Well, I bought shenmue 2 for xbox today. I have the DC PAL version as well, and have beaten it. There are some slight differences between the two versions and I thought I might point them out.
Shenmue 2 for DC was left in Japanese with english subtitles, i thought it was a BIG improvement over the first one (with the terrible english dub) But, that crappy dub is back for the xbox version. After playing the DC version in Japanese, and then playing this version in english, it sounds terrible. There is no option to hear the original japanese audio track. But, oh well. People who have only played the first shenmue for DC will feel right at home.
The xbox version features some "upgraded" graphics, if you can call them that. The water has been changed in the xbox version to give it a more realistic look. It seems some textures have been upgraded (Ryo's jacket). And the biggest improvement is the lack of slowdown. In the DC version slowdown was everywhere (take running through pigeon park for example) But it seems slowdown in the xbox version is non existant.
Loading of levels seems a little faster in the xbox version. Also, saving to the HD only takes about a second. Where as, the DC took about ten seconds to save to the VMU. The battle system also seems to have been changed, with a blur feature.
The xbox version also includes Shenmue the Movie. Someone sat down with a US DC and recorded cutscenes from the first game. Then pasted it together as a movie. If you have not played the first game, you should watch this DVD before you start Shenmue 2. Also, the data on the four DC GD-roms has been squeezed on one DVD. You also have the option to take "pictures" in this version. Also, the footage of Shenmue running on the Saturn MIGHT be in this game. Can't say for sure yet.
This version is worth the upgrade if you have the PAL version (if you can get past the voice overs, which are better than FF X) If you have never played shenmue before, go buy this game.
Also, I have seen the ending, it is FUCKED up. Not a bad ending (well not really an ending because the story continues on) it is very strange. Don't ask anybody about it, you have to see it to believe it.
Shenmue 2 for DC was left in Japanese with english subtitles, i thought it was a BIG improvement over the first one (with the terrible english dub) But, that crappy dub is back for the xbox version. After playing the DC version in Japanese, and then playing this version in english, it sounds terrible. There is no option to hear the original japanese audio track. But, oh well. People who have only played the first shenmue for DC will feel right at home.
The xbox version features some "upgraded" graphics, if you can call them that. The water has been changed in the xbox version to give it a more realistic look. It seems some textures have been upgraded (Ryo's jacket). And the biggest improvement is the lack of slowdown. In the DC version slowdown was everywhere (take running through pigeon park for example) But it seems slowdown in the xbox version is non existant.
Loading of levels seems a little faster in the xbox version. Also, saving to the HD only takes about a second. Where as, the DC took about ten seconds to save to the VMU. The battle system also seems to have been changed, with a blur feature.
The xbox version also includes Shenmue the Movie. Someone sat down with a US DC and recorded cutscenes from the first game. Then pasted it together as a movie. If you have not played the first game, you should watch this DVD before you start Shenmue 2. Also, the data on the four DC GD-roms has been squeezed on one DVD. You also have the option to take "pictures" in this version. Also, the footage of Shenmue running on the Saturn MIGHT be in this game. Can't say for sure yet.
This version is worth the upgrade if you have the PAL version (if you can get past the voice overs, which are better than FF X) If you have never played shenmue before, go buy this game.
Also, I have seen the ending, it is FUCKED up. Not a bad ending (well not really an ending because the story continues on) it is very strange. Don't ask anybody about it, you have to see it to believe it.