DESCRIPTION

Picking up seven years after the original four-game series, .hack//G.U. Vol. 1: Rebirth transports players back to "The World," a fictional online video game. Players take on the persona of Haseo, a gamer whose character has been brutalized by a mysterious figure. Haseo loses all of his experience and must begin again at level one. Meanwhile, his friend who was adventuring with him is attacked by the same enemy and put into a "real-life" coma. It is Haseo who must find the mysterious avatar responsible by searching through "The World."

There are plenty of recognizable people and places for Haseo to see, however, he can also explore additional content, such as guilds and the Arena. Guilds are groups composed of affiliated players who share a private room known as "@Home," where they may conduct business. The Arena is located in the city of Lumina Cloth and consists of three palaces: Demon Palace, Holy Palace, and Sage Palace. Gamers engage in three-on-three battles here, in the hopes of becoming emperors of one of these strongholds.

Haseo can travel on foot, by bicycle, or through the Chaos Gate, which leads to "lost grounds" such as the Hulle Granz Cathedral and the Arche Koeln Waterfall. From time to time, information is sent to Haseo's mail station. He may read e-mails sent to him and send greeting cards. Haseo may also direct his attention to "Online Jack," an in-game web show hosted by Salvador Aihara. The show is about Doll Syndrome, a disease spreading among children, and Aihara believes the affliction is connected to online gaming.

Players who have saved game data from the original series can plug it into .hack//G.U. Vol. 1: Rebirth and receive a special item. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide