Yakuza is not a worthy substitute for Shenmue
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:47 am
So I was talking to a friend about what we were currently playing and I had mentioned to him that I just got into the Yakuza series for the first time with Yakuza 1. Told him I found it very compelling. He smiled, saying it was a good substitute for Shenmue. His exact words were "a good substitute for Shenmue." I was triggered.
But all this really got me thinking about certain games, franchises - similar ones, how certain ones succeed, how others...not so much. There are a lot of similarities between Yakuza and Shenmue but they should not be compared and and are still very different. Think about it, same publisher, same overall design concept, at least on the surface. However, one is going strong with a soon to be released 6th main entry in the west and several spinoffs including a prequel. While the other stopped after a second entry and now is only coming back with a third only with the help of Kickstarter and Sony because Sega have a towel over their head.
What are your opinions on these franchises? If you've played both, is Yakuza even a substitute for Shenmue? I think hell no. And why does it seem that only one of these games was destined to move onward, while the other fade away? Was it because Yakuza was released on the more popular PS2, while Shenmue was left with the struggling Dreamcast? Or was it because the Yakuza games are simply more enjoyable? Assuming the success was related to quality, which we know isn't always the case.
And to be honest, it seems Shenmue Dojo generally favors Shenmue obviously. I'm curious to know the opinions of those who have invested a lot of time in both franchises.
But all this really got me thinking about certain games, franchises - similar ones, how certain ones succeed, how others...not so much. There are a lot of similarities between Yakuza and Shenmue but they should not be compared and and are still very different. Think about it, same publisher, same overall design concept, at least on the surface. However, one is going strong with a soon to be released 6th main entry in the west and several spinoffs including a prequel. While the other stopped after a second entry and now is only coming back with a third only with the help of Kickstarter and Sony because Sega have a towel over their head.
What are your opinions on these franchises? If you've played both, is Yakuza even a substitute for Shenmue? I think hell no. And why does it seem that only one of these games was destined to move onward, while the other fade away? Was it because Yakuza was released on the more popular PS2, while Shenmue was left with the struggling Dreamcast? Or was it because the Yakuza games are simply more enjoyable? Assuming the success was related to quality, which we know isn't always the case.
And to be honest, it seems Shenmue Dojo generally favors Shenmue obviously. I'm curious to know the opinions of those who have invested a lot of time in both franchises.