Rating: 
Summary: This is the way The World ends?
Review: ...not with a bang, but with a whimper. That's exactly how I felt after finishing this final chapter of .hack. A series that began full of promise has done little except disappoint me.
You all know about the series, so I'll forego the plot summary. A lot of people have played apologist for this series, answering the valid complaint of, "Why are ALL the games the same?" with a variety of sophistries, but the fact is, this game has little invention in it.
I was disappointed in part two because of the ridiculous length of the game (it took me about nine hours). Part three answered this problem, and also had some nice bonuses (such as searching for ghosts of the series characters and finding items for trading), and I was eagerly anticipating part four.
So what's the problem here? Not length; this game may be the longest of the bunch (although, it still only clocked in at about 23 hours; I like a little more meat on my RPG's). The gameplay is the same, but hey, that's what we've come to expect. No, the problem here is story, in that this game has little. Most of the questions you might have asked, most of the theories you might have postulated concerning The World won't be answered here. The end of the game (which, though I thought about it, I will not spoil here) is quite unsatisfactory (ho-hum is the best word I can use to describe it), and in the end, this whole series (which, if you purchased new, will run you around two hundred bucks) left me feeling like I was cheated out of one hundred and fifty dollars. Yeah, I confess; there is enough material here for one game, maybe one and a half, but Bandai has cheated us out of a lot of money, in my honest opinion. Still, I can look forward to Xenosaga 2.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a little getting used to
Review: A lot of people really miss the point of this game so I'm going to lay it out for you.
It's a simulation of a mass-multiplayer online RPG. You meet several players along the way and the game tries to make sure you interact with them as often as possible. However the main characters in the story turn out to be Balmung, Blackrose, Wiseman, and of course Kite, and as such when you're in situations where the story line is progressing they are the characters that you'll probably want to (or have to in some cases) select for your party. A lot of the dry spots in the story is to progress your relationships with other characters.
For experienced gamers the .hack//saga should provide little difficulty. The characters are brilliantly designed, my only complaint is that you don't really get a lot of substance in each individual game. It's fun to progress the story, but before you know it the game is over, which is why I eagerly awaited this installment in the saga. I was pleased to see the story come together the way that it did, and the DVD's that coincide with the game are well done. It's not nearly as hack and slash as some would make it out to be, there is a bit of strategy in the game, several opposing elements, several enemies with both physical and magical tolerance that require some sort of strategy to defeating them. Another lacking quality in the game is the variety of enemies is low, you end up fighting the same enemies over and over again in each level, the lack of variety at each weapon shop is also frustrating, however the trading system and the variety of weapons you find on the field along with the leveling them up with the help of special dieties known as "grandpa" and "monsieur" make up for that.
The story is frighteningly progressive and cutting edge. As I stated earlier the character models are fantastic, and quite honestly some of the best I've seen since Final Fantasy VII. Now don't get angry....this series is by no means of Final Fantasy VII caliber, however its very much worth the play as you can usually find most titles for around twenty dollars. It's a fun and addictive story line. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: .hack//hello!
Review: dot hack is a great expansive game that is full of intrigue and excellent design. I admit that it is not the best game in the world but you have to look past your critical debations and play the game. I would reccomend buying the other 3 games first before this one to get the entire feel of the story. It is set up like an online game and feels like one too. Yes there is room for improvement and yes it can be a frustrating or hard game at times. It is because of this difficulty that we push ourselves forward toi overcome the challenge and when we do it feels absoulutley great. a game that is too easy is no fun. This is a great end to a wonderful series plus has dot hack gift as well as the final chapter in the liminality story which are awesome bonuses to get with this game. You don't have to immerse yourself in the dot hack world if you want to enjoy the game, but by playing the game you may want to just go ahead and take the full experience after viewing this wonderful world of dot hack.
Rating:
Summary: .hack//hello!
