Games Tetralogy
| Previous Title | Current Title | Next Title |
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| .hack//ZERO | Unison (Bonus) |
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.hack//GAMES Vol.1~4
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Regions
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Japan
North America PAL Korea |
Languages
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Japanese
English German Frnech Italian Spanish Korean |
Platforms
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PlayStation 2
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Release Dates
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Developer
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CyberConnect2
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Publisher
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Bandai
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Genre
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The .hack// Games are a set of four Action RPG games released for PlayStation 2. The collection of games are sometimes referred to as a "Tetralogy" or "Quadrilogy." Fans also use the abbreviation "IMOQ," taking the first letter in each consecutive game's western title in order (Infection, Mutation, Outbreak, Quarantine). The four games are episodic releases of the same overarching plotline and follow a consistent cast of characters. Each game came packaged with a bonus DVD of the OVA .hack//Liminality, which shows offline events occurring concurrent to the events in-game. The games are set in the "first season" of the .hack series, taking place after SIGN and ZERO. Several other media retell the events of the games, including .hack//Another Birth, .hack//XXXX, New Novelization [.hack] and .hack//Link.
The games primarily take place in a "game within a game," in this case the fictitious MMORPG called 「The World」. The story explores how events in that occur online in「The World」 have an impact on offline life (in-fiction). Players take the role of Kite, a new player who acquires abilities that surpass the system as he seeks the answers to the various mysteries that are seemingly tied to the online game. The core gameplay simulates a Desktop where players can read e-mails, chat on forums, and play 「The World」. While playing The World, players can form parties with other players, delve dungeons for treasure, and participate in events. The BBS, Email and News on the desktop update over time as the player progresses in game. The BBS and email can help players access more areas as the story moves forward.
The games were developed by CyberConnect2, Co., Ltd. and Published by Bandai. Initially released in Japan between June 20, 2002 and April 10, 2003, the games went on to be translated for North America, Korea, and Europe and Australia in 2002-2004. The Games Tetralogy titles are included in the "First Season" of the .hack series, also known as "Project .hack." Project .hack was designed to be a multimedia project, with manga and anime released before the games the introduce audiences to the setting and establish the overarching mystery of the storyline.
Synopsis
Games
The story follows protagonist Kite, who was invited to play the MMORPG 「The World」 by his friend from school who plays a character named Orca. After a chance encounter with an unusual monster pursuing a girl clad in white, Orca is defeated and Kite narrowly escapes with his life. A computer crash in the aftermath of the encounter leaves Kite's player bewildered by the turn of events. Kite then discovers that the player behind Orca fell into a coma after the incident. Kite decides to continue playing 「The World」 in the hopes of finding the reason why his friend is hospitalized.
OVA
Main articles: .hack//Liminality
Setting
Desktop
Characters
Main articles: Characters in Games Tetralogy
| Kite | Orca | Aura | Helba | BlackRose | Balmung | Mia |
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| Elk | Wiseman | Mistral | Piros | Natsume | Sanjuro | Gardenia |
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| Marlo | Terajima Ryoko | Nuke Usagimaru | Rachel | Moonstone | ||
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Production
Staff
Main articles: Credits
Advertisement Campaigns
Merchandise
Main Article: Games Tetralogy Merchandise
Game Release
Version Differences
Trivia
Notes
Name
Media
References
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