.hack//G.U. Last Recode

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,072 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
.hack//G.U. Last Recode Game Cover
Fun fact: .hack//G.U. takes place in the year 2017.
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Log back into the .hack//G.U. trilogy and return to “The World,” as Haseo tracks down Tri-Edge in .hack//G.U. Last Recode, now with enhanced graphics, improved gameplay, and brand new modes! This collection includes all 3 original .hack//G.U. titles, Rebirth, Reminisce, and Redemption, all fully restored and remastered. As well as an all new exclusive 4th Volume: .hack//G.U. Reconnection. • 15 …

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,072 reviews
story783 positive mentions
grinding274 negative mentions
  • story2,549 mentions

    The story of ".hack//G.U. Last Recode" is widely praised for its depth, character development, and emotional engagement, often described as a standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the intricate plot that unfolds over multiple volumes, with many noting that the narrative improves significantly after a slow start, particularly in the later volumes. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, repetitive gameplay, and the need for players to log out to check in-game emails, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize story and character immersion in their RPGs.

    • “The story is absolutely amazing, and if that's something you care about, you will be far from disappointed by it.”
    • “The story focuses on the growth of Haseo through the process of saving his friend Shino.”
    • “The story is good and still holds up well, with a balanced focus on both plot and characters.”
    • “The story is near impossible to get invested in because the characters are mostly unpleasant and/or completely clichéd... plus constantly having to log out to check e-mails between every story event is beyond stupid.”
    • “The story had no moments that got me except for the very end, some characters are very paper thin, others very infuriating, and the protagonist is the ultimate edgelord in the worst ways for the first half of the game.”
    • “The story is full of plot holes (like the main character somehow forgetting all he knew about the game once he goes back to level 1), the ending (as of volume 3) is totally unsatisfying.”
  • gameplay837 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive and simplistic nature, often likening it to older JRPGs. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the engaging story, others criticize the lack of depth in combat mechanics and the overwhelming number of cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, it is seen as a serviceable experience for those prioritizing narrative over gameplay complexity, but it may not satisfy players seeking modern gameplay standards.

    • “Once you get the ability to change weapons mid-combat, the gameplay starts to build up, but you're mostly going to be either guarding or comboing, with special skill attacks that you can trigger, doing extra damage if timed when an enemy is vulnerable.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and the battles start where you stand; you can even interrupt other people's battles.”
    • “The gameplay loop is a lot of fun with lots to do.”
    • “The gameplay is what I am most critical about--dungeon designs are boring, even for procedurally-generated dungeons.”
    • “The gameplay is very slow, kinda clunky, and repetitive as all hell.”
    • “The gameplay is dull and janky, the pacing is painful, the railroading in places is especially annoying.”
  • graphics622 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals have been significantly enhanced from the original PS2 version, they still exhibit a dated quality typical of older games. Some appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and improved resolution, while others criticize the lack of modern graphical fidelity and optimization issues that can lead to performance problems. Overall, the remaster offers a decent visual upgrade, but it may not satisfy those seeking high-end graphics.

    • “The graphics are still beautiful.”
    • “The graphics got an upgrade as well as so many other parts.”
    • “With the added graphical enhancements this game looks so good now!”
    • “The graphics and 3D models look very dated; and the action combat is clunky and not very engaging.”
    • “This is basically just hours of cutscenes with bad gameplay in between, which roughly translates to, it's an anime with PS2 graphics.”
    • “The graphics will hurt your eyes at first.”
  • music334 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beautiful composition and ability to enhance immersion. Standout tracks, such as the "Hulle Granz Cathedral" theme and various character themes, are frequently mentioned as highlights, contributing to a nostalgic and memorable experience. While some critics note a few repetitive pieces, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is exceptional and a significant draw for players.

