We all know that SEGA recently released a version of Shenmue I & II for modern platforms. However, what recently leaked was that the company canceled a full remaster of these games that would have had much higher quality.
The rumor came from Digital Foundry, which apparently gained access to gameplay from the remastered version of Shenmue I. According to the information available, SEGA was producing the game during 2017 but abandoned the project without giving a reason.
Below is Digital Foundry's video, in which we can see comparisons between scenes from the recent rerelease and the canceled, much higher-quality remaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=7O7x0Urgvz4
SEGA commented on the matter, saying:
"SEGA and D3T did in fact begin exploring the possibility of a full HD remaster for Shenmue I & II. That said, we soon realized it was a project with its own set of challenges. Working with the original animations and characters but blending them with improved HD visuals gave us a game that we felt would not meet the standards Shenmue fans expect and deserve. Rather than move forward with a release that could disappoint fans, we chose to focus on bringing the classic game to PC and modern consoles so that new players could experience Shenmue in its original charm."
For those who do not know, the sequel, Shenmue III, has already been announced for PS4 and PC, with a release date of August 27, 2019. It is a shame that such projects were canceled. These remasters would have been very welcome alongside the new title in this excellent franchise.
Cover image: Production of an unofficial remake of the game, released in 2014.
