Pre-E3 2006: .hack// G.U. Hands-on

The .hack series easily had one of the most intriguing plot ideas for an RPG in recent years. Effectively setting a "massively multiplayer online role playing game" within a game, as well as splintering the story into four separate chapters, .hack stretched a number of conventional boundaries. It created an interesting and unique world that was sustained by the use of data flags and saved games that provided bonuses to players that bought all four games. It also provided supplemental backstory in the form of DVD movies that practically mirrored the game story, albeit with slightly different main characters.

Recently, at a Namco Bandai event, we got an opportunity to find out a bit more about the next step in the franchise, .hack//G.U. Rebirth, which should be out later this year. Initially, we were told about the setting of the game, which will take place seven years after the events of the original four games. Essentially recognizing the problems and the inherent issues with the original version of The World, CyberConnect Corporation releases a new version of the game with completely new features. Players are no longer bound by their personal computers anymore to enter The World; they are now able to jump in and connect anywhere they are via their personal VR helmets and portable controllers.

Apart from the vast improvements made on the game, characters in The World can now engage in player killing, entering massive battles with each other to test their skills. Of course, this has lead to a certain amount of chaos in some environments. You, as the main character, step into the boots of Haseo, an extremely powerful player that hunts down other player killers in the game. For the most part, an elimination of another character results in the standard penalty that you'd expect in an MMO. However, one of Haseo's friends goes up against a mysterious person (who will look familiar to .hack veterans) that wields some powers never seen before in the game and is placed in a coma. Shortly thereafter, Haseo runs into this figure and while he isn't incapacitated, he is "data drained" back to level one, essentially losing all of his strength and skills that he'd gained. Even worse, no one even remembers who he was or what he used to be, spurring him to try to track down what happened to him and who his attacker is. See, while this version of The World isn't exactly "virused" like the previous installments, not everyone in The World knows what's happening to the "game" they're playing.

One of the big changes in store for Rebirth is that the entire adventure will be much larger than the previous four games combined. While we were assured that you won't need to rely on level grinds to become successful at the game, you'll probably be able to gain more than a hundred levels if you're so inclined. Rebirth is also going to be much more combat oriented than the last four games, with a greater emphasis on character classes and what they can do. There will be at least 10 different character classes available, which can all be changed on the fly as battle conditions require. For instance, if you happen to have a more defensively minded class and you need one that's a bit faster and stronger on offense, you'll have the opportunity to do so almost instantaneously.

Haseo will also have the option to change his weapons as easily as he will his character class. We were shown an example of this as he went from dual blades, which were very quick but relatively low in damage to a broadsword, which was extremely slow but powerful. Haseo then changed and equipped a scythe, which cleared a large group of enemies away from him in a wide circle. What's more, he'll be able to charge up his attacks to provide extra damage as well as launch super attacks depending on both the direction an enemy is facing and when he starts a combination.