AzureWolf

Alright, the reason why the games are set in four parts is that a manga is usually done in four parts: the first sets the foundation, the second builds on it, the third is the climax, and the fourth is resolution (I think I said this before... Deja Vu). So, obviously, since this is from people who do manga and anime, they wanted to tell their video game story in four parts. Granted, the first one is only about 20 hours, and the second is half that (if you use Ap Do in every dungeon), but the time is not a big deal if you really enjoy the game and story. I've found this game to be a love-hate game (i.e., there's no grey area: either you love it or you hate it). Luckily, even without the story, the game is a blast to play-at least for me. Awesome story + awesome gameplay = must get all of .hack games, haha. INFECTION, MUTATION, OUTBREAK, and QUARANTINE. So far, when you beat one, it makes you want to play the next one. The wait is going to hurt if there wasn't anything to past the time. Good thing we've got SIGN, haha. My recommendation for the games: pay attention to names when playing and watch the LIMINALITY DVD that comes with the game [I]AFTER[/I] you finish the game. Alright, I'll start babbling. Is there anything else you want to know, Hataki Vash? Feel free to ask, and I'll answer them to the best of my ability. :) EDIT: oh yeah, one more thing: if you play them in order, you can use your data from one to the other. It's cool. I'm already at level 55!

[quote]Ico makes the player think through everything and search to find the neccessary paths through the castle. You're not just beating up on bad guys to beat the game. You have to use your mind to get out of sticky situations, and it's kind of like real life (although most people don't have a set of horns and a really pale girlfriend in real life).[/quote] Ah, that sucks. I hate thinking. Why do you think I play video games? That's the time my brain takes a break, which, during the summer, is more often than naught, haha. In all seriousness, though, I guess I'll have to check Ico out. It sounds very interesting. James is 100% right in his catagorization (is that a word?). He's already said everything I would have said. However, in the hopes to add something to this discussion, I would just like to say that Nintendo seems to trek into new frontiers and is praised and ridiculed each time for doing so. "Kiddie" is just the latest label for Nintendo. We've got Windwaker: a game that takes cel-shading and creates a breathtaking gaming atmosphere. Sailing in Windwaker is surprisingly fun (dare I say, invigorating), and many people will refuse to experience it just because they are afraid to stray away from the norm or what they are used to. Almost makes you feel sad for those close-minded people... Yet again, my roommate is one of these people who refuses to accept Windwaker as a Zelda game solely because of the look (haha, my roommate seems to be a great source of angst). As long as there's no harm in it, trekking and trying new things makes you a better person. New and unique gaming experiences are no different. Which reminds me, Jet Set Radio Future: a recommendation to open-minded individuals for a truly great gaming experience.

I personally prefer GBA. The GC really only has Zelda: The Windwaker going for it. Besides that, there's nothing worthwhile on GC, not to mention the fact that the controller really bites for other games (Zelda always seems to manipulate bad controllers best, haha). GBA all the way!!!

[quote]Nightmare is crazy good in SC2! He is top tier and rightfully should be, he has savage mix ups, damage, and range[/quote] That's so true. Nightmare is a step above all of the characters in Soul Caliber. He's got range, power, [I]and[/I] speed. Siegfried has to be one of, if not the, toughest character to play against. I personally prefer Hwang because of his style and character, but even ignoring that, there's something about Siegfried that I just dislike. Maybe he's too perfect? haha, I wish I was as good as I am now when that tournament was here. Seriously, who's going to master a game in three days after its release (yes, the tournament took place three days after DC and SC's release)?! Sorry if it sounds like I'm bragging, but competing is something I love to do. For example, I played Dead or Alive 2 extensively, even though I despised its excessive lack of ethics (Hayabusa is friggin' awesome!). Man, DOA is so slow compared to SC, and yet it was haled so highly...

