Previously on Shenmue...
Sep 5, 2002November brings Yu Suzuki's Shenmue II to Xbox and those who are astute will notice the game has a "two" attached to it. Yes, this is a sequel. And not the kind of sequel similar to a Freddy Krueger movie, where past movies hold no bearing on the present tale. The first Shenmue was a deep, involving RPG with rich and unique characters and an intriguing storyline. That story was only the beginning of the Shenmue adventure.
If you never played the original, there are things you'll want to know before picking up the sequel. And if you're not sure if Shenmue II is right for you, perhaps hearing the tale of Ryo Hazuki will change your mind. And so, without further ado, IGN presents Previously on Shenmue...
A death in the family
November 1986 - Yokosuka, Japan
It begins with a murder. Young Ryo Hazuki, our hero, comes home to find his household in disarray. Fuku-san, bumbling friend of the family, comes flying out of the dojo, hurt but alive. Inside, Ryo's father, Iwao, is in the midst of a struggle with a strange man dressed in Chinese robes. During the short battle, Ryo learns that his father murdered a man named Zhao Sun Ming many years ago. The man battling Iwao uses a strange form of martial arts and overpowers Iwao. He forces him to give up a small mirror, the Dragon Mirror. And then, with one final blow, Iwao is dead. Ryo is no match for this man, Lan Di, but vows vengeance as the mysterious stranger disappears in a black car.
December 3, 1986
It's been several days since his father's death and Ryo is now ready to pursue his path of vengeance. Fuku-san, wracked with guilt over not being able to protect Iwao, begs Ryo not to seek revenge. The plea goes unheard. Ryo know to defeat this man, Lan Di, he'll have to improve his martial arts skills. It won't be enough to track the man down, to learn the significance of the mirror, and to understand who it was his father murdered -- Ryo will need new disciplines to avenge his father.
Going about town, asking if anyone has information on that day, Ryo takes a chance and visits the local psychic who tells him, "A young girl surrounded by flowers may show you the way." This girl is a friend of Ryo's from school, Nozomi, who works at the Aida Florist (she's a hottie). Her information, along with those of other people in town, being to fill in the puzzle pieces. Ryo still has no clue who Lan Di is, or why his father was murdered. But he is, at least, slowly beginning to find a trail the man has left behind.
The Secret of the Three Blades
Ryo learns of the three blades, an old Chinese secret. He seeks out people in the professions of the three blades -- barber, tailor, and cook -- to see what they know. Eventually he finds an 80-year old Chinese barber named Liu Senior, who says Lan Di is either with the Chinese black market or the mafia. Sailors dealing with Hong Kong and Shanghai imports may know something of the man Ryo is looking for. And so begins his quest to find some sailors.
"Do you know where I can find some sailors?"
Ryo wanders town asking people to help him find some sailors. He learns sailors hang out in bars at night. The people on the streets of Japan are kind enough not to give him odd looks when he asks questions like, "I need to find some sailors, do you know what bars sailors hang out at?" Ryo's search leads him to Heartbeats and after a quick fight, Ryo learns of a man named Charlie.
Charlie's a biker who hangs out a lot at Knocking Motorcycle Shop. He knows about the underworld and is a likely connection to Lan Di. Charlie may even be part of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.
After saving Nozomi from some thugs in the park (what quicker way to a girl's heart?), Ryo learns from the defeated thugs that Charlie's been getting a lot of tattoos lately. Ryo makes a rough acquaintance with Charlie at the Dobuita Tattoo Parlor shortly afterwards. Charlie, not much of a fighter and pretty much a coward, promises to meet Ryo the next day at the You Arcade at 3pm. He'll be bringing someone Ryo will want to meet.
The Chinese letter
That night, Ine-san overhears a conversation between Ryo and Fuku-san regarding his road to revenge. She hands him a letter his father received on December 3. It's written in Chinese and now, along with hunting down Lan Di, trying to hone his martial arts skills, and doing his best to make Nozomi's knees buckle, Ryo must find someone to translate the letter.
The next morning, Charlie breaks his meeting, so you break Charlie. Meeting you early with a small gang of thugs, Charlie quickly learns that he's no match for Ryo's skills. But Ryo has no time to turn Charlie any more black and blue. The longer he takes to find Lan Di, the colder the trail becomes.
