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[Lindsay]

Title: .hack//G.U. Vol.3: Redemption

Price: $39.99

Released:

Japan: January 18th, 2007
North America: September 10th, 2007
Europe: n/a

System: Playstation 2
Rating: T
Memory: 489
Genre: Action/Rpg

Reviews:

GamesRadar - http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps2/ga...?articleId=2007091095212299037&sectionId=1000 (6)
1up - http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3162693 (6.0)
RandomNPC - http://randomnpc.com/2007/09/08/hackgu-vol-3redemption-staff-review/ (7/10)
Gamespot - http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/hackguvol3/review.html (5.0)

Info:

It's the last game in the series! An on-disc bonus is .hack//Roots Episode 6 "Conflict". Pretty good episode.

What we didn't get for pre-ordering (aka what Japan got): Nothing because they also got nothing as far as I know.


From the website:

·Is this really the end?: All questions from the series will finally be answered!
·Enhanced Battle system: Haseo and his Avatar evolve into new forms and utilize new, more powerful attacks.
·New Awakenings: Haseo gains a new Awakening power to deal out more damage to his enemies.
·New Arena battles: Conquer the final tier of the Arena Battles to become the Sage Palace Emperor!
·New locations: Investigate two new root towns and two new dungeons, as well as a massive hundred level dungeon unlocked after you beat the game called the Forrest of Pain.
·Steam Bike: All new parts to customize your steam bike and five new steam bike missions
·The Best of Friends: Choose from 22 different characters to join your party.
·New Crimson VS cards: step up the card battle action with all new cards.

(pics snagged from gamesradar, rehosted by me!)


---

Title: .hack//G.U. Vol.2: Reminisce

Price: $39.99

Released:

Japan: September 28th, 2006
North America: May 8th, 2007
Europe: n/a

System: Playstation 2
Rating: Teen
Memory: 486kb (Game), 71kb (Terminal Disc)
Genre: Action/Rpg

Reviews:

GamesRadar - http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps2/ga...50713497458015&releaseId=20070131144456381069 (6)
1up - http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3159472 (6.0)
Gamespot - http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/hackguvol2/review.html (5.7)

Info:

No special edition this time around. However there will be an on-disc bonus: .hack//Roots episode 1 "Welcome to the World" will be viewable from the start. Somehow there isn't enough space on the game discs for english and japanese voice tracks, but there is enough for a 25 minute anime episode ontop of everything else that is there.

What we didn't get for pre-ordering (aka what Japan got): G.U. series artbox. It had room for all three games, an OVA and something else...? Going by Bebpo's pictures, the thing was already entirely in english which of course means there was no chance we'd ever get it here. -_-;


From the website:

·Epic Story: Breathtaking movies and a dramatic, twisting storyline help to reveal the true motives of other characters!
·New Fighting Mechanics: Change weapons on the fly when fighting as Haseo Upgraded Battle system- Utilize a new “Awakening” power, and master new fighting styles added to Avatar Battles!
·More Exciting Fisticuffs: Compete in the second tier of the Arena Battles to become the Holy Palace Emperor, and fight in more Avatar Battles!
·Crimson VS Card Game: Assemble the perfect deck and play the new Crimson VS Card Game!
·Steam Bike: Earn items by completing Steam Bike Missions and customize your Steam Bike!
·Make New Friends: New potential party members added to your roster, so you can hunt monsters with more of your favorite characters.

(pics snagged from gamesradar, rehosted by me!)


---

Title: .hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth

Price:

Regular Edition: $39.99 (now $29.99)
Special Edition: $49.99 (no longer available?)

Released:

Japan: May 18th, 2006
North America: October 24th, 2006
Europe: n/a

System: Playstation 2
Rating: Teen
Memory: 489kb (Game), 70kb (Terminal Disc)
Genre: Action/Rpg

Reviews:

1up - http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154638 (7.0)
GamesRadar - http://www.gamesradar.com/us/ps2/ga...articleId=20061020105248924047&sectionId=1000 (7)
Gamespot - http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/hackgu/review.html (6.3)


My Review/Guide of the Demo (such that it is) - http://cgi.neo-prosperity.net/dothacker/Game/Rebirth/demo.php (D)

Info:

The "special edition" includes the Terminal Disc which unlocks info regarding the past and present games as you play through the G.U. series. To unlock all of it, you need a save file from each of the three games. Also included is a figurine of the series main star, Haseo.

What we didn't get for pre-ordering (aka what Japan got): .hackers dvd. This disc contained the audio drama episode "First Login" which takes places just minutes before the first episode of Roots. Also on the disc was a trailer for G.U. and op/ed's from each of the four anime series (SIGN, Liminality, LotT, Roots).

