Hack Part 4: Quarantine Review

As a dedicated fan of the .hack series, I was looking forward to playing the final installment. The third game left off just after a huge fight, which infuriated me as I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. As it turned out, I wasn't to be disappointed.

With any RPG, the storyline is the most important thing. The .hack series has not yet let me down in terms of storyline, and the fourth part is no exception. It's engrossing and involving, you begin to feel that you are Kite. The best RPGs can put you into the minds of the characters, which makes the game even more enjoyable.

We've also come to expect all RPGs to have a Final Fantasy-style combat system (ie. I attack, monster attacks, I attack, monster attacks), but the combat system of the .hack series is a lot more engaging, and somewhat more complicated. But it's very useable if you can get your head round it.

If you've played the other games in the series, the graphics and sound will probably feel a bit samey. The graphics have been recycled from the other games in the series, and while they look marginally better in this game, don't expect to be falling out of your chair with astonishment.
The same goes for music and sound effects. They have been spruced up a little, but they still get on your nerves quite a bit.

In my eyes, the only truly negative thing I could say about .hack 4 is that it's over far too quickly. This is something that I feel the whole series falls victim to. While there are lots of things to do, it just doesn't offer the same sort of depth and lifespan as say, Final Fantasy.

Despite the lifespan issues, .hack 4 is a good game, and one that I'll no doubt play again some time. I'd recommend it to anybody who enjoys RPGs, although you'll have to buy the full series to get the maximum enjoyment.

This review was added on 20th December 2004 by Dan Clement.