Darn, I can't find it any more. Maybe it was an April's Fool Joke... Anyway, I've heard that, while there has been no official announcment, the rights to the name "Chrono Break" have been bought. That might have been an April's Fool Joke since I can't find it anymore, so tread with caution. :(

As I said before, the games are at the center of the .hack story. So, it would only be right that the characters from SIGN would be a part of it. Anyway, here's the corollary to your pic, so to speak. I've already seen most, if not all, of the SIGN characters in the game, so yeah, that's real.

[quote]Okay, first and foremost, you've totally misunderstood my post. I explained, quite clearly, the fact that I dislike the way some anime fans complain about American cartoons and nearly die if anyone dares compare Western cartoons to Japanese anime. I mean, please...just read my original post again. Don't quote me and call me close-minded, only to make the exact same point that I was already making.[/quote] !@#$@!^#$^&). Geez, that's the third time! haha, I'm glad it's not, "three strikes and you're out!" I'm really sorry about that. That "that" in the sentence makes all the difference in the world. I thought you were saying "And, btw, calling an anime a 'cartoon' is offensive." Still, forget the quote and the "close-minded" comment, and the rest of the post still stands good on its own. :D [quote]I honestly don't think anime fans are more open minded. So you like some anime and manga... good job. Suddenly you're obsessed with their culture to a very superficial extent, yet still think you're well versed in every aspect of their lives.[/quote] Alright, everyone seems to agree with this idea. I ask, however, what are you talking about? I hate to be labeled as one of your aforementioned "worshippers," but I've always had an interest in Japan, one that started way before I saw or knew anime. I loved martial arts when I was a wee lad, and then video games were born (I know, I know, the first video game was made by an non-Japanese, but I hated it. The good ones were from Japan, haha). Just because I have a greater interest in a culture that first lived by the sword, and then rose to become the only modernized, non-Western country in the world doesn't mean you are worshipping another country. Screw that, I don't worship any country-not even my own. What I care about is something greater than that: the human spirit. Throughout the history of all countries stands a testament to the ability of man. I'm not going to get into how religion should be the top priority for all persons since some of you might be atheists (as well as trying not to stray too far away from topic). Japan is a very interesting country. I'm not saying others are not, but seeing as how Japan is the primary source for my primary interests, why the hell would I treat it the same as a country I could care less about? Some people may like it better than whatever country they live in. So what? I can't handle Japan's relative lack of morals, so I would never think of living there, but it wouldn't hurt to visit. ;) America is great: there's no doubt about that. I bet you are just making the assumption that your "fanatical" friends like Japan better. Why don't you ask them directly? If they do say Japan, remind them of one man: Alexander "friggin' brilliant" Hamilton, and then remind them also that Japan has a statue of good ol' Abe Lincoln at the center of Tokyo (or Kyoto, whichever's the more cultural).

[strike][quote]And that calling anime a "cartoon" is horribly offensive. Such people are, in my opinion, far from "open minded".[/quote] ::Sigh:: Not to be rude, but that is truly one of the most "close-minded" things I've ever heard. As if anime and cartoons are any different: drawn motion entertainment. Whether you like it or not, anime is just the Japanese way of saying cartoon. Years back, Tom and Jerry was rated as the most popular ANIME in Japan. If an American draws it, or a Japanese draws it: are we so prejudiced that we have to segregate these categories? :confused: US otakus only separate the two for simplicity's sake, but there's nothing offensive about keeping them in the same boat.[/strike] I would have to say, after a year with my roommate, that anime surely must make you more open-minded. Good God, I've never seen a more close-minded :butthead:-hole! He worshipped anything and everything as long as it was not made in Japan. He fervently believed that anime and anything else he has never seen is either not worthy of his time, or a blatant rip-off of something he's seen that is better. The same applied for video games. He would hate my mention that games were from Japan, probably hiding with the illusion that the best parts were put in the US. He didn't say this, but it was clearly implied by his actions and consistent bashing of anything I liked, not to mention he seemed to continuously watch, read, and show me Japanese-targetted jokes (bad grammar, accents, etc.). He would introduce me to so much garbage, and I would be nice about it, but I could not introduce him to anything without being mocked. Oh well, I got him back my own way, haha. :blowingup :angel: Maybe you are open-minded because you are willing to watch anime in the first place. Whatever the case, I've seen too many like my roommate to think that people who don't watch anime don't let culture and language be a barrier to entertainment.

