TGS: Shen Mue split into two games

[03.19.99] » Yu Suzuki's Dreamcast epic will be released in two separate chapters.

   News of a Shen Mue delay came as no great surprise, given the game's grandiose vision. The latest development setback, however, is entirely unexpected: Sega has announced that the game will be split into two chapters, released sequentially.

   The first chapter, entitled Shen Mue Chapter 1: Yokosuka, will be released on August 5th, as previously reported. Near the end of the year, it will be followed by Chapter 2: Mainland China. Creator Yu Suzuki actually envisions a total of 16 chapters, though not all of them may be produced.

   To compensate for the move to two releases, the prices of each chapter will be lower than that of other Dreamcast games. Suzuki estimates each chapter will take about 12 hours to complete.

   Shen Mue is still scheduled to be released in North America by the end of the year, but the move to two separate chapters may mean only the first chapter appears in English before the year's end. Expect an announcement at E3 concerning Sega of America's plans for the new series.