.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown

.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Countdown is the third and final episode of the game, the brand-new original story element with an ever expanded version of Climax LINK story, and direct continuation of the second episode Terror.

The story had to continue where it left off, as to how Chrono Link, Schicksal, and Twilight Knight are now facing major network crisis as indeed numbered '''4th. As following Jyotaro's in a coma, the CyberConnect Corporation, and it's CEO Genius '''making their move to processing the brainwashed on Aura to continue Immortal Dusk project. The final battle begins, the story will soon reach its climax and it's the conclusion.

Mix the story element from Climax LINK story with all-brand new content story bringing a bigger expansion toward the story progression and its element concept as it's faithfully expand something that they never ever make it since the PSP version released.

Third Episode of Chrono Link will include a new features like Multiple Endings which leading players to make a choice that will make possible different outcomes, which there will Ending A, B, C, and D.

The direct sequel .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 4 Severe will follow the story on Ending D route.

Editor Note
The third episode of Chrono Link titled Countdown will be the conclusion to the second volume of the story, it seems that it will reach a major conclusion, but not so the conclusion to be made, but rather is open up a new beginning for third season reboot version.

You all might wonder what Countdown means, it seems what it means as to how the time of Akashic Records has been counting down to zero before the Immortal Dusk will reach its final stage which bringing conclusion to the story of LINK as a whole, but not something that will end that way, but rather be a new beginning of the third season story.

Since the climax story of the original LINK only comes in 2-3 hours, Chrono Link -Countdown- will expand the story in a bigger approach where Chrono Link, Schicksal, and Reiko Alliance/Twilight Knights working together only the episode 3 where does bring them together in one game, bringing a new moment and never-seen-before interaction between them and past characters.

''Withstand of the third episode will add a dark story and twist element that increasing appeal of the story development while bringing the lighthearted story to light, but this time the story will bring a twist direction as the story progress. One thing that very most highlighted is the story will teasing Saika's story as the biggest story development bringing a lot of major impact toward Tokio's development which somehow people could see major character development for Tokio and which direction he will take.''

There are a lot more surprises than before and the story has reached to its next level of its in-depth, but the story will continue after Jyotaro Amagi became a lost one as the story had come to a major turning point, including the Immortal Dusk event, which has begun affecting all players around the world, as Tokio continue became the main protagonist will found himself something that what he failed and what he did made the wrong turn on his adventure and searching answer about his true nature as Hero or something that he never even aware of.

About Episode 3 of Chrono Link
The third episode of Chrono Link will bring reach to it's the conclusion to the .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- as well bringing the opening to the third season of the dothack story since the first and second episode will expand the lore of first to the second season of dothack series even more further, and this third episode will bring ties up everything on the line and led up to the next development of the third season.

The Third Episode of Chrono Link is basically based on the Climax story of the PSP version which covering Return of Kite event to '''Restoration Aura/Operation Gear plan event. '''

The story of Climax story will be reworked completely with brand-new original story and major story plot changes that will bring new story development and new innovation plot element which will be much different from the original version also bringing a new dynamic story event that will help to understand about the plot that will be delivered in the game.

With new characters, direction and story will also turn in different direction with focusing on important things that will make story more entertaining, and also not to losing the core of the original PSP version, while bringing entirely new changes and reworked story development that will help fans to follow through story plot that has been tied-up from first to the second episode, as story from PSP version remains same, but it will be played out more different than what it previous version is shown and also expanding its story content.

With a brand-new second half of the story which set after the restoration of Aura event and it showed a remaining unanswered question that never been answered in previous episodes and RIVES and will now reaching its revelation and intensify story development which will be even more twist, suspense, and especially dark than what fans could ever imagine. but it needs a requirement, in order to get the second half of the story.

Sypnosis
See Story Element of .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-

Following the collapse of the Akashic Unrecord and Jyotaro Amagi became a lost one. Saika still mourns over the loss of his older brother, feels guilty over the truth that she had heard from Geist about his brother making her feel depressed.

Meanwhile, notice the disappearance of Ninjato, Sol, Alibaba with Cello working together to locate his where doubt, as The Chrono Link Guild moving fastly to reach where Ninjato is.

