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.hack//G.U. Vol.3: Redemption - U.S. Release Date 9/10/07 (NSF56K)
Posts
Yep. Reports of players scoring their copy of the game has already been popping up on other boards.
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
but I know the GU series is different, would you recommend me to start the first .hack series and than go to GU?
Yeah.
It's a toughie though.
.hack has a better story, GU plays better.
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
I'm maybe halfway through the first one.
Funny thing: When transferring my Vol. 2 save to Vol. 3, I got a bunch of throwaway items and 10,000 GP. Cool, except I already had over 2 Million GP in the bank.
...
Perhaps I should start playing?
I won't encourage you like I did with Metal Gear Solid 3, but it's good stuff.
You have questions, you just ask me.
Or consult a FAQ.
Either/or.
<3
Okay, the main thing I have a "question" about, is a general feel of the entire G.U. saga.
How's the storytelling? I'm excited to get started, simply because the fact of having a faux-MMO leads to alot of great possibilities for plot-twists, and character development, and I'm hoping that the series takes advantage of them (email accounts, card game, etc). Does the series successfully use these features (well, moreso the email than the card game
Also, I've heard about assassination missions. How are these handled? Is it done very linear, or is it set up in such a way to where you'll actually have a cat-and-mouse chase on your hands?
You do get a lot of plot points starting, progressing, and ending via e-mail. The problem is that you can't be in the MMO part of the game and check mail at the same time. You have to exit to the desktop to do so. So it's a little irritating when there's a lot of back and forth. It's better in the second game, because you can tend to your card game on the desktop too.
The assassination missions aren't really missions. You're given a list of characters (Blacklisted Player Killers)whom you might randomly find out in the field. They have special names, and they're tougher than normal PKers, but you don't chase them. You just have a brawl with them, and some of them can be real bitches.
The storytelling is overall very melodramatic, especially when you remember that this is all playing out in an MMO. But there are lots of times, boss battles especially, when the creators nail it just right. The visuals, music, and story all coalesce and surge and for a few minutes, all the odd characters and funky voicing and kinda irritating missions are all worth it.
Plus, Ovan is a badass.
http://www.cyberconnect2.jp/trilogy/index.html
It's 80 minutes long, and will be done entirely done in CG. It'll be released straight to DVD and Bluray January 25th in Japan.
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Plot:
I thought that Pi's post-Zelkova EM was pretty cool, what with her divulging Yata's past as a Dot-Hacker. I think that might be the first time that label's been mentioned in G.U. from one of the main characters.
New Awakening:
Desktop:
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
*GASP* Potential new main character for a another series?!D:. Maybe not.. Who knows?
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On an unrelated note: Shell Breaker, the level 15 Broadsword Art, is badass. Yeah, I just got it a few hours ago. I'm not too crazy about the Broadsword, but dang if this skill isn't cool-looking.
I'm excited!
HUGE SPOILERS for .hack//ROOTS follow. The only Vol. 2 spoiler has been separately marked.
I guarantee that the timing of later events is off, but the events are all there. I purposely left out certain characters and events that are not critical to the overall plot. If you feel the need to mention them, please do so.
It may help to visit this site to view character images if you are new to the series/games/etc.: http://home.austin.rr.com/tsote/dothack/dothack_roots_tv.html#guide (SPOILERS are present. I suggest only viewing the names and images.)
What follows is a synopsis of the anime .hack//ROOTS as interpreted by my memory (and helped along by a few generous forumers).:
The beginning of Vol. 1: Rebirth is the beginning of the story. Haseo logs in for the first time and the two PKers help him. Roots picks up just as Haseo is PKed. Ovan kills the PKers and revives Haseo. Ovan tells Haseo that he has "the potential" and to "become stronger".
Soon after entering Mac Anu, Haseo meets a pudgy male beast character named Phyllo. Phyllo is apparently an old man, and whiles away his time talking with people in Mac Anu. Phyllo knows Ovan, but is cryptic while speaking of him. Haseo often consults with Phyllo throughout the series when something is troubling him.
Ovan runs the Twilight Brigade (TB), a guild dedicated to finding the "Key of the Twilight". Shino (female harvest cleric), Tabby (female tribal grappler), and Sakisaka (male steam gunner) are also TB members.
TaN is a guild run by Naobi, a huge male beast character. His subordinates are Ender, a scantily-clad blade brandier and Tawaraya, a shrewd businessman and information-dealer. Naobi is apparently intent on keeping tabs on Ovan and the activities of the Twilight Brigade, and employs Ender and Tawaraya as his eyes and ears.