Alright, using my great, great intuition, I've concluded that most of you have never played the .hack games. :D As a person who has played the games, I know that there's only one valid reason why you wouldn't: you don't have a PS2. The first .hack game takes roughly 20 hours, while the second takes only 10 (well, if you use Ap Do everytime, haha). That amount of time can easily fit in one rental. If you are going to play the game only for the story, you've got even less time. Those who have played the .hack games can vouch for them. The games ARE at the center of the .hack story (I know this because of a video interview), and the story is more than enough reason to play the games. They also give you a greater grasp/understanding of "The World" and the .hack//SIGN anime, so there's yet another plus. Granted, I do like the gameplay too, but that's besides the point of this thread. So, I ask those of you who have not yet played the games, for one reason or another, "why haven't you?"

[quote]Guess what I read in a magazine? It said that .Hack was INSPIRED by the Matrix! Yeah! Does that answer all your questions?[/quote] What magazine was that? It sounds like total bull, first off. :o Secondly, I've seen a more reliable source for what "INSPIRED" .hack: a video feed interview of ALL THREE CREATORS! haha, sorry, I'll quit mocking the CAPS usage. For each creator, the INSPIRATION for .hack was MMORPGs and NOT THE MATRIX (sorry, last time, I promise :) ). Well, refer to my first post on this thread if you wish to hear the rest of the poor-and-played argument that the Matrix and .hack have any relation whatsoever. Sigh... Just because the Matrix has people trapped in a virtual world doesn't mean that anything that has a virtual world was inspired or ripped from the Matrix. You might as well say our real world, since it has a virtual (well, digital) world and real world, was inspired by the Matrix.

[quote]well, im getting confussed about the Tsukasa Gender stuff. You have to think a lot. and im not sure if im real good at that[/quote] Haha, I'm sorry. I guess I was overanalyzing. I didn't mean to confuse you. However, after reading over what I said to make sure I didn't do anything wrong or badly (since you said thinking about Tsukasa's gender is confusing), I now believe more than ever that Tsukasa is a girl. Why? Because if you read that one thing I said (haha, quoting myself): [quote]when I first saw the ending scene for episode 1, I figured that was Tsukasa since you don't even know about people getting unconscious by just playing a game. Then you find out in episode 2 that Silver Knight is out cold, so since that chronologically happened in the right order, you conclude that the Silver Knight was the slain girl. That's what I've been thinking this whole time. Why? Because the style of presentation throughout .hack//SIGN seems to be that real world events happen at the time of their occurrence unless it is one of Tsukasa's memories. How can being unconscious be a memory?[/quote] The answer to that question is obvious (can't believe I didn't see it before): it's not a memory, and it doesn't contradict the style of presentation. What I didn't realize before is that you can fall unconscious, but that doesn't mean the medics and police will be there at the same time. Tsukasa falls unconscious at the beginning of episode 1, but no one finds him until the end. As I said before, Silver Knight acts a little too stubborn and tight-:butthead: to be a girl. Tsukasa, on the other, has a much more passable character for a girl. Booya! :smirk: Well, only time will tell if we're right or wrong, haha. [quote]I know the chracter at the end is Helba...... right? But i dont understand how she can warp into a dungeon. I thought she was just a hacker. Or can hackers warp into dungeons? Im so confussed, Helba's out fit scares me.[/quote] A hacker can do anything they want to, if they know how to. There's an old programming statement that I'm going to paraphrase: "You can do anything with programming. The trick is figuring out how." So, yeah, of course Helba could do something that simple. Granted, this is supposed to be the "perfect" OS system, but that's why Helba's a legendary hacker, haha.

