Customer Reviews

.hack, Part 1: Infection

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I normally don't do many reviews, but those posted here about this game so far don't really do it justice.

Dot Hack is the newest installment of the next generation of RPGs: live-action combat sequences, intricate plots, and complicated gameplay. You take the role of Kite, an eigth grade boy trying to discover why the online game "The World" caused his friend, Orca, to go into a coma. Split between the gaming world and "the real world" (which is represented by Kite's desktop), Dot Hack allows you to email in-game players, keep up with the news, and follow threads in an expansive message board that probably is the most creative way I've ever seen a game present its own instructions. After working your way through Kite's desktop, you then play Kite's character in "The World" (think a very big game-within-a-game).

"The World" is not unlike the Everquest style MMORPGs of today. You form groups, you trade with other players, you visit dungeons, you fight monsters, you find special items, and so on. Your parties rotate given who is willing to play and who is not; if you are friendly to your favorite partners, for instance, they will more than likely team up with you when you catch them online. Given that the game is entirely computer-based, this well-done simulation bettered my original expectations.

The game has its weak points, as well. Kite's character's class is not chosen, which is frustrating to those (like me) who find some of the other classes far more interesting. Also, the name-generated playing fields have the feel of those old-style random dungeon crawls for the PC. This gets old quick, but the well-done cut scenes and fields that actually advance the story are just enough to keep the game spinning in my Playstation.

Gone are the basic turned-based games with simple storylines; as a longtime veteran of RPGs, I appreciate and welcome this change. The innovative gameplay and absolutely fantastic storyline of Dot Hack (and its anime counterpart) has me looking forward to the rest of the series. Four stars.

One of the problems about reviewing this game is that it is hard to decide what it is that you are reviewing. Is it the total concept of game, film, manga, and TV series? Or one fourth of a game? Or any of the above. The reason this is particularly perplexing is that of all of the above, the game it the only thing that falls a bit short of expectations. It isn't at all bad, just 'ordinary.'

While formed from the interesting concept of a virtual gaming world gone psychotic, what .hack//Infection really is a dungeon based adventure game comprised of hack-and-slash travels through levels to get treasure. The classic RPG with a bit of a twist, it starts when Kite, a new player, is introduced to 'The World' by his friend Orca. On their first outing to a dungeon, Orca is attacked by a mutated monster and permanently loses consciousness. It is up to Kite, and the friends he makes to try to find out what is really going on.

Script is pretty minimal, especially when compared to the story lines of FFX or Suikoden III. Essentially, e-mails or board postings trigger events and supply the code names of playing fields and dungeons. Kite assembles a team of three and goes to each location for information. A fair amount of time is spent leveling up in order to be strong enough to accomplish the next task. To facilitate this, the player can compose his own keywords or even have a playing field generated for him at random. There is room for considerable variation, but the fields aren't really all that imaginative.

Despite a pretty face, the game engine is dated, and the game interface is a bit inconsistent. The same key doesn't always to the same thing. And it can take a lot of controller actions to run a real time battle. All in all, the game is entertaining, but not compelling. Character design is excellent though. Hopefully, future parts will extend playing capabilities.

The accompanying film DVD is called .hack//Liminality (volume 1). It is the story of Mai Minase, whose boyfriend is demonstrating 'The World' to her when they are attacked. He too loses consciousness for the duration. She meets Junichiro Tokuoka, who seems to have had something to do with the game originally, and is now investigating why people are permanently losing consciousness when they play. I wish I could take more time in this review to discuss this DVD, because it is excellent. An interesting plot, nicely drawn with interesting characters. I can see buying the games just to get the film DVD's.

Overall, the game is the weakest part of the .hack package. But I don't want to give the impression that it is bad. It simply doesn't live up to the overwhelming hype so far. I found it quite playable as a traditional dungeons oriented game. With three more chapters to go this could change in a flash, and I am too curious not to continue. I think you will find this true for yourself as well.

