.hack//G.U. vol. 1//Rebirth - exclusive hands on

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Our first in-depth look at the English version leaves us wanting more .hack

And that brings us to the battle system. Fighting enemies is the core of any RPG, and .hack//G.U. spices things up by soaking the battles in action. It's a real button-masher; you physically run up to an enemy and then tap on the X button to start slicing and dicing - or hold it in for a big attack. If you tap out a whole combo - say five or so hits - you'll be able to wail on the button even more for bonus damage (the game helpfully displays a picture of the X button and "Tap!" if you make it to that point.) Dodging enemy attacks is no longer purely stat-based; you'll have to hold the O button to protect yourself. Thankfully, you can now directly order your party members to use specific skills via a menu you can call up at any time - no more vague suggestions on what you'd like them to do.

Special moves - aka Skill Trigger - are activated by hitting the R1 button; if you get a really good combo going, your enemy will be surrounded by blue rings, and your special move will combo together with your regular attack as a "Rengeki". Now, pulling off a Rengeki doesn't just deliver big damage; it also boosts your party's Morale gauge and adds an experience bonus at the end of the battle. Once your Morale charges up enough, you can unleash your Awakening. Two types exist at the beginning of the game - one which briefly makes your party exceptionally fast and strong while the other fires off powerful magic.

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Make your way through enough fights and rooms, and you'll find your way to the bottom of the dungeon, where both treasure and - if the dungeon is story-based - plot awaits.

  1. Your party's stats, of course
  2. Your currently selected target is indicated by the red triangles
  3. Apparently morale is tangible in The World - it floats into the gauge
  4. When your party members like your moves, it's a "Favorite" and Morale charges
  5. When the R1 indicator is displayed over your head, you're OK to use the Skill Trigger
  6. Charge up Morale and you can do an "Awakening" special attack
  7. The enemy you're fighting, and its health. Hopefully others have better names
  8. The number of combo hits you've accomplished - it makes you feel good about yourself