.hack//Link -Chrono Gear-

.hack//LINK -Chrono Gear- is the HD Remastered of the original PSP game, which was considered to be a final game of .hack//series back in 2010 which is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.

Commemorate the 10th anniversary of .hack//LINK release, the HD Remastered will contains several changes and major improvements over the original version with several new elements added to the game with few new story element which will connected to Chrono Link and RIVES story, while extends its depth lore of Akashic Records how it will tie into Chrono Link.

Story
The story follows the same narratives as the original game set in 2020 A.D. as the most popular worldwide company, CyberConnect Corporation releasing a new version of the online game known as The World R:X.

The young boy, Tokio Kuryuu meeting a mysterious transfer Student Saika Amagi which she was a resemblance to the princess he had met in his own dream, with a sudden invitation from her in the rooftop, Saika using the Black Copy Disc and transfering Tokio into The World R:X.

Meeting with The Leader of Twilight Knights, Kite who was fighting against the formidable leader of Schicksal, Fluegel. But he has failed to defeat him and ask Tokio a favor to save his friend and go to the Akashic Records.

Thus his adventure to become a Hero begin!!

Gameplay Change

 * A Full-HD Remastered in 1080p and 4K Resolution. It also runs on widescreen and 60FPS.
 * PlayStation Network and Achievement support added to include new trophies for new elements on .hack//LINK -Chrono Gear-.
 * PS Share accessibility support.
 * Animation Opening from Original version of .hack//LINK has been remade which been produced by IG Production with additional new elements animation and new depth parts.
 * All-cinematic comic cutscene has been replaced into actual cinematic animation produced by IG Production, while it adds all-new elements and new greater extended to the story, including several new voice recordings for new elements.
 * This game in the English version will not include English-voice language, but instead using English-Subtitle language, due to too many characters to appear and voice casting all characters in English will be too expensive paid.
 * New sound FX, effects and background effects added, which replacing old (which have similarity sound from .hack//G.U.) with new ones.
 * The FX has been expanded and improves its depth detailed toward the environment field area.
 * The Music Soundtrack like AIKA, Saika, The Queen Tainted by Darkness and Queen of Demise lyrics has been extended with new parts element added.
 * All-character models will be remodeled and improve which adds a lot of expressions, new animations movement characters, playstyle, and more.
 * Characters animation during combat and exploration has been improved, including extending the quality of character animation which been modified to be more dynamics.
 * UI Designs have been adjusted, reworked, and improved, there are some new elements added, which make feels a lot more breather, fresh and new.
 * The Menu UI has been optimized and makes it easier to use, including several font UI has been improved with few extra additional UI fonts.
 * Basic controls and enhancement which fit for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC.
 * Save data slot has been increased from 3 slots into 99 slots, a new UI design which been designed for Save and Load Data.
 * Text introducing objectives and enemies is now displayed fully in English.
 * Subtitle language added to the game for localization.
 * Movement speed on foot has somewhat increased.
 * Attack power has been increased and hit stops during attacks have been reduced to speed up the battle tempo.
 * Bridge E-Mail will no longer rotate on portraits as it stay-up into Landscape screen in the remastered version since it adapts on big-screen.
 * Enhanced battle balance and game pacing to provide an optimal experience.
 * Area Warp has improvisation and also can change the color.
 * The color areas and design have been changed from the original game with few additional designations.
 * The Area design has been expanded with new parts.
 * Link Judge has improved in more sense and adds some new elements.
 * Cross Rengeki has increased control performance more than before, which has few new parts to increased movement level and critical.
 * If Tokio has fallen in battle, the player can choose to restart the battle from the beginning. Tokio can still be revived by the other party members.
 * Link Play Mode has been removed, however, the dungeon and its bosses will be added to the game as Hidden Forbidden Lost Tower where you can fight a strong opponent and bosses AIs will be different from its original game.
 * A few story script has been revised to match appeals to the current generation and 2020 A.D. era.
 * Costume design has been improved.
 * Tokio and its party members can now buy weapons and equipment.
 * Cross Rengeki animation has been extended.
 * Enemy AIs including Schicksal battle has been improved and rebalanced to make it more challenging.

