MiHoYo’s latest release, the highly-anticipated Zenless Zone Zero, bursts onto the scene with a dazzling display of style. Set in neon-drenched New Eridu, you become a Proxy, diving into monster-infested dimensions called Hollows to scavenge resources. The core gameplay is a frenetic dance of combat. You juggle a team of three characters, each with awesome moves, dodging attacks and countering like a boss.
New Eridu itself is a vibrant escape from the Hollows’ dangers. Bustling streets offer ramen shops, arcades, and a chance to soak in the city’s unique atmosphere. The narrative unfolds organically through side quests and character interactions, revealing a world where megacorporations exploit the Hollows while everyday citizens struggle. While the story isn’t groundbreaking, the world-building is strong.
The true stars of the game are the characters. In Zenless Zone Zero, you take on the role of either Wise or Belle, a pair of siblings who share the mantle of Proxy (individuals who guide people going into the Hollows). Wise is calm and focused, while Belle is energetic and optimistic. Despite their contrasting personalities, they work together seamlessly, with each character providing advice and participating in key story moments.
Forget the usual hero archetypes. Zenless Zone Zero introduces you to a diverse group of characters. The cast is diverse and interesting, with Billy Kid’s Deadpool-like wit (and colour scheme), cat-girl Nekomata’s bubbly excitement, the enigmatic Anby, Ellen Joe (a literal shark girl), and the stoic Grace Howard, each with their own unique backstory and motivation. These misfits band together, and their interactions form a bond that makes heading into the monster-infested Hollows feel more like a wild ride with your best friends than a job.
However, the game isn’t without flaws. The game uses that gacha system everyone loves to hate, meaning you might have to wrestle with randomness (except with the W-Engines, you get the same ones a BILLION times) to get the higher S-Ranked characters. Plus, the endgame gets a bit repetitive, mostly just revisiting conquered dimensions on harder difficulties. While there are side missions, a lack of variety might leave some players wanting more.
Overall, Zenless Zone Zero is a stylish debut with tons of potential. The combat’s a blast, the world is bursting with personality, and the characters are a joy to hang out with. The not-so-great character acquisition system and repetitiveness keep it from being a total masterpiece, but hopefully, future updates will fix those hiccups and make Zenless Zone Zero a true contender in the action RPG arena.
Zenless Zone Zero is available now on PC, Android, iOS, and PlayStation 5
