Zenless Zone Zero
- CHN: miHoYo
- WW: Cognosphere
- TWN/HKG/MAC: Nijigen Games
- VNM: Gamota
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- PlayStation 5
Zenless Zone Zero [a] is a free-to-play action role-playing game developed and published by miHoYo (with publishing outside mainland China under Cognosphere, d/b/a HoYoverse). The game was released on Windows, iOS, Android and PlayStation 5 on July 4, 2024.[2]
Gameplay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e3/Zenless_Zone_Zero_screenshot.png/220px-Zenless_Zone_Zero_screenshot.png)
Zenless Zone Zero is an action role-playing game. The player assumes the role of a Proxy (the protagonist known as Wise or Belle,) a character who helps others explore the hostile alternate dimensions called Hollows.[3][4] As they advance, the Proxy will recruit new members known as Agents to their party as they continue to fight the Ethereal and other enemies. In addition to the Proxy, players also use assistants known as Bangboos.[4]
By combining the abilities of different Agents and Bangboos, players can deal greater damage and combos (known as Chain Attack) onto enemies.[4][5][6] The game features an in-game clock system, with the days split into morning, afternoon, night, and late-night.[4]
Setting and characters
The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic futuristic haven known as Eridu. Entities known as Ethereals have traveled into the human world from portals called Hollows. The Ethereals have wreaked havoc on most of humanity, wiping most of them out. However, a select group of survivors formed a bastion against the invaders called New Eridu, having survived the oncoming onslaught by extracting the Ethereals' technology and resources.[7]
There are several factions in the game, such as Random Play, where the Proxy belongs, Belobog Heavy Industries, whose focus lies in construction, Victoria Housekeeping, a housekeeping agency, Hollow Special Operations Section 6, a frontline unit of Hollow Special Operations, the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, which is a part of New Eridu Public Security, and Sons of Calydon, a biker gang.[8]
Despite falling into the "futuristic" category, Zenless Zone Zero takes on a retro and analog aesthetic, which is explained by the notion that modern technology is susceptible to corruption from the game's main enemies, the Ethereals. Characters can be seen operating flip-phones or phones reminiscent of models from the years between 2000 and 2010. The main 'base' location is a video store (known as Random Play) where citizens of New Eridu can rent films in the form of VHS.[9] Box TVs are also commonly seen throughout the game. There are also references to 1990s media as well as grunge or street-style designs present throughout New Eridu.
Development and release
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Zenless_Zone_Zero_%28ZZZ%29_Welcome_To_New_Eridu_Jakarta_%282024-07-07%29.jpg/260px-Zenless_Zone_Zero_%28ZZZ%29_Welcome_To_New_Eridu_Jakarta_%282024-07-07%29.jpg)
MiHoYo revealed the game in May 2022 and began holding closed beta tests, known as "Tuning Tests", for PC and iOS in August of the same year.[10] A second closed beta test, called an "Equalizing Test", was also held for PC and iOS in November 2023.[11] A third beta test, called an "Amplifying Test", was held for Android, PC, and iOS, in April 2024.[12] During PlayStation's State of Play presentation in January 2024, a PlayStation 5 port of the game was announced as a timed console exclusive.[13] A technical test was held for the PS5 in April 2024. The release date was announced in late May of that same year.
The game was released on July 4. To promote the game, HoYoverse collaborated with several graffiti artists to create Zenless Zone Zero-themed graffiti in 19 cities in Indonesia.[14] A series of launch events titled "New Eridu City Tour" is being held in 19 locations worldwide.[15] Another series of events titled "Zenless Dazzle Expo" is held within six comic conventions.[16]
In July 2024, HoYoverse, through a collaboration between them and Lofi Girl, released a video with the character Belle in a position like Lofi Girl though its HoYoFair YouTube channel.[17][18][19][b]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | PC: 79/100[20] |
Prior to the game's release, the Chinese video game news website 17173 noted that HoYoverse had significant experience with action games, considering Zenless Zone Zero both a return to the genre and a potential breakthrough for the company. They believed that HoYoverse had yet to encounter significant rivals in the action game category and that Zenless Zone Zero could "stabilize and expand the user market." 17173 also emphasized the game's strong stylized design and trendy visual elements, noting that it inherited HoYoverse's expertise in the action category while presenting a distinct and unique work.[21]
Eurogamer called the combat and day-to-day exploration exciting, and the world setting unique and immersive.[22] Kotaku said its combat system is similar to HoYoverse's previous RPG, Honkai Impact 3rd.[23]
The mobile version of the game grossed almost US$52 million in its first 11 days and US$100 million in its first month.[24][25][26] Chinese video game news website GameLook estimated the total revenue (all platform) of the game for July 2024 to exceed CN¥ 2.2 billion (US$306 million.)[27]
Notes
- ^ traditional Chinese: 絕區零; simplified Chinese: 绝区零; pinyin: Jué Qū Líng; Japanese: ゼンレスゾーンゼロ; Korean: 젠레스 존 제로
- ^ The HoYoFair program was created by HoYoverse to showcase fan art and animations that are made by creators inside/outside the Hoyoverse community based on games developed by miHoYo / HoYoverse (e.g. Genshin Impact). These submissions are often featured on HoYoFair's YouTube channel; some of these submissions have been used as marketing material to advertise their games in the form of community-driven advertising.
