There is one thing I do wish was different from the first installment however, and that is the UI. Take Shenmue II UI and engine and just place it in the first game and it would be even more amazing than it already is.

These are things we can hope for in the HD ports. If they ever get released..
The save option is MUCH nicer in the 2nd one too. It is a bit frustrating having to run into Ryo's room just to save a game. But once you get used to that, it's really not so bad. I've dealt with worse.
I'm currently pushing through II right now. I'm in Kowloon and got past that fat ass, Dou Niu, but I'm still not impressed. It's just way too linear and doesn't engage me like the first one did. I'm not enjoying myself with this one. It's bumming me out, man. I'm gonna try to finish it and hopefully my opinion will change soon. But sadly, it's only getting worse the further I go. It's definitely nothing like the first one to me.