.hack//INFECTION

Zephie-chan · Post by **Zephie-chan** » Tue Mar 25, 2003 5:56 pm

.hack//INFECTION (dotHack INFECTION)

Play Control -(9 of 10)-
The play control is excellent, the movement is smooth and there isn't anything that will annoy you until the end of time. The movement blends in perfectly with the graphics. The only thing that could be worked on is the method in which to defeat the monsters; after a little more than half the game, it becomes somewhat bland but still fun as hell!

Graphics -(10 of 10)-
Superb! Simply superb is it's own unique form! I have yet to see an FMV, but the in-game graphics and cut scenes, as I've said, are well done and as far as I've seen on the Playstation 2, these graphics are near perfection.

Animation -(10 of 10)-
I have also yet to see anything overlapping, like in the beginning of Final Fantasy 10 in which when Tidus puts his hand on Yuna's shoulder; the hand slightly disappears into her shoulder, and so forth with everything else: A LOT of work as put into this game. Respect it!

Music -(8 of 10)-
It has yet to get on my nerves, but sometimes it just feels out of place or you just get sick of hearing music in general you just have to turn it off. However, I seem to enjoy it all the time except for the dungeon music, which is overly bland for me. The battle music can just become a thing where you just WANT THE BATTLE TO END so you don't have to hear it any longer, though still not annoying to the point of destroying the speakers on your television.

Plot -(8 of 10 / 10 of 10)-
There are two ways to view the plot:

1. The plot alone for .hack//INFECTION doesn't really get much done however it is quite entertaining if you can figure out how to understand it. Sometimes you have to just go back to places you visited at the beginning of the game, so there is a lot a variety. Though, because most of the storyline takes place in dungeons, sometimes you just get plain sick of traveling and fighting your brains out along the way. But when you finally GET advancement in the storyline you're just like "HELL YEAH!" and want more.

2. The plot overall in the .hack game series (.hack//INFECTION, .hack//MUTATION, .hack//OUTBREAK, and .hack//QUARENTINE) is deep, innovative, completely fun, and enjoying to the very last moment! Pick these games up when you can. For the newbies to RPGs it's easy to understand after the explanations, and for those like me who have been playing RPGs since he could breathe, the annoyingness of the battles; the blandness of the battle music; and the tendencies to just go "Damnit! DIE ALREADY WILL YOU!!" will be an utter blessing!

Difficulty -(5 of 10)-
If you know what you're doing its easy as long as you level up. And for those who just don't get it, it's going to be a small struggle. But overall it's a good difficulty for those all around.

Replay Value -(7 of 10)-
Some people may have trouble replaying this game from time to time because of those irritations and limitations listed above. Some may like it because there is so much to do and explore that they'd play it over and over again just to see. This I cannot help you on, you'll have to decide yourself. But I personally would play it over and over again to see what happens within "The World".

Polish -(10 of 10)-
Great polish. I'd have to say serious thought was put into the graphics and dialogue (I play in Japanese audio with English subtitles), the English "Kite" could use some acting lessons, and the voice for Orca doesn't go THAT well with the character but then again he isn't there for long. The voice actor for Elk (the Wavemaster) is the same person (Brianne Sindall / Ian Hawk) who plays Tsukasa in the anime .hack//SIGN.

Overall: 98%
A few stray things here and there could be fixed to make it perfect. But other than that you need to play ALL of the series to get the full feel of it! Pick INFECTION up and the ones that follow if you're a RPG genre fan; you'll not regret it in the long run.

.hack//INFECTION (dotHack INFECTION)

However I put it, it's only one person's opinion. I also recommend Christopher Holzworth and Josh Gregory for a more relative view. Some have told me I'm to lenient in my opinions, and some say I'm easy. But my opinion is true to my word; it is mine and mine alone, my opinion is not not another's. Because of this I do recommend looking at Chris' and Josh's before making a decision to buy the game.

kitsune · Post by **kitsune** » Sun Mar 30, 2003 10:35 pm

i want to play that game so badly! but i really don't have the money....damn!