[quote]After playing the game? Oops...I watched it before and I had no clue what was going on. Mutation is a really cool game in my opinion but since it's so close to the first game, I think they should have made all of this into one box set. (Like Arc the Lad.)[/quote] In an interview, they said they considered that, but the cost would scare fans and players alike. Also, one of the creators (I think the writer) said that he wanted to make the games play as if you were reading manga: the first part starts the story, the second builds on that foundation, the third is the climax, and the last is the resolution of everything. I understand where you are coming from, but aren't the suspense at the end of both games worth it? Now I can't wait, haha. [quote]1. In Infection, there was a floating mummy. Now there's some sort of strange whale floating around in some of the areas. Is this in any way similiar to the mummy?[/quote] In the Delta servers, yes there is a Giant Mummy rotating in the air. In the Theta server, there is a floating castle. Now, in the Lambda server, there's that whale thing. The following is for only people who have beaten one game or the other (or both): [spoiler]In the first one, you went to the Mummy place, but you could see the floating castle in the Theta server. In the second one, you go to the floating castle (which is actually a city), but you see the "whale" in the Lambda server. Now, guess what happens in the third game? :) [/spoiler] [quote]2. Is there an item that is named after your character? My name in the game is Geist, and I've seen some people with a pair of gauntlets named, "Geist Ring" for trade. This isn't a coincidence, is it? (That would be strange if it was.)[/quote] Not surprisingly, there are arms and armors that are named after players (or vice-versa). Is Geist a certain character? There are a few popular references here and there, but the only named-after gear I remember at the moment is Benkei Guard (after Benkei, of course). That's a good observation, haha.

Same thing happened to me, buddy. Well, it was just that we were in the same city, but too far to meet each other without parental driving. I didn't see my friend again until High School. I was overjoyed when I did-until I realized that he wasn't the friend that moved away. :( A drinker, a smoker, a troublemaker, a bad student, and a "rebel." Man, such a change. We said our hello's and goodbye's, and neither of us turned back when we left HS. If that wasn't enough, history repeats itself. Me and my best friend (this was my next best friend, which started around 6th grade after the aforementioned friend left) had a fight, and when we finally apologized to each other, we weren't friends anymore. Now, my only real friend is someone who is going to college in another state. We still talk and what-not via the miracle of the internet, so I hope he hasn't changed when we finally meet again. :D haha, the moral of my story? Don't lose touch with your friend, alright?

[quote]ii rather thought that the voices came from aura (the sleeping character).[/quote] Huh? What voices are you talking about? :huh: [quote]well, I dont think Tsukasa can remember his real life self, Magic Raditz. and sense Tsukasa(the chracter in "the world") is a boy, Tsukasa thinks he is a boy. I think over all he has some kind of Amesia (sp?) but i do think that Tsukasa in real life is a girl. being Aura is a girl and a few other reasons.[/quote] haha, why didn't I come to that conclusion? That makes sense. However, when you look back at some of the episodes, Tsukasa only remembers real life things (as well as some other things) when someone says something that might spark a memory. For example, that Japanese station/square (or whatever place Mimuru mentioned and Tsukasa remembered) made Tsukasa think. Mimiru and Bear have mentioned Tsukasa's user's gender more than enough times to make Tsukasa remember, don't you think? Then again, that question never "sparked" a thought as it was just a reflex response. Looks like a stalemate again, haha. More things to consider about Tsukasa's gender: First off, Tsukasa can't remember much until people start mentioning things that spark memories. He woke up as a boy, so it may be possible that he forgot his gender since he couldn't even remember what he was doing in "The World" (or what he did in "The World" before he woke up). Secondly, when I first saw the ending scene for episode 1, I figured that was Tsukasa since you don't even know about people getting unconscious by just playing a game. Then you find out in episode 2 that Silver Knight is out cold, so since that chronologically happened in the right order, you conclude that the Silver Knight was the slain girl. That's what I've been thinking this whole time. Why? Because the style of presentation throughout .hack//SIGN seems to be that real world events happen at the time of their occurrence unless it is one of Tsukasa's memories. How can being unconscious be a memory? It makes more sense if that was the Silver Knight. Yeah, I know, freaky relation for Subaru, but I figure the user is just one of those obsessed fans. Then again, the Silver Knight's character (as in attitude) is too masculine. [quote]Yeah, I think she is. IIRC, in the ads I have seen for .Hack//Infection they show the characters facing someone that looks just like the "informant" in this episode. I find this strange because in the pictures of that scene (from the game) it looks as if the character are afraid of her (almost as though she were an enemy). Oh, well. Hopefully the answers will come later in the show.[/quote] :eek: You guys gotta be kidding me... Well, it's not supposed to be a spoiler since you are expected to figure out or know who she is. Alright, since most of you seem to not have played the games, let's look at the scene. Bear's in a dungeon, and he asks for the informant to show herself, and then when she does, he wonders how someone could "teleport" into the middle of a dungeon since a normal character cannot. Hmm... someone who breaks the system rules... sounds like a hacker... Also, for the games, you aren't really scared of Helba as you are shocked by her arrival and knowledge. She befriends you early in the game, so this isn't a spoiler either. Lastly, at E3, the plans for .hack//SIGN's DVD release were changed. Please check out the [I].hack//SIGN DVD's[/I] thread for the full scoop.

