Electronic Gaming Monthly 163 (Magazine)

Electronic Gaming Monthly Issue 163
Publisher	Ziff Davis Media
Pages
Volume	163
Cover Date	February 2003
In Store Date	Display Until February 4
Price	$4.99US /$6.50 Canada
Catalog Number	014024069608
Medium	Color Magazine
Dimensions

Article

100

Reviews:  .hack Part 1: Infection (PS2)

Playstation 2, T for Teen
Publisher: Bandai
Developer: Cyber Connect 2
Players: 1
Also On: None
Watch for: The .hack animated TV series
Best Feature: Great concept and execution
Worst Feature: A little short for a $50 RPG

Website: www.dothack.com

For its concept alone, .hack deserves an award. In a genre full of generic, me-too Final Fantasy wannabes, Bandai has stormed in with a game so fresh and unique, it just begs to be experienced despite its flaws. Here's the gist–you're playing a role-playing game...about an online role-playing game. You "log on," play alongside other simulated questers, and try to figure out if this addictive game is trying to kill you (not you, but rather the "you" who's playing the game that you're, uh...playing). The game succeeds at simulating the experience of playing a massively multiplayer online RPG without having to actually get on the Net. The supplied 45-minute anime disc adds value, too; even if you don't care for the story, you should watch it to look for hidden keywords that can be used to open up secret dungeons in the game. This kind of interaction is a key part of the whole .hack experience, and I found it to be quite refreshing. As for the game itself, The World (the "online" RPG in .hack) plays a lot like Sega's Phantasy Start Online, which is definitely a good thing. The battle camera isn't nearly as good, and the game balance is a bit off (prepare to spend countless hours leveling-up in random dungeons), but overall it's still fun. One thing to be aware of: For an RPG, .hack is pretty short. It takes only about 20 hours to beat, but with the sequel right around the corner (it's due in May), can you really complain?
John R. (7.5) The good news is, .hack executes its highfalutin concept–posing as a massively multiplayer online RPG–almost flawlessly. Believable dialogue, simulated players, and a fake network interface all add to the feeling that you're really online. The frantic real-time battles borrow fun elements from Phantasy Star Online's action-packed brawls, but the fussy camera and uneven difficulty detract. Still, .hack is enjoyable and clever, albeit short—more like a prologue than a full game. The story line is about 20 percent vague foreshadowing and 80 percent outright padding, with very little meaningful plot in this 15 hour quest. Consider it a promising start to an ambitious series.
Dave (7.5)

I'll agree that .hack's faux online-RPG concept is cool—you'll be sending virtual e-mail, browsing made-up message boards, and even coping with bizarre server glitches, all within the context of a giant EverQuest-style world gone awry. Conceptually, it's awesome, but an ingenious setup doesn't make .hack fun. Once you look past the novelty of the fake online community, the game's merely average. Repetitive dungeons, simplistic combat (PSO's is way better), wildly uneven difficulty, and a shortage of actual plot all tarnish the final product. Plus, you'll beat the game quickly, and the included anime DVD is awful, despite its hidden codes. A curiosity for hardcore RPG nuts only.
Shane (6.0)

Visuals: 7

Sound: 7 Ingenuity: 9

Replay: 4