Title .hack//G.U. vol. 2//Reminisce Date 05.16.2007 Genre RPG, Hack-n-Slash Platform PlayStation 2 Developer CyberConnect 2 Publisher Namco Bandai

'Welcome back to "The World"'
That's what someone might be expecting from a long time Dot.Hack fan, especially if you're only played games out of the first series (Infection, Mutation, Outbreak, and Quarantine). However, that's not the case. Old elements return (ever get annoyed having to hunt Virus Cores?), and new elements arise.

Volume 2 picks up from the moment Volume 1 ended, including the typical review of the previous events. You play as Haseo in a simulated (for you, not him) Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game, as Haseo looks for answers to everything that's happened to him in the game so far.  So how does Dot.Hack//G.U. Volume 2//Reminisce stack up?

Gameplay
Like the previous game, Reminisce has a hack-'n-slash RPG feel to it. Anyone that's played a Dot.Hack game is familiar with the basic twin-blades (Kite used it in the first series, Haseo started with it in Volume 2), and the Broad Sword returns from Volume 1. Volume 2 introduces, in my opinion, the coolest weapon yet; Scythes. Twin Blades are weak and fast, while Broad Swords are slow and powerful. Scythe not only puts you in the middle of that, being stronger than twin blades and faster than the broad sword, but it also gives you an area-of-effect attack, enabling you to hit everything around you.

As with the previous version, Rebirth, you spend your time in the middle of combat trying to chain together combos to lower your opponent's defenses for the new, awesome skills; and they won't even have to be from the same weapon you're using, either! Volume 2 introduces an on-the-go weapon changing system where, by picking a skill from a different weapon, Haseo quickly changes weapons and unleashes the special attack. In addition, it's the kind of gameplay that draws you in and doesn't want to let go. When the game is easy, it gives you a lead in to what it'll become, and when it's hard, the game's almost taunting or challenging you to complete it. And, I had a blast being challenged by it!

Story
If the gameplay hadn't kept me playing, the story would have. Volume 1 had some quiet moments where nothing happened for a while, requiring you to delve into random dungeons that serve no real purpose. Volume 2, however, keeps the story coming at you fast and hard the entire time; the only way to slow it down is to go off on your own instead of going into the next dungeon! And to top it all off, Reminisce does a wonderful job of drawing the player in. If you're the kind of player that gets attached to characters, you're going to be very emotional in Volume 2; and in a number of different ways, too! Reminisce offers exactly what you'd want from an RPG for story.

Graphics/Sound
Reminisce is definitely an end-level PS2 game. At one time that would have sounded wonderful, and even now, it's definitely not an insult or complaint. At times, it's hard to tell when (aside from the load screens and lack of control) you're in a cut-scene or actually playing, the graphics are that good. All the old voice actors are back for a repeat performance, and some of the sounds that carry over from Volume 1 (like weapon skill announcements) have been redone. Hopefully the rest of the PS2's titles look and sound as good as Volume 2's do.

Play time/Replay
Anyone that's played a Dot.Hack game before knows they're not the longest around, but Reminisce breaks the mold there. Most of the games in the series are only 20-25 hours at most, but Reminisces main story runs about 30, not looking at the side quests and optional events the player can get involved in. All the old side-quests are back from Volume 1, along with new bike missions. And if you're looking for replay, this might be one you want to play through twice (or more)! The story comes at you so fast you might need a second or third play-though just to catch something you missed. And the gameplay makes it so the consecutive play-throughs aren't a waste of time; you'll have fun doing it.

Recommendation
If you can find it, it's definitely a buy! And if you like it, you'll probably want to reserve Volume 3 once a release date is announced... it'll probably be just as hard to find!

Overall
Namco Bandai listened to its' fans (except on wanting it released sooner), and Reminisce doesn't disappoint. The only problem I see is that it leaves you wanting the rest. Unfortunately, it'll still be some time before Dot.Hack//G.U. Volume 3//Redemption hits the shelves.

Game Score

A-

Reviewed By: Contributed