haha, what you heard was probably one of those sales analysts. Yes, I've heard more than enough of them suggesting Nintendo to take the third-party way out (like sega did) and forget consoles. However, that's only because of the recent sales reports: 75% of console market PS2, 13% GC, and 12% Xbox. You see, percentage-wise, it looks like Nintendo's finished, but it's actually that the PS2 is doing phenomenally well. What these percentages don't tell you are the actual numbers. The GC is doing better than the N64, and what you have to remember is that Nintendo has something that neither PS2 nor Xbox can boast: the largest loyal fanbase. No matter what kind of gamer you are, there's always a game that makes you say, "Man, that was such an awesome game." There's yet to be a Nintendo system that didn't have at least one of those kinds of games. Lastly, Nintendo's got a force that will ensure its stay for years to come. No, I'm not talking about Nintendo's monopoly of the handheld market. I'm talking about Pokemon! Believe it or not, Pokemon is still going strong, and while it may have passed its peak, it's no where near "unpopular."

::sigh:: I'm just ticked that there's no more Hwang (although rumor has it that he's coming back for the US release! Woo-hoo!). Yeah, yeah, Yunsung is just a palette-swap of Hwang. Bull... YunSUCK doesn't hold a candle to Hwang. I always pick my characters for balanced fighting games with what I call the "coolness factor," which is based on story, character (as in a person's character), morality, and just plain coolness. Anyway, I hear that Hwang is kind of already in the game as that Assassin fellow (i.e., Hwang will have all of Assassin's moves). oh well, until the US release (or never, if the rumor's false), I'll just have to find a new favorite. There's really no one who matches my kind of character, so it really bites. It looks like I'll have to just either use Siegfried or Raphael. Problem with Siegfried is that he's just too darn easy to use: you don't need to think with him at all. As for Raphael, he's a twisted dude (story-wise). Not only that, but I'm finding that he's too linear of a fighter, so side-stepping really hurts.

