Aight, I did it.
Probably left on dead ears but I thought I should make it anyways.
Shenmue's fanbase love Shenmue because we mostly find it relaxing. If there controls were bad, it wouldn't be relaxing. So here in Shenmue II, I changed the controls to Shenmue 1 controls to show you. If you're controlling Ryo with the d-pad, outside of small interiors (the dojo, Ryo's house), then you're pretty much doing it wrong. You hold the trigger, and adjust your movement with the d-pad. So if you're going to turn left, you holdddddddd left and edge it. You should be able to play Shenmue one-handed, short of having to talk to people and mini-games/qtes/fights.
Shenmue's controls are totally fine for the game it is and when you compare it to its contemporaries (notably, Resident Evil games and Grim Fandango) the controls are way, way better.