.Hack//G.U. Vol.1//Rebirth
CIS 587: Computer Game Design and Implementation I
Fall 2007
Barry Belcher
Instructor: Bruce Maxim
September 24, 2007
Basic Information
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Game Title: .hack//G.U. Vol.//Rebirth
Developer: Developed by CyberConnect2 Co. Ltd.
Producer NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
Genre: RPG/Adventure
Players: 1
Rating: T- Teen for Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, and
Violence
Price: $29.99 – $39.99
Platforms Supported
 Playstation® 2 (PS2) – Does run on PS3
Additional Hardware
 8Mb Memory Card (for PS2/PS3) – 489kb
Analog controller
Installation Instructions
PS2
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To save games, make sure the 8Mb memory card
is inserted in the game console. Insert the game
disc with the label side up. Follow the on-screen
instructions from this point on.
PS3
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Insert the game disc with the label side up. Follow
the on-screen instructions from this point on.
NOTE: If the PS3 is not set up to auto-load the
game, then at the home screen (Game) category
and go to the PlayStation®2 Format Disc option
and select it. Follow the on-screen instructions
from this point on.
Game Overview
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Based on the .hack// series of games and videos
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First Volume of the three volume series
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.hack//G.U.  Vol. 1//Rebirth
.hack//G.U.  Vol. 2//Reminisce
.hack//G.U.  Vol. 3//Redemption
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Series involves the online game called “The World R:2”
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Takes place after the first set of .hack// games involving
the first version of “The World”
Story Line
 In 2015 there was a fire that destroyed virtually all the
data of the original version of “The World”
 Previously, A number of people mysteriously lapsed
into comas when killed in the VR online game
 A new version “The World R:2” was created
 The original character data would not migrate into the
new so many did not subscribe to the new service
 New members subscribed, most not knowing about the
incidents in the original game
Story Line
 The World R:2” is plagued by Player-Killers, PKers,
focusing on new-comers
 Haseo, a newbie, falls victim to two PKers and was
nearly killed, but was saved by Ovan
 Haseo vows to destroy all PKers, becoming the
feared “Terror of Death”, a PKKer
 A mysterious player, Tri-Edge, kills his friend Shino
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Unlike other character kills, Shino lapses into a coma in
real life, becoming a “Lost One”
Story Line
 With the help of Ovan, Haseo enters a “Lost Area”,
fragment of data on the server from the first version
of “The World”, where he encounters Tri-Edge
 A battle ensues, and Haseo is destroyed, but unlike
other victims of Tri-Edge, he is not affected in reallife, but loses all his abilities, being reduce from
level 133 to level 1
Game Summary
Player’s Role
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You play the role of Haseo briefly in the eight
months before his fateful encounter with Tri-Edge
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The main game takes place after the encounter.
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The goal is to improve his stats and find and
destroy Tri-Edge in order to save his friend Shino
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Encounter and interact with other “Players” in his
quest to accomplish this goal
User InterfaceDesktop
User Interface The World
User Interface  Root Towns
 Enter via Chaos Gates
 Form parties
 Accept Quests
 Buy/Sell/Customize Weapons, Armor, and Items
 Interact with other characters online
 Talk with, Trade, etc.
User Interface Root Towns
User Interface  Battles
 Area Battles are done against monsters
or PKers
 There are also arena battles against
other players in the game
 Avatar Battles
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Special key setup
User Interface  Battles
Game Play  Desktop
 The World: Play "The World R:2" or view the “official” service
information
 Mail Station: The player can read various e-mails from
friends and send greeting cards to them
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How The player reacts to emails and forums affects how
other characters interact with Haseo
 News Capture: A news site that will occasionally have news
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video footage and online stream programs. Other topics
include technology articles, and other forms of media
information.
Community Forum: The player can view/reply various threads
plus “download” artwork.
Media Viewer: View movies from the game.
Accessories: Customize desktop music and wallpaper.
Data Manager: Load/Save the game.
CrimsonVS: Not available in Volume 1
Game Play  Root Towns
 The player can talk to and trade items with other
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characters
Travel is done via “Chaos Gates” between root towns,
in/out of explorer areas, or in/out of “The World”
Server locations, or “areas” consist of areas words that
are either given as part of the game, randomly selected
by the player, or specifically chose
The player can form parties for area quests, and
determine general battle strategies
Weapons and Armor can be upgraded/customized for
each member of the party
Game Play  Battle Areas
 Real-Time battles
 Party member character general battle strategies
can be changed during battle
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Character AI is good, actually contributing to the
success of battle.
Character performance in battle is also affected by
affection level towards Haseo
 There is a good cost/benefit balance in character
skills, weapons, and armor
 Enemy AI is average and the attacks are too
predictable and un-imaginative
Scoring
 Party members gain a level every 1000 points (Max level:
50 999/1000)
 Party performance ranking on (A-E, S) system in different
areas
Artwork, Sound, and Music
 The desktop artwork varies from top-
notch to sort-of childish to reflect the age
of the artist .
 The cut-scenes are very good.
 The voice-acting is well done.
 The sound effects and music were very
well done in the typical anime style.
Special Features
 Multiple Side-Quests
 The limited special edition comes with a
DVD called “End of The World” detailing
the events that lead up to .hack//G.U.
series
Manual
 The user manual provides detailed
information on the game and game
controls.
 However, some of the images were too
dark to see much detail, but the written
explanations were clear.
Bugs
 Very slight choppiness in the cut-scenes
 Some slight slow-down issues in very
heavy graphic areas
Game Review  The Good
 The desktop was a nice touch
 Solid story line
 Characters reactions and mannerisms are
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good.
Good Voice acting
The soundtrack and cut-scenes are well done.
Many side quests and good game play time
Solid user interface
Game controls are easy to use.
Game Review  The Bad
 Slight choppiness in some cut-scenes
 Some characters were over the top in behavior.
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Un-realistic fear of PKers
Some characters too stereo-typical
 Scoring system is too linear in nature
 Monster AI is only average (too easy to win)
 Not enough area-types
 Not able to disable desktop background music
Game Review  The Ugly
 CrimsonVS is displayed but not available
in Volume 1.
 The maximum achievable level too low
(only 50)
How does it Compare?
 It is better than many RPG games due to the solid
story lines, easy of use, and good character AI
 Although the cut-scenes, sound, and music is
good, not up to Final Fantasy standards
 Fans of the series will love the game and will pay
the full price (about $120 for the series), but others
may want to rent the game first.
Design Suggestions
 Improve the enemy AI.
 Improve the Area graphics
 Improve the character experience
system
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Raise the max level
Make the level acquisition less linear in
nature
 Remove non-functional links
 Tweak the storyline to be more realistic
Summary
 Overall rating (8/10)
 A must buy for fans, but others might
want to rent this first
 Overall the game was good, but there is
definitely room for improvement