New media: Shenmue II

Sega Japan has released direct-feed video clips of Shenmue II for the Sega Dreamcast. The footage was originally shown at Sega's Game Jam event earlier this year, but this is the first time the video has been available in direct-feed quality. The first clip is in trailer form and highlights several of the new characters in the game, including Ren, Fanmei Kun, Joy, Kou, and Shenhua. Several of the enemy characters, including familiar members of the Mad Angels gang featured in the first game, are also shown. The second clip is shorter, and it highlights some of the game's environments, including the Kowloon Tower. A new, unnamed samurai character is also shown.

With the discontinuation of the Dreamcast hardware, Shenmue will undoubtedly move onto other consoles. There has been speculation that the series may be shortened as a result, but as long as there is consumer interest in the product, AM2 vows to continue the series until its conclusion in the 16th chapter. Shenmue II will be released in Japan on September 6. A North American release is tentatively set for November of this year.

Video courtesy of the Japanese Dreamcast Magazine.