User Reviews (1 - 11 of 138)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Not you're traditional RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 30 / 46
Date: January 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Well, admittedly, this is only a preview. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm glad someone is stepping up to the plate and trying to be innovative in the world of rpgs. Final Fantasy X didn't have a shred of innovation in it(except maybe sphere grid), and turned out to be easily the worst FF ever. From what I understand, .hack's battle system is something similar to a Star Ocean or Parasite Eve. You move you're characters around the screen and press a button to attack, choose what magic to do, etc. One of the coolest things about this game, however, is the fact that once you beat an area, you can then go to a certain computer and load and battle field you want. In other words, if you are in a castle overlooking a forest, but you want to fight in a desert or snowfield, walk into this weird device, pick it, and you will have a desert or snowfield to play with automatically.
This is all possible obviously to the idea of the plot in which you are in a computer's world the whole time. Not only can you hack into an enemy's data stream and lower his strength or hp(for example)but you can also talk to the other characters as if you were chatting on AOL with them. Even the main menu looks like a computer menu. You could tell Bandai was really going for atmosphere in this one.
To add to this game, you will also get a good 45 minutes of anime in each chapter in the form of parts from the .hack OVA. I'm telling you, ...that is a very good deal. The only thing you might want to consider is that each game in the series will only be about 20 hours long, since each game is thought of as chapters of a bigger game and not a singular game in itself. Interesting, but watch out for replay value. All in all, this is definitely a game to watch out for and could be a sleeper hit.

Different.........in a good way

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 28 / 35
Date: March 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

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.

Best RPG in a long time.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 26
Date: March 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

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.

THIS GAME IS GONNA BE THE BEST EVER!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 39
Date: December 04, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is gonna be awesome. You take on the role of Kite, a kid who plays an online game called "The World" with his friend, Orca, when something goes terribly wrong. A virus attacks them and in the real world, Orca becomes seriously ill. Kite is determined to play the game more and find a way to revive Orca.

This is soooo awesome. This isnt no same-old-boring rpg plot. All rpgs are the same now. This is finally a new, cool idea. Just think, you are playing a video game within a video game. This game is gonna be great!

You can equip many different weapons and skills, level up, and even meet new friends in the "game game" and ask them to join your party and give them your email address (which is NOT real email). In the game, in the real world (not "The World" game) you can go on your computer and you get email from people that have your address. This email feature helps you during the game because characters email you and tell you important things that are needed to complete certain tasks and that help you.

This game is so detailed, if you didnt know better, you would think you were playing a real online video game. It is made to look like you are actually playing a real online rpg (by the way, this is NOT a real online game).

I almost forgot a great part. This game is part 1 of 4 games, so more will come out after! They will probably come out 4-5 months between each other, so you'll have plenty of time to beat each one and enjoy each game thouroughly.

When this game comes out in early February, I tell you BUY BUY BUY!!!! Definitly No Doubt BUY THIS GAME. It is gonna be an excellant game and it will be a different kind of game (a rest from normal rpgs) I know i will buy this game and you should too.

Chiming in with other positive reviews...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: February 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I had a good time with this game. The storyline is interesting (see the other reviews) and is something that's never really been done before. The powerhouse team that created it did a very good job with the art, characterization, concept, etc. It really feels convincingly like playing an on-line game, and interacting on the BBS and through e-mail is a gas. I also highly enjoyed the Japanese vocal track. As someone learning the language, I valued the ability to be able to play in Japanese (with English subtitles) and avoid the bastardly English dub.

It is a fairly short game, yes, but one should remember that it's only the first episode, meant to set up the rest of the series. Probably the $... price-tag is asking more than it should, but it was worth it to me. This game oozes Japanese flavor, which I highly appreciate. I may even replay it (and don't forget that once you've beaten the game, you can still continue with your data file, building up your character and uncovering secrets in preparation for episode 2).

The anime DVD that comes along with the game is also very good. I plan to purchse the .hack//SIGN anime series eventually.

.hack is a worthy purchase which met and exceeded my expectations. Anyone who's a fan of Japanese pop-culture, anime and RPGs will enjoy this game. Others should probably give it a rent first. It's one that I, personally, am going to keep forever, and I'm anticipating the release of the next episode.

Cool

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 29
Date: March 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is cool. It's full of poop and stuff.

.hack//

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: September 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

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.

Amazing Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: May 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was playing this game days on end until I got stuck, but then I got the strategy guide, and I was back to playing it and eventually finished it!

There are some things people usually point out, saying they are bad: The graphics. Who CARES about the graphics. If this was a 8-bit or 16-bit game, I'd still play it. Yes, graphics are repetative, but what makes up for that is the amazing battle system. I played Kingdom Hearts, and the battle system is similar to it, but it isn't. You can't lock onto monsters, the only way to aim attacks is if you are within attacking range (which is right in front of the monsters basically). In the end, I'd say play this game if you love good RPG's.

YES!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

YESS!!!! I LOVE THIS GAME!!! I have been a fan of the .hack manga and anime forever, and this game was great!!!

I really suggest you look at the manga and anime before you buy the game. If you don't like that you probably won't like the game. If you STILL insist on playing the game, check it out at the video rental shop, k? That way we dont get people claiming it was a total waste of money here ;)

Oh, when you buy a game it's basically like saying that you are going to play the game in the future. If you DONT play games more than once, yea, you did waste your money.

For those who are pissy about how people liked this game partially because of the anime, you should probably realize that the game was made from the anime. In order to completely get it you have to look over manga, anime, card games etc. Thus, THEY GET IT MORE THAN YOU DO. THE ANIME AND THE GAME FEED INTO EACH OTHER, SO IF YOU LOVED THE ANIME YOU'LL PROBABLY LOVE THE GAME, morons...:(

Also, I bet that the people who despised this game didnt watch the DVD with the game. THAT IS IMPORTANT. Generally when they give you a DVD with these things it'll help you see the point of the game.

Also, after you play the game you should read the ".hack//LEGEND OF THE TWILIGHT" manga. It's a cute little manga. Rena, a beginner player of "The World" wins a contest to gain the character avatars of the legendary .hackers, "Kite" and "Black Rose." Rena gets her brother, Shugo, to play with her. Soon after they enter the fields they encounter a level 40 monster which shouldn't be in the beginners area. Shugo is killed by the monster and wakes up to see Aura and is brought back to life by her kiss. Then she gives the braclet of twilight. Actually I suggest you read it BEFORE AND AFTER the game.

Be prepared for a new Generatin of RPGs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 07, 2003
Author: Amazon User

An extremly clever game that simulates an online game. You receive e-mails from your party,you can write questions on a board and get them answered and you can check the news of that world. it's amazing:

1. Story line: great, you even get to know wht is happening in the outside world by watching a 45 minute anime DVD! how cool is that? you can't get bored with this game as it is always on the move.

2. Graphics: Graphics are very good but not in FFX style nor in Grandia's [disappointing] graphics. it is colorful, detailed and near animation like except it's in 3D you can check screen shots on the net like I did (and i'm extremly careful when it comes to graphics).

3. Music: It has great classic RPG type of music, great enough to put you in the area's mood. If it is happy, dull ya know.

overall, this game is worth and to make it more interesting buy the anime series, it's great.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions