Dot Hack G.U. Last Recode Proposed for Nintendo Switch, but Still no Nightmare Mode

The Dot Hack G.U. JRPGs are a little dated, but fun if you don’t mind games that use the PS2 era randomly generated dungeon layouts (Think Persona 3 if you’ve played that). Dot Hack G.U. Last Recode was a more recent version of the series (2017 release) that combined all three original G.U. games and added a short epilogue story on the end. The basic elements of the combat system is very fun and the story is good. There are plenty of side quests, hidden secrets to unlock, and even a friendship/ love level system with other characters.

The main problem with the games though, and the remastered version, is that they are all painfully easy. So easy in fact, it nearly ruins the entire experience of playing. Because you can over level extremely quickly (even accidentally), you never actually have to learn the intricacies of the battle system. You can just steam roll everything, and you need to avoid exploring dungeons in the game if you want to stay underleveled enough to make the game remotely challenging. This makes the play boring and unrewarding. The battle system is very fun and more intricate than it seems at first glance, but most players never have the chance to figure that out.

So, what did the remastered version do to fix this severe playabilty problem? Nothing. In fact, they made it worse. Last Recode has a “cheat mode” that makes the game a complete joke. It maxes all your stats so you one-shot everything and the game has no challenge at all. Worse, some fights in the game were actually made easier because Cyber Connect 2 actually believed the game should be “less stressful.” Hard to be stressed out when you’re asleep from how easy a game is.

So far, the information out there on a Switch release indicates it’s a port with nothing new. So, it’s safe to say unless they add more to it, like a nightmare mode, you should probably skip the Switch release instead of playing a game you won’t be interested enough to finish. I love the series, I really do, but it’s not worth replaying these days unless you’re the kind of person who feels satisfied steam rolling everything with no challenge. If you’re completely new to the series and don’t mind boring battles, there is some artistry in the world/ city designs and a good story you can appreciate.

Bandai and Cyber Connect 2 seem at odds over the Switch release, but I wish they would get their heads on straight and add more to the game instead of just simply porting it over. Sadly, a better release of Last Recode probably isn’t in the cards. Ah well.

Author username: Noah Ulaine