Ovan and Shino seem to have a relationship past the TB. They often meet at the Lost Ground Waterfalls. Ovan confides in Shino that he may have found who he was looking for, in reference to Haseo. Shino meets Haseo after saving him from yet another PK, and Haseo seems quite taken with her. Shino takes Haseo to the Hulle Granz Cathedral and tells him that the statue of a girl named Aura used to be there.
Ovan offers Haseo membership to the TB, and while Haseo refuses at first, he eventually accepts.
-Confusion-
Someone in the TB, possibly Ovan, discovers that Virus Cores can be found in Lost Ground areas. Areas like the Hulle Granz Cathedral and Hidden Forbidden Battlefield. Ovan believes this is the path to the Key of the Twilight. The TB spends time searching these Lost Grounds and finding the Virus Cores. TaN knows this and keeps an eye on the TB.
The TB go to Hidden Forbidden Battlefield with all the Virus Cores. TaN is waiting for them with a legion of PKers. The TB somehow defend themselves while Ovan uses the Virus Cores and activates the portal that leads to the top of the giant floating statue. The rest of the TB follows and continues to defend against the TaN while Ovan goes ahead to try and find the Key.
Suddenly the TaN withdraw, and Ovan is missing. Ovan is being held in stasis somewhere in the Net, and Naobi is revealed to have orchestrated the discovery of the Virus Cores up to the ambush at the Battlefield.
-Twilight-
Sometime afterward, the TaN is broken up and its members are either banned or willingly stop playing. At the same time, the Raven Guild and a few new players enter The World.
So Yata and Pi observe Ovan and analyze his player data while he's held in stasis. One interesting observation is that the data in Ovan's left arm is as large as that of an entire Area.
Ovan is apparently in stasis for about 4 months. During this time, the TB all but falls apart. Shino, no longer able to spend time with Ovan, turns to Haseo. She reveals to Haseo that she and Ovan have met in real life. Haseo and Shino spend time with each other at various Lost Grounds in The World to the point where he asks for her phone number. Though she and Haseo become close, Shino still misses Ovan. She even changes her appearance from the usual white with black accents to pure black. Haseo refuses to speak with anyone from the TB other than Shino, which disappoints Tabby, as she was quite fond of Haseo.
Sakisaka, formerly Tabby's partner, leaves The World to play another online game. Tabby quits the TB and starts talking with Phyllo, attempting to find her calling. Citing her inability to fight well, Tabby starts the Medic Guild with a few newbie players.
-Nightfall-
Tri-Edge appears, along with the Signs that mark his passage.
Shino speaks with Tabby on the way to the Cathedral to wait for Haseo to log in. By chance, Tabby runs into Haseo, but Haseo is too busy to speak with her. Phyllo manages to convince Tabby to tell Haseo where Shino is waiting. Haseo responds immediately. This makes Tabby sad because Haseo was so quick to respond to information regarding Shino. Tabby finally accepts her "loss" to Shino.
Haseo goes to the Cathedral and finds Shino just after Tri-Edge PKs her. Haseo holds Shino as she falls into a coma. Haseo tries calling Shino in the real world, but she doesn't answer. Her character fades from The World. Haseo begins visiting Shino in the hospital every day.
Haseo becomes obsessive. He is determined to find Ovan, Shino, and especially Tri-Edge. The Forest of Pain Event starts, and Taihaku the Sage Palace Emperor enters. Haseo enters as well, seeing this as a way to "become stronger", as Ovan once said. This is ridiculous because the Forest of Pain is supposed to be for high-level players only. With a little unsolicited help, Haseo miraculously completes the Event.
When Taihaku completed the Forest, Harald Hoerwick appeared in front of him and asked about the condition of his daughter. Taihaku apologized and told Harald that he didn't know his daughter, but hoped she was well. Harald gave him a unique weapon and deposited Taihaku at the winner's circle. Haseo answered Harald by essentially saying, "Who the hell are you? I don't care about your daughter!" Harald then raised Haseo to his 3rd form, the Scythe form.
-Midnight-
Ovan reappears. I can't remember what he does, but it's mysterious and involves his left arm.
In his quest to find Tri-Edge, Haseo continues PKKing and earns the nickname "The Terror of Death".
Bordeaux appears and attempts to ambush Haseo with 100 PKers, but Haseo proves too much for all of them.
Kuhn appears and meets Silabus and Gaspard. Kuhn creates the Canard Guild to help newbies. Eventually Kuhn discovers his abilities as an Epitaph User, and Pi offers to help him if he will join Raven. Kuhn learns that Raven has been observing Haseo, and suspects that something big is about to occur.
-Dawn-
For fear of involving others, Kuhn quits Canard and tells Silabus and Gaspard that if Haseo ever needs help, they should do what they can.
Tabby quits The World to pursue her career as a nurse, but leaves the legacy of the Medic Guild.
