.hack//Roots

The story follows Haseo, a skilled player in the popular MMORPG "The World", who is searching for the legendary player killer "Tri-Edge". Driven by a personal tragedy, Haseo's quest leads him to uncover a deeper conspiracy within the game and the real world. He encounters a group of mysterious players known as the "Death Game Master" and forms uneasy alliances as he delves into the game's secrets.

'.hack//Roots' received a mixed to negative reception, with critics and audiences often citing its slow pacing, convoluted plot, and deviations from the established '.hack' lore as major drawbacks. While some appreciated the animation and character designs, many found the narrative unsatisfying compared to previous installments in the franchise.

• Praised for its atmospheric world-building and potential for character development.
• Criticized for its often glacial pacing and a storyline that struggled to engage.
• Disappointing for long-time fans due to its departure from established narrative threads.

Google audience: Audience reviews for '.hack//Roots' were largely divided. Many expressed disappointment with the story's direction and felt it didn't live up to the hype or the quality of earlier '.hack' series. However, a smaller group appreciated the visual aesthetic and the introduction of new characters.

The series was intended to serve as a soft reboot for the '.hack' franchise, introducing a new protagonist and a significantly different narrative direction, which proved to be divisive among the fanbase.