Ryo spends half the day searching for someone to translate the letter, but many who know Chinese can't read the strange Kanji. It's not until Ryo asks Xia-san at the Russiya China Shop that he learns the truth about the mysterious letter.
The letter is written in reverse Kanji, an old trick, and must be read in a mirror. The letter warns Iwao, Ryo's father, to beware those who seek the mirror. The letter offers a name, Master Chen, and a phone number. The letter also lists a strange sort of secret message with the terms: Father's Heaven, Nine Dragons, Mother's Earth, and Comrades. The back of the letter is signed Zhu Yuan Da.
Ryo dials the number and is immediately put to the test. The voice on the other end of the phone says, "Mother's Earth," to which Ryo responds, "Comrades." He's told to come to Warehouse #8 down by the docks.
But before Ryo can go running to the docks, he gets a call from Nozomi. They meet in the park and she tells him her father wants her to move to Canada. It seems like a big deal to Nozomi, her having to leave him. It's clear she loves him and Ryo, well, Ryo is sort of clueless. And with all this talk of "sailors," one has to begin wondering...
More than one mirror
After sneaking past dock security, Ryo enters Warehouse #8 the next night. There he meets Master Chen and his son. "He only found one mirror?" Master Chen asks. Ryo learns there is a second mirror, the Phoenix Mirror. If Ryo wishes to learn more, he'll first need to find the mirror, which was last in his father's possession, and bring it back to Master Chen.
Ine-san lets Ryo know his father left something of value at a local antique shop in Dobuita. It's not the mirror, however, but the handguard for a sword. On the way home, curious as to how the handguard can help him find the Phoenix Mirror, Ryo notices Master Chen's son is following him. Hot-heated, the young Ryo enters battle, only to be humbled. But this is no enemy. Instead, the gentleman claims he's Ryo's new bodyguard.
As they talk, a mysterious (and rather sinister-looking) figure, stalks Ryo from the rooftops, watching and waiting.
Fuku-san and Ine-san inform Ryo that the handguard bears the Hazuki family crest -- a snow ring, two stars, and one sword. The dojo holds a further clue and behind one of the scrolls on the wall is a slot to insert the handguard. Finding a sword in a wooden chest in the dojo, Ryo inserts it into the hanguard to reveal a secret corridor.
Inside a dark, danky basement, Ryo notes some scratched wood on the floor. Moving a bookcase aside her finds part of the floor is made of a different type of material. With a few whacks from an axe, Ryo discovers the Phoenix Mirror hidden beneath the floorboard.
Only the end of the world
Master Chen and his son are thankful to see the Phoenix Mirror is safe. It's power seems obvious, even if Ryo is unsure what true power it may contain. Master Chen tells Ryo it is fortunate Lan Di was unaware Iwao possessed both mirrors, for when the two are together, they may be used to summon a powerful demon. It's clear now that Lan Di is not merely a man seeking some small trinket -- he intends nothing short of dominance over the world.
A strange, and rather ugly and mildly deformed man, Chai snatches the mirror as the three talk. This is the same man who was stalking Ryo earlier and it's not clear he must be in league with Lan Di. The three give chase and are able to retrieve the mirror, but it's clear that Ryo will now have to always be on guard. Chai is likely only one of many who will come for the mirror.
With Chai temporarily foiled, Master Chen tells Ryo about the Chi You Men and the Mad Angels. He believes Lan Di is part of the Chi You Men, who are allied with the Mad Angels. The Mad Angels are longtime enemies of Master Chen. And then Master Chen lays down the bomb -- Lan Di has likely already left for Hong Kong. It seems Ryo's journey has just begun.
A young man "should not waste his life on revenge," Master Chen tells Ryo. Easy to say when you didn't see your father murdered in front of you.
Ryo's goal is now defined. He must get to Hong Kong as quickly as possible. All objects hold both the potential for good and evil, Yin and Yang. Could the mirrors hold something good in Ryo's hands or do they only offer destruction? And who is this man Chai and what role will he play in the journey ahead? Ryo's adventures in Japan are not yet complete. He must still find a way to Hong Kong and escape some precarious situations.