Review: dot hack is a great expansive game that is full of intrigue and excellent design. I admit that it is not the best game in the world but you have to look past your critical debations and play the game. I would reccomend buying the other 3 games first before this one to get the entire feel of the story. It is set up like an online game and feels like one too. Yes there is room for improvement and yes it can be a frustrating or hard game at times. It is because of this difficulty that we push ourselves forward toi overcome the challenge and when we do it feels absoulutley great. a game that is too easy is no fun. This is a great end to a wonderful series plus has dot hack gift as well as the final chapter in the liminality story which are awesome bonuses to get with this game. You don't have to immerse yourself in the dot hack world if you want to enjoy the game, but by playing the game you may want to just go ahead and take the full experience after viewing this wonderful world of dot hack.
Rating:
Summary: The last Liminally, the last game, the last stand.
Review: Filled with action, adventure, comedy, drama, and even a bit of romance, the .hack games have changed the world of RPG gaming for ever.
Unlike the before titles, Quarantine is absolutly filled with much more drama and action. From trying to discover the secrets to saving comatose victoms, to when the game takes a trajic turn, for a one point in the game.......a major chracter..dies.
The game goes out in a bang, with surprises and plot twists every way you turn.
From the entire game world becoming infected, to the actual world of planet earth is affected too, the game will keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you think you should just skip the previous volumes and pick up this game though, forget it. YOU MUST play the three previous volumes of this epic series before you pick up the controller to log into volume 4.
From new data drains, to spectacular boss fights, and even a great fast paced battle system, the .hack games support a list of endless tasks to do. Don't feel like progressing in the story( highly doubt-ful), then head over to the grunty ranch and raise your very own sweet and innocet pet. Dont feel like grunty racing? Why not go explore high level dungeons and find equiment and items that can earn you big bucks. Dont feel like doing any of those? Then spend some time exploring dungeons and fields, trade stuff, give stuff, check your e-mail, look for mystic springs, or if you prefer( I do this quite alot), head over to any level just to explore and meet people.
Sure its not really a massivly multiplayer online rpg, but it sure seems like it, with great computer ai, and a realistic level map out.
Just dont feel like playing the game at all? Don't. Pop in the free anime dvd that comes included with your copy of the .hack game(all four .hack games come with a free anime dvd of the ova series, .hack//liminally, packed with extras) and sit back and relax as you wacth one of the best anime ovas ever made from the team who brought you "Ghost In A Shell."
So take my advice, if your new to the world of .hack, play vol. 1-3 so you can play the best volume to date, and if youve already beat the three previous .hack games, then you know what to do.
From an anime, to a game, and even a manga, youll be addicted to .hack till the end. You dont even have to get into the games to wacth .hack! Check out the magnificant anime series, .hack//sign. Or check out the new, extravigant action/comedy manga of .hack//Legend Of The Twilight. Have a freind who owns the .hack games? Get into the mystery anime of .hack//liminally.
So I'm gonna log out of the internet and go log into my .hack game. But the question here is: Will you choose....... to unlock the mystery, to saving the comatose victoms?
Rating: 
Summary: Riding Off Into The Virtual Sunset
Review: For dedicated dot hackers, the easiest way to describe the fourth and last chapter of this game is 'more or the same.' Once more Kite adventures into the many fields and dungeons of 'The World' seeking loot, experience, and trying to safe the world (the real world) from a virus gone out of control. This time, though, all the loose threads are drawn together, answers are provided, and the glow of a new day restores the shine to the gaming world.If you are new to the game, you are likely to find Quarantine a bit difficult to play and confusing to understand. While it can be done, I think a very large part of the series' charm is the slow, game-by-game, building of character and story. With the earlier games now available at discounted prices the best strategy is to start at the beginning and work forward. Do not, however, try to play the games one right after another. Spread out, their similarity doesn't interfere with enjoyment. Taken all at once, it is quite possible to overdose on grunties. If you have been following the series than expect no great surprises. Well, there are one or two, but for the most part everything is a natural progression from the previous games. While the plot undertakes some interesting twists, gameplay is pretty much a matter of bigger and badder. If you have been religiously leveling up in prior episodes then Quarantine will feel a bit too easy. If you have been getting through by the skin of your teeth then there will be some tough fights ahead. I felt that Quarantine was a little too short, and not as spectacular as I expected. There is provision for playing after the game is complete, including an item challenge, and some familiar characters will suddenly become available. Unfortunately quarantine features a smaller set of monsters. Most often data bug variations of ones you have already seen. There is a little voice in my head that keeps telling me that Bandai would have been better off packaging this game in three episodes rather than four. Of course, that means they would have had to find another way to deliver the Liminality OVAs. This last episode is excellent, providing a lot of information on the nature of the.hack world as well as an exciting conclusion. We see both the outside and the inside of The World in one tidy package. In retrospect, the game is the weakest link in the entire marketing package (I'm not completely sure about the manga either), simply because Bandai chose to leave it unchanged for four episodes. However, many of the concepts behind the .hack package are quite novel, even if a bit overplayed. This, it is an entertaining (if somewhat expense) way to spend a lot of hours with your Playstation 2.