[quote]Also, I am beginning to think that Aura in the show, the little floating girl who never awakens is Tsukasa in the real world...[/quote] Hmm... that's sounds like a perfectly nice idea, but when combined with [quote]I really like the relationship between him and Mimiru. I hope it turns into more than friends.[/quote] it sounds like you either want both things to happen :eek: or you can't decide what you think is happening. haha, I'm just pulling your leg. But seriously, which one is it? Is Tsukasa a girl, or are you expecting Mimiru and Tsukasa to become more than friends? I agree with you about the "He is becoming so nice and social now" part, but that change had a long time coming with all those depressing memories of what happened to the user (the real person who plays as Tsukasa). Relating two scenes: the cat in the alley in real life and the grunty in episode 9 that Tsukasa fails to take care of. As much as Tsukasa appears to be withdrawn and self-absorbed, there's a hidden, selfless nature that seems to be emerging. That grunty episode showed Tsukasa's nobility. Simply put, Tsukasa's user is probably a considerate, anti-social person who had a bad experience with the real world. The [I]Party[/I] episode was packed with character development: we find out that Tsukasa's mother died, and, from real world memories, that Tsukasa's father is a drunk jerk (was he the one asking to pull the plug?!). Obviously, the mother was the only connecting thread for Tsukasa's family. In turn, Tsukasa considers adults to be selfish, and Mimiru challenges whether Tsukasa's own actions are any different. Tsukasa's searching for happiness: something he couldn't find in the real world (or lost?). What bothers me are the events that happen between Aura in the anime and Aura in the game. If she was part of making Tsukasa happy, then did Tsukasa ever find happiness? Aura has left that place that Tsukasa stays, so whatever that "motherly" voice promised would happen didn't happen, because Aura did not stay with Tsukasa and that ominous voice. [quote]I still have not seen evidence that Tsukasa is a girl in real life...as far as everyone says,I think I missed that in episode 12. [/quote] You probably didn't miss it, but you just had to put two and two together. Like I said before, the Party episode you find out quite a few specific things about Tsukasa's bio. There are very few people in Tsukasa's condition, so what are the chances that two of those few people have a dead mother and a negligent father (and other stuff like Tsukasa's user lives in Japan, but I think you get the idea)? Very slim. That's how Bear said he had no doubt since there's very little chance of so many things would relate to two random people. Anyway, I have to disagree with your Aura theory as well as your Tsukasa's a girl theory. I've played the games and I've seen Aura awake, so that can't be the case (don't worry, that's not a spoiler since you see her at the very beginning of INFECTION). As for Tsukasa being a girl, as I said for the previous episode thread, the chances of you finidng the wrong person is probably larger than you not knowing what gender you are. How could Tsukasa forget? That doesn't make sense. Also, today, Tsukasa said he was a boy reflexively: he just said it like you would correct someone if they said, "The cows was dead." Again, these are just my two cents, so you could be right, haha. I'm just saying some things are highly doubtful.

[quote]Still no Torrential Tribute in restricted. Ah well. I guess it's because it's activated when your opponent summons a monster as opposed to any time- when activating it you wouldn't be getting rid of that many monsters, I suppose. I'm a little surprised that Tribute to the Doomed isn't restricted, but meh.[/quote] It's really just the difference between concept and application. While Torrential tribute seems like a trap version of dark hole, it really isn't. The two problems are: it needs to be set for one turn, and it needs a monster to be summoned. Suppose your opponent is obliterating you with an SS and another monster, and you draw TT. Unless you summon a monster and then activate TT, there's not much you can do, and you'd have to wait one turn anyway. You also have to hope that your opponent doesn't destroy TT for that one turn, and that's all-too common nowadays with the abundance of MST's. Lastly, keep in mind that most players are capable of more than one summon per turn, so if you pull TT too early, you've just left yourself open. TT, contrary to popular belief, is a far cry from Dark Hole... Tribute to the Doomed will never be restricted. Why? Simply because of the discarding cost. Limiting your hand limits your options, and therefore three TotD's would just be suicide. As versatile as it is, it requires you to lose another card. Two cards for one of your opponent's cards... This adds up as the game progresses. [quote]If TTTD was restricted, so would Magic Jammer and Offerings. They all involve discarding cards or skipping draw phases.[/quote] The same goes for MJ and Offering. The cost of MJ and the consequence of offering may not bear its teeth when you use them, but they will bite you in the rear later. Funny, I don't have any of these cards in my deck. I used to have MJ, but discarding hurts too much. :blackeye:

