Following the shutdown of the immensely popular virtual reality MMORPG "The World," a new iteration of the game, The World R:2, is launched. On his debut day in the game, newcomer Haseo believes he has found friends to quest with. However, as if to mock his feelings, they kill his character simply for amusement. Fortunately, he is rescued by a mysterious, one-armed player named Ovan, who offers to guide him through The World. Together with Ovan and his cleric companion Shino, Haseo enjoys a wonderful first year in the game. But this tranquil existence is shattered when Shino's character is killed by a familiar figure infamously known as Tri-Edge, whose victims have all fallen into comas in the real world. In a fit of rage, Haseo vows to track down the elusive Tri-Edge and kill him. Set during Haseo's first year in The World, .hack//Roots explores the friendships Haseo formed in the game before Tri-Edge tore them apart.