[PS2] .Hack//GU

The Hack games were known for their length, and the fact that you had to buy four games before you could even finish them. Now, a new 3-part series has been announced, with the first volume, Hack//GU: Ressurection being released in Japan on May 18. As of yet, there's no news about a US release, although it'll surely be coming this way.

Below, you'll find most of the important info available, borrowed from www.dothackers.net, the most reliable and best site for anything you want to know about .Hack.

Also be aware that there will be spoilers for the previous games!

The Story
After a fire destroyed CC Corps's main servers, the entire World had to be rebuilt, and the World: R2 was released, quickly growing to be one of the most popular MMORPG's. As a result of the new world, four major Guilds (Kestrel, Lunar Tree, Canard, and Raven) came to power. The clans actions shape 'The World', and most players end up taking one side or another during conflicts. The game follows Haseo, one of the most feared player killers, after his confrontation with Ti-Edge, who somehow possesses the Data Drain Ability.

Characters

Haseo, the main character who is in pursuit of the mysterious Tri-Edge, although his motivation is unknown.


Atoli, a newbie player and a member of the Lunar Tree guild with the gift of healing.


Ovan, a mysterious character with a sealed left arm, why is he interested in Haseo?


Pai saved Haseo after his datadrain, and comments on his "hidden powers'. One of the strongest characters in the World.


Yata, the leader of Raven, who seems to want something from Haseo.


Endrance, An einzelganger, who is perhaps the strongest blade user in the world (like Balmung, I think)

The Guilds:

Kestrel's the biggest Guild, consisting mainly of player killers.

The Lunar Tree guild, that wants people to peacefully enjoy the World. It's the only guild that can rival with Kestrel.

Carnard, a guild that welcomes new players

Raven, the most mysterious guild let by the Prophet (remember the original 8 Waves of Destruction?)

The battle system

• Enemy AI: Like the previous games, enemy A.I. will be able to detect a party and attack members in real time. I think that they'll keep the field and dungeon system from the first game.New in //G.U is the ability to launch suprise attacks on enemies. Launching surprise attacks will increase the amount of damage Haseo does to monsters in a battle.
  
  
• Skill Triggers:An R1 button icon displayed over Haseo's head in battle signals a chance for a skill trigger. Pressing R1 will stop time and allow a player to enter the selected buttons to complete a skill trigger.
  
  
• Party Attacks:Multiple hit-combos on an enemy will give users a chance to use a party attack with Haseo. The attack creates damage much higher than some skill triggers.
  
  
• In addition to standard monster battles, [.hack//G.U.] will also offer versus battles against Player Killers. On the field map, certain spots titled "Battle Area" are visible. Once a player approaches these zones, he will automatically be drawn into battle. Players who are being attacked by a foe might call for help. Successfully aiding them in battle and taking down their opponents will be rewarded by discounts at guild shops.

Other Information

• Scans can be found here
• Trailers can be found here
• Offical website

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Haseo's look:

Spoiler:

Haseo's character design is the Haseo with maxed out stats/level, and the best armor for his class. He'll get datadrained in the beginning by Tri-Edge, which will reduce him to level 1 and get rid of the freaky look.

I'd have to disagree with turning Hack in a MMORPG though (even though there's Fragment). The battle system is just rather bland, there doesn't seem to be any main story in the World, and I haven't seen any real player quests. I don't know how fragment works out, but I'm sceptic I guess.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I totally don't like the Skeith form, it just looks so wrong. I wonder if the other members of your party will also be able to transform into one of the 8 waves, since they are nicknamed as such, and how it's exactly triggered.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I rather like the Player killing concept, although it won't be something to do early in the game. It makes it seem much more like a real MMORPG, if only they would implement some decent sidequests.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?