From the website:

·Delve deeper into "The World": Featuring an enthralling storyline that builds upon the excitement of the first .hack series.
·Special items for .hack fans: Utilize your save data from the first .hack series and unlock a special surprise.
·Realistic interactions: Communicate with your partners using the all-new communication features and an upgraded interface.
·Hack the game: All new features allow for greater hacking abilities. Manipulate "The World" to your advantage.
·Strengthen your alliances: Form a guild with other PCs; share information, trade items, and reap the benefits of their knowledge.

(pics snagged from gamesradar, rehosted by me!)



---
By the way feel free to ask questions about & discuss the original game series/anime/books.

As they release in the US I'll update this post to include Vol.2 & 3 info. But those are long off so keep spoilers in boxes!


2007/2008 .hack Releases:

February 13th, 2007: .hack//Another Birth Vol.3
April 17th, 2007: .hack//Roots Vol.1
April 17th, 2007: .hack//Roots Vol.1: Limited Edition
May 8th, 2007: .hack//G.U. Vol.2: Reminisce
June 5th, 2007 - .hack//Roots Vol.2
July 10th, 2007: .hack//Another Birth Vol.4
August 7th, 2007 - .hack//Roots Vol.3
August 7th, 2007 - .hack//Roots Vol.3: Limited Edition
September 10th, 2007: .hack//G.U. Vol.3: Redemption
October 2nd, 2007 - .hack//Roots Vol.4
December 4th, 2007 - .hack//Roots Vol.5
February 12th, 2008 - .hack//G.U.+ Vol.1
February 5th, 2008 - .hack//Roots Vol.6
February 5th, 2008 - .hack//Roots Vol.6: Limited Edition
June 10th, 2008 - .hack//G.U.+ Vol.2
June 10th, 2008 - .hack//XXXX Vol.1


Series Timeline:

(Classic)

AI Buster
AI Buster Vol.2: Chapters 1 & 2
Intermezzo (OVA1)
SIGN
Infection / Liminality 1 / Another Birth 1
Mutation / Liminality 2 / Another Birth 2
Outbreak / Liminality 3 / Another Birth 3
Quarantine / Liminality 4 / Another Birth 4
Unison (OVA2)
AI Buster Vol.2 Chapters 3 - 5
Legend of the Twilight (manga)

(G.U.)

First Login
Roots / Cell
G.U. Vol.1 / Online Jack
G.U. Vol.2 / Online Jack
G.U. Vol.3 / Online Jack
Returner

(???)

.hack//Link

(Non-canon?)

Fragment
Zero
GIFT
Legend of the Twlight (anime)
XXXX
G.U.+
4Koma
.hack//G.U. Trilogy

 

[u_neek]

Dude, you can't put the word Twilight in other games' official thread titles

 

[jooey]

.hack//Roots begins airing Saturday, November 11th at 5 a.m. on Cartoon Network.

lololololololololololololololololololololololol

 

[Joe Molotov]

I'm not really tuned in to the whole .hack "Verse", so I'm wondering what relationship (if any) does this have to other .hack games?

 

[LegatoB]

.hack//Roots begins airing Saturday, November 11th at 5 a.m. on Cartoon Network.

That's even funnier than the time they ran .hack//dusk (or whatever the anime's official title was) at 1:30am Friday nights completely unannounced and unadvertised. Even better, it was TV-Y7 and still had all the creepy twincestual undertones unedited. I guess if no one is watching it, it doesn't matter! :lol

 

[Junpei Heat]

Because of Toys R Us this is gonna be mine for free!

:lol Poor Roots

 

[Lindsay]

Dude, you can't put the word Twilight in other games' official thread titles

Whaaaaat? Why not? Its an in-game reference!!

I'm not really tuned in to the whole .hack "Verse", so I'm wondering what relationship (if any) does this have to other .hack games?

um... Well it takes place several years later and has similiar character classes and stuff. @_@; I don't know all that much myself but I'm sure there'll be cameos and stuff.

That's even funnier than the time they ran .hack//dusk (or whatever the anime's official title was) at 1:30am Friday nights completely unannounced and unadvertised. Even better, it was TV-Y7 and still had all the creepy twincestual undertones unedited. I guess if no one is watching it, it doesn't matter! :lol

Wait what? Dusk? ARGH! Lame crappy unofficial fan translated name ftl! *thwaps Legato*

hmph. Bandai claimed the series did well at that timeslot and later its 5 - 5:30 a.m. timeslots. Still this is a pretty crappy move on CN's part. Toonamize it! >.<

 

[Mefisutoferesu]

Linds, does the US version have any JP options?