    • “The music is absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful and does a wonderful job supporting story immersion.”
    • “The music is very well-composed and catchy in gu, a large improvement over the soundtrack in the original dot hack games in my opinion.”
    • “I thought that there was too much choir music.”
    • “When I load up my game the music wouldn't come out, even the SFX isn't there as well.”
    • “Probably due to the dated game engine, the game has some problems with screen freezing - which would result in your character moving slightly slow during the game, at times even the music and sound effects got distorted too.”
  • grinding284 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the improvements that have made grinding less tedious and more rewarding, others find it still quite repetitive and time-consuming, especially for completionists. Overall, many agree that while grinding can enhance character progression, it often detracts from the enjoyment of the story and gameplay, leading to a balance between necessary grinding and the desire to experience the narrative.

    • “There's no grindy achievements, or 'find this secret!' types.”
    • “No grinding necessary.”
    • “It's very grindy, which would be perfect for putting on a movie or podcast except there's no volume controls because it's a port of a PS2 game.”
    • “The MC needs to log out and check his email after almost every event which becomes tedious, and you need to do it to progress the story.”
    • “This game is a 15-minute anime divided up by 75 hours of intense grinding.”
  • optimization90 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as freezing, microstuttering, and low frame rates, particularly in certain areas and during specific gameplay moments. While some users report smooth performance and improved graphics compared to the original PS2 version, many others criticize the port's lack of optimization for PC, leading to high GPU usage and input lag. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are moments of good performance, the game often struggles with optimization, making it difficult for some players to enjoy a stable experience.

    • “The game is well optimized and the textures got major touch-ups from the original PS2 version.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game holds up well and does not suffer from slowdowns of any kind on my system.”
    • “Everything from graphics, load times, and optimization is perfect in this port.”
    • “It was made for consoles and ported to PC with no optimizations.”
    • “Game is poorly optimized and runs constantly at the lowest FPS.”
    • “Very poorly optimized and, overall, it looks like CC2 just went for a quick cash grab with very little effort whatsoever put into making this for PC gamers.”
  • stability80 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and corrupted save files, making it nearly unplayable for some. While a few users have experienced smooth gameplay without issues, the overall consensus highlights significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the ported version. Players are advised to be cautious, as troubleshooting may be necessary to achieve a stable experience.

    • “After the patch, the game now runs great!”
    • “The game runs great, I've had no issues so far.”
    • “Other than that, it's a great port; the game runs great, and everything is fantastic.”
    • “Game freezes unexpectedly, wiping progress since the last save.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game constantly (and I do mean constantly) freezes and requires a full system reboot.”
    • “Game is crashing often; it is literally unplayable, causing bad freezes which is forcing me to restart my PC.”
  • character development68 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its depth and believability, particularly in the protagonist Haseo and supporting characters. While some critiques mention pacing issues and missed opportunities for further development, the overall consensus is that the character arcs are engaging and emotionally resonant, making it a standout feature of the game. Players are encouraged to invest in the story, as the character growth is considered one of the best in the genre.

    • “The story quickly becomes one you invest in, with characters you’ll love, or hate, or love then hate then love again as their character development is without equal, not just in JRPGs, but in storytelling as a whole.”
    • “Golden oldie, while the gameplay is as dated as you think, the story and writing of this game still remains topical, relevant, and even ahead of its time all these years later, with some of the best character development I've ever seen in a protagonist.”
    • “The story also keeps you interested with probably the best character development of any JRPG you're ever going to play.”
    • “You play through the prologue, which is supposed to set up the plot and character arcs going forward, only for a massive time jump to be placed right afterwards and skip an enormous amount of story and character development to the point that the main character is practically a completely different character than the one the story sells you on in the prologue. Let alone the fact that the main character now has a goal that came out of nowhere and has no emotional weight behind it due to the fact that the game chose to pull all of this super edgy content out of nowhere.”
    • “And finally, they might actually include real-world events into the story. This comes from the fact that I saw loads of interesting news articles in these games that looked like so much more fun to play than the world, and that there's so much off-screen character development that happens with these characters while they're away from the game. Both of these points just seemed like a huge missed opportunity.”
    • “There is some character development, however.”
  • humor48 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny, particularly in the parody mode and through the absurdity of character interactions and plot twists. While some moments are unintentionally humorous due to awkward dialogue and gameplay mechanics, the overall comedic elements, including heartwarming scenes and memorable characters, contribute to an enjoyable experience. Despite its flaws, the humor keeps players engaged and entertained throughout the game.

