I gotta say, playing Shenmue well after release may have contributed to my good feelings about it. If I had to wait 2 years (no way I would've imported the dreamcast version) for 2 I would've been pretty annoyed by that ending.
I was just being frank. Said nothing about criticism. Didn't even feel like criticism. I didn't mean to come off as defensive. I was just being honest. Seemed like a weird thought to have since we all saw those very moves - especially Tom's - lay dudes out during the 70 man battle.
I gotta say, playing Shenmue well after release may have contributed to my good feelings about it. If I had to wait 2 years (no way I would've imported the dreamcast version) for 2 I would've been pretty annoyed by that ending.
I can see why Shenmue was impressive back in the day. Unfortunately it's 2016, game didn't age well at all, it's not great. At the same time I want to see them play Shenmue 2 since the 16 part epic that was to be Shenmue never came into fruition, so some potential form of closure would be nice. I would have been pissed back in the day to finish the game and get a cliffhanger.
With this Endurance Run, I finally have a grasp on what Shenmue is. I've heard tons of bits and pieces about it from over the years, but I never could piece together just what it was as a whole. It's been... informational, to say the least.
The oddest part of the game is the first disk. Ryo is off playing detective, but the most confounding aspect of the case isn't trying to find Lan Di's trail, it's just trying to find his way around town. It heavily conveys a sense of being a "fish out of water" to the player, except it's done in Ryo's own home town. Wouldn't that be more appropriate for when Ryo arrives in Hong Kong? I haven't seen any of Shenmue 2, so perhaps they take the same approach there, but then it's also weird that he would be as lost in his own hometown as he would in a foreign country.
With this Endurance Run, I finally have a grasp on what Shenmue is. I've heard tons of bits and pieces about it from over the years, but I never could piece together just what it was as a whole. It's been... informational, to say the least.
The oddest part of the game is the first disk. Ryo is off playing detective, but the most confounding aspect of the case isn't trying to find Lan Di's trail, it's just trying to find his way around town. It heavily conveys a sense of being a "fish out of water" to the player, except it's done in Ryo's own home town. Wouldn't that be more appropriate for when Ryo arrives in Hong Kong? I haven't seen any of Shenmue 2, so perhaps they take the same approach there, but then it's also weird that he would be as lost in his own hometown as he would in a foreign country.
With this Endurance Run, I finally have a grasp on what Shenmue is. I've heard tons of bits and pieces about it from over the years, but I never could piece together just what it was as a whole. It's been... informational, to say the least.
The oddest part of the game is the first disk. Ryo is off playing detective, but the most confounding aspect of the case isn't trying to find Lan Di's trail, it's just trying to find his way around town. It heavily conveys a sense of being a "fish out of water" to the player, except it's done in Ryo's own home town. Wouldn't that be more appropriate for when Ryo arrives in Hong Kong? I haven't seen any of Shenmue 2, so perhaps they take the same approach there, but then it's also weird that he would be as lost in his own hometown as he would in a foreign country.
With this Endurance Run, I finally have a grasp on what Shenmue is. I've heard tons of bits and pieces about it from over the years, but I never could piece together just what it was as a whole. It's been... informational, to say the least.
The oddest part of the game is the first disk. Ryo is off playing detective, but the most confounding aspect of the case isn't trying to find Lan Di's trail, it's just trying to find his way around town. It heavily conveys a sense of being a "fish out of water" to the player, except it's done in Ryo's own home town. Wouldn't that be more appropriate for when Ryo arrives in Hong Kong? I haven't seen any of Shenmue 2, so perhaps they take the same approach there, but then it's also weird that he would be as lost in his own hometown as he would in a foreign country.
another entirely rational and level-headed shenmue fanAh Vinny, looking for a handhold until the very end. When I played through this last I used a memorycard without the LCD screen so I didn't get any hints, and the last move wasn't that hard to do. Though I was impressed with his performance in the gang brawl, he did that better than me.
After this feature, I hope they don't bother with Shenmue 2, if their intention will be to go in and piss all over the thing. I hope the guys that want to, Vinny and Dan, check it out in their free time and see how it evolved. Alex's commentary track will not be necessary. I generally like the guy, but in that last episode I wanted to punch him in the mouth.
Ryo Hazuki
Ryo is the main character and hero of this 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.