 

[DarknessTear]

The anime (Roots) is REALLY BAD.

The games (GU vol 1 and 2 so far) are WORSE.

Bandai needs help with game design. I believe there's a book out there based on how to make fun games. They reeeeeally need to read it.

 

[Fallofmart]

I heard this sucks bad... shame...

 

[jvalioli]

Do you get anything for having a endgame save file of the 4th part of the original .hack?

 

[Lindsay]

Linds, does the US version have any JP options?

Nope. No dual audio this time. Dunno why other than their BS excuse of it not being able to fit.

The anime (Roots) is REALLY BAD.

Roots is bad? Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Do you get anything for having a endgame save file of the 4th part of the original .hack?

Ya I dunno what though.

 

[Lain]

The anime (Roots) is REALLY BAD.

You're being too kind by simply saying it is REALLY BAD, 'cos it's worse than that.

 

[DarknessTear]

You're being too kind by simply saying it is REALLY BAD, 'cos it's worse than that.

Yeah it's not easy to describe how bad it is.

 

[Hadji]

Roots is bad?? I watched the whole thing and I'm not complaining. What's so bad about Roots?

 

[Sallokin]

I for one am way excited for this to come out. Got the special edition pre-ordered and everything. Though I'm the only person who has it reserved at my local gamestop lol

To unlock all the special stuff on the bonus disk, do you need a data flag from each game or just a random save. I have data flags for 1 2 and 4, but not 3 (memory card crapped out)

 

[Hadji]

^ Booyah! That makes the both of us.

Truthfully, I'm looking forward to .hack more than FFXII... Honestly!

 

[Systems_id]

This thread makes me wish SquareEnix went the whole nine yards and made FFXII a .Hack clone in terms of content.

 

[Lindsay]

I've been "playing" (lotsa non-gameplay early on) my copy for an hour and a half and am alil overwhelmed! Gonna take some time to learn all the new ins n' outs that's for sure. I mean combat is simple enough but stuff in town and items are something I haven't even gotten into yet. Played through the first two story areas and then one area solo for fun. There is soooooooo much site/board/news stuff to read through this time around its not even funny! @_@;

I was kinda worried but the game does come in a normal case and all its just inside the big special edition box. The Terminal Disc comes in a crappy lil slipcover. Boo! Plus they hacked the good disc art from the jp TD. >.<

As for the transfering save data from the old games, you have to have an old game save on the same card as the G.U. save (stupid cause there even is an option to read memory card slot 1 or 2 but it don't work...). All ya get is an e-mail from Blackrose to. I was hoping for some classic desktop wallpaper and music. ;_;

 

[Sallokin]

I'm about 4 or so hours in and it's really a pretty decent game so far. Like Lindsay said there's a lot of non-game stuff early on, but I'm liking the direction it's heading.

I probably spent the first hour or so just looking through all the site/forum/news stuff. That particular aspect is incredibly well done. All the news bites and embedded video etc. are really a cool way to make you feel like you're a part of this world.

I can't wait to see what else happens though. They've added some cool new stuff and the battle/dungeon system is quite improved over the last titles. Here's hoping for the best.

Terminal disk was cool as well. Very thorough recap for those who missed the first games. Can't wait to see what else the other two volumes unlock.

Question though. For the two bonus emails do you need all 4 data flags? or do you need just one game data flag, and the very final data flag you get after you finish vol. 4?

Here are some haphazard pictures I took.

Action Figure

Bonus Terminal Disk

Butchered NA Disk Top

 

[DarknessTear]

No JP voices (like the last 4 games had) kind of makes me sad.

 

[Hadji]

CRAP! Gah...

Reading Lindsay's post is enough to keep me offa this thread until I get my copy. Have fun playing the game!

Peace.

 

[momolicious]

ive always wanted a good .Hack game but thats probably like asking for a good Gundam game

 

[distantmantra]

thats probably like asking for a good Gundam game

One Year War (PS2) and Senshi Tachi no Kiseki (GC) say hi.

 

[Sallokin]

I seriously don't know why people are bashing this game at all. It's a vast improvement over the original 4 in every way possible. My only gripes are the quality of some of the VAs and the fact that I'm roughly 8 hours in and the game still has this tendency to over explain some things. There's a lot of interesting stuff happening story wise, and the "real world" stuff like the forums etc are implemented in a much better fashion. If anyone is remotely interested but a little wary about this game I'd recommend you at least rent it to see for yourselves.

Also a quick question, has Volume 2 come out in JPN yet? If so what are the initial impressions?

