.hack simulates a massively multiplayer online role-playing game; players assume the role of a participant in a fictional game called The World. While in The World, the player controls the on-screen player character, Kite, from a third-person person perspective (with optional first-person mode). The player also manually controls the camera using the game controller's R1 and L1 shoulder buttons and right analog stick. Within the fictional game, players explore monster-infested fields and dungeons as well as "Root Towns" that are free of combat. They also can "log-off" from the game and return to a computer desktop interface which includes in-game e-mail, news, and message boards, as well as desktop and background music customization options. The player may save the game to a memory card both from the desktop and within The World at a Save Shop. After the player completes the game, a Data Flag appears on the save file, which allows the transfer of all aspects of the player character and party members to the next game in the series.

Typical of action role-playing games, players attack monsters in real time. However, the action pauses whenever the menu is opened in order to select magic to cast, items to use, or skills to perform. The player only directly controls Kite, while the other characters are controlled by artificial intelligence. The player may either provide guidelines ("attack", "first aid", "magic", etc.) or issue direct commands (for example, to cast a particular magic at a particular enemy) to the computer-controlled characters. Most monsters are contained in "magic portals" and combat will not begin until the player character approaches the portal and releases the monsters inside. Kite possesses a unique ability called "Data Drain" which allows him to transform monsters into rare items. Many boss monsters are known as "Data Bugs"—monsters with corrupted data such that their stamina is infinite. Data Drain is used to repair this damaged monster data and render them vulnerable. However, this power also increases the level of infection of Kite's player character, randomly causing harmful side effects.

Love this series. Recently beat Infection (1 of 7). Now I'm on Mutation (2 of 7).

Ive played the first three, still havent beaten the third one just because Im stuck at a point where Ill have to level more before going to the next area.

The only series that rivals the amount of time I've clocked in on the .hack games is Disgaea, and that's saying something.

I love the initial IMOQ .Hack serious, the dungeons are randomized, the grinding was fun, the bonus dungeon at the ends of the games - ESPECIALLY Quarantine's were simply brutal and unforgiving.

I enjoyed that. It didn't try to spoon feed me victory, it didn't try to help me - It set out the challenge for me, and sad "Come at me, bro".

I remember my first time fighting Skeith. It was one of the very few legitimate "Oh... fuck." moments where I've gone into a boss fight fully leveled up and prepared, and still thought "This was a bad idea".

What the fuck else are you supposed to say when you look at the bosses HP and it's registered as #%^721&*@!/V ?

Then the game really got into just brutal marathon combat. You were spamming potions and ethers and healing spells just as often as you did attack skills, running constantly to avoid AoEs and FUCK DID HE JUST DATA DRAIN ME? OH GOD WHERE IS THE REMEDY.

Then we got to G.U.. I don't like G.U. that much. Superficially, it's the same... the skills are nice... But it's easy. You played, you won, it was hard to lose, in all honesty. It felt like they just continued the universe with in-game characters for an anime tie-in. Even the supposedly really difficult fights - Like the Dopple Gangers, or your Epitaph Weapon bosses - Were just mildly difficult. There was never really a feeling of "well shit, this was a terrible idea. I am in goddamn danger here."

And I miss that about the .hack series.

I feel like i should give my own opinion of this... but navis was done so well.
more of you should play this immediately

squeeel~

Gnumik

>>4 Games that actually have a challenge? I haven't seen one of those in a while. I will definitely be checking this series out.

I have dothack infection.

Love it.

>>8 unfortunately its difficult to find since its pretty old. Best bet it to check online versions of stores

Bump

I love this series as well! Someone stole my copy of the first game in the series but I found it at an anime convention for 15 bucks.

I have an obsession with this game! ^^

BEST. GAME. EVER.

AUUUUUGGGGHHHH~
.Hack// is simply AMAZING!~~
I even got the G.U. ones! It's just sososososososososo interesting!

Jaan~ I'm unable to play this due to the fact I don't have the game system, but this indeed intrigues me. ^w^

omg i love this game soo much i even started to read the manga and watch the anime its sooo awesome

>>15 get an emulator and play it on your computer.
I love .hack// ^.^

At one point in my life, .hack was pretty major... :/