Young Ryo
At age 7, Ryo began to seriously study the martial arts under his father’s tutelage. Around this time, he was dubbed Suedeheaded Ryobo by Setsu Abe, a shopkeeper, and was often scolded for being bratty. He experienced his first feelings of love for a girl during this time, but when a friend of his teased him about it, Ryo started a fight with him. Since then, he has shied away from any involvement with girls.
Iwao Hazuki
Iwao is Ryo’s father and the current master of the Hazuki Style martial art. He is a character of high morals who respects devotion to one’s convictions, proper manners and above all, trust. He is very calm and composed, personifying simplicity and courage. His only hobby is Shodo (calligraphy) which he often uses when writing letters and postcards. As a master of martial arts, he is a strict Sensei and is never satisfied with relying solely on one’s natural talent. He has continued to adhere to a strict training regimen throughout his adult life. When he was young, he is said to have set out on an overseas journey to learn from the various great masters of the martial arts. Although his son Ryo sometimes rebels against his strictness, he still respects him as a mentor and dreams of emulating him.
Masayuki Fukuhara
Fuku-san has been a live-in student of the Hazuki Dojo for almost 10 years. To Ryo, he is more like a member of the family. With his warm and gentle personality, Fuku-san makes every effort to achieve whatever goals he sets. Iwao, liking his diligence and honesty, took him as a live-in student despite Fuku-san’s lack of natural talent and the fact that he is a slow learner. Since then, he has been practicing Hazuki-style jujitsu with Ryo. He sometimes jumps to conclusions and acts impulsively, which often results in failure. Nevertheless, because of his frank, easy-to-talk-to personality, he is someone Ryo can go to for advice.
Ine Hayata
For more than 15 years, Ine-san has been the live-in housekeeper of the Hazuki household and has taken care of all the domestic housework and cooking as well as the family budget. She is a quiet, hardworking woman who is modest but emotionally strong. Aside from her sewing, cleaning and washing talents, she is an excellent cook. In particular, her traditional Japanese dishes can be compared to those of a professional chef. While she is rather old-fashioned and very particular about manners and discipline, Ine-san is quite generous and secretly keeps watch over Ryo. She is an indispensable member of the Hazuki household.
Nozomi Harasaki
Nozomi is secretly in love with Ryo. She was born in Japan but moved to Vancouver, Canada when she was very young. She then moved to Yokosuka, where her grandmother lives, when she was a junior high student. Initially, classmates bullied her, discriminating against her because of her different way she did things due to her different culture. At that time, Ryo would often stand up for her. Since then, her love for him has grown over the years. She has decided that she is going to confess her love to him. She has her own opinions but is considerate to others as well. She usually helps out at Aida Florist, her grandmother’s flower shop. She hopes to be an interpreter or translator in the future.
Chen Gui Zhang
Gui Zhang is the son of Master Chen, the owner of a Chinese trading company. While he is still learning how to manage the company, he also works as his father’s bodyguard. He always seems to be calm and gives the impression of being cool-headed and ever composed. However, this is due in part to his remarkably expressionless face. Born in Yokohama, Japan, Gui Zhang was trained in the Yan Qing Style of martial arts by his father since childhood and has continued training hard ever since. Because of their similar background, at heart, he sympathizes with Ryo, but on the outside, acts coldly toward him.
Akemi Sato
A hostess at Bar Yokosuka, Akemi began working there after being introduced to the bartender, Saijo-san by a friend shortly after graduating from high school. Akemi has many admirers, including Fuku-san, who frequently drinks there just to be near her. Before the incident, he came in quite often, but his grief and depression have prevented him from coming by recently. Akemi seems to be a bit concerned about him, or perhaps she simply misses his company.
Akira Nagai
He is one of the few gangsters who knows what ninkyo (chivalry) really is. Other Yakuza bosses throughout the Kanto region admit his superiority. However, he behaves like a friendly old man. Because he considers their organization a necessary evil, he pays attention to the local community and runs his office quietly. He seems to like the self-assured Tom, and often tells him stories of ninkyo.
