Shenmue fans, what do you think of Yakuza?

[Mozgus]

So I've put a little time into Yakuza 2 on PS2. I never got around to trying the first, but the sequel includes a massive video summary of the first game, (like Shenmue 2 did), and they refrained from dubbing it in English like they did with the first one (also what Shenmue 2 offered).

As for the actual gameplay, it also has a lot of similarities to Shenmue. There's tons of option businesses and such you can visit and make use of, and some arcade machines to play. The battle system is somewhat similar, but more routed in traditional beat em up style, whereas Shenmue offered a much deeper and technical fighting system (ripped right out of Virtua Fighter). Shenmue 2 perhaps still looked better than Yakuza 2, but Y2 doesn't have all that pop-in going on. Y2 is a bit more linear than S2, and cleanly divided into chapters. It's also more cutscene heavy.

Oh well, I'm enjoying it. If you're a Shenmue fan, and you wanted more battling opportunities and a modern day Japanese setting, the Yakuza series is for you.

[ZenLogikos]

That is great news on the subbing. I'm not typically a sub-snob, but I refused to play a game about yakuza with American actors, and I believe I didn't import because the JP version wasn't subbed(right?). Anyway, I'll probably pick this up then. Thanks for the info.

[Doctor Fugue]

Thanks, I hadn't really considered this game before. Shenmue represents many things I don't appreciate in video games and yet as a total package I love it completely (the first one, anyway).

I like the sound of Yakuza as you describe it, except for the mention of many cutscenes.

Is the third Yakuza game out yet?

[Bootaaay]

Yakuza 3 is out on the PS3 later this year in Japan and probably about a year later over here - however, Yakuza Kenzan (a spin-off set in 1600's fuedal Japan) is aready out on the PS3 in Japan, but theres been no word of a Western release - hopefully Yakuza 2 sells well enough over here to convince SEGA to bring us both Kenzan & Yakuza 3 in a timely fashion.

Anyways, I haven't played Yakuza 2 yet (as I can only play JP PS2 games) but I thoroughly enjoyed the 1st game - i'm a big fan of Shenmue, and while the similarities between Shenmue & Yakuza are obvious I prefer both for different reasons; Yakuza has better combat and more enjoyable overall gameplay, but Shenmue features enviroments that just beg to be explored and the story is far more intrigueing.

[brokenpavement]

I really enjoy the Yakuza games and believe that they do retain some elements of what made Shenmue so great. Although the translations did hurt the first one, the story was fantastic and worth a play through. I'm about half-way through Yakuza 2 now, and I really like the multiple settings of the game. Having study abroad in the Osaka/Kansai area, it's really cool to see some of the familiar sights once again. The inclusion of real places and items adds an extra level of immersion that is missing from games like GTA. There are a fair number of cut scenes in Yakuza 1 & 2, but the story is captivating so it doesn't feel like a chore. A fellow Sega enthusiast and I were talking about how Yakuza 2 was one of the only games we were truly excited for this year, if that says anything...

[Pulsar_t]

I was engrossed with the first Yakuza despite the inappropriate voice acting, but it did lack the passion that was put into Shenmue, but that's not detrimental to the enjoyment you can get from both titles. In fact it's appalling Yakuza performed so badly outside Japan. I guess people didn't mistake it a for GTA clone.

[kinn]

wasn't too keen on yakuza 1 when I first started playing it. It just seemed a little bit "clunky". But after a few hours I really got into the game. still think shenmue is the better of the two. Yakuza kinda feels like shenmue "lite".

Will be playing part 2 soon. And yakuza 3 looks amazing. Looking at shots of the game you can't help but think what would shenmue 3 would look like...

[Mozgus]

I'd like to also point out that the character designs are fantastic in this game. Faces are all very recognizable, and the animations and lip syncing are all top notch. Lots of attention to detail on the cinematic side of things. I also agree that the story is interesting so far. There's also a lot of legitimate humor in this game.

[Gamerforlife]

I always wanted to try the Yakuza games, but I wasn't that impressed with the original Shenmue. I think the only thing I enjoyed in that game was taking care of that cat.

I might still try the Yakuza games though

[Mozgus]

I always wanted to try the Yakuza games, but I wasn't that impressed with the original Shenmue. I think the only thing I enjoyed in that game was taking care of that cat.

I might still try the Yakuza games though

I cant be bothered with that cat. I've tried to keep it alive, but bigger shit always comes to my attention in the story, and I forget to feed it for a few mornings and then it's gone forever.