The Focus Is On The Combat In New Episode Of The 'What Is Shenmue?' Miniseries

Shenmue I & II are just around the corner since the game will officially be launching on the 21st of August. Coming out for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, these HD remasters promise to introduce this acclaimed series to a new generation of gamers—as well as giving long-time fans the chance to experience the games again.

Sega has been releasing a minisieries titled 'What is Shenmue?' in which they've been introducing us to the characters, the game's overall story, and some of its gameplay. Today, we are treated to a new episode in this miniseries which focuses on the game's combat—as well as all the different activities that players can find at the in-game arcade.

Combat in Shenmue I & II was based on the Virtua Fighter engine, which made Ryo's Ju-Jitsu look so accurate at the time. All the moves that players learn while playing Shenmue I can be transferred to Shenmue II, giving the game a real sense of progression.

As a very interesting fact, director Yu Suzuki was the one that introduced and coined the Quick Time Event in Shenmue, so players can expect to see a lot of QTE's when playing through both games.

Take a look:

The year is 1986, the place Yokosuka, Japan. The normally tranquil day-to-day life of Ryo Hazuki is suddenly and irrecoverably shattered by uninvited visitors. A man wearing dark green Chinese clothes appears at the Hazuki family home with two black-suited thugs. This man uses a powerful style of martial arts, the likes of which Ryo has never before seen, to engage his father Iwao in a fierce battle. Ryo attempts to intervene and help his father, but the obvious disparity in power is too much. Ryo is beaten down and taken hostage as the man questions Iwao, “Where is the mirror.”