Yakuza Eliminated Any Interest I Had in the Return of Shenmue

Rich Meister of Destructoid writes: "The two series tell incredibly different stories. One is a martial arts tale of redemption, the other a gritty crime story. But Yakuza fully realizes the spirit of what Shenmue wanted to be: a game with a vast world of fleshed-out characters and its fair share of wacky bullshit."

[SegaGamer]

You know what really bugs me when people say things like this? its like they feel there is only room for one. It's like saying don't bother with any other first person shooter because we have COD, don't bother with any other open world game because we have GTA, don't bother with any other fighter because we have Street Fighter, don't bother with any other platformer because we have Mario, don't bother with any other RPG because we have Final Fantasy.

Another thing that bugs me is people that actually say these two games are so similar. I'm starting to wonder if the people that say this have even properly played Shenmue, the similarities are very minor. All that "spiritual successor to Shenmue" stuff is just nonsense spouted by people who have probably never even played Shenmue.

[Hardiman]

100% this and really I say the more(quality) games the better!

[shinoff2183]

I agree the games aren't even close to being the same. Let's be honest the comparisons come from the characters race and open world

[cooperdnizzle]

I agree, they have mini games in common too but that’s it. I’ve played both and Shem is by far the better games. As long as you play with Jap voice over.

[Kosic]

Even then, Yakuza's open world is really small. There are only a small handful of the same between titles. And that's mainly down to the arcades, toy collecting and a serious Japanese toned storyline. That's really much it.

Both games play completely different from each other.

Yakuza (I've only played 0 and 1) is a fast paced arcade style fighter. While Shenmue is a slower paced detective style game (with a fairly poor fighting system).

[starchild]

I completely agree. I love the Yakuza series, but I also loved Shenmue back in the day and I'm looking forward to new Shenmue games. Neither game can replace the other. Just because they have some similarities doesn't mean that they are ultimately all that similar overall.

It's kind of like how some people keep acting like Ghost of Tsushima is some kind of replacement for an Assassin's Creed game set in feudal Japan. I say they aren't all that similar. Ghost of Tsushima is one of my top three most anticipated games (along with Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us: Part 2) and I understand how some people can compare them, but in the end I don't think they will really be all that alike. I still want to see Assassin's Creed go to feudal Japan.

In any case, you are exactly right --there is room for more than just one of any type of game.

[GamesMaster1982]

Then that is your loss, The Yakuza series are nothing at all like the Shenmue series, and they are both 2 amazing series in their own rights. I for one as a fan from Shenmue 1 will be getting any new Shenmue games in fact now that Shenmue 3 has been delayed again (shocker i know ) the HD of 1 and 2 are some of my hyped games now for this year now. And i will also be getting any new Yakuza games also as im a huge fan.

[Hardiman]

Shenmue blew me away when I played it on Dreamcast back in 2000 and really holds a special place in my heart! I too am excited for 3 and can't wait to get the HD remasters of 1 & 2! Never played part 2 so that's a plus as well!

[Xavi4K]

Amen!!

[Knightofelemia]

I am still waiting for Shenmue 3 and the HD remaster of 1 and 2.

[TheColbertinator]

I love Yakuza but Shenmue is a different beast altogether for me.

[Moe-Gunz]

I'm a huge fan of both. They're pretty different. Shenmue holds a special place in my heart.

[Vandamme21]

I’m very excited for Shenmue 3. I can’t wait to get my hands on the hd collection.

[InKnight7s]

Well are saying you are good just with having good Batman movies without a good Superman movie? or you are have enough with Spider Man and don't need Xmen or any other Marvel characters? You are good with only watching Dragon Ball without watching other anime? or because you have one Jeans you don't need other one? Games are products and its a media so there is no need to limit yourself to be expose to one product. You are fine by choosing one platform, but limiting and saying that games are made to replace each other its absurd point of view. I can play COD, BF, DOOM and other FPS and play FF, Persona, Zelda, The Witcher etc then judge based on my intrest which is worth to play and stick buying it and I may end stick with most if I am able to. The same goes with Yakuza and Shenmu and since its very limited genre I see neither can replace each other.

[notachance]

or you can just play both? it's not like you have to choose between one another

[Fist4achin]

I have to try them both. The closest thing i have played to these would maybe be Sleeping Dogs.

[WitcheRivia]

I'd take Shenmue any day over the constant rehashing of Yakuza.

[reaper602]

I love both but Shenmue is my favorite series of all time

[Good-Smurf]

That's like saying we only need Red Dead Redemption there's only one.
I played GUN and it was also amazing it's not the BR clones like we have nowadays.
Same western setting but anything else is completely different.

[Segata]

You know they are not the same types of games right? One is an action game/ beat em up and the other is an adventure game. I love both and each series is very different from one another. They aim for something different.

[Xavi4K]

Anyone trid Shenmu knoe that the irb between thease two games are day and night.

I love yakuza but Shenmu is in a whole another level

[PhoenixUp]

Are your interests that limited? You can’t be invested in both series?

[jinjojuice]

The one thing I remember from shemnue is that bamboo water feature in the garden,thought it was amazing at the time.plus all the little details really made that game something special.just started playing Yakuza series starting at 0 .they are different games but both worthy of being in a gamers collection.

[FallenAngel1984]

“starting with the release of Yakuza 0, the series seems to be finding a dedicated audience outside of Japan.”

Yakuza 5 was the start of the series finding appeal outside of Japan. Before then, Sega wasn’t planning on localizing any future games in the series after Yakuza: Dead Souls flopped.

It’s thanks to fan demand that Sony collaborated with Sega to localize Yakuza 5 who’s success exceeded Sega’s expectations and led to Yakuza 0 & Yakuza Kiwami releasing in western markets two years later.

[isarai]

The Yakuza series is what got me interested in the Shenmue series. Comparisons to Shenmue is what made me grow an interest in it, i always knew about the game but it just never got on my radar till i heard people comparing it to Yakuza. Now i'm eagerly awaiting the HD collection and 3. yeah i know they are much slower paced and more focused on atmosphere and story, but im the kind of person where that only makes me want it more.