.hack//Link -RIVES- RE: CONNECT

"For the anime series before the game adaptation, See .hack//RIVES".hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero: ReConnect is a remake and game adaptation to its first volume chapter of the story .hack//RIVES anime series which would be told from first to the third season.

It is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, which featured an expanding the story arc, including a few additional few stories arc which never even made into a TV Anime, including adapting the OVA Story, while its gameplay mechanics will be same from Episode 2 Terror elements with new improvement gameplay system.

It will also include a Season Pass DLC which includes a new DLC Story expansion and new side-quest.

There are several key plots that will lead-up to .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown.

Story
In the year 2020 A.D., the most well-known popular company known as Cyber Connect Corporation (CC Corp) has released the next version of the most popular online game known as  The World R:3  which considered as the successor to the second revision.

The World R:3 has reached over 10 Million users login just two-months with bringing all-new features, new gameplay elements, major improvements, and whole new experience that never been bound from the previous revision and become the most grossing VRMMORPG around the world.

The Middle-School student, Tokio Kuryuu becomes the most undefeatable boy in arcade games never even try to Register and Log in to the World R:3, until his best friend, Akira Yoshinori inviting him to play an online game together. Log into the world and enjoying a full-experience for a greater adventure online game, or something that makes more challenging and fun.

But once it continues, they encounter against the mysterious PC with mask known as ENTIES the legendary PKK and hackers which become the main target to all guild and bringing a cause of distortion toward online game which steers their enjoyment turns into a bloody battle and killing people, resulting people's mind being broke down and died.

Tokio and Akira together enjoying their playing online games, while exploring the mystery identity of ENTIES and face the unexpected phenomenon that happens in Online Game.

Thus beginning of Tokio's journey!!

Brand New Characters

 * Miyuki Kuryuu
 * The raid001
 * Elgo
 * Silver Paladin
 * Allen

Returning Old Characters

 * B.T.
 * Bear
 * Natsume
 * Rena
 * Chimney
 * IYOTEN
 * Asta
 * Gord

Characters from LINK -Chrono Link-

 * Shouko Adashino
 * Helos-Pierce
 * Alibaba
 * Fluegel (Cameo)
 * Cello (Cameo)
 * Metronom (Cameo)
 * AIKA
 * Dr.Octa Asgardia.

Gameplay
The game system improvements will be based on .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- and its gameplay from Episode 2 Terror with excluding the LINK Ability, including it is improvements to the previous revision of THE WORLD, with the implementation of the new system gameplay from its new version R:3, such as:

Double Skill Trigger Connector
The system of Double Skill Trigger Connector can be activated during the continuously fight against the enemy, as Tokio landing the attack and you can press Triangle Button for Skill Trigger Connector, and it continuously can do with the Double Skill Trigger Connector which lands a perfect hit strike against the enemy which delivered its damaged.

However, the Skill Trigger Connector needs a set for its skill to be added on its ability and how it set up the high performance of its Skill as players' sees fit for their combos, players can obtain more skill trigger if you leveling up your Weapon Skills, but unlike in G.U. Games where you can earn it by continuously using Skill Trigger, the Weapon Skills EXP can be gained after battles which depend on EXP you had gained.

Ultimate Rengeki
The Awakening system from the R:2 has been replaced but also been remade into a new system known as Ultimate Rengeki which allows a party to combine their most powerful performance and special attacks together with Tokio which delivering massive damage against the enemy, with QTE which allows players to execute their Rengeki attack completely with more damage that will deliver to the enemy.

There are three types of the Ultimate Rengeki, such as Xros (which has 2 parties for performing Ultimate Rengeki), Trinity (which has 3 parties for performing Ultimate Rengeki), and Multi (which has 5 parties for performing Ultimate Rengeki) which each of three of Rengeki has very different special unique abilities and attacks, but not just that, it also has different heal abilities which very useful for the party.

Five Party members
The World R:3 has a new feature which now Tokio will able to have Five Party Member during your exploration and combat also has more freely expansion freedom to do what you want, like Trading, Sharing Dialogues, Teamwork, and more things you can do. But not just that, it also has benefits for the exploration system, like Split Up System which allows them to have more time to find an interesting hidden room, treasures, another unexplored area, and more.

