.hack Part 3: OUTBREAK - PS2

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Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Adventure: Role Playing
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Bandai Soft. Co.: Bandai
Publishers: Atari (GB)
Released: 10 Sept 2004 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 12+, ESRB Teen 13+ (T)
Accessories: Memory Card
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only

Summary

The .hack saga from Bandai, though split into four separate RPG offerings, is essentially one massive adventure that sees players take up the role of Kite as he enters his own MMORPG to discover the mysteries of how a massively multi-player epic called The World is affecting its players in real life. Many questions were raised Part 1, some were answered in Part 2, but the quest is still wide open as we get to grips with .hack Part 3.

In the third chapter of the .hack saga, The World continues to deteriorate as the lethal virus spreads out of control. Is there a way to stop this outbreak? Where does the answer to the mystery lie? You'll have to fight through contaminated cyberspace as you confront and eliminate virtual foes and unlock codes to hack even more environments. Will you ever find out who or what is behind this nightmare?

Who knows? But as a game there's plenty to be getting on with. Like Part 2, .hack Part 3 allows players to retain their character levels and items from the previous games in order to deliver a sense of continuity. But this also means players unfamiliar with Parts 1 and 2 will find Part 3 considerably challenging. Though the RPG format of the .hack series as a whole is complex, players lacking the tutorials and experience of the first two games may find themselves struggling. The best approach really is to buy the first game and work your way through - not just because the game will be made easier, but because players will appreciate and understand the game's story and play mechanic much more.

Outbreak bears witness to a variety of new features that sees Kite interacting with new characters, venturing into new territory and gaining access higher level magic and summon spells. More of the questions raised in the previous instalments are answered, and the adventure drives the story ever closer to the series showdown to be witnessed in Part 4.

Having played the .hack series as individual games, it's easy to see why Bandai chose the split the adventure into four parts. Is Part 3 the best in the series? That's a matter of opinion, but it's definitely worth finding out.