The summer release date is pretty disappointing. The old series only had about a 2-3 month gap between releases, and it's already been about 4 months since GU Vol. 1. The Japanese releases pretty much stayed on schedule, but Namco-Bandai is really dropping the ball for the US releases.

It probably didn't sell too well here, I mean when Gamespot bashed it like the way they did with the previous .hack series, people (those who aren't .hack fans) will probably just avoid it since it's a mediocore game.

Huh? What'd Gamespot do? Giving .hack a bad name??! Grrr.... Well, I'm not sure how it's a mediocore game, but I'm still gonna play it no matter how cheezy it is... (yep, a hard-core .hack fan here...) I want to know what happens! (even if I did read it already)

Ever since Infection, Gamespot never gave .hack series above a score of 7... For G.U. they pretty much said how the game is the same old repetitive system with slight improvements on graphics, and the same crappy storyline that get you no where... I know it's a short game, but it doesn't deserved to be bashed like this.

Gamespot bashed G.U. a lot more than it deserved, but IGN never even bothered to review it. I'd say that's a lot worse. It didn't score Namco-Bandai any points to suddenly make the Terminal Disc a pre-order exclusive for Gamestop either. Honestly, it seems like everyone kinda worked together to screw over Rebirth's US release.

Man, I thought it was awesome, dang it! Even if it WAS short! But that's why there are 3 games!! Maybe they'll make the other ones longer and more improved (somehow). No one said they all had to be the same length. '_^

Wow... nothing above a 7.0 rating? Well, it's not that bad... To tell the truth, you can't really compare it to the Final Fantasy games... (that probably got a 10! ><) However, the story is funny and interesting.

IGN... I don't know about others, but about 50% of their reviewers don't even know what they are talking about, if they felt like bashing a game, they just trashed it worthless without even going into much detail on how it sucked, that's why I stoped reading their articles a while back. I'm actually glad they didn't review this one.

For some reason, people just like to degrade games that have sequels which appeared to have repetitive systems. Games like Dynasty Warriors never made its day since the beginning of the 4th game on GameSpot or IGN, yet others like FIFA200X constantly received praises for reviewers, despite how little each game has changed overtime.

Na... I think Bandai milks on this series, that's why they divided it into 3 DVDs, it could've been made into just 1 disc. However, the Japanese are pleased with what they get, Famitsu gave volume 2 a 32/40. Not like the scores mean anything to me, but I believe it reflects on how eastern and western reviewers look at games such as this.

I personally like the Dynasty Warriors/Samurai Warriors series... it never gets old to me. (especially now that KOEI added some humor to it)

Hm... maybe there's too many games here that people aren't grateful anymore... bleh... Or, maybe it's just that the .hack series are usually slightly difficult to understand (.hack//SIGN...) and people don't like things like that... I'm certainly not confused, but many people say .hack is just too complex that they don't like it. There's a deeper meaning to it (or maybe I'm just over-thinking)... like the Epitaph of Twilight that is the essential part in every .hack game.

I, for one, enjoy this series a lot for it's unique story.

Though, "The World" Itself is probably a terrible game, only successful for the fact that you can interface pretty much directly with it. And Flick Reapers, goddamn Flick Reapers are awesome.



I do wish there was a The World MMO, at least so i can play some of the other classes. Tribal Grappler looks interesting, when was the last time anyone played a MMO with a h2h class?

FFXI the monk class use H2H weapon and they are one of the best DD in the game. (I'm a monk and I love it XD)

anyway back on topic. I so enjoyed the anime hack//sign that I decided to buy the 4 ps2 game and I'm not even half-way through the first one >.< I have some difficulty with the battle system. So how the gameplay in this one? it's seem pretty similar but how much did they improved it?

I beat GU Vol. 2 earlier this week, because I played it almost non-stop once I finished my exams. Definitely worth the wait (thanks a lot for the speedy translation, Bandai-Namco), and I'm still working on filling in the Ryu Books. I just hope it doesn't take them another 7 months to port over the third game. That was ridiculous, especially since FEWER things were voice acted in this one.