I don't really understand the point of this challenge. If it was the "don't use any staple that is super rare or above" challenge to make a point, but not using staples that are readily available to anyone. If you can't even afford a starter deck, then you shouldn't be playing... The list and challenge would make more of a point if it didn't have cards that are common. Here's a more "point-making" list: Raigeki Mirror Force Magic Jammer (it's a common now, but let's let it slide since it's only in one starter) Jinzo Magic cylinder Swords of Revealing Light Imperial Order Mystical Space Typhoon (same as Magic Jammer) Seven Tools of the Bandit (same as MJ) Gemini Elves Axe of Despair Graceful Charity (same as MJ) Heavy Storm Harpie's Feather Duster Sinister Serpant Torriential Tribute Really, what point are you trying to make? If you were tyring to make the point that it's impossible to make a decent deck without an exorbant amount of cash or luck, then there's no point in putting things that can easily be obtained. If the list was like the one I just made, then I could show you a good deck, haha. :)

[quote]i think making the world now will be a shame, maybe later on it will be as it is expected from the fans... the expactation is far too high , and outting the world in a pc or any consule xcept for VR wich is not enough developed yet...[/quote] I have to disagree with the majority here. PSO was a huge success, and I could never figure out why. Then, when the time came, they made another iteration that was better (but still stucked IMO). Squaresoft is even worse (THE worst. yes, even worse than Capcom), with endless iteration after iteration. With new technology and what-not, they were able to recreate the game closer to what they wanted each time they remake. If you don't think they'll be another series of FF remakes (for each of the PSX games and before), then you don't know Squaresoft's milking ability, haha. Anyway, my point is that they could make "The World" right now. Granted, the current control scheme (that's in the .hack video games) would be insufficient, but I have an idea that involes select being like a CAPS button for new characters. It may seem really complicated at first, but it will make the game play like a dream when you get used to it. The game is released, played, and hopefully becomes popular. Then when this VR technology comes along (i.e., new technology), it wouldn't be hard at all to breathe new life into "The World" by creating a version that is on par with what the anime has.

Very, very interesting. You learn the same thing in the video games, you know: you used to combine multiple characters to create a field, so an immeasurable amount of areas are now inaccessible. This episode appeared to have focused around B.T. and her resourcefulness. Man, she's a jerk, but she's also clever. She probably doesn't have many friends, instead just enemies who are close, haha. An analysis and the history of "The World." That was very nice. Also, that was really cool where Tsukasa realizes he's NOT the mermaid. Booya! I never agreed with that story relating to Tsukasa in the first place. That ominous voice just wants to keep Tsukasa there! :mad: And what's up with Maha? Man, that cat was SO pissed at the end. Freaky... I thought Maha was cool, but now I think [spoiler]Maha's the same as that ominous voice-or maybe the physical embodiment of it?[/spoiler] Meh, could be, but then that would destroy my [I]other[/I] theory, haha. Well, not really, but it wouldn't make much sense. This episode relates to the video games so much, so it was pretty cool. I don't know if we can talk about the relations, so I won't bother, haha.

[quote]YES ITS OUT NOW.... :jumps for joy: YAY. Ive been waiting so long to get because I have infection and I absolutley loove it. I hope mutation is just as good.[/quote] Unfortunately, as short has .hack//INFECTION was, MUTATION is even shorter. Then again, don't go through the entire game with Ap Do, haha. :) Even still, story-wise as well as gameplay-wise, it is shorter than INFECTION. I highly recommend you watch MUTATION'S LIMINALITY DVD [I]after[/I] playing through the game. Trust me. ;)

I know there's very little chance of it happening, nor would I actually ever play a game that keeps taking your money after you have paid for the game itself (i.e., EverQuest, PSO ver. 2, etc.). However, I was looking at the .hack//MUTATION registration card, and one of the questions intrigued me: "Would you buy an online version of .hack?" Are they just asking this question, or is Bandai and CC2 seriously considering creating "The World?"

