which French).

Shenmue IIx

Comings out date:

Shenmue IIx is the republication of Shenmue II on Xbox, after Sega decided “to be reconverted” into the edition multi platform.

In addition to one play adapted to the capacities of the Xbox, it offers the support DVD (instead of the 4 GD of Shenmue II) and some no-claims bonus, like the possibility of taking photographs.

Contrary to Shenmue II (Dreamcast) the voices and under titles are in English.

Shenmue III

(Chapter 7 to 16 of the saga)

For the moment, practically no information filtered concerning this title. In fact, one does not even know if it is officially under development. It would even seem that this play will never be born, “replaced” by Shenmue Online.

However, the last rumors would indicate that the play will leave on a console 7 {{E}} generation (Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii or Xbox 360, the latter being besides more likely than others to accommodate title, owing to the fact that the Xbox was already selected for an episode of the saga), and that it would be perhaps even already ready, awaiting the last peaufinages and an official announcement on behalf of Sega.

Ryo should continue its tour through the China, and will undoubtedly return to the Japan, but no official information filtered.

Shenmue Online

Shenmue Online was announced in August 2004. Rumors concerning its cancellation circulated but Yu Suzuki contradicted it, the play is always well under development, and its exit is envisaged in 2007.

As its name lets it predict, this play, planned for an exit in China and Korea only, is a MMORPG in the universe of Shenmue.

The play provides to incarnate a character that one creates oneself (and not Ryo). According to the developers, one can do all that one can usually do in normal weather, but with friends.

External bonds

  • Official site of Shenmue

  • Official site of Shenmue Online
  • Korean Official site of Shenmue Online

  • Shenmue Master

  • Shenforum
  • Shenmue Home

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