Anticipation Rises as New Details Are Revealed for the “Offline” MMORPG – .hack//G.U.

by Louis Bedigian

“Think of it as an action game with RPG elements.”

In our last episode of As the Offline MMORPG Turns, Yeeki and Zorlok had just been married. They called it quits after catching each other typing XOXOXO with other fictitious game characters. (I tell ya, virtual love is rough.)

The marriage was over, but they couldn’t stop thinking about what might have been. Had their love blossomed, maybe the stork would’ve brought them a little bundle of polygons. They could’ve moved to a suburb in Second Life and lived happily ever after.

Though not every story has a happy ending, I do have one tale that is sure to put a smile on your face: .hack//G.U. This long-awaited sequel is the first of three offline, single-player RPGs that take place in a fictitious online world. No need to log online – all the gaming goodness is baked right into the disc. 

“The basic combat – think of it as an action game with RPG elements,” said Brian Glazebrook, Localization Manager. He says the game is half-and-half; a good balance of action-oriented combat and character-driven development. “As you go through the levels, you’re actually increasing your strength, you’re actually increasing your attacks. That’s an RPG.”

Given what happened in the last game, where does this new series pick up?

“At the end of the first [series of .hack games], the company that made the [MMORPG within the game] went under,” Brian tells us. The studio/developer was destroyed by a massive fire. “The company re-built themselves, and the new game continues seven to ten years later. They create a new version of their MMORPG, which has now become the biggest MMO in the [fictitious game] world.”

One of the cool things about the game is being able to communicate with NPCs. "You can communicate with other simulated [AI] players. Talk to them while they're in the MMO. Doing so allows you to trade items, gain info and such, so it's more like you're playing an MMO.

“When you're on your desktop – in other words, when you're 'outside' of the game – you can send e-mail to the players, ask them questions, make a comment.”

Interestingly, players will be able to send get-well cards to NPCs they fear they might have ticked off. It may seem trivial at the time you do it, but could affect the way others treat you later on in the game. 

Rebirth of Content

• New Combat

• A longer, fuller quest

• All-new cast (“We don’t have any recurring characters.”—Brian Glazebrook)

• Bonus disc to be included with a special premium package (available for pre-order at most major retailers, including EBgames)

• Currently on target for an October 24th release

Local Hacking

Brian says that when it came to the translation, the localization team had to be very creative in coming up with ways to translate the comedic aspects. “Certain changes had to be made,” he says. “For those who have played Japanese games, some of their jokes and their sense of humor doesn’t necessarily carry over here correctly. We had to Americanize some of the jokes and humor that we had in the game.”

Outside Appeal

What’s the one question that never fails to pop up during conference calls? “Will this game appeal to gamers who are not already fans of the .hack series?”

Brian answers: “Definitely, for two reasons. One, even though we put things in there for the fans of the series, it starts off so that those who know nothing about the series can still get into it. Second, it’s not just a basic RPG, it’s a little more action-oriented. I think that broadens the audience as well.” 

Hacking Brian’s Mind – Answers Leaked

Thus far, character information has been rather vague. Can you tell us more about the cast? Who they are – what they do, and what is their purpose?

Brian Glazebrook: Haseo is the main character. His initial focal point was to get revenge for what was done to one of his friends. That is his main drive, and in doing that he discovers that there is more to it than he realized. There's a lot more going on behind the scenes. In the meantime, things start happening within the world. Like in the previous series, if they happen in the game they can affect your reality.

There are going to be huge supporting roles this time around. Pai is your very proper, very adult kind of character. She tries to fool everyone with her glasses, but obviously her proportions say otherwise. Her character class is grappler, so she doesn't really equip any weapons. She's more about physical attacks. Sometimes she'll equip things on her hands, but that's about it.

Her personality is kind of the know-it-all, irritated type, I'm better-than-you attitude toward others. Especially toward Haseo, who is angry guy who has kind of a teenager mentality. At least the way he acts. At first they're [fighting] a lot, but then they kind of warm up to each other.

Kuhn is the womanizer of the game. Throughout the game you'll notice NPCs walking by, and they'll be flirtatious and such. But that doesn't affect him in battle – his real character. His character class is a steam gunner, where he has a sword/gun type of weapon. For the most part he's a long-ranged shooting character. But when enemies get close, he can use his sword. 

Let's go into further detail about the combat system.

BG: The combat this time around is definitely action-based, where the players are personally attacking. There’s a skill trigger, which is like your special attacks in fighting games. As you gain levels, as you gain skills, you learn different attacks based on the weapons that you have. Some specials are good against just one enemy. Others are good against a whole horde of enemies.

[The four face buttons] – X, square, triangle and circle, what you can do is decide which one of those buttons you want to use for special attacks. [Having a different attack applied to each button], you’ll be able to launch one of the four attacks at any time during combat. And you can swap ‘em out when you’re not in combat as well.

Some of the other things about combat: the morale of your party is a huge part of it as well. It shows up on your Morale meter. What the Morale meter does, depending on how many successful hits you’ve made, how happy the players are with you (hence the whole greeting cards/talking to them online thing), your meter goes up.

Once it has been maxed out, you can press a button and launch one of two awakenings. What the awakening does is allow you to attack multiple enemies at once. Or two, you’ll be able to go into super mode where your speed increases, your attacks increase, and your defense will increase.  

What kind of a weapon/item system is being incorporated into the game?

BG: Each character has their own class. Whereas a grappler is all about using fists, you can’t really give her a sword or anything like that. But if it’s something for your knuckles like gloves, she can definitely use it.

Haseo can get multiple types of weapons. Initially you’ll see him with two dagger swords, based on the type used in the previous .hack series. However, as you progress in the game, you’ll be able to learn how to use a big broad sword. And then you can use one or the other, and you can change whenever you choose.

On top of which you can also customize your weapons, where you can put elements to it. For example, I wanna do ice damage. I wanna do fire damage. You can kind of mix and match and customize your own type of weapon.

As for items, most of the items [can be purchased] at the shops within the game. Potions, etc.

Thanks to everyone at Namco Bandai and Kohnke Communications for having a wonderful conference call.