[quote]Ok Im just making sure but, .hack infection is part of the .hack project right because my brother said it want and I just want to know.[/quote]Ironically, the .hack games are the center of Project .hack. Chronologically, the .hack games are as follows: INFECTION, MUTATION, OUTBREAK, QUARANTINE. As much as it suprised me as it will you, .hack//LIMINALITY happens AROUND the same time as the game they come with (i.e., they don't neccesarily happen at the same time). You figure this out if you play the game first and then watch the LIMINALITY DVD that comes with it. For INFECTION, LIMINALITY occurs after you meet Mia and Elk. For MUTATION, LIMINALITY occurs immediately after the end of the game. Apparently, .hack//SIGN will cover the story of Tsukasa. However, for Project .hack in its entirety, SIGN focuses on [spoiler]Aura. Well, at least I think so, since so far, she's the only link between the anime and the games, except for Balmung and Orca. She is important for Tsukasa's happiness afterall (according to that ominous voice), and there she is in the games running around w/o Tsukasa.[/spoiler] Lastly, .hack//DUSK isn't a poor fan translation. On the contrary, it is actually the fan-created short name for .hack//Legend of the Twilight Bracelet. It's a nick-name, nothing else. I would hit someone before talking about .hack//DUSK and repeated saying, "Legend of the Twilight Bracelet is blah blah blah so, I think Legend of the Twilight Bracelet is blah blah blah." God, that would be so annoying.

[strike]The release system for .hack//SIGN in the US is as follows: [I]Vol. 1: Eps. 1-5.[/I] Limited Edition version comes with a unique .hack box to put your .hack//SIGN DVD collection into + a grunty plush doll toy, .hack//SIGN original soundtrack Vol. 1, stickers and postcards, and a .hack//SIGN T-shirt. That's the reason why you will see this Volume going for around 40-50 bucks. Standard comes with just a DVD. Standard version should be around 20. [I]Vol. 2: Eps. 6-10[/I] Limited Edition version comes with the .hack//SIGN original soundtrack Vol. 2. This version only be around 30-35 bucks tops, so if you find a higher price, you are getting ripped. Standard comes with just a DVD, 20 bucks. [I]Vol. 3: Eps. 11-15[/I] Limited Edition version comes with the .hack//LIMINALITY original soundtrack (Vol. 1?) + a Mini CD Single of .hack//LIMINALITY (whatever the hell that is, haha). Should be 30-35. Standard comes with just a DVD, 20 bucks. [I]Vol. 4: Eps. 16-20[/I] Limited Edition version comes with yet another soundtrack, although I don't know which one. How much music does .hack have?! Still should be around 30-35. Standard, 20 bucks. [I]Vol. 5: Eps. 21-25[/I] Limited Edition version comes with (you guessed it) an unnamed soundtrack, 30-35 bucks. Standard, still 20. [I]Vol. 6: Eps. 26-29?[/I] Limited Edition version comes with another unknown soundtrack + a box for the .hack soundtrack collection. Don't know how much this one is going to cost. Standard will be still 20. Now, the reason why I have a question mark for which episodes Vol. 6 will have is because nothing about eps. 28 and 29 has been revealed for the US. Eps. 27 has already been confirmed to be in Vol. 6, but having just two episodes in one DVD sounds like a rip, so I figure that 28 and 29 will be put into the US release of .hack. Hope that helps![/strike] Update: At E3, plans for .hack//SIGN's DVD release have changed: [quote][I]From AnimeonDVD.com:[/I] The open Q&A session began next. Just four .hack//SIGN soundtracks will be released in the special editions. A box will come to hold the soundtracks in volume 6. Volume 5 might contain a box for the Playstation games. Jerry denied any knowledge of Love Hina Again, and suggested going to the Production I.G. panel. ............ The .hack//SIGN episode that was a bonus for the preorder in Japan will see a release in the US. The other two extra episodes are a separate license in Japan, and will require another license. Plushies like Grunty take five months to create. Also, Jerry said someone has the .hack manga. (TokyoPop)[/quote]