LogFAQs > #885371037

GU is one of the better games as far as PS2 RPGs go, but if you hate randomly generated dungeon sameness, stay away. It does way better than the original games in terms of atmosphere and gameplay.

Characters and story? Toss up. Both .hack games tend to follow the same plotline. Kite is a better main character than Haseo (less brooding and annoying). But dear god, even for early PS2, the originals are dated as shit. You also avoid some seriously bullshit boss fights. They are item attrition nightmares.

At least GU had the sense to add in an extra fighting mechanic once in a while.

If I had to break it down a bit more, here's what I figure.

Story - Equal
Main Character - IMOQ
Female Lead - IMOQ (because being a slightly badass fighter chick is always better than being a doofy idiot)
Support Characters - GU (Everyone is tied to the main plot somehow, aside an idiot comic relief dumbass)
Villains - GU (Easily)
Gameplay/Grinding - GU (again, easily; faster, less cooldown, and more variety)
Dungeons - Equal (both games really suck at this)
Sidequests - GU (sidequests in the originals are just MORE dungeons hooray!)
Music - Equal

Outside of 1-2 of the subplots in the original games (which actually tie into characters in GU, there's no reason to play the original four games when this is getting re-released. You'd be subjecting yourself to more samey dungeons, and some in that game are insufferable, due to being 5-10 floors with certain enemies that stall progress. At most, GU caps itself at 3-4 sublevels. Stupid to be sure, but still better.
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