On the other hand, Ovan & Yata were already there with Ninjato who is now trying to locate his former student and Cyber Connect Corporation Japanese Branch CEO, Genius who is taught to be responsible behind the plan of The Immortal Dusk project along with Jyotaro Amagi and decide to prevent him continue the dangerous plan.

Chrono Link

 * Tokio Kuryuu
 * Saika Koshizumi
 * Alibaba
 * No.99
 * Kruger
 * Sol
 * Nishijima81
 * Seventy-Seven
 * Miki-Seven
 * Helos-Pierce
 * Ninjato/Hiroto Niizato

Schicksal

 * Fluegel
 * Metronome
 * Geist
 * Orgel
 * Cello
 * Klarinnette
 * Possainnue
 * Trommel

CyberConnect Corporation Characters

 * Genius
 * Kazumi
 * Shinji Sadamaru
 * Dr.Zero01 (Edward Storm)
 * Hyukimaru
 * Kite-01

NAB

 * Kusame
 * Takumi Hino
 * Reiko Asami
 * Shinra Takeshima (CEO)

Other Characters

 * Akira Yoshinori/Leon
 * Geist
 * Jyotaro Amagi
 * Jun Bansyoya
 * Yun-EL
 * David01
 * Crow

New Gameplay
A New Gameplay Mechanics for Chrono Link Episode 3 -Countdown-

General

 * The graphical, lighting, anti-aliasing, and more graphical has sightly improved, and the blur motion has been overhaul bringing a new experience in real-time toward the players.
 * UI background has received several improvements, including a UI menu, and more.
 * Character Models underwent improvement, including new outfit design is also added for several characters.
 * Some Twilight Knights design has been redrawn into a new one.
 * Item Slot Customization has been adjusted.
 * Level Cap upgraded from Level 101-150.
 * A new Level Cap from Level 151-210 will be released as a Free-Update DLC.


 * Player's animation movement, including party unison, has sightly been improved.
 * Fastest Loading times.
 * New Music BGM and Audio effect for Episode 3 Countdown, including new music collection added to the Gallery of Grand Whale.
 * The font subtitle has been improved.
 * PlayStation VR capabilities improvement.
 * Increased Framerate 120-160FPS in all formats.
 * Game performance, graphical running, and several system issues have been fixed.
 * Additional wallpapers and themes for Episode 3 Countdown.
 * PlayStation 5 system graphics improvement and additional compatibility for Nintendo Switch.
 * Additional capabilities for Season Pass DLC.

Difficulty Mode

 * The difficulty and receive damages from enemies has been rebalanced.
 * Players now can set the difficulty mode during the title screen or playing the game.
 * But the player is only allowed to set the difficulty mode in Grand Whale
 * Major improvements over the balanced of the difficulty mode and also improving the schematic battles difficulty and damages will also be reworked and fixed for numerous time.
 * The Safety and Easy Mode difficulty has been improved, and also reworked to fit the content of difficulty and receive damages from enemies, including bonus items will also be changed.

Grand Whale

 * The Grand Whale customization system has been improved and also introducing a unique design for the content of the Grand Whale.
 * Unison Log PC extend system will be added at the Control Panel Room of Grand Whale.
 * With an additional system like Grand Whale, Combat System will bring new opportunities and update for submarines and added new equipment that could be used.
 * The Combat Area Grand Whale designated for combat outside, but it also improves capabilities customization for Grand Whale as well.
 * Now Grand Whale had capabilities to not just traveling the time like the rest of the previous episode, but will also be letting players choose field & dungeon that contained from R:3.
 * A Several Areas, Guild Server, and Lost Ground will be returned from .hack//RIVES.


