.HACK//G.U. Last Recode (PS4)

The reemergence of ".HACK//G.U." on the PS4 is a welcome sight, especially for a guy like me who missed out the first time around. It is a complete reissue that holds up quite nicely to today's quality standards, and includes the entire series in upscaled graphics along with some bonus content for a less than retail pricing in an impressively polished package. The series as a whole does what anime and games like "Sword Art Online" do, but in a much more intelligent and mature manner. Dare I say a darker manner. The series as a whole encompasses an ever changing virtual world in which a protagonist known as Haseo faces moral dilemma, and real world threats that impact the lives of those engaged in the ongoing ordeal. The journey is one that harkens back to an earlier state of internet social media when forums and email interactions were in a more primitive state. Through a mock OS interface, and dives into the virtual world the game touches base on current world technological advances and the concerns therein. All while discussing the nature of online freedoms, the policing of online and offline social interactions as well the ramifications that something as seemingly harmless as an online video game can have on real world society.

The gameplay is a mixture of long lived cinematics and interactive gameplay elements from the PS2 era revived in glorious new rendering. It includes short lived objective based dungeon outings built on password style access, and an interactive mock OS dashboard which allows access to a ton of behind-the-scenes content meant to breath life into the world that the developer has created. You'll find that the OS in particular harbors various news videos, news articles, emails, and forum interactions between individuals not directly involved in the plot. All for the sake of fleshing out the in-game world, and the predicaments within that world. In a way the presentation as a whole reminds me of SUDA51's, "The Silver Case" in that it aims to tell a story that is both multilayered, and deeply involved in a connective sense. Everything compliments everything else within the game, and while the action RPG combat that has you completing tasks in a somewhat linear fashion plays a seemingly minor role in comparison to everything else it is itself a piece of a plot worth paying attention to.

Nothing included in this compilation of games is half-assed, or thrown in without reason. The developer had a message, and through these games their message is glaringly obvious. The focus, as with the main character's plight, is there to get the gamer to realize the very real threat that actions in the online world have on that of the offline reality. The developer also touches base on concerns where socially based technology could lead, and has in some cases already led. I think the developer realized that things would one day get so far out of hand in social media that regulations would be applied due to the consequences of peoples' actions. As such this series of games feels to me like a prophetic warning meant for the younger generation who first adopted the online forums, and email opportunities of the early internet. A warning that currently applies to all of us in this age of social media.

As far as the games, and bonus content go you'll find everything easily, and immediately accessible at the start menu. Organized in a modern manner befitting of the PS4 console. The games are listed in order from left to right with their respective titles intact. To the far right of said listing are two bonus modes with extra content meant to add to, and shed light on all the other games in the series. Of course gameplay, and mechanics change with each new entry as do the character involvement and situations. For the most part though you'll be switching up between battles in worlds that use a three tier keyword system for travel, and will be completing tasks within the virtual worlds much like you would in an MMORPG. Through gathered character emails you'll be able to recruit characters, and have them accompany you. The combat is combo centered with skills thrown in the mix along with a sort of super skill combo known as a Rengeki which uses up meter, and rewards you points for that extra effort. Things like stealth first hits are also a thing adding a simple variation to the otherwise straightforward battles.

Other than that you'll be visiting, and browsing the game's mock OS dashboard where you'll learn of things happening outside of Haseo's world which are connected to his plight. You'll find access to emails, forum posts, videos that play out like those on Youtube, and other interesting tidbits of information that might at first seem unnecessary, but are there for a purpose. You can also enter virtual worlds through the OS dashboard much like Haseo himself would as he dives in and out of  'The World'. The OS dashboard at base level acts as a kind of informational, and operational intermission between the cinematic storytelling sequences, and the gameplay.

When it comes to graphics the animations at base level are kept mostly original. You can definitely see the PS2 presentation peeking through the modern glitz and glamor. It's not to say the games are so dated they're obsolete in comparison to the updated graphical presentations of modern-day video games, but more of a note of the original content that's kept intact. I personally thought that the cinematic sequences with their orchestral music were better than that of the recently released "Sword Art Online" games, and that the actual gameplay held up well as well. They actually felt like they were telling a complete story without chopping up the various elements in a cut and dry manner. Everything from the gameplay to the OS interactions, and even the cinematic sequences felt seamless in transition. Truly complimentary.

In closing ...

While I'm still far away from completing every one of the included games, and modes I believe this collection holds enough value to warrant a purchase. Though the games are dated the gameplay feels smooth, and the presentation is still noteworthy. I feel some modern RPG developers could take some much needed inspiration from the composition of the ".HACK//G.U." games. They are brilliant like SUDA51's games are brilliant, but in a much more serious way. I think the underlying message is one of importance, and that the game content is good. It definitely get's the Inferno's seal of approval!