I have played the japanese version of this game and it is indeed very good. The game-in-a-game concept and execution is amazing. The graphics are wonderful and the music isn't bad either. Playing the game makes your feel like your really playing online in another world. The storyline is interesting, though slightly confusing. The only problem with the game is the completion time. This is the first "episode" in a series of .hack games and as such, the game is very short. It took me 19 hours to beat the game and the ending left me hanging and feeling quite unfulfilled. You should take this into consideration before buying the game at full price. $$$ is a lot of money for a 19 hour game. I suggest renting this game first to see if you like it... of course you'll probably beat it before for you buy it... ^-^

I am a big fan of RPGs and animes. I am a HUGE fan of Final fantasy rpgs too. While waiting for FF 11 to come out, I saw this game in a magizine. It looked pretty good, and Bandai is a familiar name. When I bought this game, it was confusing at first, but I got the hang of it fast. The concept is really interesting, playing a game of a person, who is also playing a game. It is really different from most rpgs that I hav played, which is turn based battles. I personally like these battles better,where you can run around during battles. This game was fun, and very interesting. It also makes you feel like your actually playing an online game, (like certain players being in the towns at different times, and also your teammates are sometimes not logged on, so you cant put them in your party every time you play.) I think there is only one weakness in this game. It only took me 15 hours to beat. FF games take about 50 or 60 hours. In all, I think this game is good for people that love rpgs, animes, and games with good stories. I can't wait for the next installment of this 4 part game to come out.

All in all, this is a spectacular game. It fills the empty space left in my heart by the horrible attempt at a sequel Konami tried to pass off as Devil May Cry 2.

I rented .hack from the video store on a Thursday, and reluctantly brought it back on Monday, after committing 40 hours of playtime to this peice of art. Don't be tricked, this game *can* be short. But if you play RPG's like I do, you'll do sidequests, level up your character constantly, and try all sorts of weird things with the game, it's definitely not a 15 hour game.

I was originally attracted to the game because of it's basis in Anime (it comes with a short anime movie to supplement the story in the game, which you should watch before playing the game).

Also, I've been learning Japanese for a while, and I really had alot of fun playing through the game with the Japanese language voices (yes you can change it, and don't worry, it still has the english subtitles). All the fans of anime I've met have preferred the japanese language with subtitles, and I thank bandai for taking this into account when they made the game.

I was able to beat this game thoroughly in a 5 day rental. And because of that, I was able save [$$$] + S&H. I would only buy this game if I had alot of money to spend. Otherwise, I suggest it as a rental.

I know I'll get lambasted for writing this, but let's put it out there. This is NOT a great game. While a great story is certainly an important component to a great game, there are other essentials which must be present as well.
So, let's talk about the good first. .hack has a good story which should keep the gamer quite interested. You play as a another video game player who wishes to play the MMORPG "The World". Invited by another friend who then mysteriously vanishes (and in fact falls into a coma), you must determine the who's and why's behind this mystery. Along the way, you will meet up with other players who will help you in your quest as you hack your way further into the mystery that is "The World". I was quite interested in the game myself, and will certainly purchase the sequel to see its continuation.
Now for the bad. The gameplay .... Essentially, you call up these "friends" of yours to walk through repetitive dungeons with little graphic splendor, each time trying to find a statue at the bottom which will reward your party (i.e. you) with items. Hooray. While the story kept me going, the gameplay is far from inspiring, reminiscent of the doldrums of "Dark Cloud" or the likes. I know that MMORPG's are like this, but somehow, I never really felt that I was interacting with real people, which is obviously the hope of this simulation.
I think that most RPGers will like this game, solely based on the story. However, be warned - this game isn't for everyone, and at fifty bucks, you might be quite disappointed. Buyer beware!

Everyone's intitled to their opinion. I thought the complex concept of controlling a group of characters was done simply and effectively!

The game keeps you on track always giving you hints and pointers as to what to do next to keep the story moving. For those that have played everquest, the way the dungeons and creatures are presented will be very familiar. Sometimes, yes, the 'typed text' from your allys gets in the way (it depends on how zoomed in you are looking at things).

It was fun to interact with other 'player characters' in 'The World.' It did give you an online feel. Of course you 'know' you're not online--but it did a fairly good job at simulating it! It took me about 30 hours to get through (my characters were at lvl 34.)

