Cult JRPG series is getting a new game for the first time in 15 years, and Bandai Namco is giving the OG devs full control of the project

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CyberConnect2 is back with another .hack game

Screenshot from .hack//Zero's reveal trailer, showing a blue haired protagonist with headphones on looking into the camera. A blue sky stands behind him while ominous black threads creep toward his face.
(Image credit: CyberConnect2)

Developer CyberConnect2's cult action JRPG series .hack (that's not a typo, it's pronounced dot hack) is finally making a comeback, and the studio's managed to convince rights owner Bandai Namco to let it have full control over the project.

The Dragon Ball Kakarot and long-time Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm developer has created basically every game in the multimedia series stretching back to 2002, and it's just revealed the first entirely new mainline release in more than a decade called .hack//Zero, which sounds like it's pretty early in production. The reveal trailer is still cool as heck, though.

『.hack//Z.E.R.O.』ティザートレーラー #hackZERO #dothack #ドットハック - YouTube 『.hack//Z.E.R.O.』ティザートレーラー #hackZERO #dothack #ドットハック - YouTube
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"For .hack//Z.E.R.O., Bandai Namco Entertainment has given CyberConnect2 permission to manage the entirety of the project from planning and development to release," the studio explains on social media. "It will be a title that is fully self-published by CyberConnect2.​ World-renowned violinist Taro Hakase has penned the music, kick-starting the project to the dexterous tune of his violin."

For now, the developer says this upcoming entry will be a "novel RPG experience that blends the series’ trademark duality of fantasy (game world) and reality (real world) with modern expectations, infused with 100% pure CyberConnect2 spirit." The studio also promises it should be approachable to newcomers and veterans.

That aside, we don't know much about .hack//Zero. Like its older siblings, it sounds like this one will still play around with the concept of alternate digital worlds - think Sword Art Online - except this time our hero is also seemingly infected with some sort of virus.

While we wait, why not check out the very best JRPGs to play right now.

Kaan Serin
Freelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

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