It also benefits the battle system, as the enemy has grown big in numbers, but with five party members will help you to defeat them with increasing Teamwork abilities to help you to strengthen performance between Tokio and party members.

Mecha Knuckle Grunties (MKG)
The new version of The World is also has a new big challenge and Mecha Knuckle Grunties will be the most powerful challenge that never seen before, as you explore the dungeon or field area, you will find many types of Mecha Knuckle Grunties in expected and unexpected. The MKG is a strong opponent which have the strongest metal, intelligent AIs, and speed movement during the combat which unable to predict his movement.

However, there's a way you can defeat them, by doing surprise attack or attacking them in blindly spot or using tricks & strategy to lure the monster so your party members can attack them from behind which is the weak spot. The MKG can be overheated as he been staggered which making the most opportunity to strike him before he gets on his feet.

As you defeat MKG, you will earn special items, 2-3x EXP earned, and 4x Gil earned as you defeat a number of them.

Free-Roam Server Town
The Free-Roam Server Town has been improved more with a brand-new exploration of Server Town in the new version of The World R:3 which now able to see a new look design and various new PCs which never seen before, also a new element which never even seen in the anime version .hack//RIVES which able to discover it more than just what they do in first to the second episode of Chrono Link.

Not just that, there are various bunch types of PCs and NPCs that you can meet, including Sub-Story Mission been replaced as Side-Quest which now have more bunch multiples quest that you met also helping to do whatever they need and as you obtained you will earn not just special rewards, but bring open new features in the Root Town like Mini-Games, Accessing Key to many features of Root Town, New Root City Exploration, and more.

Stealth System abilities
Several new features which allow more freedom to the players, including Stealth System Ability which allow them to sneak into the enemies territory and has more choice to do like making a special surprise attack or just escaping from them in unnoticed which allow players to prevent any situation battle that they don't really need, but it needs to care where they step because the enemies are very sharp to hear their steps, but the best thing is never let the enemies noticing you.

There are also a bunch of new strategies like luring the enemies from the parties when they almost get noticed, which allows them to have more extended time to sneak from their enemies, but you need to find him again, but the party can appear again as you proceed through the area.

Warp Area Emergency
If the enemies getting too strong and parties unable to defeat them or at least wanting to escape as soon as possible, new features known as Warp Area Emergency which allows Tokio and his party members to escape immediately if you Press & Hold R3 and L3 for intermediate escape as soon as possible, it also can heal you and your party in 50% recovery. However, it can only be used three times in a row, so it needs to be careful when you using those features.

Depth-Field & Dungeon Exploration
The Exploration can now go much deeper and deeper, as you explore a big dungeon in different ways and continue to explore it, you will discover a never-seen-before look which has a unique thematical as according to the Key Word Area. But, the deeper you explored, the more discovery you can find, with a brand-new area to explore, also with a possibility to finally discover the new Lost Ground.

But the deeper you explore, a new type of monster will also appear as you explore which brings you to fight against a lot of strong enemies in the process, but it also depends as how the level of the areas you had gone through, much easier or harder as you expected, but it also benefits for a brand-new experience for exploration and lot new discovery which only The World R:3.

Real World
Tokio can now explore the Real World environment, however, it will be linear routes which unable for you to go anywhere as you want, however, it has more depth area you can explore as you are able to talk around with people, or gaining information by eavesdropping their conversation each of the same time.

There are also a few mini-games you can enjoy in Nakita's Arcade Game which has more exclusive content for many feature parts of the mini-games, including the old retro games can now be playable. Most things you want to do at your home, school, park, and few others as you can enjoy bonds with each other and spent time.

Smartphone ATLIMIT OS Absolute
You can customize Tokio's smartphone as you want, as it features an app, like E-Mail, Halo Apps, BBS Entertainment, OS Website, Tweet App, Gallery, and Option which allows you make yourself like you were during logging out from the online game, but basically you will open your smartphone and customize something that you see fit.

It also includes new wallpapers, themes, video, music, and more you can hear and enjoy, either you can download from OS Website or You can add it from your personal PS5 Music or your PC. It does have many experiences you had with your smartphone, but one features that you can also call your friend to hang out for the online game activities.