There is, it's called .Hack//Fragment. I don't know which classes are included in it, but it doesn't matter anyway since it's Japan-only and will sadly never come here.

Um... What's your actual difficulty with the battle system? It was pretty basic from what I remember. Tap X repeatedly for attacking and use the menu for skills, items, and commanding your teammates. The battle system was heavily revamped for GU. Here's a basic list off the top of my head:

- Main character uses twin blades, heavy blades, scythes (vol. 2), and guns (vol. 3).
- Battles are enclosed in a small force field and an item is used to run away.
- Less of a reason to adjust your teammates, and menus less complicated
- Skill trigger allows you to set 4 moves that can be used quickly with an R1 menu
- Instead of Protect Break there's Rengeki. Basically it's a critical hit with your weapon skills and you get extra EXP for doing it.

well mainly the A.I. of your teammate which I found pretty stupid and where always at the wrong place >.>

oh and I forgot , I didn't really follow the story of this one, is it a sequel of the previous serie?

well I should ask, is the game self-sufficient story wise to understand everything?

You can adjust your teammates' strategies and command them to use skills, but I didn't really find that necessary until .Hack//Outbreak. Just set Wavemasters to First Aid and command them yourself when you need to.

GU's story does require at least some knowledge of the first games, taking place seven years later. You could just look for a rip of the Terminal Disc "End of the World" though. It has 12 videos on it that unlock depending on your GU saves, each one revealing more backstory and the first four videos are good summaries of the first four games. Unfortunately, in the US it was only available as a pre-order gift at Gamestop, but I'm fairly certain there are rips floating around that can be played on your computer.

It's been a long time, but i am positive i remember that you can give your party members items and they'd heal when appropiate with an AI setting.

I never gave them any items, and somehow they always had new healing items, so I guess they are at least smart enough to keep buying new ones.

Sorry for the double post, but I am curious. I've been trying to get a hold of this game for a while now, but none of my regular import shops have gotten it yet. Is this game hard to get or something? It IS out yet, yes?

It's been out for 2 weeks, yes. I'm sure as with any game like it, the amount of copies being produced is low where most stores will only order 2-3 at a time.

so, whens the 3rd one due out? Ive gone thru vol 1 & 2 already.. I guess after july.

The rumors right now say October, but no one really has any idea. That's probably not too far off though.

I wish it would come out next month(my bday, lol)

I guess I should replay both, try an unlock everything.. im missing movies, wallpapers an stuff


Anyone know where i can download the Terminal Disk? Ive tried searching around the web to buy it used or something.. even ebay doesnt have any.

I saw a Terminal Disc rip mentioned on the dothackers.net forums, but unfortunately they have a strictly enforced policy against talking about downloading licensed stuff. You can mention its existance, but not ask where to get it or encourage someone to use it. I remember they said the files on the disc were in a format that made them really easy to rip and play in WMP. Try googling around for a torrent.

God, I love this series.

I've recently gotten back into .hack, and I can't believe I broke away from it.

I can't wait for the third game.

me too, im replaying both vols, to unlock everything.

I missed only 1 wallpaper this time from volume 1, it was trying to get all armors/weapons/items an stuff.

trying to find people to trade with, sucked.. cuz they move around all the time.

I was so stupid this time. I did everything there is to do, same as in the previous volume, but I forgot all about crimson vs. I literally started it as I finished everything, and it seems like the progress of the game is based on time played, so I have to leave my PS2 on all the time just to make progress. SIGH

To make it worse my deck who had a winning streak of 180 wins 0 losses now keeps losing, so I constantly have to check how these decks are doing.

I never really bothered with Crimson Vs. In fact, I was using one of the pre-built decks for about half the game and had about a 50% win rate. It just didn't interest me at all. Where's the fun in a card game that plays itself? Aside from looking at the art it was a pretty useless side venture.