Shenmue II Xbox
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. G4 TV
    100
    The game tells a finely crafted and interesting story at its own pace, and those without the patience to appreciate it may not understand what all the fuss is about.
  2. GameNow
    100
    A thoughtful, grand-scale adventure that's not afraid to test your patience. [Dec 2002, p.60]
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  3. GamerWeb Xbox
    94
    Without a doubt one of the greatest games ever, regardless of console.
  4. Gaming Age
    91
    Shenmue II's story is really what makes the game so enjoyable, and the plot is about as epic as they come...It has a few annoying flaws, but overall, it's my pick as the best Xbox adventure game of the year.
  5. Cinescape
    91
    If you want an absorbing game that has everything you could want, I would recommend buying Shenmue II. But you really have to be able to devote tons of time to the game.
  6. Gamestyle
    90
    Technically, the Xbox conversion of Shenmue 2 is a pot-pourri of highs and lows. Visually, it's two notches above its DC brother (AM2 have attached light sources to EVERYTHING - moreso at night, where neon bathes you in its "afterglow") but two notches below what the system is capable of.
  7. GameCritics
    90
    The series, especially this installment, has become among the most memorable game-playing experiences of my life.
  8. GamePro
    90
    The mixture of play styles may rub some people the wrong way, but most will find the vast scope of this venture too alluring to resist.
  9. Armchair Empire
    89
    A great, rollicking adventure with some integrated action and worth your time if you’re in the “Adventure Games are Dead and I Miss Them” camp.
  10. GameZone
    87
    With it’s mixing of genres and brilliant story, Shenmue II is an unforgettable experience.

User Reviews

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User Score
9.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. AlexR.
    10
    For me, this is the best video game ever made. Simple as that. No game has given me as much meaningfull pleasure as this one. There are not enough kind words to lavish upon this title. If you miss out on the Shenmue experience, then you will be missing out on video game history. Emotional...… Full Review »
  2. pookie
    10
    This is essentially the same game as the original, but expanded into more chapters. The original serves as chapter 1. With that said Shenmue II seems more grand and epic than the original. The world is huge. These games were ahead of their time.… Full Review »
  3. hoppimike
    10
    Overall, Shenmue is without doubt in my opinion the finest game ever made. Quite how Shenmue 1 and 2 stack up to one another is unclear to me, as they are both breathtaking and outstanding in their own ways.

    It's simply magical. It's hard to truly do this game justice with words, but it is an immersive, exciting, poetic and captivating experience that you will most likely remember and take with you forever.

    The only possible flaw with Shenmue 2 is the occasional slowdown on Dreamcast I am unsure if it's been smoothed out for the Xbox version (quite likely).

    Do yourself a favour and play Shenmue, you won't regret it!    … Full Review »
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