New Elements

 * Additional main story scenario, such as:
 * 2018 (.hack//G.U. Vol.4 -Reconnection-) "4-Chapters"  Operation Rescue: Ovan  [Post-G.U. Timeline].
 * 20xx (.hack//LINK -Chrono Link-) "12-Chapters"  The Ultimate of Dark Slayer  [All-new scenario].
 * 2022 (.hack//Quantum) "5-Chapters"  Wanderer AI Cat  [Post-Game Content].
 * 2011 (.hack//Legacy) "5-Chapters"  Kite's Last Play  [Post-Game Content-]
 * 2024 (.hack//Beyond The World) "5-Chapters"  Kite?  [Post-Game Content]
 * 20xx (.hack//RIVES) "8-Chapters"  The Unknown Message  [Secret Post-Game Content].
 * Additional dungeon and exploration area, such as:
 * Cave Dungeon.
 * Omega Castle Dungeon.
 * Snow Fortress Field Area.
 * Wasted Field Area.
 * Assembly Garden Field Area.
 * Akashic Space Field Area.
 * Anonymous Data Field Area.
 * Additional Lost Ground area, such as:
 * Hidden Forbidden Arche Koelen.
 * Hidden Forbidden Boulevard.
 * Hidden Forbidden Memoria.
 * Hidden Forbidden Lost Labyrinth.
 * Hidden Forbidden Creator.
 * Hidden Forbidden Sky Fortress.
 * Hidden Forbidden Lost Tower.
 * Akashic Unrecords.
 * Brand-new substory scenarios, such as:
 * .hack//Schicksal  - "7-Chapters" [Post-Game Content]
 * .hack//X'over  - "Additional 4-Sub Stories" [Post-Game Content]
 * .hack//Bullet  - "5-Chapters" [Post-Game Content]
 * .hack//LINK -Saika-  "5 Chapters" [Post-Game Content]
 * .hack//LINK -Side-Story-  "6-Chapters" [Post-G.U. Timeline Content]
 * .hack//Epitaph of Twilight  "5-Chapters" [Post-Game Content]
 * .hack//LINK -Twilight Knights-  "5-Chapters" [Post-Game Content].
 * Additional cutscene revolving deeper about characters which never deeply explored in the original game, including Saika, AIKA, and Schicksal.
 * Additional Party Member added, which can perform a brand-new animation and art portraits of Cross Rengeki, such as:
 * Panzer "Saika"
 * Orgel.
 * Metronome.
 * Trommel.
 * Haseo (5th Form).
 * Ovan (Xth Form/Reconnection).
 * Kusabira.
 * Sakuya.
 * Balder.
 * Gondo.
 * Sol.
 * Ninjato.
 * Kruger.
 * Helos-Pierce.
 * Akira Yoshinori.
 * Geist.
 * Over 24 additional new soundtracks for .hack//LINK -Chrono Gear- uses for a new element content.
 * All-new drawn dialogue character portraits for several characters, including Tokio, Saika, AIKA, and Schicksal.
 * It also had been drawn for additional characters .hack//LINK -Chrono Gear-.
 * Portraits dialogue is also been redrawn in order to make it fit its character personality and adding facial expression to feel natural on its presence.
 * Additional new outfits for several characters, including Saika which were never been presented in the original version.
 * You can now have 2 party members join for the exploration and the battle.
 * A few additional gameplay elements have been adapted from Chrono Link, such as:
 * Command & Skill Trigger Deck.
 * Trade.
 * Trigger Combo Abilities.
 * Juggle Connectors.
 * Trinity Rengeki.
 * Mid-Air Attack.
 * Guard Counterattack.
 * Assist NPC.
 * Strategy AI Memorized.
 * Additional new skill-move set and skill trigger for Tokio's normal form and Xth Form.
 * Over 100 new enemies and bosses which never been presented in the original version of the game.
 * Including a new boss battle, Geist added during in Geist's Secret base.
 * Additional Secret and Super Boss, such as:
 * The Schicksal Data.
 * Momento.
 * The King of Akashic Records Chrono.
 * ENTIES.
 * Additional 5 new endings, such as:
 * Beyond Point [Post-Game Ending].
 * Lurking in the Shadow [Post-Credit].
 * True Point [Secret Ending 1].
 * Rule of the Sin [Secret Ending 2].
 * Theory of Akashic Records [Secret Ending 3].
 * Video Recording Section "E.N.T.I.E.S" [Final Secret Ending].

Soft Reboot Version
.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- is fully remade version and soft reboot story to the original LINK which reimagines the story in the different direction to made ties its story closely to .hack//RIVES the prequel to Chrono Link, as well to rebooting R:X into The World R:3 to fits to the current real-time situation at 2020 A.D.

It served as the beginning story and second volume story of the Third Season of dothack.