The Way of Pride Arc.
After their last encounter with Neil, however, the leader of PKs Shimano didn't happy with how she worked as she didn't succeed to bring falls and Pking all newbies to seek for their interest, but fall worst is how Neil questioning about the fidelity as PKs which brings rage to Shimano for her words causing riots to all PKs to hitting her as her punishment over her failures.

Meanwhile, Tokio and Akira along with Sol went to the Underground Server to find more information about ENTIES, but suddenly they found Neil been beaten by all PKs which they decide to help her, and despite all conflict that she had down brings his motivation to become a new friend with Neil if she already lost her pride to move on.

Suddenly ENTIES came out of the blue, ready to targeting Shimano and kill him. As the situation begins to adapt worsening emergence, they decide to stop it, but for him, however...

Legion Unity Arc.
Davis wanted to hold a meeting with two leaders of the famous guild, Yun-EL from Blue Moon Guild, and Sophora from Raven Guild to discuss the threat they will face, including ENTIES that become a problem to The World safety, while speculating regarding the ability that ENTIES using which causing all players being murdered in the real world, which soon become a hot topic discussion.

While Tokio along with his friend was invited to come and watch them, but a most surprising that there is a traitor amongst the member of Guild who sold the players who were connected with Legion Unity, and the traitor might have cooperated with ENTIES to do that, thus brings a Lot of confusion and some of them are panic if ENTIES would come to invade the meeting.

In results that Tokio and his friend were tasked to find the traitor amongst the member, thus the search had begun.

Gord's Missing List Arc.
Tokio has been requested by the mysterious woman known B-set wanting him to find the location of her friends, Gord's aside he was missing a few months ago without a call, and this brings him to decide to find him which he knows the possibility that ENTIES might kidnap him. In certainly when he arrived, he sounds like he's very fine condition and felt normal, however, Akira senses something not normal with him and decides to investigate it.

Real-World Story
The real-life world is pretty boring for Tokio, but Akira it was somehow felt normal, even though he has the same opinion as him. While they await a call from Davis for their first mission, Tokio spent most of his time playing game arcade in Nakita Game Arcade Shop until he saw a girl with glasses who has the same age as Tokio from another school been beaten up by her classmate and decide to stop them.

The girl name, Shouko Adashino, who is a shy and unsociable girl who felt distant by her own friend at school, she doesn't know anything about having enjoyed or even playing the game. The result of her condition had a lot worse to get a friend and have felt alone in pessimistic, thus Tokio made an appointment to become her first friend and helping her to find a joy of happiness, her potential like other girls do and help her to become a brighter person.

Thus Tokio made a special friendship with Shouko as he trying to find a way to spend time and learn more together while trying to help her on its big errand, he desires to improve her characters as its story progress.

(As you spent time with her, more and more, there will be unexpected story happen as you progress, but finish the social relationship skills before reaching The Unofficial Battle Royale Arc.)

