A virus continues to spread in The World - the online universe in .hack. The World is just like your average online RPG. There's towns, mingling characters, and dungeons to battle in. The only difference is that certain individuals that log into The World fall into a coma in the real world. Main character Kite is reluctant to continue in part 3 and he questions whether all his work will matter. Gal pal Blackrose is frustrated with Kite's reluctance and ditches the online world. Kite is forced to find out more clues to save his comatose friend Orca and dig deeper into the mystery.

.hack recreates the online gaming experience with The World the desktop software Altimit. Here players can check their email, news, or click onto The World. Every part of the titles' presentation is used to create an online illusion, and it works beautifully. Bandai even takes time to poke fun at itself with a news article for the successor to WonderSwan, the WonderHawk. The World has a message board full of posts that guide the player to new locations.

Gameplay is identical to previous installments. Players can import their completed part 2 data into part 3 and retain all level status and items. New players start out at level 50 and hold an arsenal comparable to saved file. Dungeons are no different than previous titles – maze-like, mult-leveled areas with plenty of monsters. The game doesn't cater to new players and Kite will be thrust in the first dungeon with no party members. The enemies are powered up to match what level the player should be at in part 3. The battles are tough, heavily menu-based, and players will need to be stocked with scrolls, items, and heavy knowledge of which spells or attacks weaken enemies most.

The virus spread has added a nice visual touch to Outbreak. Towns that used to be free of error now contain data tears that look like bad graffiti. It's interesting to see the old areas deteriorating as sign of the virus lurching into more areas of The World. The brand new Sigma server is home to the new town, Fort Ouph, and the entire .hack world runs on a solid, colorful engine.

Outbreak's biggest flaw might be its own previous installments. Players won't find much new gameplay in part 3 besides in acceleration of the story arc. Newbies will no doubt feel lost entering part 3 with little or previous knowledge of the play without a tutorial. However .hack fans won't be disappointed if they want to log into more of the same.