History VideoGame / ShenmueII

* MovesetClone: The street fighters [[AfroAsskicker Rod Stunt]], [[ProWrestlingIsReal Greg More]], [[BloodSport Chunyan Xu]] and [[NobleDemon Master Baihu]] share the same moveset of ''VideoGame/VirtuaFighter'' characters Jeffry, Wolf, Sarah and Lau respectively. A BonusBoss also shares Sarah's moveset.

* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: Occurs inside the [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Yellow Head Building]], where the clock runs at a significantly slower pace. It's not shown on the screen when you reach the Big Ox Buliding, and the loading screen does away with it upon reaching the 40th floor. Most players will reach the basement around 1:00 p.m., but you'll always arrive at the 40th floor at about 5:30 p.m. for the climatic RooftopConfrontation at sunset.

* TheReveal: Yuanda Zhu reveals that [[spoiler: Lan Di killed Iwao because he killed his father Sunming Zhao, revealing that Ryo could become trapped in a ViciousCycle if he succeeds. He also reveals that both Dragon and Phoenix mirrors serve as a map to a great treasure, but only together.]]

* ShesAManInJapan: Infamously, Dou Niu's [[TheDragon Dragon]], Yuan. The Dreamcast PAL release, which retained the Japanese dub, even replaced Yuan's original actor with an actress and removed all male references. The changes carried onto the Xbox version's English dub.

** It's easy to miss as he doesn't appear at all times, but in the Yan Tin Apartments, Ryo can stumble upon Guangyan Wang, who happens to be the twin brother of Wang Guang Ji from the Ajiichi Restaurant in Yokosuka.

* TimePassesMontage: One occurs while Ryo and Ren listen to the wiretapper's entire collection of audio tapes.

** Don't feel like chatting when Shenhua in Guilin? Most of the time you're given the option to simply move onto the next area.

* BonusBoss: A sidequest in Wan Chai allows Ryo to participate in a fighting contest where he can challenge fellow martial artist Eileen Edelweiss, and defeating her allows a special match against a surprise opponent. These girls are not to be underestimated.

* MotionBlur: Used extensively in the [=XBox=] version during fights and some QTE sequences.

** When Ryo listens to cassette tapes to learn of Zhu's whereabouts, he can uncover a secret recorded conversation between Joy and [[spoiler: Guizhang]].

** The game introduces countless ways of gaining money, such as numerous gambling games, partaking in a short job, selling your gatcha toys, or participating in street fighting events in Kowloon. A much wider variety than the first game, where you had only Ryo's ¥500 daily allowance to tide you over until he got a job in Act 3 (you could play slots in the original, but because Ryo is underaged you don't get the option to cash out your winnings).

** The game introduces countless ways of gaining money, such as numerous gambling games, partaking in a short job, selling your gatcha toys, or participating in street fighting events in Kowloon. A much wider variety than the first game, where you had only Ryo's ¥500 daily allowance to tide you over until he got a job in Act 3.

** The game introduces countless ways of gaining money, such as numerous gambling games, partaking in a short job, selling your gacha toys, or participating in street fighting events in Kowloon. A much wider variety than the first game.

* WretchedHive: Subverted with Kowloon. Several characters warn Ryo how dangerous it is before he goes there. When he does, several buildings are shown to be falling apart, fighting contests and gambling are rampant, and the whole place is run by the Yellow Head gang. In spite of that, the city is shown to be filled with several hardworking people trying to get by and make a living, which sounds remarkably similar to its RealLife description on [[WretchedHive/RealLife this very site]].

** Opponents in Free Battle mode now have a visible health meter, helping you figure out which moves work best and cutting out those "WhyWontYouDie?!" moments from the last game's boss battles.

* AdventureGame: With a ''vastly'' larger world to explore than the previous game.

** You are no longer forced to fart around until scheduled events take place, and can simply choose to wait and speed through the idle time. You can also re-visit important locations instantly via quick-travel should you run out of day in the middle of a task. Both are completely optional for those who'd rather take their time and explore.

* SequelEscalation: The SliceOfLife elements are still present, but the scope of Ryo's journey is much grander and the tone more adventurous this time out. There are also more places to see, more things to do, more people to meet, and ''loads'' more ass to kick compared to the first game.

* ProductPlacement: Sapporo beer signs show up in Hong Kong, and Zippo-brand cigarette lighters appear as collectibles for you to buy. The latter has an in-game advantage: authentic Zippos can be sold back for more money compared to knockoffs, so buying up plenty of them is a good way to keep a lot of your cash near the start of the game, [[spoiler: when Ryo's pack is stolen]]. The HD rerelease cuts out both, but the real Zippos can still be spotted by the "Made in the U.S.A. Bradford, PA." stamp on the bottom.

* ProductPlacement: Sapporo beer signs show up in Hong Kong, and Zippo-brand cigarette lighters appear as collectibles for you to buy. The latter has an in-game advantage: authentic Zippos can be sold back for more money compared to knockoffs, so buying up plenty of them is a good way to keep a lot of your cash near the start of the game, [[spoiler: when Ryo's pack is stolen]].

* IAmNotLeftHanded: In Aberdeen and Wan Chai, you can play darts against a Jamaican guy for money. He throws with his left hand first and is pretty easy to beat. If you win twice in a row you can play for high amounts of money and then he will get serious. [[ThemeMusicPowerUp His theme music changes]], he starts throwing the darts with his right hand and will ultimately become an incredibly tough, almost unbeatable opponent.

* SequelEscalation: There's more places to see, more things to do, more people to meet, and ''loads'' more ass to kick compared to the first game.