".Hack fans rejoice!"

Well, nearly a year ago, Namco Bandai games (that is, Bamco) released .hack//G.U. Volume 1 //Rebirth, a great action RPG with heavy anime and cyberpunk references. And it was a real winner; a must play for the PS2. This year, after such a long wait, they've done it again. Only this time, it's quite possibly their best title yet: .hack//G.U. Volume 2 //Reminisce. Now, one might wonder why to spend cash on the same game, just with a different story and a few new characters and items. You would be wrong, friend. Dead wrong.

The gameplay has definitely been improved in //Reminisce. Dual Swords have extended combos, which really adds to the overall enjoyability of combat (and given the Twin Blade's stats, this was a big boost). Broadswords don't just do MASSIVE DAMAGE to the enemy crab's weak point, they break open the annoying shields and smash the living daylights out of it. Yes, you heard me. You don't have to spend an eternity trying to do ten damage to monster with a shield or levitating abilities, you skip right to the chase and beat the thing down quickly. What's even better is the addition of scythes. Now you can swipe at several enemies around you, instead of having to wait for the broadsword's charge. Add to it switching weapons in the heat of battle, and you've got a recipe for success.

If you were disappointed by the last game's story, seeing as how it was just laying groundwork, you'll love the story in this one. Haseo finally learns exactly who and what Tri-Edge, the one who sent Shino into a coma, is and the deeper, darker dealings of the Moon Tree guild are brought into the light. The story picks you up from the get-go, and never disappoints. The graphics, however, remain exactly the same. The music, though, finally improves. There are now decent themes to listen to on the desktop, and no longer tunes just because it's background music.

//Reminisce isn't very long, about 20-30 hours depending on how you play, but it has several more quests for you to accomplish, along with completion campaigns. If those things aren't your forte, there are now Steam Bike races for you to enjoy with five different courses, and of course a customizable Steam Bike. It's especially fun the second time around.

All in all, it's not just part two, it's an entirely new game. and well worth the money. Fans of the originals will love this one too, but if you haven't played //Rebirth, you'll pretty much be lost with this one.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/19/07