.hack: Infection (Part 1)

The graphics are great and i couldn't say they need improving as after all, it is an ageing game! The gameplay was excellent too as it was literally an MMORPG, but without an internet connection (that seemed very weird to me).

Even though there are all these good aspects of the game, there were the bad points too! For example, i did believe myself, like many others before me, that the main game itself was way too short, however, it is a continuing story split into four parts. It is also great how you may trasfer your saved data from part 1 over to part 2!

Another bad aspect is that, even though the area level (average monster level) was for example 30, i could have been level 19 and easily take the monsters down with no problem at all! And for this, i take it down a notch in the ratings!

Though i am still eagerly awaiting the arrival of part 2 to my house, i highly recommend, through what i have heard, that if you have played Part 1, you SHOULD get part 2 as it will show you many parts of 'The World' that you have not experienced yet.

Overall, i rate it a 4 out of 5, a gripping storyline, great graphics though too short for an MMORPG and too easy monsters. I recommend this to many people who love Final Fantasy (such as myself) and also to people who like a good 3rd person, action role playing game!

Played purely through going to just the storyline dungeons the game can be a little short. Having said this there are many extra dungeons to visit, in fact an almost infinitessible amount that can be generated.

There is also the little extra things to participate in such as trading with other on-screen players for various items, getting all the Ryu books, and what rare weapons and armour there are in this installment.

On a negative side, it can get a bit repetitive dungeon wise, and the icons for positive status effects can disrupt your view of things as well.

On the whole I would say it is a good start to the series, with a reasonable difficulty level and if you are a perfectionist enough to do to keep you going for a little while.

The story behind the game is original and I enjoyed features such as the simulated desktop, email etc and the message board plot development. The various battle techniques were also interesting to try out although I found the enemies were quite unoriginal and in many cases I ended up just hitting them with the sword. The other characters are also quite unimaginative and generally I ended up using the same two over and over because there didn't seem to be any particular advantage to using different ones.

The main problem I had with this game is that I finished it in 15 hours, which is very disappointing. I paid the same price for other RPG type games which have kept me going ten times longer.

I'd recommend playing this game as it is enjoyable and quite satisfying if you're not keen on highly strategic RPG games, but as the game doesn't represent good value for money, spending less money on a cheap second hand copy would leave a far nicer taste!