 * The music sound effect in Grand Whale has been improved and new sound effects added.
 * Music Collection can now be bought at Jikanet Shop at Grand Whale, including Equipment Shop and Costume Shop is also added as new content for Grand Whale.
 * There are several new interactions that players will never be expected, including situational activities that will be added to Grand Whale, which you will able to witness about their never-seen activities, like fighting, conversation, drink, and more.
 * Several members of Chrono Link rooms will be added, including Tokio, Akira, Alibaba, Kruger, No.99, and more rooms, it also cited only one person in their perspective room that you can interact with.
 * You can also be seeing the members' activities as you enter their rooms with a lot of different things and situations, it also had their BGM theme.
 * You can buy their rooms buy increased your bond with your members of Chrono Link, finishing each member of Chrono Link Sub-Story Mission, and buy it from Toki-Runty.
 * As for Tokio's room can earn simply by purchased the room from Toki-Runty during the main game.
 * As for AIKA, she staying with Saika at Saika's room.
 * There are several mini-games added to the game.

Root Town

 * AIs PC movement has been improved and new interaction will be added according to the situation in the main story.
 * The NPC capabilities improve and some natural NPC Grunty movement animation also improves.
 * The Crowds has been increased, including new environment situation, like Riding Motor Bike, PK Insulting Beginner, Conversation about rumors, and many more.
 * PC's Crowds has been adjusted and the way PCs behaves is also been improves.
 * Addressing issues of bug and lagging on the Mini-Games.
 * A new Mini-Games added, including new unique elements and challenges added to the game.
 * Anchor Shop animation has been improved, including new dialogues.
 * The Shop menu has been adjusted.
 * New different type PC added to the Root Town with a unique and different style of the interaction.
 * Improves capabilities to exploring the Root Town, and also the underground challenge has been added.
 * Perception of eye analysis abilities been improved.
 * Items found being increased.
 * New Mascot on R:3 root town has been added to the game.
 * Player now can use a canoe to bringing you to the never-seen area and you can use it freely or be navigated by NPC.
 * Now you can enjoy free-time like sit on the bench or at the stairs freely and enjoying the view of the city more gratefully.
 * Few tweaks added for Root Town capabilities and features.
 * The view of the root town city has been redone and redrawn to fit the atmosphere and concept in many root town perspectives.

Tournament - Lumina Cloth

 * The Tournament earns ranking has been rebalanced.
 * Challenges status has been rebalanced to match for their ranking.
 * Players now can view Battle Arena and allow to review their skills and battle which can be useful for strategy.
 * It also set up to earn a new strategy that will help them to partake in the battle against them later.
 * Enemies can counterattack their skill trigger fast, but the player can allow them to guard or dodging from their attack.
 * The duel showdown has been added to the game, you either want to slash them to the end, letting their help, as it can increase the morales of the challengers.
 * There are also challengers who unable to accept their defeat and refuse to lead their hands for help, this also part major situation from the PC situation condition system that been added to the game.


 * The battle items have been improved more, and earn rewards has been rebalanced more.
 * Added several tweaks and improvements toward the battle arena system.
 * Capabilities to free-roam the combat and utilize the strategy that had been performed.
 * Players can now open the menu for items that never been included in shortcut commands.
 * The battle rules in the tournament have been received several tweaks.
 * The preparation room is also been received tweaks and improvement, including new capabilities which now can be useful for preparation before the arena.
 * The Battle royal boss battle status has been rebalanced, some boss status been increased or been reworked & adjusted.
 * Battle Royal Monsterize difficulty mode has been improved and added a new adjustment for monster status.
 * Player now can sync their combos with other party's skill trigger.


 * There are several new types of Boss, including the hardest boss challenges will be added to the game.
 * It also includes a super boss to be added to the game.


 * Time Rush boss system added to the game.
 * The Boss monster movement battle has been improved and added a new animation of the boss monster.
 * Capabilities for the Arena system added to the game.
 * Unison Commentators added to the game, as your Unison party will be your commentator for the Arena battle.
 * New unique improvements for Battle Arena added to the game.
 * The earn of Arena Point (AP) has been increased and rebalanced, which will be easier to make earn more AP after fighting a boss in Battle Royal.
 * The costume will be added to Arena Shop.
 * Additional new rare items can now be purchased on Registrator.

Trade

 * Trade chance rate has been increased in 25-30%
 * Capabilities for handling Trade Items have been increased.
 * Implementation Gift system to the game.
 * Jikon-Coupon Discount can now be traded, and it can maximize the Trade gauge as to how PC being interested.