Rating:
Summary: Riding Off Into The Virtual Sunset
Review: For dedicated dot hackers, the easiest way to describe the fourth and last chapter of this game is 'more or the same.' Once more Kite adventures into the many fields and dungeons of 'The World' seeking loot, experience, and trying to safe the world (the real world) from a virus gone out of control. This time, though, all the loose threads are drawn together, answers are provided, and the glow of a new day restores the shine to the gaming world. If you are new to the game, you are likely to find Quarantine a bit difficult to play and confusing to understand. While it can be done, I think a very large part of the series' charm is the slow, game-by-game, building of character and story. With the earlier games now available at discounted prices the best strategy is to start at the beginning and work forward. Do not, however, try to play the games one right after another. Spread out, their similarity doesn't interfere with enjoyment. Taken all at once, it is quite possible to overdose on grunties. If you have been following the series than expect no great surprises. Well, there are one or two, but for the most part everything is a natural progression from the previous games. While the plot undertakes some interesting twists, gameplay is pretty much a matter of bigger and badder. If you have been religiously leveling up in prior episodes then Quarantine will feel a bit too easy. If you have been getting through by the skin of your teeth then there will be some tough fights ahead. I felt that Quarantine was a little too short, and not as spectacular as I expected. There is provision for playing after the game is complete, including an item challenge, and some familiar characters will suddenly become available. Unfortunately quarantine features a smaller set of monsters. Most often data bug variations of ones you have already seen. There is a little voice in my head that keeps telling me that Bandai would have been better off packaging this game in three episodes rather than four. Of course, that means they would have had to find another way to deliver the Liminality OVAs. This last episode is excellent, providing a lot of information on the nature of the.hack world as well as an exciting conclusion. We see both the outside and the inside of The World in one tidy package. In retrospect, the game is the weakest link in the entire marketing package (I'm not completely sure about the manga either), simply because Bandai chose to leave it unchanged for four episodes. However, many of the concepts behind the .hack package are quite novel, even if a bit overplayed. This, it is an entertaining (if somewhat expense) way to spend a lot of hours with your Playstation 2.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best RPG's available
Review: I just got done with Infection, and I didn't know that this was a series of games! Has that ever happened before? I don't mean like the Final Fantasy series, this is like a continued movie game. I love the idea and I can't wait to get the other three. Graphics, realism, plot, all some of the greatest. I would suggest this for any RPG game player without hesitation.
Rating: 
Summary: Why A toy company shouldn't make video games...
Review: I know I am now known for disliking thoes Cushy RPGs, such as Final Fantasy 10 and X-2, and Xenosaga, but now when Bandai, a well-known toy company, makes a really bad video game, someone's got to say something. All of the games from this series that was made were poor, as I have played all but the second one. The show, I'll admit, is okay, but the game is just...junk. Not wise to buy this game. The only thing I liked about the game was that the graphics, while nothing special, were okay, and the music wasn't too poor. The overall gameplay and storyline is messed up. I may suggest, if your an RPG fan: Suikoden 3, Sword of Mana, Fire Emblem, or either of the Golden Sun series.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT GAME (Played the Japanese version)
Review: I played the japanese version at a friends house for couple of days finally beating it. It's awesome game with "slightly" better graphics. The japanese version isnt that different form the english version so I can state they are about the same. The game is probably the longest in the 4 game collection lasting me about 40 hours. Well I hope my input helped...
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