"An Epic Ending To A Great Series"
It's been just a little under a year since .Hack//G.U. vol 1 Rebirth came out to America and took the .Hack series to a new level. Long time .Hack fans got their wish for a new game. Some loved it, some hated it, but they all could agree on one thing. This was a completely new .Hack, and it was ready to attack. In Vol 1 players took on the role of Haseo, a PKK(Player Killer Killer) in the search for the mysterious PK; Tri-Edge. 8 months before the start of the game, Tri-Edge PKed Shino, a friend that Haseo felt very close too and he sought revenge. However after facing the legendary PK, Haseo was Data Drained by Tri-Edge and returned to Lv 1. We met many new faces including the Shino lookalike Atoli, the mysterious and elegant Endrance and Haseo's old guild leader Ovan. In the end, Haseo confronted Tri-Edge again and with his newly unlocked Avatar Skeith.

Months later, after many confusing release date rumors by not only fans but the official site as well Vol 2 Reminisce was released. Featuring updated graphics models, twice the extras and moving storyline it was clear that .Hack would never be the same. The storyline picked up right where the first one left off. Joining Haseo in his quest to awaken Shino this time was the hot-headed Matsu of Moon Tree, the twins Sakubo and Endrance himself just to name a few. As the story grew, Haseo started to grow close to Alkaid, a player whom hated him in Vol 1. However she was PKed by an AIDA infected player. Those who played Vol 1 could most likely guess who. By the end of the game, it was clear that Sasaki of Moon Tree sought total control and used Atoli to do it. Haseo was able to defeat him, but now the truth was revealed. The one who Haseo sought out, Tri-Edge, wasn't the one who PKed Shino. It was...

And now we come to the end of the series. All the loose ends are tied in this entry. We meet some new faces, and go up against old enemies.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics models were slightly updated from Vol 2, and can be noticed in a number of places. Overall their basically the same, beautiful images that we've come to love since Vol 1.

Gameplay: 9/10

With the addition of a new form, Haseo's combat skills are taken to a new level. I won't spoil it for those who havn't seen the trailers, but let's just say it's something that .Hack fans have wanted for a LONG time. Weapon levels can now hit 22, and then at that level all the sp of the weapon class gets cut in half. Now you can use your powerful skills more often than before. The ally AI has gotten a MAJOR increase from the last game, and you won't find your healer running next to a monster a second before it attacks. That was one of my biggest issues with Vol 2. The Books of 1000 have been updated, and are now much harder to fill. Especially if your trying to fill every single entry. All those old quests, like the flyers and such are back. *rolls eyes* Their slightly better with the radars, thank the gods. In the end game there are TONS of things to do. Complete the bike missions, obtain max points in the arena, do the Forest of Pain 100 Level Dungeon(Yes, 100 levels) and much more. Your ally numbers increase to a total of 32 teammates I believe. Some you wouldn't expect. There are three that I won't talk about, but let's just say to train up if you want them. Since you have to beat all three of them in combat at the same time. Trust me, it's VERY worth it.

There are more new dungeon formats, ranging from level 100 to level 150. It's worth hitting Level 100 before starting this game, since you'll be facing alot of high level foes. The overall dificulty has been slightly increased from Vol 2, but the arena is no longer a pain to do thankfully.

Sound: 9/10

The soundtrack is awesome. I couldn't wait for the game so I ordered the vol 3 OST and I must say there are little to no changes at all in the music. It's very nice, even though the dungeon tracks can get boring after awhile. The voices when you speak to party members are back, which I'm SO happy for. Although a few of the voice actors have changed. Their not that bad, but I'd rather have prefered the old ones.

Storyline: 10/10

The storyline picks up right after Vol 2's shocking ending, and doesn't dissappoint. Old enemies return, and new allies are gained in the fight to stop AIDA from flooding into the real world. Powers are lost, and new ones are gained. It's impossible to describe the story in a few words. The end game will completely shock you though, and fans of the old .Hack games will enjoy fighting an old foe who returns for the G.U. Series. But that's not the kicker, it's what happens near the end of that fight.

Overall the storyline won't bring you to tears, well maybe one section will depending on your personality. I know it did me. But it's still a grand story that completely overthrows the one from the last game. Sadly there's no real "extra ending" like there was in IMOQ, but there is a extended ending.

Closing:

It was worth the wait for Vol 3. The gameplay, story and new additions have been taken to a completely new level. The only thing that prevents me from giving a 10 is the slowdown when massive enemies are onscreen. If your a die hard .Hack fan, this is a MUST HAVE. If you don't like the series, at least rent this. Even G.U. haters have admitted this game is worth a play just for the story. It's the closing for the greatest entry in the .Hack series, and I must admit I'm sad to see it end. But here's to a great game, and the hope that Bandai will continue the series. And don't forget, if you havn't seen it yet be sure to buy the .Hack//Roots DVD and catch up on the story before G.U. began.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/19/07

Game Release: .hack//G.U. vol. 3//Redemption (US, 09/10/07)