This Week in Games - Dot Hackers, Demon Attackers, and Sony's State of Play

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CyberConnect2 Revisits the World with a New .hack Title

The gaming sphere buzzed with anticipation as CyberConnect2 teased a new project, coinciding with their 30th anniversary. Speculation ran rampant, with some hoping for a game based on Jujutsu Kaisen, while others yearned for a remastered .hack//IMOQ quadrilogy. The latter group was partially correct, as CyberConnect2 is indeed revisiting the .hack universe for their anniversary, but with a brand-new game: .hack//Z.E.R.O!

Details remain scarce, as is typical with teaser announcements. However, it's understood that Z.E.R.O. serves as a reboot for the beloved .hack series. A glimpse at the character designs reveals a shift in artistic direction. Seiichiro Hosokawa, known for his work on the .hack//G.U. series, takes over character design duties from Yoshiyuki Sakamoto. While the reviewer admits to not having played the G.U. games, he expresses mixed feelings about the redesigns. The aesthetic of "The World" seems to lean more towards traditional fantasy, with technological elements appearing primarily during Aura or Morgana's interventions. Balmung and BlackRose retain design consistency, albeit with more elaborate details. Kite, the protagonist, receives a modern makeover, sporting attire reminiscent of parkour gear. Despite these changes, the iconic Data Drain sound effect remains unchanged, a reassuring detail for longtime fans. In an interview with Famitsu, CyberConnect2 President Hiroshi Matsuyama confirmed that Z.E.R.O. will delve deeper into the real world beyond just email exchanges.

The reviewer acknowledges that .hack's impact may be less apparent today, as many of its innovative concepts have been adopted and refined by series like Sword Art Online. However, in the early 2000s, .hack was a multimedia phenomenon centered around a mysterious MMORPG called The World, plagued by supernatural occurrences. A mysterious entity named Morgana would generate aberrant monsters, leading to players slipping into comas when defeated in-game. The protagonists united, often aided by the enigmatic Aura, to combat these threats. The original .hack//SIGN anime explored the mystery surrounding Tsukasa, a player unable to log out of the game. The .hack//IMOQ games focused on Kite's battles against Morgana, utilizing the Twilight Bracelet granted by Aura to "Data Drain" illegal monsters.

The allure of .hack lay in the enigma of Aura and Yoshiyuki Sakamoto's character designs, but also in its insightful portrayal of online communities and their inhabitants. .hack//SIGN revealed that players were not simply random individuals, but included employees at the Diet and professional models. The IMOQ games expanded on this, with party members contacting Kite outside the game to share personal stories. The game presented a diverse cast of characters, from homemakers to hardcore fans of Asian cinema. Even NPCs were depicted as players with their own motivations, seeking escape, trolling others, or spreading misinformation. Notably, the IMOQ games preceded World of Warcraft, showcasing the franchise's prescience regarding the MMO boom.

CyberConnect2, while recognized for their licensed anime titles and Little Tail Bronx games, honed their skills through their work on .hack. The studio's commitment to utilizing 30 years of experience for Z.E.R.O. is welcomed by fans. The trailer has garnered overwhelmingly positive reactions from both American and Japanese fans, with one Japanese fan expressing surprise at the enduring popularity of .hack in the U.S. The YouTube description indicates that CyberConnect2 was granted complete creative control over the project by .hack owner Bandai Namco, signifying that Z.E.R.O. is truly their vision. While a release window is yet to be announced, the prospect of a new .hack game in 2026 is exciting for many.

DAMON and BABY: A Demon's Daycare Adventure

Arc System Works is developing DAMON and BABY, a game about a demon tasked with caring for a mysterious toddler. The reviewer received an advanced copy of the demo.

DAMON and BABY is an isometric looter game where players control a demon carrying a baby, battling monsters and demons. Players have fists and firearms, including pistols, machine guns, and shotguns. By progressing through ruins, players can earn improved weapons with various perks, such as increased shots per bullet, faster fire rates, and better damage. Defeating monsters grants experience, allowing the demon to level up, increasing health or weapon proficiency. Shooting feels satisfying, especially when finding weapons that suit one's playstyle.