A ticket to Hong Kong
It's Nozomi's grandmother who gives Ryo hope. It turns out she is deathly afraid of flying and always travels by ship. While it takes longer, it's considerably cheaper. For 69,000 yen, Ryo can get a ticket at the Asia Travel Company. The woman at the counter tells Ryo to come back later for the ticket he just paid for and, foolishly, Ryo does just that.
To pass the time, Ryo goes to Bunkado Antiques to ask for any information on the mysterious Phoenix Mirror. The mirror, he learns, is made from a precious stone of the Gui Lin region in China. It was crafted by a true master.
Returning to the travel company, Ryo discovers the woman is gone. No money, no ticket. A few goons are there, however, and Ryo "convinces" then to assist him. The head mouthpiece, Jimmy, promises to call Ryo tomorrow when he has the ticket. Ryo really has no choice but to trust him.
Before making it home, Ryo finds Nozomi crying in the park. Her mother's trying to force her to move to Canada, but all Nozomi wants to do is be with Ryo. Despite how incredibly hot this chic is, Ryo could care less and just wants to be friends. He heads home and dreams of a brown-haired Chinese girl. Though it is only a dream, he senses she is an important part of his destiny.
Jimmy calls the next morning, telling Ryo to meet him at the You Arcade -- He has the ticket. But Jimmy's not at the arcade. Ryo is ambushed by the enigmatic Chai, who kicks Ryo's butt. He eats Ryo's ticket to Hong Kong and flees when Fuku-san arrives. Yes, for the first time in this long journey, Fuku-san proves useful.
You shouldn't swindle a Hazuki
Ryo's only hope of getting to Hong Kong and finding Lan Di is to lure the Mad Angels to him. To do that, Ryo's gonna need to get a job.
Get a job, you deadbeat
But there is a girl waiting for Ryo in Japan. On the way to the harbor, Ryo runs into Nozomi. It's clear that the girl will have to move to Canada. She gives Ryo an amulet, as a reminder of her. He takes it, but his mind remains on the mysterious girl in his dreams, never realizing he could always have them both. Poor, poor Ryo.
Ryo gets a job driving a forklift at the docks. It doesn't pay much, but Ryo isn't looking for money -- he's looking for the Mad Angels. On his first night, he comes across two thugs on bikes harassing a homeless man. They challenge Ryo to a game of chicken, which he accepts and wins. The ride off, however, before he can question them, but it's clear he's just had his fist encounter with the Mad Angels.
Where Mad Angels fear to tread
The following day, Ryo is lead into a warehouse where he is ambushed by nine Mad Angels, several of them fellow employees. Ryo can handle them, but he's shocked to learn many of his co-workers are the very people terrorizing the harbor. After some persuasion, one of the thugs admits they hang out behind Warehouse #17.
On his way to Warehouse #17, Ryo stumbles onto poor Mark getting his head kicked in by five Mad Angels. After taking care of these ruffians, Mark tells Ryo about his brother who was killed by the Mad Angels for supposedly leaking information. The information in question is of value to Ryo as it pertains to a Chinese cartel the Mad Angels were doing business with. This is likely the Chi You Men, the gang connected to Lan Di.
Sorry Charlie
Ryo puts fist to face to Charlie and his five buddies. It seems Charlie's not one of the more important Mad Angels, so he doesn't know much. He does, however, say that a man fitting Lan Di's description is in the harbor waiting to leave for Hong Kong. The Mad Angels are taking him offshore to arrange some sort of trade.
Long Zha, you say?
The following day, Ryo's last day working at the harbor, he catches sight of Tony and Smith. The two run the instant they see Ryo, but that's no problem for the fleet-footed Mr. Hazuki. After a long chase through the harbor, Ryo catches Tony, only to find out he knows nothing about the Long Zha. It turns out only Terry, leader of the Mad Angels, knows the full details about dealings with the Chi You Men.
Ryo has one of the last clue's he will need. He's drawn out the Mad Angels and now he knows who to go after -- Terry. But before Ryo can leave the harbor he gets a letter from Master Chen's son, Gui Zhang, warning Ryo that the Mad Angel are after him.
Ryo immediately goes to question Master Chen about the Long Zha. Though Master Chen doesn't know the exact date or details, he does let on to the importance of the transaction. Whoever has the Mad Angels on their side, be it Chi You Men or Master Chen's group, will be able to control the trade between Hong Kong and New Yokosuka Harbor. Master Chen isn't sure what the trade involves, but he obviously wants it stopped.
