.hack//Z.E.R.O. Announced as New Action RPG
CyberConnect2 announces a new entry in the beloved .hack series after ten years of development. .hack ZERO is a fully self-published action RPG for home consoles. Bandai Namco Entertainment granted CyberConnect2 permission to manage the entire project independently. The story is set roughly ten years in the future from previous entries. It once again centers around the in-game MMORPG “The World.” However, this installment focuses more on real-world drama than before. Previous entries limited real-world depictions due to budget constraints. No such limitations exist for this new project.
A Return to The World with Modern Expectations
World-renowned violinist Taro Hakase composed the theme music for the game. The project blends the series’ trademark duality of fantasy and reality. It infuses this concept with modern expectations and pure CyberConnect2 spirit. Both veteran fans and new players can enjoy the experience equally.
The development team includes series veterans alongside younger staff members. The teaser visual reflects themes of duality and contrast throughout. Public persona versus inner feelings and reality versus games are explored. Consequently, the game promises a novel RPG experience for everyone.
A Series That Pioneered Cross-Media Storytelling
The .hack series began in 2002 with .hack//Infection on PlayStation 2. It expanded to anime, novels, manga, and OVAs over the years. The franchise pioneered cross-media worldbuilding by telling stories from the same universe. This new entry continues that tradition with modern technology.
Specific platforms and a release date remain unannounced for now. Fans should expect more details as development progresses further. The title reflects a message of restarting .hack from zero. This is a fresh beginning for a beloved franchise.