Story

 * Both titles had the same setting in 2020 A.D. with the difference that Chrono Link will be a direct sequel to the RIVES storyline as opposed to the original LINK.
 * Unlike the LINK story as The World R:X as the main setting, A new version of The World called R:3 will be the main setting for RIVES and Chrono Link.
 * It is a first-time adventure in The World, while Chrono Link will mark a second time for his adventure.
 * While LINK was considered as the final title to dothack series, Chrono Link, however, will be the second volume to its Chrono Link saga as part of the Third Season of dothack.
 * RIVES is the first volume to the story, while different from the original LINK, Chrono Link will be a second volume to the story.
 * The story narratives will be the same, but there is a major difference within its story development, as Tokio pursuing adventure to become a hero, and this is already been told in RIVES, but in Chrono Link will continue his journey and learn the meanings of his adventure to become a hero.
 * As Original Link didn't follow closely to any other format but previous dothack mainline, Chrono Link story will ties the story more closely to .hack//RIVES, resulting in its story follows a different direction from its original.
 * As it ties up to the RIVES storyline, players and fans recommended watching RIVES understand the story that will play out that will lead-up to Chrono Link.
 * Because RIVES introduced several elements that tied-up with Chrono Link's story.
 * With additional Akira Yoshinori as the main and key characters to the story alongside Tokio and Saika which exclusive to Chrono Link as opposing to the Original LINK.
 * Unlike LINK Story, the Chrono Link connecting the PCs and Players & Reality and Online together with mentioning players who play their PCs in three eras which bringing something that connects.
 * Twilight Knights in LINK will be AI version of Time data, while the same goes in Chrono Link however only in past time data, while in the present will be a real person to depicted their return to the story.
 * As the actual story that originated in LINK will be expanded with increased its in-depth story, quality, adds a new element to fit its story premise interesting way.
 * The time travel main story in LINK will be majorly changed, rather showing the same moments and repeat the scene with few differences from previous works, its story will be underwent changed to follow its actual plot story of Chrono Link.
 * While bringing the theme story as to how the fate changes which brings honor and respect to the previous works as how the story development bringing much bigger impact toward old and newcomer fans which can only be for those who had watched or playing their previous title.
 * While also bringing Returning characters' development into a whole new level with setting up a different direction as a major point to the story progress.
 * For newcomers might need to play .hack//IMOQ Re:Login & .hack//G.U. Last Recode and watching .hack//Series Re: Historical Story to understand few depths that connected, including SIGN, Liminality, Legend of Twilight, Roots, and Returners.
 * The story of Chrono Link will have a 3-parts Revision, Terror, and Countdown which each of three episodes holds the key to its story development and expand its story into much greater depth lore, while the bigger focus on the actual story of LINK.
 * Briefly with an additional story of Chrono Gear will extending the volume of the story and increased its depth toward lore, characters, and its story.
 * In Chrono Link, the story plot will be reimagined into a whole new direction and brings different from the original game from scratch, including new story elements, lore, characters, deepening the story, new character development, and follow its story more closely to .hack//RIVES.
 * Its story setting environment and technology have also been reboot to fit appeals for the new and current generation.

Characters

 * Same as the original LINK, Tokio Kuryuu will be the main protagonist to the story, but the difference is how the development of his character will make few major differences from its original version.
 * Character direction will continue to make ties with RIVES story and follow closely on its story which made different from its original game.
 * As Saika, Kite, Fluegel, Tsukasa, Haseo, and AIKA will be a major character in the original LINK with Akira, Alibaba, Sol, Kruger, Nishijima81, Helos-Pierce, No.99, Miki-7, Ninjato, and Seventy-Seven will be additional major characters to Chrono Link.
 * Saika, Tokio and AIKA's characterization in HD Remastered as been extended in-depth, but in the Chrono Link version which has been expanded more in a different perspective way to put and also bringing a new fresh distinct from its original while still hold the cores for it.
 * There is more interaction with not just Chrono Link characters, but also with Schicksal and Twilight Knights that never been explored before.
 * Akira will continue to bring fresh new humor, with Fluegel, Ninjato, and several characters will bringing even more mash-up to the story.
 * As the story balancing between serious and humor as bringing a lot of things that very enjoyable for fans.
 * Characters' appearance timing and place will be different from the original LINK, as Chrono Link been set up for bringing its story to be more natural to how it will be told.
 * Geist appearance and his story will be greatly retconned from RIVES, while his development in Chrono Link will bringing something special impact as to how he secretly questioning about his existence.
 * While there are also several characters from spin-off materials from dothack series might not be appearing in Chrono Link, but will appear in DLC Updates of Sub-Story Mission.
 * Davis, the Leader of Red Dead Guild become a key to bringing its story development into the much bigger picture of its story, there are many secrets that he had secretly been kept along with Jun Bansyoya before his death which entirely connected through the franchise.
 * Even after his death, his a great key to the mystery entire franchise and it is confirmed that he did have more secrets that never even told by anyone, and only the higher-up of CC Corp knows about it.
 * As well as Ninjato, the characters from the manga version of LINK will appear in new roles as well his character will be majorly improved and the difference in order to bring his role as mentor to the Chrono Link Guild.
 * Returning Characters from the previous title will be mentioned and referencing from first to the second season of dothack lore as to how it intertwined and connected directly.
 * Several materials from the manga version will be polished, recreated, and expanded into the Chrono Link version, and one of its elements will majorly replacing the story elements of G.U. Alternate Timeline which will be different from the original game.
 * Panzer Saika will receive a major new design as combining its design from Guilty Dragon which inspired its core element from the manga version of LINK.
 * Legion unity will be more mentioned as to how important to The World R:3 that greatly impacts Schicksal's interest.
 * As for ENTIES which never even appeared in the original LINK and served as the main antagonist of RIVES, will might have minor roles in Chrono Link, but her characters become a greater part for everything that messed up and leading to Chrono Link story and its conflict as she leaving a mark to its story, while her identity will soon be revealed in the third episode of Chrono Link.
 * As for Schicksal's characterization will be extended, but it will be expanded more in Akira DLC Story and Schicksal DLC Story expansion to learn more about them in its view perspective.
 * Several brand-new characters will be added to the game as the story progresses and bringing impact toward its character.
 * While Genius will appear as a supporting character in the first to the second episode of Chrono Link, while he will be a major and also antagonist in the third episode of Chrono Link.