 

[Lindsay]

Some reviews are in which I added to the top post.

I seriously don't know why people are bashing this game at all. It's a vast improvement over the original 4 in every way possible.

I wouldn't say that totally. The fact that there's only three field types really really blows. The originals had a large variety of outdoor fields with different landscapes, times of day and even weather affects! What happened to dungeons anyway? sigh....

Also a quick question, has Volume 2 come out in JPN yet? If so what are the initial impressions?

Yes. Love/Hate according to Bebpo! http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101720

 

[davepoobond]

i also got the game...i'm kind of hesitant to start it up without beating 3 and 4 first...

does anyone think its absolutely necessary to beat the prior games before starting gu?

 

[Beezy]

This is the first time that I came into this thread specifically to troll, but I'm an amateur. I got nothing. So I'll just leave with this:

Lol .hack

 

[davepoobond]

This is the first time that I came into this thread specifically to troll, but I'm an amateur. I got nothing. So I'll just leave with this:

Lol .hack

how about ".****thisgame"?

 

[White Man]

I'm digging this game. It's not super different than previous entries, though.

 

[Junpei Heat]

Too bad TRU didnt have this it sounds good but atleast a got FFXII instead :lol

Have fun guys

 

[Lindsay]

There's a definete lack of freedom going on here. Several hours in and my meager 5 allies are never around unless it's time for more story stuff with them. Meaning I can't go running around leveling up and exploring unless I want to go it solo which is kinda tough. -_-

 

[Sallokin]

Right now I'm fixing to fight

Spoiler

Kuhn and Pi in the arena

and I'm still having a pretty good time with the game. Still very hand holding, and there are still all the issues that were previously mentioned (lack of dungeon/field variety etc.), but the story has kept me hooked. I'm assuming I'm pretty close to the end as I've heard the level cap is 50 and I'm 40 and that makes me a little sad. Any news on a U.S. release for Vol. 2?

 

[Lindsay]

I finished off the "story" mode last night at 22:49:15. Sorry but other then defining the characters and the very last moments, there really isn't any story you couldn't have picked up on by watching the three main trailers. As for Vol.2 coming over it certainly will. After the credits roll there's an "episode preview" for and of course the usual e-mail of being able to use your clear game save data for the next game.

Now that I can play the game freely and have access to the pitiful few amount of allies they give you at all times, I'll probably have alot more fun. Gotta fill in them ryu books and all! Weapon levels max out at 10 and I'm only on 5 for twin blade and sword. Plus there's lotsa quests to do that I couldn't before cause of not being able to call on character many other times throughout the game!

 

[B.K.]

Any news on a U.S. release for Vol. 2?

The special edition of the first .hack//ROOTS DVD comes with a demo for G.U. Vol. 2, so I assume that means it'll be released here too.

 

[Lindsay]

hmmm I'm so slow.

A week later and I finally realize that Infection and Rebirth share the same final battle. :lol

Just passed the thirty hour mark and the Ryu Books are almost maxed out and most of my allies are at L50. I got Mecha Grunty up to 30 of 50 and finished all the main quests~even the final optional boss one (which was slowwwww, tweak the dang engine CC2!). Got most of the Black Listed PK's but not even half of the normal ones! Also far behind in the Flyer and Lucky Animal quests. So there's still a bunch to do though I may start over before finishing it all. @_@;


btw Sallokin can I use those images for my fansite??


Edit! Why is there still no IGN review? Did they hate it so badly that Bandai paid them not to release a review?

 

[Lindsay]

Bump for .hack//Roots premiering in just a lil under 5 hours (est)! Anyone else staying up for it?


Editttttt: Boo! No wonder Bandai didn't care if Roots was buried. Haseo, Ovan and possibly Shino's VA's aren't the same as the ones from the game! WTF?

 

[DarienA]

Old thread I know, but I just started playing G.U. Rebirth over the weekend, and while the game has a variety of issues... potentially(to some) boring combat engine, Xenosaga-long cutscenes, etc. I'm really enjoying it so far. The story has me very curious, and I just like the whole interface and music. I didn't play the first .hack series at all.

 

[Fady K]

Old thread I know, but I just started playing G.U. Rebirth over the weekend, and while the game has a variety of issues... potentially(to some) boring combat engine, Xenosaga-long cutscenes, etc. I'm really enjoying it so far. The story has me very curious, and I just like the whole interface and music. I didn't play the first .hack series at all.

If the story is good, im all for that

By the way, I havent beaten the first series either, Linds, so if I started here, how bad would it be? I know that playing the second Shadow Hearts rocked cause I played the first.

