While the first four games in the .hack video game series were released in Australia, the three following titles under the G.U. series were not. This for many fans of the franchise such as myself proved disappointing, especially considering that the prequel anime .hack//Roots was released in Australia.
While unless they release a HD Collection with the .hack//G.U video game series there is a very low probability of it being released over here – Hanabee Entertainment during their panel at Supanova Adelaide 2012 announced the next best thing. The company announced the . hack//G.U. trilogy animated movie which is set for release in February 2013.
The Movie will be placed in the storyline of each .hack//G.U. games trilogy. The story follows Haseo, a player in the online MMORPG called The World:R2 at first depicted as a PKK (Player Killer Killer) known as the “Terror of Death”, a former member of the disbanded Twilight Brigade guild. Haseo encounters Azure Kite (believing him to be Tri-Edge and blaming him for what happened to Shino) but is hopelessly outmatched. Azure Kite easily defeats Haseo and Data Drains him, reducing his level from 133 to 1 and leaving him without any items, weapons, or member addresses. He is left with a mystery on his hands as to the nature of the Data Drain and why Azure Kite is in possession of such a skill.
Eventually Haseo gains the “Avatar” of Skeith. Acquiring the ability to call Skeith and wield his abilities, such as Data Drain. With Skeith as his strength, Haseo begins the quest for a way to save Shino.
He is seen seeking out a PK (Player Killer) known as Tri-Edge, whose victims supposedly are unable to return to The World after he PKs them. Haseo’s friend, Shino, was attacked six months prior to the events of the game by Tri-Edge, and the player herself, Shino Nanao, was left in a coma.
While this will not be a full coverage of the contents of the video game – including the omission of many characters, I suppose it is better than nothing and I am sure fans will appreciate Hanabee picking this title up.