Monsters have varied abilities, such as immunity to bullets, theft of the baby, poison attacks, ranged spear attacks, and summoning extra monsters. Players can utilize guns and the "Baby Jump," where the demon throws the baby to teleport to her location, dodging enemy fire and solving platforming puzzles.

Besides combat, players can interact with locals, assisting them with quests. The game includes fan service, such as a quest involving an amnesiac I-No from Guilty Gear. Players can customize their outfit and collect ingredients and recipes for cooking.

The reviewer noted initial difficulty due to weak starting weapons and limited inventory space. There's also a lack of restorative items early on due to the burger recipe being overlooked. The game features Diablo-esque difficulty with no auto-saving and a Dark Souls-esque mechanic where resting on a sofa restores health but respawns enemies.

Despite some issues, the reviewer found the action fun, the characters charming, and the writing genuine. The demo was available on Steam this February 20, and DAMON and BABY releases this March 2 on PS4, PS5, Switch, and Steam.

Sony State of Play: A Showcase of Games

The reviewer expresses satisfaction with the recent State of Play presentation, highlighting the focus on actual games rather than live-service titles. The reviewer gives acknowledgement to two series that were announced. Legacy of Kain: Defiance is receiving an HD remaster, and a new title, Legacy of Kain: Ascendance, will explore Raziel's story before the events of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

Sony is remaking the original God of War trilogy, with TC Carson returning as Kratos' voice actor. A new 2D God of War game, Sons of Sparta, details Kratos' childhood. While the reviewer has had reservations about the gratuitous violence in the original God of War games, he acknowledges the stellar quality of the series and expresses confidence in Santa Monica Studio's ability to handle the remakes.

Death Stranding 2 is receiving a PC port this March 19, focusing on technical updates like unlocked frame rates and ultra-wide support. The reviewer supports the idea of keeping ports simple without unnecessary additions.

CAPCOM showcased Pragmata, coming out this April 24, and Resident Evil Requiem, coming out this February 27. The reviewer expresses interest in Pragmata despite reservations about Requiem.

Konami announced Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2, which includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Getting MGS4 back is significant due to its PS3 exclusivity. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is still canon to Metal Gear Solid 4.

Konami is celebrating Castlevania's 40th anniversary with a new game, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, starring a successor of Trevor Belmont. The game features a Metroidvania-style adventure with a painterly aesthetic.

Silent Hill: Townfall, developed with Annapurna, stars Simon Ordell in the town of St. Amelia, haunted by his past and strange dreams. The game is a first-person experience with elements reminiscent of the newer Resident Evil titles.

Konami also announced Rev.NOiR, a new action-RPG produced by Nobuki Kadoi, set in a world plagued by the Lightfall. The game is still early in development.

X-Men characters are joining Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, including Storm, Wolverine, Magik, and Danger. The reviewer expresses excitement about the inspired character choices.

Dead or Alive 6 is getting an update with Dead or Alive 6: Last Round, adding a photo mode. Dead or Alive 7 is in development for the franchise's 30th anniversary.

The reviewer acknowledges Brigandine Abyss, a hex-tiled strategy game with over 100 character classes, six storylines, and hundreds of side missions.

GAME FREAK's Beast of Reincarnation received a sizzle reel showcasing its action sequences. The reviewer notes the game's Souls-like inspiration and discusses the ongoing debate surrounding GAME FREAK's work on Pokémon.

Shueisha Games and Acquire announced Yakoh Ninja-Ops, a stealth game with ninja wetwork reminiscent of Tenchu. The game features a team of four ninjas working together to infiltrate a palace.

Quick Tidbits

Shutaro Iida, longtime creative director for the Castlevania and Bloodstained games, passed away at the age of 52.

CAPCOM has released Dino Crisis and Dino Crisis 2 on Steam.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is getting a third DLC pack, "Anti-ParadoX," featuring X-Antibody versions of Royal Knight Digimon.

Developers MAGI Inc and Neotro have announced a release window for their princess-raising simulator Magical Princess.

The Console Archives have announced their next upcoming title: the 1991 shooter creator, Dezaemon.

Ubisoft has confirmed a special appearance for Rainbow Six Siege: Solid Snake, voiced by David Hayter, in Operation Silent Hunt this March 3.