[PS2] .Hack//GU

OMG RAGE

I hit the 19 hour mark, fought a certain boss and was treated to a nice cliffhanger followed by fucking credits!

I was just really starting to enjoy the game only to be cut off wondering how long I'm going to have to wait for the next game IF it even ever gets localized.

What happened to the claimed length of .hack//gu where the first volume was to be nearly as long as the previous four games combined. What happened to the self contained stories which we were promised for these volumes?

Ug, it was such a good game too.....

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Erk, some post game whining:

Spoiler:

AND they lock out Atoli from the post game stuff. Yeah I understand from a story perspective as to why, but ...well I'm mostly just whining.

I had a lot of stuff leftover and I was hoping to go in and do them with an Atoli - Haseo duo. Those two make a good team and going into fields five levels above you with just those two was fun as heck....plus none of the other character really ever grew on me. I only really used them for the required quests.

This makes me sad, oh well I guess I could always play through again and have my fun before the last battle this time. I have some times to kill before the second volume anyway.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Generic Badass

It doesn't bother me so much that each Volume isn't drastically different or particularly lengthy, but I'm a little shocked by how dependent each new installment is on data flags. There's a lot more that you're missing out on by starting the series up on the second or third Volume-- levels and equipment are obviously one thing you'd miss out on, but then there's also the very demanding Guild levelling and the quests from various Mac Anu NPCs. I wouldn't want to track down those damn hard-to-find members or all seven of those blacklisted PKers again. The game's a lot better than the original .hacks though, so I don't think I'll pass on Volume 2.

So let me guess, the PK sidequest results in an item that is required to complete the first volumes item list, doesn't it?


Also, I don't mind the short length very much, however I went into the game thinking it was of decent length (30+ hours) so it was a bit of a shock. It still does bother me where they cut off the first volume but I guess that is how they get people to buy the next two volumes.

Now that I'm over the initial shock, I have to say this was a good game. They have improved production value of the game all around compared to the four original games. I absolutely love the change in graphic design and the stylization really sets this game apart from the rest. The music is also excellent and the Asian instruments used in a lot of the tracks really gives the game character. Another thing I couldn't help notice, and something that is normally overlooked is the sound effects in the game. There is a really unique use of sound effects in the game and again really helps to distinguish it over other games.

I'm rather impressed with the jump in character development as well. I found it pretty difficult to take a lot of the original games character development and plot seriously as even the game itself played off most things being they were just characters in a game themselves. Not only that, but in the original game, most of the characters were pretty shallow. GU is completely different where each character has a very recognizable personality. Haseo and his obvious character flaws also makes him FAR more interesting than Kite ever was. I also feel terrible for poor Atoli, and it usually takes a pretty high level of character development for me to feel sympathetic for a game character.

Quote:

And what was wrong with Silabus? I liked Silabus.

I don't dislike Silabus, I'm basically indifferent about his character. I just find Haseo, Atoli and their relationship far more interesting than other aspects of the game. My main driving point to keep playing was to find out how those two were going to interact each time they got together. I wouldn't be surprised if Atoli is hated by most, but her character really grew on me toward the end as I think she is FAR more complex than many people might realize. The cool aspect about .hack is there is actually a character behind the game characters and the writers of the series tend to exploit this fact pretty well.

How ya doing, buddy?

I wonder if they are going to offer the Terminal Disc with the second volume for people that missed out on it with the first volume. I kind of got screwed with the collectors edition for the first volume since none of the EBs even ordered a collectors edition in my area and I wasn't aware of the CE until after they stopped pre-orders for them online.

Most amazing jew boots

For those who are eagerly waiting for Volume 2 to come to the US as I am, the official site has been slightly updating giving us the official title for the Volume 2 US release. Still no release date, but this does settle the question of it ever coming to the US.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Well we are one step closer to an actual release date for Volume 2. Unfortunately it seems we will have to wait until this summer for the US release.

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3156781

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Xellos

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.

FELIPE NO