The music and animations are very (VERY) well done! I played the whole game in japaneese with english subtitles--thou the English voices were actually decently done (in the short spirts I turned on the English track to compair)...

I AM a big fan of the .hack//sign series. The game takes place after the first series... With a new set of characters discovering what's happening.

It has totally left me waiting on pins and needles for the next part! Didn't give it 5 stars because I benchmark against FF10. Who knows, by the 4th installment of this game (due in Nov '03) maybe it will be 5.

It's only a game...a game about playing a massively multiplayer online role-playing game...

Plot

You play as a player who is just introducing himself to a MMPORPG called "The World." Your friend, a veteran player and your mentor of the game, mysteriously falls into a coma after his game character is killed...and the reason behind his incapacitation lies within the game, which is mysteriously ridden with viruses. You must infilitrate the dungeons and rid of the parasitic evil, in hopes of finding a cure for the plight of your friend.

Graphics

There are many different kinds of fields and dungeons, including grasslands, snowfields, deserts, dry sea basins, etc., and you'll infilitrate ruins, castles, palaces, even dragons' bodies.

In viral infected levels, the screen flickers, and programming code floats about through the area.

Sound

The music is very trance-like, white-noise if you will, but not necessarily purely ambient; it is constant, but not monotonous...

Definitely a plus on the part of the developer, you are offered the choice of English or Japanese voice-overs with English subtitles...the English voice-overs can definitely be embarrassing to listen to at times.

Gameplay

You check e-mail and read message board posts for objectives, which are updated with each mission.

The game is very open-ended; in manner, you can "create" your own dungeons by inputting keywords at portals, which specify the strength of the enemies, and the value of treasures within the dungeon. Naturally, greater rewards mean greater risks. E-mails and message board posts will tell you different keyword combinations for dungeons related to side quests and advancing the story, but if you want to level build like crazy too, you can input intense keyword combinations for dungeons with insanely powerful enemies and valuable treasure.

Gathering allies and communicating with them is effectively reminiscent of real MMPORPGs, you have to meet them, and they gives you the means to contact them so that you can add or remove them from your party whenever you like; of course, allies aren't always available, and that is a strategic limiter. You can also give and trade items to and with your allies.

Battles are rather reminiscent of Star Ocean 2 and other action RPGs; just press the "X" button near an enemy to attack, or call up menus to use your skills or magic spells. You can also call up menus for your allies to use specific skills or spells, or you can specify certain general strategies that the AI can act upon.

Overall

If you want a game that effectively emulates a MMPORPG without actually being one, .Hack is your piece of cake. All of the nuances are there, including characters who make irrelevant comments about the state of the real world, or other things that do not relate to the game at all. Characters even use emoticons and online speak in their text boxes :D LoL.

The Good
- amazing story line that leaves you hanging
- Graphics are pretty decent
- you are able to create different parties (friends to accompany you on your particular adventure)
- the sense of an actual living network is very strong
- free range the game allows an amazing amount of freedom..you can explore hundreds of different areas..optionally. Even after you complete the game!
- Mini games, like raising grunties (pig like creatures you can ride)
- the game comes with a 45 min. DVD, which like the game has a strong storyline.

The Bad
- The game is pretty short..though you can still play, the storyline just doesn't advance.
-repeating graphics..the dungeons have different catagories.. ice castle, normal castle, cave, and insides (human, dog or snail) In the beginning they are all very exciting, but towards the end a little tiring.
- monsters also tend to repeat

overall this is a very fun game...but still not the best.
I definately would buy, but if sceptical rent.

If you're a huge fan of either MMORPGs, running around collecting rare items, or levelling your characters to godhood, this game is for you. I find the battle system/skills system to be quite enjoyable. It lends itself very well to mindless levelling and good old-fashioned carnage. The dungeon set-ups are pretty sweet, and I like the variety to the environments. Another really big plus is the option of using the Japanese voice track, which is something a purist like me has been begging for in the new generation of RPGs.

Now, on to the bad news. The gameplay is rather shallow. There are no minigames to speak of, though some of the extras you can unlock will keep you amused for a little while. There isn't much to the game, either. I think I'm going to be lucky to get 25 hours out of this one, which is somewhat disappointing.