Come now or your girlfriend dies
After beating up a dozen Mad Angels, their leader Terry offers to release Nozomi if Ryo promises to take care of Gui Zhang, Master Chen's son! Ryo agrees, so long as Terry promises to bring him to Lan Di when all is said and done. With this, Nozomi is released and takes a romantic motorcycle ride home in Ryo's arms. To bad Ryo has no inkling of affection for her. Poor, poor Ryo.
A date with seventy men
Only moments ago fighting against one another, Ryo and Gui Zhang must now fight side by side as they take on seventy men. Running an amazing gauntlet, the two battle their way through the scores of men to reach Terry. With a few well-placed kicks, Terry is beaten. He reveals that Lan Di has just left on a boat for Hong Kong. It seems all of Ryo's efforts were in vain, Lan Di has just slipped from his grasp.
Departure
Ryo faces his toughest battle, but manages to safeguard the Phoenix Mirror and toss Chai into the sea. It was Ryo's final test in Japan. Now new difficulties await.
Gui Zhang can't accompany Ryo, but promises to catch up to him once his leg heals. Ryo heads out to sea, away from his home and headed to a strange new place. What untold dangers lie ahead for Ryo? Where can he find Lan Di? What is the true purpose of the Phoenix Mirror? And who is the girl haunting his dreams?
Ryo's destiny will be found in Shenmue II, coming to Xbox this November. Until then, enjoy this trailer for ©2002, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved
With roughly 37,000 yen in his bank roll, Ryo heads out to get a plane ticket to Hong Kong, only to be bitterly disappointed. Flights cost over 150,000 yen, which would be impossible for Ryo to gather quickly. Even after Fuku-san generously donates all 40,000 yen of his life savings, Ryo is still far from his goal. It seems the path to Hong Kong will be a journey in itself.
The next day, his wounds healed but his ego still bruised, Ryo heads back to the Asia Travel Company. He chases down Jimmy. The frightened young man explains his company is bankrupt and that he was skipping town. There's no way for Ryo to get another ticket or his money back. Chai is part of the Mad Angels who harass and extort money from harbor workers.
The next night, Ryo dreams again of the mysterious girl. He knows, somehow, that she is waiting for him in Hong Kong.
The next day, on his lunch break, Ryo finds his friend Mark being harassed by two Mad Angels. Ryo kicks their butts rather easily and rescues Mark. This kind of occurrence will become old hat to Ryo fast as he runs into Mad Angels each day on the job. Working and wandering the harbor, Ryo discovers the Mad Angels have just about everyone terrorized. Someone needs to teach these punks a lesson, and it seems Ryo will have to be that someone.
Ryo's third night on the pier brings him into conflict with a few more Mad Angels. Charlie and two of his buddies come at Ryo on their bikes. After taking out Charlie's compatriots, Ryo hops on a bike and chases Charlie. But that's exactly what Chuck wants. He leads Ryo to Warehouse #17 and a trap.
Another day, another fight with a few Mad Angels. Ryo dusts his fists with some more fools and then learns some very important information from Mark. It seems a Long Zha, a term to describe a black market deal between the Chi You Men and the Mad Angels, is going down in a couple of days. Mark overheard two foreigners, Tony and Smith, talking about the deal.
Ryo is awoken that night by a call from the evil Chai. He has Nozomi and if Ryo doesn't show up at Warehouse #17 in four hours, he'll "make her cry." The harbor is far from home and all the buses have stopped running for the night. Borrowing his friend's motorcycle, Ryo races to the harbor, making it just in time.
The next night, Ryo meets Terry outside Warehouse #9, as planned. Gui Zhang comes by nightly and this is where Ryo must ambush the young man. Even as the two fight, Ryo is quietly asking Gui Zhang to let him win, explaining that it's his chance to meet with Lan Di, the man who murdered his father. In the end, the two come to a draw and Terry decides they both need to die.
Taking pity on Ryo, Master Chen offers to pay for his ticket to Hong Kong and gives him the name of a trusted elder who may be able to help Ryo. At the docks, Gui Zhang offers to come with Ryo, to help him catch and defeat Lan Di. But before the offer can be accepted, an I-Beam drops down on Gui Zhang, pinning his leg. It's the insane Chai, again, ruining everything.