Gameplay: 6.5
Graphics: 5
Sound: 5
Replay: 3
Multiplayer: No

When the original Shenmue was released for the Dreamcast, it was really awesome. It was in its own class. No game like it had ever been seen before. It successfully combined real life simulation/rpg with a good storyline. Now, Sega has finally made their sequel. It was originall released on the Dreamcast just like the first, but this time only in Japan. No English version was released. Since the Dreamcast went down, Sega has decided to shift their attention and take the game to the Xbox. Can Sega deliver a worthy sequel to the revolutionary Shenmue?

Thank you Sega for giving us another crappy game. I'm sorry, but really, Sega has seriously been going downhill ever since the fall of the Dreamcast. Their ONLY game with good graphics has been Panzer Dragoon Orta for the Xbox. But sadly that game lacked in other departments like replay and it had no multiplayer. Likewise, their sports series in the 2k series (recently changed to ESPN) has good solid gameplay but no graphics. Why can't Sega combine the two? Why can't Sega even get either right in Shenmue II?

Let's start off by saying the gameplay in this game is it's high point, and that isn't a good thing because it isn't very good. It's all downhill from here. There are a lot of references here to the original Shenmue. Didn't play it? Don't worry. The game comes with a DVD containing a short movie covering all you need to know about Shenmue (what I can't believe is they used Shenmue II's graphics to make the movie).

So, watch the movie, get the story, then start the game. Ok, long movie about a guy on a boat going to a new land. Blah blah blah. Get to the game already! Now, finally ashore. Well, one thing you'll notice right away is there is a big city beyond. Of course, sadly, it may look big but it really isn't. There is only a limited walking space and few buildings to enter. It's like they make it look big but the paths going through them are slender. This game isn't free roaming, you ARE constricted in the city by the small paths and the time limit.

The controls are easy enough. There are only a few of them anyway. One thing you'll notice is you can talk to just about anybody. Converse with the local town folk if you want, but trust me, they have very little to say. I hate it when fifty people say the same exact response to your questions. I mean, are they all clones? Give me a break. Okay, so talking to random people is out the window. Now, what about exploring? Don't bother too much. Not only is there really not that much to explore, it isn't really rewarding. There are VERY few secret items to be found, unlike games like Final Fantasy.

What you WILL actually find are places to make money. This might seem like a good thing but it isn't very much fun. Bet money and then arm wrestle a guy. Basically just keep pressing two buttons alternatively as fast as you can and hope you win. Don't do this too much as it isn't rewarding and you will only end up with sore fingers.

Don't worry, there are other ways to make money as well. You can also play Lucky Hit!! Yay!! This is the most boring game ever!! Basically, you take over a guy's "Lucky Hit" shop temporarily and then as people walk by you call out challenges, "Would you like to play a game of Lucky Hit?" "Want to try Lucky Hit?" One out of ten will run up and be screaming "Yes, yes, Lucky Hit". Okay...weird people...anyway...the whole challenging people thing gets old fast as your character says the same exact lines over and over and over...and you get the picture. But anyway, Lucky Hit is just like one of the games on the game show "The Price is Right." Basically, there is a rectangular box with a lot of alternating metal pins in it and there are a few dividers at the bottom. The bottom is separated by the dividers because some of the sections are bad, you don't want the ball that you drop in to get into them, and some are good. Green and red mark the different boxes. The problem with this though is there isn't much profit, and half the time you won't make any profit at all because you have to beat at least three people in the time given to you to work at the shop before ANY money is given to you.

Yes, I know, I'm rambling about the gameplay. But that's because what this game is designed on. The rest of the sections will be very short. So, moving on to the fights. Yes, the fights. They aren't impressive, to say the least. They are very tedious. The controls are unresponsive. The moves are stupid. Not to mention they are few and far between so it's not as if you get time to practice. Another annoying part of the gameplay is chasing. Basically, while chasing somebody you have to press the button that pops onto the screen in order to avoid obstacles and continue the chase. This is trial and error. You get to do it over and over, but that's the thing. It takes over and over and it gets to be a nuisance.

My biggest problem with the gameplay is it looks big and open at first but as you play it more and more it is obviously linear. There just simply isn't enough to do. Not enough unique interaction with different people. Not enough things to buy. Not enough ways to make money in the first place. No faster ways of transportation. Not very fun.

Graphically, this game looks pathetic. This game was OBVIOUSLY designed for the Dreamcast as the visuals suck bad. The characters have pathetic faces that were obviously just colored on. They don't move. No reactions. There are only a few different models for the NPC's so every other person looks alike. The cities aren't well detailed at all and they just look plain and boring. There are a lot of jagged edges. Animations aren't smooth. Overall, it is obvious no effort was put into making this game even look halfway decent.

The sound in this game isn't good either. This game is supposedly set on a grand scale from the size of the city and the story and all that, so then put in some good music! I mean seriously, put in at least a decent musical score. The music in this game blows. But that is definately not the worst part.

The voice acting is horrible. The characters voices just plain suck. I mean, whoever they casted for these parts need to be fired. No emotion, the voices don't match the characters, the mouth movements are not even close to being on cue. It looks like a cheap dubbed kung-fu flick. Most of the guys sound like pansies. Get some better voice acting next time.

No replay here. Nothing to unlock, no alternating story, very linear and no change and therefore no reason to play it more than once. If you MUST try the game then rent it at the cheapest place possible. Don't waste your money by buying the game. It just isn't worth it.