If you're looking for a nice, solid RPG, check out .hack: Infection. Otherwise, this game can be safely overlooked.
User Rating: 8.1 | .hack//Infection Part 1 PS2
.hack Part I is the intro to a 4-part series by Bandai. it is also one of those games where first impressions actually matter: in the first couple of hours, you'll either you love it or hate it. if you are a solid RPG fan, then trying this game out wouldn't hurt a bit. it's real-time gameplay system differs from the usual, and its simulated-MMORPG environment makes it stand out from the rest. if you're also a fan of complex and intricately-composed stories, then .hack will satisfy your needs. however, if you'd rather get straight to the juicy action and could care less about what happens to the game's characters in the end, then this game is not for you. .hack's story is one of the leading qualities it has to offer, so if you're not all too interested, then you'll find yourself playing a pretty monotonous game. moving on to graphics, i was rather disappointed by .hack's visuals. the cutscenes are okay, and can even be considered great, but gameplay visuals are somewhere around mediocre. overall sound is pretty impressive here, as .hack pretty much does a good job in both BGM music and character voices. you'll find other things to care about while you play the game, but if you pay attention to the specifics, then you'll also find that the sound is one of the many jewels of this game. other factors of .hack part I such as sidequests, extras, and other goodies see this game rated at a solid 8.1. all told, this intro to .hack has something in store for any RPG fan. if utterly despise RPGs however, then this game is not for you. for all you other "semi-RPG" fans who loved stuff like Kingdom Hearts but never really got into FFX, then I'd advise you rent the game first and judge for yourself.
