Well, I have a small update. Today I finally played both in the beta (seems more like alpha to me) Aberdeen, and on Shenhua's dream/flashback/whatever it is.
I gotta say, the Aberdeen map matches EXACTLY the layout presented in Shenmue Premiere, and is very probably at least 14 (or more) times the size of the New Yokosuka Harbor in Shenmue 1. Saying it's a really big map would be an understatement.
It's god damn HUGE.
As to the dream/flashback map, it just pleases me to be one of the few that have actually experienced walking around in it. It is one beautiful if small location. The screenshots taken and posted publicly - along with the video clip - show only part of its true beauty.
I'd like to know if you guys would like me to post up some high-res screenshots of both places? I took quite a lot of them just from the second, and it would take a load of patience to upload them all. They're worth it though. Also, I took some after nightfall, the atmosphere is completely different, awesome stuff.