Bandai Namco has released new information and screenshots on .hack//G.U. Last Recode detailing the remaster collection’s visual, game system, and additional enhancements, as well as providing a look at the series’ cast of characters.

Get the information below.

■ What is the .hack series?

The .hack project began in April 2002 with the .hack//SIGN TV animation. It expanded to comics, novels, radio, original video animations, specialty magazines, and at the center of it all, games. Users all over the world embraced the series’ overwhelming cross-media expansion and never before done sales style of bundling all four volumes with DVD-Video.

.hack Series Timeline

.hack Series Timeline 2002 Jan. 8 RadioB radio broadcast started (until March) Apr. 3 .hack//SIGN TV anime broadcast started Apr. 7 .hack//Radio: Ayako and Masumi’s Sumusumi Night radio broadcast started Jun. 20 .hack//Infection (Part 1) game released (and up to Part 4 after) and with the .hack//Liminality (Part 1) original video animation included Oct. 1 .hack//A.I. Buster light novel (by Tatsuya Hamazaki) released (and part two after) 2003 Jan. 8 .hack//Legend of the Twilight TV anime broadcast started (until March) Jun. 1 .hack//ZERO light novel (by Michiko Yokote) published Oct. 24 .hack//Integration DVD-Box released 2004 Mar. 1 .hack//Another Birth (Part 1) light novel (by Kazunori Ito and Miu Kawasaki) released (up until Part 4) 2005 Nov. 23 .hack//Fragment game released Nov. 26 .hack//G.U.: The World specialty magazine published 2006 Apr. 5 .hack//Roots TV anime broadcast started (until September) Apr. 9 .hack//G.U. Radio: Haseo Set radio broadcast started (until April 2007) May 18 .hack//G.U. Vol. 1: Rebirth released (and up to Vol. 3 after) Sept. 1 .hack//CELL (Part 1) light novel (by Ryo Suzukaze) published (and Part 2 after) 2007 Apr. 1 .hack//G.U. (Part 1) light novel (by Tatsuya Hamazaki) published (and up to Part 4 after) 2008 Mar. 25 .hack//G.U. Trilogy original video animation released May 1 .hack//Epitaph of Twilight (Part 1) light novel (by Miu Kawasaki) published (and Part 2 after) 2010 Mar. 4 .hack//Link game released 2011 Jan. 28 .hack//Quantum Vol. 1: Walking Party original video animation released (and up to Vol. 3 after) 2012 Jan. 21 .hack//The Other Side Of The World 3D animated movie released Jun. 28 .hack//The Other Side Of The World + Versus hybrid disc released

■ What is .hack//G.U.?

.hack// is a large-scale cross-media project consisting of anime, manga, novels, and so on that released in 2002. As a new project, the PlayStation 2 RPG .hack//G.U., which consists of three volumes and released on March 18, 2006, won over enthusiastic fans with its fascinating characters led by protagonist Haseo (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai) and rich drama.

■ 2017

2017 is the 15th anniversary year of the release of .hack// Vol. 1 on PS2, the year in which the .hack//G.U. series takes place, and the year that .hack//G.U. Vol 1, .hack//G.U. Vol 2, and .hack//G.U. Vol 3 are remastered in commemoration of the .hack project’s 15th anniversary.

■ Visual Enhancements

(1) Full HD 1080p Resolution

The screen layout is 16:9 widescreen, and 4K resolution output is also supported.

(2) Frame Rate Maximum Output of 60fps

Everything on the screen moves extremely smoothly.

(3) High-Resolution Movies (Some Modes Excluded)

Enjoy the movies of the .hack//G.U. series in higher resolution than before.

—PS2 Version

—HD Remaster

(More comparisons available at the gallery below.)

(4) Background and UI Texture Resolutions Increased

The backgrounds and UI textures have been made higher detail to match the high-definition format.

—PS2 Version

—HD Remaster

—PS2 Version

—HD Remaster

(5) Higher Detail Shadows

The shadows cast onto the ground have been made higher detail, and the sense of presence has been enhanced.

(6) Anti-Aliasing Support

The edges of the characters’ polygons have been smoothed out.

■ Game System Enhancements

(1) Cheat Mode

A new mode has been added for users who have played the .hack//G.U. series in the past or who only want to follow the story. Start the game in the strongest condition.

(2) Retry Feature

Unlike the PS2 versions, in which you were returned to the title screen upon defeat in battle, the HD remaster has added a retry feature that lets you restart the battle from the beginning. Internal correction is performed each time you retry, making it easier to defeat the enemy.