 * Items trade chance has been improved and rebalanced, including re-setting the item which somehow PC interest can be little increased.
 * Super Rare Weapon can now be traded, in return exchange for high-quality equipment that will be a good chance for trading.
 * Additional implementation trade elements have received several tweaks.
 * Addressing regarding players' dialogue.
 * Including a higher chance rate for Trade will now be possible.

Shop

 * Additional sales of Types of equipment and Costume been added to the game.
 * Implementation of the Discount Rate price system, which can be earned after finishing the Sub-Story Mission.
 * Implementation of the Data Server Abilities system on Jikanet Shop.
 * Addressing issues regarding Blur Weapon Image along with Minor bug fixed.
 * The main Weapon of Gear is now able to upgrade with a gather of Virus Core and RTC orb will increased weapon status.
 * It also to letting players to choose elements that you wish to obtain on Gear Weapon, including abilities that allow you to use specialties of Gear Weapon.
 * The more Gear Weapon upgraded, it brings a new form and upgraded Weapon Gear into a new look.


 * The Food Shop will now be available on Grand Whale, and also able to take form as Gift that you can give it to your Unison Party Members.
 * Implementation of Relics and Non-Items added to the Item Shop.
 * Implementation of Free-Roam Server Town.
 * Additional new magic items will also be added to the shop, including the explosion magic type added.

Field Area & Dungeon

 * Area free-roam capabilities have been improved, including features that in Field and Dungeon been reworked.
 * Field Area & Dungeon version will be based on R:3 with a lot of new capabilities.
 * Implementation of Metal Knuckle Grunties Boss to the game.
 * Implementation of the Stealth System.
 * Implementation of Warp Area Emergency to the game.
 * Implementation of Depth-Field & Dungeon Exploration.
 * The enemies roaming on the field and dungeon acting differently, but can somehow unexpectedly surprise attack toward enemies
 * Implementation of Treasure Hunt event to the game.
 * Reward Exploration of Field and Dungeon has been adjusted.
 * New Treasures designation added to the area.
 * Additional Trap Treasure on Dungeon.
 * Addressing issues of area bug.
 * Addressing issues of the Boss area bug.
 * Addressing issues of Treasure reward bug.
 * Addressing issues of Enemies and Boss Behavior bug.
 * Ultimate Type EX+ types have been reworked and received adjustments to its content.
 * D-A Type Area level has been improved and rebalanced which according to Players' innovation and skills.
 * Spring Field will also allow players to received Bonus after recovering your HP and SP.
 * Players now can enjoy the view of the Field Area and interact with your party unison.
 * Enhances the exploration condition.
 * Lucky Animals behavior, including Mecha Grunties, is also been improved with new rules.
 * Chim-Chims kings earn Chims core has been increased from 50 to 100.
 * Chims shop cost has been adjusted with a new price cost.
 * Players will no longer disable bonus status attributes even after Lucky animals been defeated, but now it only uses when you leave the field area.
 * Area Night/Day Time capabilities have been improved.
 * Lost Ground has now been filled with PC crowds who enjoying a view or other activities.
 * You can also enjoy the view of the Lost Ground, or inviting your Unison Party members to watch the views and sunset together.
 * The Lost Ground will also now have Day/Nighttime.

Combat

 * The combat now being intact with new systems like Stealth System and Weapon-Support Exchange.
 * Combo attack has been increased, including Skill Trigger can be continuous with the attack.
 * Cross Rengeki performance animation has also been improved more.
 * Surprise Attack will be more tactical but also can use for active combat.
 * Enemies AI has been gradually improved.
 * Party movements AI has already been improved, including new sword effects.
 * The move-set combo attack for Tokio has gradually improved and increased due to his new form.
 * The awakening system has no longer to use, but replaced with Ultimate Rengeki System, which replaces the previous system.
 * Guard is also can unlimitedly be guarding yours against enemies attack, reflect abilities is also can use for Tactical mode.
 * Link judges from the PSP version will be different in Chrono Link, which you might have to choose to the different options which lead you to the made objective that will increase Unison Bonds's parameters.
 * The combat will be flashier than before, and the animation has been gone speed forward in 1.2x speed.
 * Co-Op party skills have different mechanics and skills, but now players allow you to create the fusion with your attacks and your skills which lead-up to creating their Co-Op Skills.
 * The Skills and Magic cost will be reduced, including the status of enemy combat had been rebalanced.
 * Skills and Magic now can be used at the same time during combat.
 * Increasing a chance of Critical Hit with new Combat Hit performance.
 * Manual Lock-On select has been improved.
 * Night/Day Time can also affect on Combat performance.
 * You can use objects to help you with the combat system.
 * Cross Rengeki Awakening will be added to unleashed the Party Special Moves against the enemies.

