Game review, 'Dot Hack - Mutation'

by Keayn Dunyan

"After taking part in a strange adventure in an online game known as "The World," a young boy still finds himself with more questions than answers. Know in the game world as "Kite," his journey began when he joined the immensely popular game thanks to a friends urging. After a quick introduction to the game world at the hands of his friend's character, Orca, things suddenly became a lot more real as events in the game world caused Kite's friend to lapse into a coma in real life. The events that put Orca into a coma also left Kite with a strange bracelet. It enables Kite to hack the data of "The World" in amazing ways, helping him on his quest to put the pieces together and find out what sinister secrets lies beneath this seemingly innocent game."

Mutation is the second game of four in the Dot Hack Project. The entire basis of the Dot Hack storyline is split between the four games, the television show, Sign and the DVD's included with each game, Luminality. Each piece has its own information to offer and acts in concert yet independently of the others. Mutation takes off where Infection ended. With each game being released within three months of each other the volumes are intended to be more of a continuation of the same game rather than sequels. Mutation offers no tutorial; a sparse recap and anyone starting with Mutation will miss out on special items and all the bonus items you can unlock with Infection game play. While being able to start with any of the Dot Hack games, starting anyplace other than Infection can be a real pain. Besides being able to load you previous character and play with everything you've earned is a big bonus. With the advent of the memory card for every console system and franchises putting out games every quarter this ability shouldn't have taken as long as it did.

Kite previously traveled the 'newbie' servers of Delta and Theta. Mutation opens up the Lambda server. Opposition here is stronger and larger in number. This exposes a major flaw in game play. Kite's online buddies are controlled by a nerve-racking babyish AI. Without constant supervision on what to do, when to do it and who to do it to they either wander off to get themselves killed or stand and do nothing. But with the proper instruction they can be a force to be reconed with. Although sorting through all the menus every battle in order to give instructions to what is simulated to be other online players can wear a little thin. In addition to the new area there are new players to add to you your party. They come with new classes as well as new weapons and a new mini game that takes advantage of the grunties. Growing all three into adulthood opens up a timed race that can net a few good items.

The visuals in Mutation are still bright and colorful but basically unchanged from Infection. Anyone that is not a fan of endless dungeon crawling should also look elsewhere. Hopefully with Outbreak and Quarantine we will be treated to not only new servers but new environments as well.

The real secret of the Dot hack is the story. With such a diverse dispersal method and in depth character development Mutation pulls the player in even further. The situation in "The World" is becoming even more desperate. Kites' actions are not going unnoticed and a line is forming of those who want to use or take advantage of the bracelets' powers.

Infection was ground breaking in some of what it offered and while Mutation breaks no new ground it is just as good. Mutation also continues to mimic MMORPGs in grand fashion. While having problems they aren't ones that kill the level of originality and depth the overall storyline has to offer. . If you didn't like the first game don't waste your time, but if you liked the first game, Mutation is more of the same. The plot gets thicker, mystery abounds and everyone is taking sides. With Outbreak on the horizon in August, the fate of "The World" and Kite remain to be seen.