A similar concept to Log Horizon, this takes place in the Dive MMORPG Yggdrasil which is going to close down. Momonga (our protagonist) has decided to watch the end of the game that he and his guild have spent so much time on except when the clock reaches 00.00 the game doesn't end. Something is amiss as he can't bring out his display screen and the NPC's (that only follow player commands) have gained sentience. Now what is he going to do in a world where he is by himself.
There is afew light novels released and about 7 manga chapters so far, though I'll stay off them until the corrosponding episode so I don't spoil anything. The series makes me think it will be a combination of Log Horizon and Maoyuu Maou Yuusha from the looks of it, but need to see what happens in this weeks episode to be sure of that.
I'll defend SAO, may not measure up to .hack but its a different perspective of a similar setting using more modern MMO elements and tastes (action/moe/harem). But atleast you watched the series completely (well technically there is more out), many don't even watch it and judge the series for having similar aspects as .hack//. Perhaps its popularity surpassed because of the limited access (due to price/availiability) to the game series which contained so much story, not to mention SAO having more action (so got all those ".hack is boring" viewers),uptodate MMO fighting and plenty of females. Compared to .hack// which spans so much media SAO would be far easier to get into back then as only the anime and possibly some of the manga/light novels would have been scanlated.
Volume 2 of the novel and manga are officially out in english~