.hack, Part 2: Mutation

For those of you who are come lately, this game is a game about playing a virtual role game called 'The World.' This is much like the online games currently available, but with better immersion. Something has gone awry in the game and players are being attacked by mutated monsters that can leave them permanently comatose. Kite, BlackRose, and a host of other player characters form a team that undertake both the central game quests, and get to play in randomly generated dungeons as well for leveling up. There is also a set of side quests that provide a distraction from the occasionally tedious character development.

Story is managed by cut scenes. One of the very positive things about this series is that the developers did not give in to the current fascination with long running cut scenes that overwhelm the action. Essentially this a hack/slash/magic game with a novel plot within a plot, solid graphics, and interesting characters. It is part of an entire marketing approach that includes the game, an included OVA, a TV series, and a set of music CD's. While the game is not the best component (I like the series and the OVA better) it provides strong, interesting play.

The included segment of the OVA ("The Case of Yuki Aihara") is an extension of the first segment and takes place in the 'real' world, where a group of people are trying to find out why their friends are going into comas. This provides a nice balance to the fantasy environment of the game and the TV series. The DVD also includes some interesting interviews, but they come dangerously close to giving away too much of the plot, which will become more and more focused on the players and the conflict between their roles in both the game and the real world as .hack moves along. But, there promises to be plenty of monster slayage as well. And at the end of a long day, nothing satisfies like chopping up a giant glowing lizard with a whirling combination of knife thrusts.


Fans of Infection will love the continued gameplay   July 6, 2003
Lisa Shea
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

This sequel to .hack Infection picks up where the first game left off - and even lets you import your character to continue the adventure! For new players, the game nicely provides you with all the mail messages, board posts and other content from the first game, so you can at least try to catch up a bit with the story. It provides you with a character up to the challenge of this next level.

In graphics, gameplay, user experience and interface, .mutation is exactly the same as .infection was. This game is a 'storyline expansion' to the first game, using the same engine.

People unhappy with the first game probably won't buy the second game, so the audience for game 2 is pretty much self selecting. People who loved the first game and didn't want the experience to end will be thrilled. Instead of most games where you put hours of time and energy into a character, only to have the game stop, you can keep playing for weeks more. And of course, when you're through with this one, there'll be another one out in the fall!


The continuation of the .hack video game series for PS2   May 15, 2003
11 out of 14 found this review helpful

.hack//mutation is another wonderous game for Play Station Two. The series starts out with .hack//infection, and continues on for another two games, which have not been released in America yet. As I beleive they have only been released in Japan, the birthplace of .hack and anime.

The game starts out right after the storyline ends with .hack//infection. The .hack story is about a mysterious item called the Key of the Twilight which co-exists in "The World" an online game RPG, or more commenly referred to as MMORPG. The game itself in real life is a simulated MMORPG. Let me take this time to explain a little but about the real world in 2007+ [when this game takes place]. A deadly computer virius called "Pluto's Kiss" ravaged the online world, resulting in sudden ultra-violet flares from computer screens. This resulted in millions of cases of blindness, and 7 deaths. All internet usage is unspeakable. In 2007, CC Corporation makes a game called "Fragment". By 2009 over 10,000,000 copies are sold, and the game is re-titled "The World" Through the shows, games, and Manga a select group of players slowly uncoveres the mystery of the key of the twilight, and Aura.

Now for the game, it has an excellent storyline, with excellent music, and excellent graphics. The main characters Kite, and Blackrose have the same features as the previous game, which is good in my opinion.

I would write more but the review space dosnt let me, and I would be spoiling it. The great thing about the series is, if you beat .hack//infection you can transfer the data to .hack//mutation and continue where you left off.

Thats all, regards, Oriellien Calvert.


Best Series Game Ever   March 10, 2003
Joe Timber (USA)
10 out of 40 found this review helpful

I've never played a game like it, you have a good base line of characters and an awsome fighting system. Man I can't believe such a game this good exists! I dont want to spoil any "surprises" in this game, so I need to say that this is a must have game. If you have a birthday coming up after May, definetely include this on your birthday list!!!


.hack//Mutation   April 16, 2004
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

.hack//Mutation is the sequal to .hack//infection. This game is so much fun you still have all of your member addresses whicth you had in the previsous game. And you start at Level 30 so you can go to stronger dungen levels and more infected areas. If you liked the first one you will like the seocond one more.