Best Shenmue 2 Experience

[redmachus]

So, I'm sure this has been posted before, somewhere. Quite possibly multiple times. However, I can't seem to track down a definitive answer, so I'm going to just throw this out here. What is the best way to play Shenmue 2?

The way I see it, I've got three options:

1. Learn Japanese, and play that version. I'm tempted, and I am actually working on my Japanese. However, as this is time consuming, I'm just going to go ahead and discard this option for the time being. I'll re-examine it in a few years.

2. Buy another Xbox, and play it on that. Again, I'm tempted, but seeing as how I've already played all the other games I want for the Xbox, getting a whole other system seems a bit much. Granted, I'd be willing to do it, if it were cost effective (the usual way I decide on video game purchases). The downside to this is that I've actually played a little of the game on the Xbox, and was, to say the least, unimpressed, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Everything looked, well, yellow. That's the best way I can describe it. Perhaps its the lighting effects they played with when they ported the game over, but to me, it looks sub-par.

3.Play the PAL version. This seems to be the best version available for us non-Japanese speaking entities out there. However, it also seems to be a bit pricey. Yeah, I know I can burn it. But let us assume I don't want to do that. Let's assume that it's 1985 and my computer can accomplish about as much as a modern day cell phone. (And for those of you who see the conflict in playing modern video games with it theoretically being 1985, well, indulge me.) Let's say all I can do is import the PAL version. What's the best way to play it?

After way too much research, it comes down to using a boot disc, or modding my DC. The boot disc seems easier, especially if all I want to do is play one game. But modding also seems a viable way to go, more so if I get the itch to play more import DC games (which will happen, eventually).

So, I guess my question comes down to: is it better to boot, or mod? What are the draw backs to each, and what are the advantages? Should I be concerned with the resolution on either one? What's the best boot disc? What's the best mod chip (a good question that might need its own topic)? Any advice?

[deathclaw]

I would say, go for the Xbox version. It has a bunch of advantages, that are really worth of it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenmue_II ... t_versions

[RCBH928]

shenmue 2 plays on 360

[redmachus]

shenmue 2 plays on 360

I don't have a 360. And paying all that money to play one game seems a bit excessive. If I were going to go that route, I'd rather just get another Xbox.

[Original_Name]

Well, I ordered the PAL version a couple weeks back. Still hasn't come (*grumble*). So I'll tell you if it was worth it to purchase the forty-five dollar Dreamcast version, or to pay thirty for a used Xbox and ten for Shenmue II. I played Shenmue II on Xbox, and loved it for awhile, but you're right, they tinkered around with the visuals or something, and it's not as pretty. And I don't know, but playing Shenmue on a system other than the Dreamcast just seems wrong to me. I know, it's fanboyish at best, but it just doesn't feel right.

So yeah, keep this thread bumped and I'll give you my analysis once Shenmue II arrives in my mailbox.

[Original_Name]

Oh, and I know you don't wanna burn it, but to further educate (/discourage) you about that: you can't really burn Shenmue II for the Dreamcast. There's never been a full, complete rip: audio files taken out and the like. A guy named Xiaopang once uploaded the first disk or so onto Snesorama, but something odd happened and he took all of his files down. So the only full, authentic Shenmue experience seems to be going with the PAL version. That way, even if you do opt to learn Japanese, you still have Japanese audio files, and you can pick up the little differences from the Japanese dialogue to the English text (Yuan being a transvestite is a major omission in the English text).

[redmachus]

Oh, and I know you don't wanna burn it, but to further educate (/discourage) you about that: you can't really burn Shenmue II for the Dreamcast. There's never been a full, complete rip: audio files taken out and the like. A guy named Xiaopang once uploaded the first disk or so onto Snesorama, but something odd happened and he took all of his files down. So the only full, authentic Shenmue experience seems to be going with the PAL version. That way, even if you do opt to learn Japanese, you still have Japanese audio files, and you can pick up the little differences from the Japanese dialogue to the English text (Yuan being a transvestite is a major omission in the English text).

Yeah, I've never been comfortable burning DC games, as quite a few of them have files taken out so they'll fit on a standard disc. I think I'd rather go with the PAL version, all things considered. I'll just have to keep my eyes open for a reasonably priced copy.

[gennss]

xbox plus shenmue 2 should run you about 60 if ou buy at gamestop.

Boot discs work fine, dreamcast mod chips are really hard to find now'adays, and i think they're only good for importing.

[molotovwars]

I have both the PAL DC version and the Xbox version, haven't played either yet, but I've got a question regarding importing save files.

I know if you have a completed Shenmue I file on your memory card some items transfer over to Shenmue II. Will this work if I'm using a U.S. copy of Shenmue I and a PAL copy of Shenmue II? Or should I also pick up a PAL copy of Shenmue I?

[nick944]

Go for the PAL version. 100% worth it, even if the price is higher. There is a website comparing screenshots between the PAL and Xbox versions, the DC shots looked so much better than the Xbox ones. (can't remember the site right now, sorry)