Re-released a couple of months ago in remastered form for PC and console, Sega's classic Shenmue was only given the bare-bones treatment went it came to the process of updating the game. As per our review we noted, "Outside of the widescreen HD presentation this is port features no real gameplay improvements or visual updates." Turns out that another more ambitious version was in the works. And scrapped.

A proper remaster or remake with updated visuals, new textures, and more detailed environments. According to reports this version of Shenmue (that would also include Shenmue II as per the recent re-release) was in development by the same studio that worked on the eventual remasters we got. Details are a little vague but the project was cancelled or stopped due to development time and budget issues.

Digital Foundry released the following in-depth video detailing some of the changes from early footage that leaked. Including comparisons to both the Dreamcast original and the Shenmue HD remasters.