Lu Tang Chen
This is the man in a suit who is always standing in front of Nagai Industries. Actually, Lu Tang Chen wishes to become a member of Nagai Industries because he is attracted by their noble image. He left his hometown Lushun, China, and smuggled himself into Japan 15 years ago so he also speaks fluent Japanese. Once, he had connections with a Chinese cartel but, being a man of old-fashioned integrity, he couldn’t accept their way of thinking, for they had no rules or honor. When Tang Chen learned about the Japanese concept of ninkyo-do (Yakuza chivalry) he decided he had to join. Tang Chen is always asking himself how he can improve his image. As a result of this self-assessment, he came to rely on two concepts. One is, “Men should be strong.” Although Tang Chen is strong, he abhors violence. His other concept is, “Men should be patient.” Tang Chen will keep standing there, regardless of the weather, until the day Nagai will accept him.Unfortuantely, without any relatives, guardian, or referee, Tang Chen will not be easily accepted by Nagai. Still, Tang Chen will not give up and goes there every day.
Tetsuya Nagashima
Tetsuya is a delinquent high school student who follows Akio Enoki. He looks like a real tough-guy, but in fact he is weak both physically and emotionally. He’s uncomfortable when not accompanying somebody strong, so he sticks to Akio when in Dobuita, and to Goro, a hoodlum and graduate from the same school, when in New Yokosuka Harbor. Recently he has begun to feel disgusted with himself, so he intends to reform and start a new life after graduation.
Yumiko Minamino
Yumiko is the leader of a tough girl gang. She always skips classes and loiters around the streets with Rena Isayama, trying to find prey. They threaten girls from other schools and rob them of their money. The police have caught her many times and that’s why the guidance section of the local police knows her activities pretty well. Being wicked and cold-hearted, she doesn’t mind fighting using a rod or steel pipe, let alone using foul language.
Eri Tajima
Eri is very close to Nozomi Harasaki and Noriko Nakamura. They have known each other since they were young. She first realized how Nozomi felt toward Ryo when she was a junior high school student. Moved by Nozomi's pure, deep love for Ryo, she has been supportive to her both openly and in secret. She is angry and often unfriendly with Ryo though, who takes an indecisive attitude toward Nozomi (but we are not sure whether he does this intentially or not). She seems to be an arrogant, selfish person, but in fact, she is quite insecure and hates being alone. Acting like a big sister, she always feels obligated to protect Nozomi and Noriko who she feels are vulnerable. However she sometimes makes careless mistakes, and Nozomi and Noriko who are more firm and reliable than they look, support her during those times.
Naoyuki Ito
Naoyuki is the older brother of Yasuo and Kayoko Ito. There's a big difference between the siblings' ages. He is a kind, gentle boy who takes care of his brother and sister while his parents are busy with their work. However, he often has to leave his sister with his younger brother because he is studying for the college entrance exams. He is close to Ryo and Ichiro who are in the same class. Ryo and Ichiro were already friends when Naoyuki's family moved to Sakuragaoka when he was in second grade. At first, the classmates bullied Naoyuki because he was the new guy, so when Ryo helped him out they became friends. He earned money doing a part-time job that he worked at since he started high school, and he recently bought a motorcycle, something he'd ben dreaming of for years. He is so exited that he can't stop talking about the motorcycle to Ryo and Ichiro. He is good at science and mathematics, and his grades are among the highest in the class. Above all, his physics grade is the top in the entire school.
Shigeo Yamagishi
Shigeo was born in Itabashi, Tokyo, and is well versed in the traditional martial arts. With a strong affection for the martial arts from childhood, he trained until he was drafted into the military shortly after turning 30. He was sent with the Kanto army to the front lines. Due to his knowledge of communication techniques, developed while working at a manufactuer of morse code generators, he was used on various missions (including decoding Chinese and Russian codes) as technical officer. When the war was over, he married and moved to Sakuragaoka at his wife's urging because she loved the cherry trees there. They even planted a cherry tree in their home garden. When his wife died, he cut it down, trying to break the link with his past, but now he seems to regret doing so. Ine-san has long been a close acquaintance with Shigeo. This friendship has deepened since his wife died. He now harbors feelings of affection for Ine-san, but he avoids showing her these feelings, instead often treating Ine-san and Ryo with indifference. Years ago, when Shigeo became aquainted with Iwao, the master of Hazuki Dojo, he restarted his training again. Iwao and Shigeo developed a close friendship and always drank sake together after their practices. Shigeo stopped training again after he hurt his back. He is very strict about manners and behavior, even with the children gathering around Abe Store. He has often scolded Ryo in the past for various reasons.
