PlayStation 2

.hack//MUTATION - Part 2

Overall, this game is an improvement upon the first. If you liked the first one, you will not be disappointed with this game, and if you had some complaints with the first one (like not being able to race Grunties in town...), then they are probably cleared up in MUTATION. If you are into .hack already, or even just thinking about getting into it (*cough*playINFECTIONfirst*cough*) then MUTATION won't disappoint (*cough*unlessmaybeyoudidn'tplayINFECTION*cough*).

Finally, Mutation, like Infection, moved the enduring .hack storyline forward, but ended with a jolt that, put me on the edge of my seat. I eagerly await the next game in the series, Outbreak, to be released on August 5, 2003, where, as Bandai has suggested, I expect major plot events, all leading to the climactic end in Quarantine.

This is honestly one of the shortest reviews I have ever written in recent memory. There really isn’t much to say, except for, go read the review of .hack Vol. 1. Apart from a couple of performance and AI tweaks, it is the same game over. That didn’t go over too well for me, but the story included was strong enough to keep me interested. I could have fluffed this thing out, but I would only be restating what everyone already knows from the previous game and would do a disservice by writing out the entire story and spoil the game for everyone. Still, this is a good choice to pick up if you are interested in continuing the story of the .hack universe.

It is strongly recommended that RPGamers curious about the .hack project check out Infection before any later volumes, as this game was obviously meant for veterans of the first installment and doesn't really aim for the newbie crowd. This is especially true considering that the game is bundled with volume two of the .hack//Liminality OVA; those who didn't see the first volume will have almost no idea what's going on in the second. As a game, Mutation uses Infection's formula more effectively and presents a more exciting piece of the series' plot. Basically, those who liked the original will probably enjoy this game, while gamers who were discouraged should stay away.

Die Story der Saga wird in '.hack//Mutation' sehr gut weitergeführt und entfaltet langsam aber sicher ihre ganze Vielfalt. Leider wird spielerisch und technisch ein identischer Aufguss des recht ordentlichen Vorgängers geboten. Trotz der netten Bonus-DVD bleibt somit ein fader Beigeschmack.

I do not want to try and be unfair by saying this game is not fun. I did enjoy the first one, and I continue to enjoy this game as well. I also believe the next two can prove to provide an entertaining experience. The game itself is still worth playing, but because of how identical it is to its predecessor, you definitely should keep in mind whether or not you would like to spend some cash on a game that does not provide more variety to your video game library.

Is it worth the current $50 asking price? Like Infection before it, it's doubtful that Mutation is worth that much. Nevertheless, it is a small improvement. Fans of the series will gladly consume this and the next two titles, Outbreak and Quarantine, when they are released in August and November, respectively. This game deserves at least a rental, if only for the sake of finding out what all the buzz surrounding this series is about. For true fans, Mutation may not be a massive revelation, but it is enough to whet their appetites for more.

Un point de moins pour ce Mutation (note qui restera stable, a priori, pour les épisodes suivants) qui n'en demeure pas moins un bon petit Dungeon RPG. Je me permets cette légère baisse car ayant terminé le premier épisode, j'ai vu de façon plus précise les divers problèmes qui régissaient parfois ce titre. Cependant , Dot hack // Mutation garde l'originalité du premier épisode et devrait remplir son rôle qui est avant tout d'étoffer un scénario plein de promesses. Pas mal de défauts certes, mais faisant jeu égal avec moult qualités et une ambiance amenant fraîcheur et originalité. On ressort finalement satisfait de l'expérience et là est le principal.

Despite its shortcomings and lack of replayability, Mutation is another solid title in the .hack series. It can really only be recommended for Infection veterans and those willing to commit themselves to the entire saga. Hopefully the remaining two installments will reward those willing to continue with a good climax to one of the more original RPGs yet.

Subsequent installments in the series will again allow you to export your character data, continuing on from where you left off. And hopefully future installments won't merely offer more of the same random hack-and-slash gameplay along with another 15-20 hours' worth of story that doesn't really go anywhere. The first .hack game featured a great premise and gameplay that didn't live up to the promising conceit. With Mutation, Bandai didn't even try to improve on a game with some obvious shortcomings, and at this point it seems the developer will be content to drag out what seems to be a skimpy storyline across two more $50 installments. From a technical standpoint, Mutation is every bit as good a game as Infection was before it. But even if you really liked Infection, you probably won't like this second installment as much, since it's just like the first, minus the originality.

I actually liked the first Hack. Because of the original and interesting story you almost forgot that the game was a standard RPG. Could the second part in this trilogy compete with the other RPG’s or does it lack new ideas?

Un petit jeu sympa, qui suit bien la ligné du précédent, même si le côté dungeon-RPG aurait pu se voir exempter de bon nombre de défauts. Cependant .hack//Mutation doit être pris dans son contexte de "trait d'union" entre le premier et le troisième épisode, .hack//Outbreak. On aurait pu s'attendre à une évolution technique ou encore quelques ajouts dans le gamelay, on restera donc sur notre faim. On note que dans la boîte du jeu, on peut trouver le second épisode de .Hack//Liminality.