Vol. 2 SPOILER
The anime intersects Vol. 1 about where Haseo meets Atoli in the town square in Mac Anu.
For some reason, I'm really drawn to the style of the game. I'm not speaking of the mechanics or gameplay fundamentals, I mean the actual visual style and art direction. It's very well-done, and it's making the cutscenes very entertaining.
Have you bothered to watch Roots? I don't quite remember hearing if you have or not. It goes well with the game as it fills in that 8-month gap the game skips over after the first field. Plus, factors from Roots really begin to kick in by Vol-2.
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
They also mention events that occurred in ROOTS in Vol. 3. They mention quite a few other things in Vol. 3, too...
edit: Kami, that synopsis I wrote is safe for your consumption. Just avoid the embedded spoiler toward the end.
Plot (mainly ending):
Final Battle:
Inside, I just loved how they turned an optional enemy of the three volumes into a serious blockade with the three Doppleganger parties. Who did you guys use/plan to use for those fights? In order, my party choices were (based on plot/character-relations)...
1)Endurance and Sakubo
2)Yata and Pi
3)Silabus and Gaspard
Took Atoli and Kuhn with me to the final boss fight. Gave me a serious 'Lavos-from-Chrono-Trigger' vibe. Didn't have to break out the Revive Potions till we killed the tentacle bulbs. I especially had to toss them to both Atoli and Kuhn by the time that thing's health got down to half. Kinda hard to focus gun-shots on the Core too what with all those Gamoras floating about. Good thing I got my Avatar Awakening up to Lv7. Insta-kill for those things plus 500+ damage to the Core if I remember right.
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
Is that the dungeon where
You should have leveled Avatar Awakening to were you could use Drain Heart.
The first four games are just as awesome as the G.U. games. They actually have challenge to them, and I honestly prefer the originals somber techno soundtrack over G.U.'s mostly J-Pop inspired tunes (not that they're bad or anything). I don't know why you guys give those games so much shit..
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Yeah, what exactly is the difference between the different ranks besides attack animation? I didn't even know Drain Heart was in there till you told me just now?
Let's Play Final Fantasy 'II' (Ch10 - 5/17/10)
The difference is (obviously) in the amount of damage enemies take.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gdzbTNRkwY
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Ugh. I tried that. I really tried. I got through the first three episodes without too much trouble, but it was becming obvious that they had no intention of having things happen at a reasonable pace. At all. I heard that it wasn't until around episode 7 or 8 that anything really significant happens at all. I was halfway through episode 4 when I just couldn't sit through it anymore.
I know I'm ADHD, and my horrible attention span can ruin things for me at times, but Roots is inexcusably fucking slow. I understand that it's a slow-paced series, I can totally see that. But Sign was also a slow-paced series. The difference here, is that it gave the viewers some really cool stuff early on, before bombarding the people with plot. Whereas Roots was very much devoid of action early on and really gave me nothing to watch but random conversations about nothing.
Roots seems to be a series that really should have 13 episodes, because so much of it is obviously filler, and dragged out silent pauses that are much longer than they should be. I've tried watching it whenever it was on, and I've checked it out on youtube, and so far it seems like a majority of the episodes is nothing but dialog. Not even relevant dialog, just conversations about random crap, most of which isn't going to have any bearing on future episodes.
I just can't sit through a program when it gives me nothing to watch. Ugh.
One other factor that bothered me is the voice acting. A good cast tends to really raise how much I can enjoy anything animated. Unlike the original Anime, where all of the characters in it were voiced by the same people when they appeared in the original PS2 games...tthe cast of Roots (Which is a lot more tied into the new games) didn't return to voice the same charactaers in the GU games. I can't look at a character the same way when their voice is completely different.
Because we don't agree with you. That's why.
I liked the first games ok but couldn't get past the 2nd game. It just got too damn repetitive. And all the boss fights were just me healing everyone else.
Now to beat the Doppleganger for the second time and do the damn 100-floor Forest of Pain so I can see the epilogue.
And man, CC knows how to reward players for being diligent. The fully-upgraded Scythe is badass, and the items you get after killing the Doppleganger for the last time are pretty much game-breaking.
.. Like pretty much all of the .Hack games?
EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89QorEnXABU
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Does anyone else find Yata and Sakaki's reactions in this volume completely unrealistic, and the conversations really stale (more than usual)? Because I'm unimpressed with motivations so far. It feels so very forced.
Anyone doing the Forest of Pain event? How's that going?
XBox Gamertag: ProfHydron
Pt.2
Pt.3
Consider this the G.U. version of Unison.
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Macha
Cubia (first battle)
Tarvos
Cubia (second battle) p.1 / p.2
Corbenik p.1/ p.2
Dawn wanderer / Temptress lover
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