But I probably cannot skip shenmue I, right? Like it’s needed to enjoy II?
Yes. It’s like watching Empire without having seen Star Wars. ESB takes everything A New Hope laid out and gave it texture and a realized world. Shenmue II works similarly for Shenmue I. But Empire wouldn’t have nearly as much impact if you hadn’t seen episode ANH. ANH is clunky, flawed, and simple. But Empire completes it. Shenmue is the same. Without II, I is just a great game. Together, they’re a masterpiece.
The two games work as compliments. Shenmue I for small town/big fish in small pond feel. II works as a foreign land/fish out of water/small fish in a big pond feel. Both are complete contrasts and in order to enjoy II to its fullest you need to play I.
I takes time to get going but it isn’t a bad game. Give it a shot and beat it. Your first impressions of the game might soften over time. The first session I had of Shenmue 1 was,”this game is shit.” But by the time I beat it I loved it. And made a new file and replayed it the second I beat it. It’s a grower. Just give it a chance.