[Elevensixty]

 I haven't played Shenmue IIx in a long time and miss the photo feature, had so much fun taking photos of..well everything!
Some of my favorite memories of Shenmue 2 are "photo missions" I would go on- landscape, human interest, animals, action, architecture.. rare sights.. and reaching Guilin was a treat!
To me, the camera is a mini-game as deep as any as it lets you explore your own views and tastes in the Shenmue world.
(I love photography and besides Shenmue it's the main subject of my Twitter account anymore.)
Of course I don't expect photographers in general to take this seriously, but if you think about it, the Shenmue camera *is* a "real" image capturing device... and for someone like myself who loves Shenmue and loves photography, a whole lotta fun.
So I'm going to pick up an Xbox and have a play through for the photos..
 Now, we're all looking forward, not just to Shenmue 3, but HD releases for current systems- would you like the camera to be included in the first installment as well? Could it be an unobtrusive means of introducing bonus content / backstory? I think it would- allowing the player to experience the original while ignoring the option, or using it, perhaps on a second play through to enhance appreciation of the many complex views and sights in Yokosuka.
 

[James]

The camera feature is one of my favorite things about Shenmue II, even to the point of annoyance that my offline Xbox 360's internal clock would reset whenever I unplugged it, causing the timestamped images to be stored out of sequence. If I actually had OCD I'd have probably lost my mind.

There was just something so addictive, and liberating as a player, about being able to capture any object, character, or gorgeous vista for posterity, and I really think other developers have missed a trick by not adopting this as standard. Only Grand Theft Auto V has really brought the idea back to prominence, but it remains to be seen if it will actually become fashionable. I suppose the PS4's ability to record gameplay footage isn't a million miles away from the same idea but it lacks the artistry and selectiveness of a well framed snapshot.

The fact the photo quest could recognize which character you were looking at seemed impressive too, considering this feature was a new addition to the Xbox port rather than being built into the game from day one.

As for incorporating it into the first Shenmue, I'm on the fence. As much as I'd like to explore Yokosuka with a camera in hand, it makes a little more sense in Shenmue II. In Hong Kong Ryo is a tourist, albeit on a serious mission, and a camera is something you'd expect him to pack for his journey. It would seem a tad out of context in his hometown, although this is a game where a martial arts student takes time out of avenging his father's murder to play Space Harrier and buy mini Bonanza Bros figurines, so it wouldn't be the most curious aspect of his daily routine...

[Giorgio]

I would really like the snapshot feature to return on a HD remake of Shenmue or in Shenmue III (or IV (!) ). Furthermore, a critical caveat was that you were limited at how many pictures you could take; that was very frustrating. Therefore, I would like the number of pictures you would be able to take to be theoretically unlimited and only practically limited by how many bytes of free storing data you have available.


Additionally, the snapshot feature wasn't that truly immersive, if you think about it. It was more a feature that didn't have an one-on-one connection with the protagonist. What I mean is this: it would be more immersive and real-like if Ryo would be able to found a camera in his house (probably in some drawer in his room) and then carry it with him wherever he go, just like the cassette player and the wristwatch.


So, he/you would need to select the camera by pressing the "Y" button (or the "Δ" if it will be released on PlayStation...) and start using it. But even more, to be more immersive, the camera to have additional real-like features, like, (Ryo) to see through the lens of the camera and have all the features that comes with one, like zooming in/out, flash, rotation, like a human with their hands would control it.


Surely, to represent a camera like those available in the 80's. Imagine also if you could portrait some of the pictures and hang in your room's wall (in the Shenmue I). We talk about more immersive and real life sense, something that we Shenmue fans like in a game.




P.S.: Hooray! This is my second post, so now I have ¥100 and I can buy food (milk) for the kitty! :3

[ItsThinking95]

If they kept the snapshot feature in Shenmue III then it could potentially take advantage of the Wii U's gyroscopic capabilities.

[Shenmue Stare]

I'm with James on this one. Ryo being a tourist in Shenmue 2 seems quite appropriate for him to have a camera. Though, if they included this feature in a Shenmue 1 HD, I certainly wouldn't complain.

[Elevensixty]

As for incorporating it into the first Shenmue, I'm on the fence. As much as I'd like to explore Yokosuka with a camera in hand, it makes a little more sense in Shenmue II. In Hong Kong Ryo is a tourist, albeit on a serious mission, and a camera is something you'd expect him to pack for his journey. It would seem a tad out of context in his hometown, although this is a game where a martial arts student takes time out of avenging his father's murder to play Space Harrier and buy mini Bonanza Bros figurines, so it wouldn't be the most curious aspect of his daily routine...

What if the camera were a winnable item at Tomato Mart, or something he can just pick up like flashlights, assuming it may come in handy (as, after all, he's doing detective work) or like the cassette player and tapes, nothing important but the option is there, creating more world-depth and interactivity-(as Giorgio already brought out )

[James]

I'd be down for that. They could even let him buy an iPhone from the same electronics store he bought his games console so he doesn't run out of film.

[ItsThinking95]

An I-Phone could work, but it'd have to be similar to the Saturn Ryo has since that wouldn't be accurate to the time period. So it'd be more of an easter egg than anything.

[Giorgio]

The most close mobile phone to the iPhone that Ryo would likely have in 1986 would be something like this...

The next generation Motorola DynaTac 8000s series was launched in 1986, it has one fewer function key than the 8000x model.
Source: http://www.itp.net/584396-iconic-mobile-phones-from-the-80s-to-now?tab=photos&img=2

[jameswalker85]

I didn't really use the snapshot feature in IIx, as it seemed a bit pointless to me. However, having the feature included in Shenmue II HD would be awesome, as it could be tied into achievements. And it would be especially awesome if the screenshots were saved as actual image files (I know you can do this on the PS3). It would be even cooler if those image files looked like Polaroids, and were filtered to look like they were from the late 80's.


As for including it in Shenmue I, it could work... but I think if it was included, then Ryo should acquire the camera from somewhere first. Either by buying one, winning one, or finding one in his house. There is a photo of his friends in his room, and there's the whole 'please or disappoint Nozomi' photo section at the harbour. It wouldn't be so far fetched that he has a camera. But back in the 80's, it would have been a bulky item, hence why I think he should acquire one first. Oh, and possibly have film on sale in Tomato.


I wouldn't sniff at added features, so long as it doesn't change Shenmue into something else entirely.

[Guppy]

yeah like the camera the ps4 with the ps4Share be perfect for sharing yr Toy capsules etc, or even photos 

[LagunaVII]

I loved the camera feature on the XBox version of Shenmue II - the fact that you could unlock extras with out actually being told about it was just a great feature - Id love to see it implemented into the first one and future installments for that matter. those who beat Chai in the Game You - could forever have a photgraph ofthe crowning moment, though to be honest that would probably have an achievent trophy too

[Guppy]

.. yeah the comics is a great extra shows more of the Shenmue universe, only beated chai "once" in GameYou, never have done since 

[LagunaVII]

Ive done him a couple of times in Game You - hes easier in there than he is at the end. just trap him in a corner and spam Crawl cyclone. to be honest i think a lot of the kicks will work, but they will have to be at least moderate level to advance. so spamming training places is also recomended.

[LagunaVII]

Oh and do not touch the X button - punches just do not work against the little freak!