Tatsuya Yamamoto
Tatsuya has very strict parents who nag him endlessly about his studies so he goes out often and comes back late, which makes his parents even angrier. His monthly allowance from his parents is only 500 Yen, so he doesn't waste money. He can't afford to try the Capsule Toy Machine, his favorite pastime next to eating snacks, so he always tries to persuade Ryo, and any other adults he knows, to give him money. He sometimes flatters Nozomi and Mayumi to finagle money out of them. Sly examples include him saying, "Ryo said you are cute," to Mayumi and then pestering her for money. When Ryo found out, he scolded Tatsuya severely, but the young boy's never learned his lesson. Ryo sympathizes with him a bit because he also liked the Capsule Toy Machines when he was a child, but Iwao didn't give him enough money for it either. Still, Ryo worries about Tatsuya because he shows no interest in making friends and is more concerned with trying to get prizes.
another entirely rational and level-headed shenmue fan
What kind of jujitsu??
Some of their old run of the original is up on YouTube, though in fractured bits and pieces. It's a good watch, though.lmao
seeing the GT guys play Shenmue 2 and the difference in attitude is incredible. They're actually giddy and excited to play
I guess it's to show he's trusting to a fault?I'm not sure if it's the translation or what, but the writing in Shenmue 1 is kinda balls. Ryo comes off as a passive idiot who always does what the bad guys say.
Some of their old run of the original is up on YouTube, though in fractured bits and pieces. It's a good watch, though.
I guess the tone of a playthrough depends entirely on who you're playing with.
I'm talking about their play through of the original Shenmue, which wasn't archived officially. Their Shenmue II run is complete.what do you mean bits and pieces? I seem to have found a parts 1 through 10, each is like hours long. Is this not complete?
I'm talking about their play through of the original Shenmue, which wasn't archived officially. Their Shenmue II run is complete.
Mm. If you can't find a way to play it yourself I'd definitely recommend the GameTrailers playthrough simply because Shenmue III gets announced around halfway through. That kind of buzz and excitement is one of a kind.ah understood. I guess I'll watch the playthrough of Shenmue 2. If the HD versions are ever put on PS4 I'll play them, particularly if the saves transfer to the third one.
As much crap as the GB guys gave the game, nowadays the waiting shit in the first one I can pass by surfing gaf and watch tv in my computer in the meantime. So it isn't a deal breaker. But you would think they'd add a time wait mechanic if they rerelease it.
TJF (The Jitsu Foundation). One of the more widespread networks of Jitsu in the UK.
(Although they recently changed their name to TJJF - I don't really know why... :/ )
http://www.jitsufoundation.org/
Watching this ER really made me appreciate it's unorthodox pacing. I know it's a slow grind at the start with the occasional fight here and there. But I like that. Ryo isn't supposed to be an action hero from the get go, he's a regular school kid trying to find out who killed his dad.
His whole world is his neighborhood populated with friends and people he knows. It's only when he gets to the docks and gets a forklift job that he's thrown into the adult world. It really hit me how polarizing this was during the 70 man fight at the end. Ryo goes from safe inquiry in his quaint little neighborhood to a climatic brawl that bookmarks the next chapter of his life.
I think it was important for the first chapter of this supposed epic to have it's slow start.
We'll see. Even fans have been asking for the timeskip feature of II to be transplanted into the original since the early 360 re-release rumours.
Unfortunately, the undub is kinda busted because certain lines in English don't have an equivalent in Japanese, so there's just silence.Time skip and pay Kogami for his undub.
I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! I see you're doing Traditional Jiu Jitsu! Do you spar in your classes? Do you have any videos of your style? I would love to see!
Unfortunately, the undub is kinda busted because certain lines in English don't have an equivalent in Japanese, so there's just silence.
The issue is that there's literally no sound file for the Japanese equivalent of an English localised line, I think.Doesn't Kogami translate them? I don't know. I tried it once. These days I just play the Japanese version.
lmao
seeing the GT guys play Shenmue 2 and the difference in attitude is incredible. They're actually giddy and excited to play
There are two undubs. I believe Kogami filled in the lines that lack an English translation.
The game is mind blowing when one considers how many years it proceeded GTA 3. And for the time those graphics are pretty amazing.
Comparisions to GTA 3 and Yakuza almost don't count because GTA 3 and Yakuza either really didn't have buildings you could enter or only buildings that were part of your mission could be entered. It seems the entire world was alive in Shenmue 1 and 2.
I guess where YU might have stumbled is that he wanted to simulate the actual mundane aspects of life, witch seems to be where people fall out of love with Shenmue. GTA and Yakuza zip you along.