.hack//G.U. vol. 2//Reminisce

The plot is compelling, the combat is exciting, and the aesthetics are excellent as always.

It's so firmly steeped in the style and mythology of the series that fans already know if they'll like it or not. New players ought to start with the original, or at least volume one of the current series.

The time and effort they’ve already invested will keep dot-hackers from logging-out of this mediocre series, and while casual RPG fans may find some decency in the game, its repetitive elements and flawed content keep it from feeling whole.

Its intriguing premise (involving "The World," a futuristic MMO besieged by a deadly virus) is muddied by repetitive dungeons, stale combat, and lengthy cut scenes--which sorta describes the first series, actually. [July 2007, p.84]

The predictable and disappointing list of "seconds" in volume two muddies Reminisce’s otherwise unique presentation.

Reminisce doesn't utterly fail to do that, but it doesn't do a steller job of it either.

Terrible voice acting claims another victim. It's high time that video games cut the cord with anime dubs when it comes to localizing dialogue. So long as legions of anime fans settle for this breathless junk, the rest of us will continue to suffer.