Non-Party Member Support

 * The Non-Party Member Support system has been replaced with Guest Party System.
 * The player had the freedom to made Co-op skills with him even though it will be a temporary join party.
 * AI controlling has been reimagined which now be used to fit with Guest Party System.
 * Although you can't optimize or set up equipment for Support characters, there's a possibility to set up a strategy for him/her.
 * Trade now can do it with Guest Party as well.
 * The system of Non-Party Member support has been reworked and improves for Guest Party System.

Bond of Unison

 * Bond Unison can now also had the opportunity to make the party learn new skills and abilities for themselves.
 * Reaching the higher max will unlock a new sub-story quest, including the Crossover sub-story quest which given mutual depth to the relationship or best friendship.
 * It also had bonuses such as reading a secret depth of their backstories with Tokio's hidden power as he discovers regarding their past.
 * There's also a new chance for Tokio to learn new battle styles abilities from Unison that will be applied manual in Link abilities.
 * The Combat of Party member now can be increased their status, they will also learn new skill trigger and move-set.
 * Additional new trophy for Bond of Unison.
 * Their abilities performance in combat, exploring areas, and activities in root town has equally improved.
 * Xros Rengeki Ultimate will be performing when the party unison bond had reached its max.
 * Few characters who had Bond of Unison and those who max them will gradually have effect toward the story climax and it's ending.
 * Ending E will be obtainable after finishing all Bond of Unison.

Cross Rengeki

 * The performance of Cross Rengeki has been improved its animation quality.
 * It will not just land damage or heal-up your party, it also works to open-up traps, and look for enemies' weakness.
 * Cross Rengeki system now with added Quick Time Events which you can do together with your party's during battle cutscenes.
 * Reducing the usage cost of Cross Rengeki techniques.
 * Cross Rengeki now can be continuous with another technique.
 * Techniques performance will now use with skill effects like Poison, sleep, and more.
 * Cross Rengeki can now be used in the separated Shortcut menu.
 * New techniques can be obtained by pursuing to rank up your Unison Bond.
 * The setting system of Cross Rengeki has been modified.
 * Additional new systems can be applied to LINK Abilities.
 * Not just sync with party attacks, you can also use as to making strategic for stealth system, and also making trap as their unique surprise attack.
 * Items can now be used by Party as well, as you gift the items to the party and party will using the items that you had the gift.

Tactical Command Mode

 * The Tactical Command Mode has solely improved including User-interface and redesign into uniquely Tactical command mode which bringing entirely evolution to the game.
 * Strategic plan AI moves have been improved.
 * The performance animation tactical has been improved.
 * The slow-motion output has been improved a little, which allows more time to think about your next move.
 * Environment adapts can now be improved.
 * The tactical mode can also use for commanding your party members to split up to explore the area.
 * The plan needs to set motion from the beginning before exploring areas, and it gives you time to discussed automatically what needs to do to explore.
 * Cross Rengeki Techniques system can now be available in a separate shortcut menu.
 * Ultimate Cross Rengeki will replace the Awakening system, but those systems based on Awakening as well can be activated by push R3 and L3 analog.
 * Speed awakening can now be recreated and replaced with the Turbo Mode option.
 * You can select a playable character between Tokio and Akira.
 * The support system can be added.
 * Magic and skills can be used at the same time.

