.hack//Z.E.R.O. Starts Beloved MMO Isekai Series Anew

CyberConnect2 has finally granted the prayers of those .hack fans who have been begging for a new game! It’s been a while since we got a new game. The .hack//G.U. remaster Last Recode was released in 2017, but the last original game was .hack//New World, a Japan-only mobile game that released on October 19th, 2015.

.hack//Z.E.R.O. is a reboot of that beloved series without Bandai Namco’s involvement. Though the title matches the June 28th, 2003 light novel .hack//Zero starring Carl and Alph, CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama has already confirmed that the game and light novel are completely unrelated. The details are scarce, but we know the new cast of characters have very familiar appearances. We’ll see what they get up to when CC2 reveals more about their Project Dusk.

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CyberConnect2 launched the .hack franchise in 2002. Studio Bee Train’s anime iteration .hack//SIGN premiered on April 4th, 2002. CyberConnect2 released the first video game .hack//Infection on June 20th, 2002.

.hack//Z.E.R.O. Cast

The mysterious yet familiar cast is as follows:

Kite (?) — A boy who resembles the legendary dothacker. He wields a dark version of the Bracelet of Twilight.
BlackRose (?) — A girl who resembles the legendary dothacker. She wears bikini armor and wields a large sword similar to her predecessor.
Aura (?) — A girl who resembles the goddess of The World. She grants the power of Data Drain to the one who looks like Kite.

CyberConnect2 maintains a home page and a Twitter (X) page to promote .hack//Z.E.R.O., and you can find more information about the series and the key visuals at those sites.

Everything Begins in .hack//Z.E.R.O.

CyberConnect2 and Hiroshi Matsuyama have kept details pretty scarce so far. Matsuyama gave some details in an interview with Famitsu, which should give fans plenty to look forward to. First and foremost, this is all CC2’s work; Bandai Namco has no hand in this game. It’s a complete reboot of the series, made for both veterans and newcomers alike.

To begin with, players will be able to explore both the offline and online worlds, rather than having to read articles and blog posts about the offline world. It’s a literal game-changer. This allows more offline storylines that promise the “raw human drama” on the “real-world side.” We’ll also see their interpretation of the world in 2036.

The teaser PV — which was created by Kamikaze Douga — depicts characters that will look familiar to many .hack veterans. The Aura-like character is shrouded in darkness, with an outfit that is Aura’s complete opposite. The Kite-like character lacks Kite’s bravery and seems to be wearing more modern attire. This contrasts with the alternative BlackRose and Balmung, who wear the typical fantasy armor found in The World. BlackRose still looks fine. Zoom in on her image, you’ll see why.

CyberConnect2 is going to make the most out of .hack‘s 30th anniversary with a video game made solely by them with no oversight from Bandai Namco. Now, if they’re willing to really give the fans what we’ve been begging for, let’s see IMOQHD. Remaster or port the original quadrilogy. Give Kite the Last Recode treatment.

Are you excited to see a new .hack game coming out? Have you played the original games? Who do you think the new dothackers are? Let us know in the comments below.

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