Gameplay

 * As the HD Remastered adding few gameplay elements from Chrono Link, but in the Chrono Link version will have much bigger content over 70% new gameplay, story, mechanics, and elements will be added to the game.
 * The game base graphical will be using the Unreal Engine 4 and optimized it to be more like anime but also based on cinematic style.
 * As the game has 3-Episode, it will allow us to make something that it needs to focus, including improving its gameplay system and its element which greatly expanding .hack//LINK story.
 * Chrono Link will be Open-World, but not so much like any other game, it will be 2-3 times larger than G.U. or even IMOQ game which allows players to have many incredible experiences and exploration not just in Area Field and Dungeon, but in Root Town as well.
 * It will also allow players to free roam and doing free activities, buying equipment, going adventure, doing sub-story missions, mini-games, trading, and experiencing many beautiful city & era in three revisions of The World.
 * In the original game only using 2D and selecting area where you go in a linear way due to PSP limitation.
 * As the game will be Open-World genre, it will add a system like Objectives which allows you what will you need to do during the main story mission which was new to its remade version.
 * The Combat system and Exploration will be done in real-time without any segment, it can go automatically to approach and fighting the enemy in real-time and you can also escape freely as you want, this goes the same for the original game, however, it will be different.
 * With the  high and fast-paced game, combat will evolve its combat system from the G.U. series and remade LINK's combat from the ground up.
 * Unlike in the original version, Chrono Link will also allow to applying new abilities for not just combat, but the exploration as well by using  LINK Ability  access.
 * LINK ability able to apply a new skill trigger, and placed it on Shortcut or in command.
 * While commanding system which also called a tactical command which allows having more time to choose items, skills or magic during combat.
 * Guard  and  Counterattack  features will be different and also have a special ability to further its attack smoothly.
 * It also allows applying a new combo attack which can go for 5-8 hit with different ability has.
 * The Virus Core will be more important as an Ability point to access and apply the abilities that need to be used.
 * Dialogue stories during exploration and combat will also bring its progression further in real-time, which evolving experience.
 * Unlike in the original game, where Virus Core as a focus for grinding point, in Chrono Link, RTC Orb, Key of Memories, and Aria Stone which also part of the new grinding point.
 * As in original game had a 'Sub-Scenario', in Chrono Link had "Sub-Story Mission" which you will be requested by NPCs, your Party members, and also Toki-Runty, it's not just about searching, fighting, and helping, but it also bringing new progression story which never been delve before, and also bring even more unseen interaction between character with character and unseen story that will be told.

Other

 * The HD Remastered version, Chrono Gear will bring 35-40% new content and while Chrono Link will bringing even more which over 70-80% of its new content, including reimagining its story, soft-reboot, with its story ties to .hack//RIVES, and new plot & lore.
 * As the game will be localized for worldwide release, however, it would not include English voice language, but English subtitles instead due to expansive paid for VAs English.
 * Even though Chrono Gear and Chrono Link are a different story title, there will be a twist connection to the story and how bringing its plot twist into the next level.