Bandai today revealed some more tidbits of information about its newest PlayStation 2 title .hack//G.U. Volume 1 Saitan (Resurrection). The newest addition to the popular series of RPGs will again take players into the virtual reality of The World: R2.

The game's story will center around four different guilds: Kestrel with its 5,000 members is the game's largest guild. It is a gathering of so-called Player Killers who attack other users. Kestrel is opposed by Tsuki no Ki, a guild which is promoting harmony and peace. Its 1, 000 members are not permitted to fight. Kanard is a small guild set up to give support to newcomers to The World: R2. Its members are often targetted by Kestrel's Player Killers. The fourth guild, Raven, also happens to be the most mysterious one. Apart from the fact that its master is a man by the name of Yata, it is shrouded in secrecy. Each guild possesses a base known as @Home. The large guilds Kestrel and Tsuki no Ki possess bases of the size of towns. Behind Raven's @Home a mysterious facility known as Serpent of Wisdom is hidden.

In addition to standard monster battles, .hack//G.U. Volume 1 Saitan will also offer versus battles against Player Killers. On the field map certain spots titled Battle Area are visible. Once a player approaches these zones, he will automatically be drawn into battle. Players who are being attacked by a foe might call for help. Successfully aiding them in battle and taking down their opponents will be rewarded by discounts at guild shops.

.hack//G.U. Volume 1 Saitan will be available in Japan sometime this May.

• Famitsu