(3) Battle Balance and Tempo Improvements

Movement Speed Increased – The basic running speed has been increased, making area exploration and the like more comfortable.

– The basic running speed has been increased, making area exploration and the like more comfortable. Attack Power Increased – In order to keep the battle tempo efficient and stress-free, the amount of damage the enemy receives has been increased. (Damage received from the enemy has not been changed.)

– In order to keep the battle tempo efficient and stress-free, the amount of damage the enemy receives has been increased. (Damage received from the enemy has not been changed.) Hit Stop Reduction – Hit stops during attacks have been reduced and players can no longer get caught in an operation, which enhances the battle tempo.

(4) Acquired Experience Points Increased

The amount of experience points acquired in battle has increased, allowing players to level at a better pace.

■ Other Enhancements

Basic Controls and Menu Enhancements

The amount of save data slots for each game has been increased from seven to 20.

The starting level in the no save data transfer mode has been increased.

The maximum amount of items you can hold has been increased from 30 to 90.

The maximum amount of a single item you can hold has been increased from 50 to 99.

You can now switch between the item menu tabs with a single button.

Shortcut controls have been added to the item menu.

A sorting feature has been added to the item menu.

You can now use the same item consecutively.

The UI design has been adjusted to make each equipment’s empty slot amount easier to understand.

In the shop menu, you can now see how many of the items being sold you already possess.

The maximum amount of Chim Spheres and Virus Cores you can hold has been increased from 99 to 999.

A new recovery method called “leisurely break” has been added to the platform and is available from early on in the game.

The probability that allies sell the items you give them has been reduced.

For Saku and Bo, you can now choose who to invite to the party.

A place called “Shop Acorn” has been added to the map.

Enhancements from .hack//G.U. Vol 2 and .hack//G.U. Vol 3 have been applied to .hack//G.U. Vol. 1.

Avatar Battles

Skeith’s standard shot bullet speed has been increased.

Balance revisions have been made to enemies’ HP, attack power, charge speed, and the like in Avatar Battles.

A stun gauge has been added above the enemy in Avatar Battles.

A help UI has been added and design revisions have been made in Avatar Battles.

Correction value based on level differences has been enhanced in Avatar Battles.

A suspend feature has been added when playing Avatar Battles in the VR System. (VR System is an in-game mode.)

Battle Enhancements

The rate at which weapon proficiency rises has been increased.

A feature has been added to skip Awakening scenes.

The flashing of enemies to indicate damage has been alleviated.

Gaspard’s initial strategy has been changed from “Life” to “Free Will.”

The level of difficulty for some formidable enemies has been alleviated.

A limit has been set for the number of summons an ally-summoning type enemy can summon.

The amount of damage to the Flight Gauge and Morale Gauge has been increased.

The probability that an enemy will inflict status ailments such as paralysis or sleep has been lowered. (The probability that the player will inflict these status ailments on enemies has not been changed.)

The probability that characters set to the “Life” strategy will attack has been increased.

The amount of additional damage during Beast Awakenings has been revised.

Other

Changes have been applied to .hack//G.U. Vol. 3 in order to be able to perform marriage events with all of the characters that can become an ally.

■ “Terminal Disc” Included

The “Terminal Disc” video collection included with the PS2 version of .hack//G.U. Vol 1 is included with .hack//G.U. Last Recode. By progressing through the game’s story, you will get to see digest movies and backstories from .hack//, which preceded .hack//G.U.

■ And a New Additional Element…!?

Please look forward to a followup report!

■ Characters…!?

Haseo

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai

Class: Adept Rogue

Ovan

Voiced by: Hiroki Tohchi

Class: Steam Gunner

Azure Flame Kite

Voiced by: Sayaka Aida

Class: ???

Atoli

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Class: Harvest Cleric

Kuhn

Voiced by: Shinichiro Miki

Class: Steam Gunner

Pi

Voiced by: Sanae Kobayashi

Class: Tribal Grappler

Endrance

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga

Class: Blade Brandier

Sakubo

Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi

Class: Shadow Warlock

Yata

Voiced by: Takumi Yamazaki

Class: Macabre Dancer

Silabus

Voiced by: Daisuke Sakaguchi

Class: Blade Brandier

(Editor’s Note: Silabus is the man in green in the center.)

Gaspard

Voiced by: Akio Yajima

Class: Shadow Warlock

(Editor’s Note: Gaspard is the man in orange to the right.)

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