    • “Laughing at the story and picking apart the ridiculousness is what kept me going to the end.”
    • “The characters, their lines, and a lot of what happens is hilarious or overacted to the point of absurdity.”
    • “There is plenty of heartwarming and hilarious moments in the game.”
    • “Obnoxious morons who... like really... are they supposed to be funny?”
  • emotional44 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some finding it deeply moving and heart-wrenching, particularly in later installments that feature significant character development and impactful moments. However, others criticize the storytelling for its abrupt time jumps and lack of emotional weight in character motivations, leading to a disconnect with the narrative. Overall, while there are standout emotional moments, the execution varies significantly across the series, leaving some players feeling both invested and frustrated.

    • “It was very heart-wrenching <3”
    • “I cried, I cheered, I beat every optional boss and hell, I even married another man in this.”
    • “This story will tear you up; it probably has the most character development, and if you are emotionally attached to characters, you will learn a bit more about them.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low due to its heavily story-driven nature and definitive endings for each volume, which limit further engagement after completing all content. While some players appreciate the nostalgia and additional bonuses available, the lack of significant post-game content and improvements in later chapters detracts from the overall replay value. Despite these limitations, dedicated players may find enjoyment in maximizing character abilities and exploring the remastered features.

    • “But it includes all of the PS2 content that was released back in the day, so it's still worth buying for nostalgia and replayability reasons.”
    • “The only real downside is volume 4 is extremely limited, which considering it was added so late isn't too surprising, but it does mean if you want the infinite replayability and goals to strive for, volume 3 still had the best post-game.”
    • “Note: this game offers an average of 20 hours per volume, and it provides replayability to max everything.”
    • “Very fun and addictive, but it has no replay value on the final chapter. The game is just a dead end. I also don't respect the fact that there is no improvement in graphics in the final chapter, considering the first three chapters came out many years ago. Those are my biggest disappointments; besides that, story, gameplay, music, all just perfect.”
    • “Having said that, there is a definitive 'end' to each volume after you have completed all events and maxed out the abilities, affection, and equipment of each playable character. Although this may take work for even the most dedicated of players, there is no replayability after doing that; it just ends.”
    • “Since this game is heavily story-driven and the narrative is limited, replayability of each volume is low. Due to the lengthy nature of the saga, this means that replayability of the entire collection is also low.”
  • atmosphere24 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vivid portrayal of an early internet MMO, enhanced by strong world-building, art design, and a memorable soundtrack that evokes a mysterious ambiance. While some players note that the combat mechanics have not aged well, the immersive atmosphere and engaging gameplay elements compensate for this shortcoming. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of an MMO experience, even in a single-player format.

    • “Art design, atmosphere, world building, and the feel of it all is so sublime that I have trouble properly wording it.”
    • “On top of this, the music, atmosphere, and extra content creates a depth and breadth you've likely never experienced in a game.”
    • “The best part of this game is definitely the atmosphere of the early internet MMO that it portrays with various forums inside the game.”
    • “Is an offline, single-player game that emulates the atmosphere and features of an actual MMORPG.”
    • “On top of this, the music, atmosphere, and extra content create a depth and breadth you've likely never experienced in a game.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and noting that the game feels like a genuine effort rather than a mere nostalgia cash grab. However, others criticize it for being poorly optimized and suggest that it appears to be a quick cash grab with minimal effort put into the PC version.

    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “No lag, microtransactions.”
    • “Very poorly optimized and, overall, it looks like CC2 just went for a quick cash grab with very little effort whatsoever put into making this for PC gamers.”
    • “All in all, it seems to be an advertisement for a new series.”
    • “It wasn't just a nostalgia cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

24hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
6-90hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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