New Elements

 * The story narratives and its quality have been increased also been improved from the TV Anime story.
 * All OVA and Lost Episode story have been added to the game, and the story has been increased.
 * Major story arc from anime series receives a more in-depth story plot, which expands the characters' backstories which never even included in anime series, including the world-building and expand the experience as the story progress. There are changes toward major story from anime series:
 * The Legion Unity lores have been expanded as they progressing the story of Legion Unity Arc along with a new hint for what's coming and its outcomes happen.
 * Geist's character has been expanded in-depth as the story progresses, with Grand United Festival Arc and Tragedy of the Circus Festival Arc has been expanded its narratives.
 * The Assassination of the Red Dead Leader arc has been expanded, with fleshing out Davis's character and creating a new powerful moment of his death.
 * Kruger's fate and how he was alive in Chrono Link can now be explained in this game, including major characters from Chrono Link added to the game.
 * Welcome to The World R:3 Arc story quality level has been increased, along with the storyline has been extended.
 * Canard Special Guild Arc added a new dialogue that hinted and foreshadowing for The Way of Pride Arc.
 * Treasure Hunter Arc has been expanded with the inclusion of B.T. and Bear to the story to fill few plot holes in Chrono Links as why Tokio mentioning two of them in RIVES, also connecting the story plot with B.T. Quest Arc.
 * The Fall of Raven's Guild Arc has been expanded with new foreshadowing for Geist on Unofficial Royal Battle Arc.
 * ENTIES point of view story will be connected to Unknown's Episode 1 & 2, while it will lead to Unknown's Episode 3.
 * Characters' qualities written have been increased and expand in-depth to follow the hints for Chrono Link.
 * Schicksal will be mentioned in this game, teasing for .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-.
 * Conversation between Nakita with Daniel added, which expands the plot holes regarding his met with Davis's player.
 * Akira's Story perspective, including his story development has been expanded in this game, exploring more depth to his character and how it will lead him to Chrono Link's story.
 * Unofficial Battle Royal Arc will have 2 new final bosses, which is known as The Ultimate One-Sin -Alexander- added to the game and will have a two-phases.
 * Episode 23 -  Last Chance  story qualities have been increased and also extending the emotional impact toward characters as how it connected that leads on  Episode 3 -Countdown-.
 * The Mystery of The World Creation Arc will refer to the Unofficial Battle Royal Arc while also expanded its dialogue story and lore which how it connected to Chrono Link.
 * Players can now play as Tokio Kuryuu to enjoy Real-World activities, with new system added to the game such as:
 * Tokio can overhear rumors from his classmate or from students regarding various things which leads Tokio with his friend to explore the rumors and expose its truth.
 * You can invite your friends in the real-life to play the game in Arcade, or going home to play the game.
 * A brand-new story set on the Real-World revolving on Tokio with Shouko, as the story progresses as you hanging out with her, you will learn numerous foreshadowing and hints that might be a clue to Chrono Link.
 * Akira will also join toward its story in the real-life gameplay story.
 * Brand-new characters appear on Real-Life storyline.
 * The tournament can now be open in Omega Lumina Cloth as you can challenge the opponents to raise the rank, but not just that, it will also bring a new monster arena tournament which will reward a higher rank.
 * Brand-new Quest Shop which never presented in Anime story will be added to the game, which brings a new challenge to the story.
 * Additional new secret Lost Ground Dungeon can be obtained after beating the game, such as:
 * Hidden Forbidden Memoria.
 * Hidden Forbidden White Room.
 * Hidden Forbidden Bulwark.
 * Additional Secret Bosses added to the game, such as:
 * Naobi.
 * The Three Legion Unity leaders Data Boss.
 * The Seven Deadly Sins.
 * Ultimate ENTIES.
 * The brand-new secret ending, such as:
 * The Final Project Phase.
 * The Light Savior.
 * Chrono Link.
 * Preview Episode Countdown.

.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero ' The Lost Saga'
"See Chrono Link -Episode Zero: The Lost Saga-"

.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero Re: Connect ULTIMATE EDITION

 * Contents
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero Re: Connect (Base Game)
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero Lost Saga (Standalone Base Game)
 * Premium Edition Bonus
 * Premium Disc Set
 * Music CD "Re: Connect Original Soundtrack + Archive Soundtrack + Best Songs of RIVES Anime".
 * Anime OAD ".hack//LINK -The Mystery Legacy of Davis".
 * CD Drama ".hack//LINK -Kruger-".
 * Anime OAD ".hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Legion Unity".
 * Premium Booklet
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Archives Vol.3
 * Character information, design proposal, weapon design, and color variation.
 * Character information, design proposal, weapon design, and color variation for Episode Zero: Lost Saga.
 * World view setting, Terminology, and Illustration.
 * Platform introduction and The World R:3 Setting information detail.
 * Interview with Hiroshi Matsuyama, VAs, Kazunari Ito, Hiroto Niizoto, Megane Kikuya, and Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * Original Story Novelization "The Origin of Akira Yoshinori Kuryuu".
 * Focus on the backstories of Akira Yoshinori where he was created, how he suffered, and how he met Tokio as it's all very connected through.
 * There's a story connection between .hack//LINK and .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-.
 * Message Letter from Team Staff, including Hiroshi Matsuyama, Kikuya Megane, Tatsuya Hagamine, VA Characters.
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Suiichiro's ambition (Manga)
 * Art Bonus
 * Poster Key Visual of .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero Re: Connect.
 * Tokio Kuryuu and Akira Yoshinori key illustration card by Megane Kikuya.