The Student Has Become the Master: Why Yakuza Is Better Than Shenmue

SEGA has produced two of the finest adventure series of all time – but it's only right, now, that gamers recognise Yakuza has surpassed the iconic Shenmue.

[PhoenixUp]

I see Yakuza as being a way better series than Shenmue, mostly because it had more games to flesh out the series. I don't think Shenmue could reach the height that Yakuza has now.

That being said, I still prefer Sleeping Dogs over both of them.

[S2Killinit]

I don't know. I love them both, but Shenmue, especially the first one has a special place in my heart. There was just something about that game. I loved how it felt like you were living the life of this person w/out the game taking your hand and guiding you. It was a weird game, it made you THINK that anything could happen that day when you got out of the bed. It was really weird feeling to have in a game.

[G20WLY]

Wow. Sleeping Dogs is a DISTANT 3rd out of those three, in my opinion. Yakuza is so deep and the story so multi-faceted compared to what we're used to in games. The gameplay is varied and the fighting is awesome fun. The characters are distinct and sometimes genuinely funny - there's a lot to love and massive value in Yakuza.

I can't wait to see what they can do with Shenmue after all this time away. The game was pure genius in it's day - if they can apply the same fresh thinking, with todays technology, we're in for a treat!

[_-EDMIX-_]

Get out

[Hoffmann]

The gameplay is better which is no wonder since it had around 10 years to be as good as it is..but the story and the whole setting and their characters? Way too different to compare.

[InMyOpinion]

The fighting certainly isn't better. It's cheap and poorly animated compared to Shenmue.

[PhoenixUp]

The difference is the point. The characters and the setting being different was even pointed out and detailed in the article.

[firelogic]

Yakuza 1 is a superior game to Shenmue. The number 1 reason why? Yakuza is actually a game. Shenmue is a question asking simulator in between bouts of waiting for time to pass with absolutely nothing interesting to do outside of asking more questions.

[TheColbertinator]

Both are stellar. They can both do well if Sega uses their brains.

[S-Word]

No.

[Summons75]

Both are great but Yakuza has always been better.

[Jivesh]

Yakuza is better than Shenmue, it's not there's no doubt but nostalgia will always lead to many denying it.

[P_Bomb]

Yakuza is still peaking and has consistent releases. Shenmue is kickstarter vapourware until it isn't. One I'll be playing in January, one I won't be. That's relevance at its purest. Wish em both success though.

[sdcard4gb]

Shenmue seems to be tamer then Yakuza, somewhat more realitic and not as ridiculous in it's premise. I like both. Yakuza is more about raging fighting and criminal drama while Shenmue is more a story about a very talanted son of a dojo master seeking revenge, both are kind of B-movie-ish, yet both are charming.
Also, take into account that Shenmue didn't have the time to blossom as much as Yakuza, so it is perfectly fine to cut it some slack.

[joethetimelord]

Shenmue seems to blend its quirkiness with its story a bit better, too. Both are brilliant in their own rights. Despite being extremely similar, both series have vastly different atmospheres, both of which I love unconditionally at this point.

[CrimsonWing69]

I love yakuza but it's way too dense of a game whereas shenmue felt like a journey in a world that had attention to almost every detail.

[joethetimelord]

Yakuza is the X-Files to Shenmue's Twin Peaks. Yakuza's more streamlined, accessible, longer running, and great in its own right, but Shenmue, flaws and cliffhangers included, will bring out the best memories from the players who got hooked.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I mean sure by default, but that is only because it got to actually be a progressive series long-term.

[Master of Unlocking]

I don't know why some people insist on claiming the Yakuza games shouldn't be compared to the Shenmue games, the two games really are in the same genre, it's not GTA, but those are heavily script oriented sandbox games with an emphasis on action (albeit without guns), and Yakuza is indeed better than Shenmue, but the Shenmue games are old now, maybe if they were more recent they could hold a candle to the Yakuza games. Here's hoping Shenmue III will, at least.
Oh and I hope they'll release remasters of the first two Shenmue games to accompany the release of Shenmue III, this is long overdue. Heck, I remember buying the so-so Sonic Adventure game from the Dreamcast hoping that Sehga would at some point release Shenmue I&II on the PS3, which never happened.