RTC Orb

 * New enemies in new areas, True Akashic Records will able to obtain more RTC Orb in three times earn.
 * Reducing the RTC Cost on Higher-level of Twilight Knights.
 * As The Guardian of Akashic Records can no longer be crucial earn, there will be a new boss in True Akashic Record that will allow you to obtain more.
 * RTC Grinding has been improved.
 * Spending more RTC Orb will be much easier as the rewards in Akashic Quest for earning will be increased.
 * Although there's Rare Twilight Knights who've been infected, and even using RTC Orb cannot work on him, so it needs to using skills of a puzzle to hacking their log PC memory data.

LINK Ability

 * LINK Abilities has been renamed as LINK Connector which you can use abilities while it also had capabilities to connect the abilities with party members.
 * The Cost of LP (Link Point) to applying abilities has been reduced.
 * Improvement capabilities of using the abilities from LINK Connector.
 * New Abilities for exploring the dungeon and field area, also capabilities to improves the combat situation & strategies.
 * Also new abilities to increasing buff, attributes, and more.
 * The old abilities have been improved in new modifications.
 * Increasing LP earning after combat.
 * Rebalanced the LP cost and effects.
 * New abilities for Tokio's new form which cost little high LP.
 * The designation UI of LINK Connector has been improved and over widely new design.
 * Grand Whale abilities can also be applied, including the Combat Ship system.
 * Capabilities for exploration more open-up in Root Town, including abilities that will benefit Mini-Games.

Sub-Story Mission

 * Sub-Story Mission reward has been improved.
 * New Type of Rewards added to the game.
 * The narratives of the sub-story mission will be improved and also had a little hint to the main story.
 * Reward earned has been adjusted.
 * It also added the main objectives more challenge which you can earn special rewards.

Bonus Save Clear Data from Episode 2 -Terror-
Chrono Link Episode 2 -Terror- Save Clear Data can now be converted into a third episode, as you transfering your save clear data will have a chance to earn a new bonus from the second episode, including bonus items, equipment, costume, and more.
 * Additional 32 story cutscene that fully tied-up to the second episode, including additional story dialogue, and special easter egg.
 * JYOTARO AMAGI's Secret Report III-VIII and a Message which contains about several unanswered questions that been answered, and including a secret message which was actually delivered to his little sister, Saika Amagi.
 * The Secret Report from VI-VIII will contain a piece of valuable information that connected to the future story development (.hack//Versus and Thanatos Report was also been referenced).
 * It will be a great tease for future development and what comes next, including introduction and hints that might gonna lead to something in the future story, also regarding Tokio's hidden power data.


 * Optional Emails from CCcorp, anonymous, and several emails from several character's perspectives, like a message from Fluegel, Cello, Klarinnette, Geist, Saika, AIKA, Kite, Haseo, Tsukasa, and more.
 * Bonus Items and Equipment, such as:
 * Restore Drink 10x, Emperor Soul 10x, Ressurection Soul 5x, Smoke Screen 3x, and Map Scroll 2x.
 * Additional 10 Weapon, Armor, and Costume pack.
 * Key Items: The Sin of Demonic Dragon Card.


 * .hack//4Koma -Reborn- five footage added to the gallery of Grand Whale.
 * Parody Mode an additional six footage.
 * Three additional sub-story missions that tied-up to .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3.
 * Optional Bonus Footage regarding .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown behind the scene, including Insider developers comment regarding future plans after the development.

Downloadable Content
.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 -Countdown- *Season Pass DLC*
 * Story Expansion DLC.
 * Episode DLC
 * Content

.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown PREMIUM EDITION

 * Contents
 * ".hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown"
 * ".hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Countdown *Season pass* DLC"
 * Premium Edition Bonus
 * Premium Disc Set (4-Disc)
 * Music CD "Original Soundtrack III + Character Song CD"
 * Anime OAD ".hack//LINK -The Bullet-"
 * Anime OAD ".hack//LINK -Akashic Line-"
 * Premium Booklet
 * Episode 3 -Countdown- Book Art Collection & Character Files (w/Interviews)
 * Newly Written Novel ".hack//LINK -Chrono Link- After Story".
 * Episode 3 -Countdown- Ultimania Book Interviews. (Contain spoilers and few answers regarding the question from the game).
 * Bonus
 * Poster .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 3 Key Visual Art.

See Also...

 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 1 Revision
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 2 Terror
 * .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode 4 Severe