 

[Lindsay]

Old thread I know, but I just started playing G.U. Rebirth over the weekend, and while the game has a variety of issues... potentially(to some) boring combat engine

Doesn't matter if its old! Its the official thread for all 3 games as they come out! Been updating the first post. I to thought the combat was kind of boring early on when Gale Blade as your only Rengeki but hang in there and be sure to add the different attacks to your Skill Trigger as you gain them! Plus later on you can

Spoiler

switch between twin blades and broadswords in and out of battle to deep the combat especially against armored enemies.

By the way, I havent beaten the first series either, Linds, so if I started here, how bad would it be?

Not bad at all really. There are references and maybe a character holdover or two but so far with the anime and the first game it stands on its own well enough. I'd say watching Roots would be more informative than playing the first four games. I just hope they release the next game soon because supposedly later episodes overlap and spoil(?) volume 2 and 3 to a small extent.


btw check out CC2's .hack//G.U. special section of their website http://www.cyberconnect2.jp/gu/special/special.html for a nice wallpaper and Christmasy rendition of Gentle Hands the credits song for the G.U. Vol.1! But avoid other parts of the site for obvious reasons!

 

[DarienA]

Doesn't matter if its old! Its the official thread for all 3 games as they come out! Been updating the first post. I to thought the combat was kind of boring early on when Gale Blade as your only Rengeki but hang in there and be sure to add the different attacks to your Skill Trigger as you gain them! Plus later on you can

Spoiler

switch between twin blades and broadswords in and out of battle to deep the combat especially against armored enemies.

Cool about that spoiler piece, after watching the movies of how kickass he was earlier I was hoping you could do that. In regards to that though

Spoiler

do you ever get access to the scythe as well?

 

[Lindsay]

Cool about that spoiler piece, after watching the movies of how kickass he was earlier I was hoping you could do that. In regards to that though

Spoiler

do you ever get access to the scythe as well?

In the second game you should gain access to that weapon type and also

Spoiler

real-time weapon changing. In the first game you have to go into the menu to switch

.

 

[DarienA]

In the second game you should gain access to that weapon type and also

Spoiler

real-time weapon changing. In the first game you have to go into the menu to switch

.

How did G.U. Rebirth sell? Is the 2nd game definitely coming to the US?

 

[Lindsay]

How did G.U. Rebirth sell? Is the 2nd game definitely coming to the US?

According to october non-npd >_> it did about 21,000 in its first few days. No clue about its first full month though. ;_; A demo for vol.2 is coming at the end of march with the LE version of the Roots dvd so I'm hopeful the full game will come. The JP release schedule is/was a volume evert 4 months so if US is on that schedule we should see it the end of February.



hehe~ In the meantime I imported the .hack//Roots & G.U. 2007 calender! Its more like seven mini-posters with the months/dates hidden away at the bottom but its all about the artwork which is awesome! ^_^ Also have the second G.U. game ost pre-ordered which covers the 2nd & 3rd volumes and comes out at the end of the month!

 

[Stage On]

Apparantly the dub voice actors from the first game already confrimed they where working on the second game and this was a while ago so they are probally finished or near finished in that aspect.

The question isn't IF volume 2 and 3 are going to come out but rather WHEN! With any luck we'll have volume 2 by febuary and not have to wait until after Roots comes out in March with the Demo

 

[MrDaravon]

I wanted to pick this up at TRU (It's clearanced at 9.98), but they were out. I'm willing to give it a chance since I LOVED .hack//sign. The following anime and games were absolutely horrible though -_-.

Took a quick look, couldn't find anything about a release date for the 2nd part, so probably at least a couple months off I'd imagine.

 

[Sallokin]

hmmm I'm so slow.

btw Sallokin can I use those images for my fansite??

If you haven't used them already, you can go ahead. Sorry, I've checked this thread alot and somehow I just missed that question. Guess I'm just slooooooow.

 

[DarienA]

Is Haseo ever going to stop being an asshole? It's REALLY annoying.

 

[Lain]

Is Haseo ever going to stop being an asshole? It's REALLY annoying.

Nope, that is his gimmick. He was born to be an asshole to everyone and anyone so that he could be coupled up with his depressed-undecisive-nopride cat pal.
At least that was his role in that awful anime, so i guess he needs to keep it up in the game too!
I wonder if i should import G.U. or wait for a possible European version since i do want to play it and the previous .hack games i have are PAL, hmmm...

 

[Ashodin]

As an established .hack fan I can't wait to actually pick this up and play it, even though I was plumb out of money when it originally came out.

I just watched the Vol 3 trailer, and apparently

Spoiler

Cubia is back in some shape or form.

Very interesting!