Just finished the second game. Someone comfort me and tell me that you get Alkaid back, even if it's just lies. That fagle Endrance is a shitty replacement (even if he's actually really good). I would have liked to get Kaede (and maybe Zelkova too) on my team too, but oh well. Also, I hope I get the Azure trio on my side at some point. Playing with them would be the shiiiiiit. (even though it's prolly never gonna happen, lol)
This second game had a lot of improvements over the first though, I must say. I was really impressed. I hope the trend continues and part 3 is absolutely great.
Anyway, I have a question, and the gamefaqs boards are dead and full of trolls. So, is there a way to get the fan user (I heard it was Yata?) in the second game so that I can get the special weapon for him? I'm still finishing a couple post game things up, so I'd like to know before I start the third and somehow find out that I can't get the damn fan weapon because I didn't get it in part 2.
Before I begin, let me just say that I utterly, sincerely HATE Piros the Third.
SPOILER ALERT...RAWR.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To answer your questions. Yes to everything. I absolutely love this game series and spent a good amount of time on this.
The third game was absolutely amazing as far as the ending went. Some stuff pissed me off in the third game, like item farming.... But getting the ending cut scenes, or the scenes leading to the end got me choked up and teary (especially during certain cut scenes).
Yes, you get Alkaid back (I was seriously pissed to all hell [on the verge of tears] when I lost Alkaid). Of all the characters in the game, I feel Alkaid had the most personality and character development over the course of the entire game. The whole Alkaid vs Atoli thing going on was quite humorous. Much love for Alkaid.
Fan user is Yata and yes to the special weapon. Even after I got him I never really used him in party...he kinda sucked. He is available after a good part of the third game, so just keep at it.
Endrance is a damn good fighter. His special weapon is weak until you unlock its full abilities then it becomes utterly broken as far as its abilities go...I still never use him though.
If you haven't played the first .hack game series, you might not get who some people are when they mention who they are, but I was shocked when [omitted for spoiler] appeared and [omitted for big spoiler] revealed. Yes, the Azure trio are can be recruited to your party, but this is only post-game. Same for Zelkova and Kaede. Kaede's sword is cool looking, I want to have that sword she uses. Azure trio aren't really all that...a maxed out Endrance/Alkaid/Anteres/
offer better party support, but by that time who needs a party?
Oh, and if I ever met him, I would seriously punch Sakaki in the face. If I recall correctly, you learn who he is by watching those Jack videos in the news section in the game. He's a psychodouche.
.
.
.
.
.
.
END SPOILER Yeah, I omitted stuff from a spoiler alert thing...I just cant bring myself to reveal too much about this with how much I loved this game.
If you want to learn the back story to the game, I recommend checking out the anime .hack//ROOTS, the storytelling in the anime aren't the best, but you do learn everything that you may want to learn about why this is happening. Also the movie .hack//G.U. Trilogy is a pretty good movie...it does go by very quickly in comparison to the games, but it crams all three games (plus a little extra) into one movie. Sadly, Alkaid is in the movie for a grand total of about 0.8 seconds and has no importance other than a mere flashback.
If you have played any of the original .hack// games, after you finish the game (third), check your inbox (which you are bound to do anyway) and look for little easter egg in there...e-mails from some characters from the first .hack// games.