References
- ^ Tuting, Kristine "Kurisu" (April 24, 2024). "Exclusive: Zenless Zone Zero is HoYo's next big gacha — and its already so different". ONE Esports. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Romano, Sal (May 27, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero launches July 4". Gematsu. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Troughton, James (May 13, 2022). "Genshin Impact Developer Reveals New Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy RPG". The Gamer. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Sanchez, Miranda (June 29, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero: The Final Preview". IGN Middle East. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
- ^ Goslin, Austen (May 13, 2022). "Genshin Impact creators reveal new game, Zenless Zone Zero". Polygon. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ Bonifacic, Igor (May 14, 2022). "'Zenless Zone Zero' is a new action RPG from the studio behind 'Genshin Impact'". Engadget. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (May 13, 2022). "miHoYo announces 'urban fantasy action RPG' Zenless Zone Zero for PC, iOS, more". Gematsu. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ Lawton, Tilly. "All Zenless Zone Zero characters". Pocket Tactics. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ Nelva, Giuseppe (September 12, 2023). "Zenless Zone Zero Producer Promises "Much More Complete Gaming Experience" for Second Beta". TechRaptor. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Derrick, Connor (July 25, 2022). "Zenless Zone Zero offers up a release date for upcoming closed beta test and it's very soon". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
- ^ "Zenless Zone Zero Equalizing Test Sign-Up Starts Now!". Zenless Zone Zero. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- ^ "Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Test Sign-Up Now Open". Zenless Zone Zero. March 17, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Romano, Sal (January 31, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero adds PS5 version". Gematsu. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Santoso, Pladidus (July 8, 2024). "Karya Seniman Lokal, Inilah Graffiti Zenless Zone Zero di 19 Kota Indonesia!" [Work of Local Artists, Here Are Zenless Zone Zero Graffiti in 19 Indonesian Cities!]. Jagat Play (in Indonesian). Retrieved July 9, 2024.
- ^ @ZZZ_EN (June 23, 2024). "New Eridu City Tour" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @ZZZ_EN (June 24, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero 2024 Expo Plan #ZenlessDazzleExpo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "New Zenless Zone Zero x Lofi Girl-Themed 'Zenless' Playlist Is Out Now". July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Arias, Jackie (July 14, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero Collabs With Lofi Girl". Game Rant. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zenless Zone Zero Collabs With Lofi Girl". OpenCritic. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ "Zenless Zone Zero". Metacritic. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ "绝区零:米哈游在ACT赛道的自我革新_网络游戏新闻_17173.com中国游戏门户站". 17173.com. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ Orr, Jessica (July 4, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero review - ultracool action at a smaller scale brings HoYoverse's characters into focus". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
- ^ Rowe, Willa (July 8, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero Is Stylish, Fun, And A Letdown". Kotaku.
- ^ Astle, Aaron (July 16, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero surpasses $50 million in 11 days". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Norris, Rory (August 2, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero made over $96 million in its first month alone". PCGamesN. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ Vahlström, Johan (August 7, 2024). "Zenless Zone Zero raked in $100 million in its first month". Gamereactor. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "7月新游收入榜:绝区零破20亿,网易大丰收,腾讯心动各有斩获 | 游戏大观 | GameLook.com.cn". GameLook (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved August 9, 2024.
See also
- Honkai Impact 3rd, a similar game also created by miHoYo and part of the Honkai franchise.
- Punishing: Gray Raven, utilizing similar combat gameplay inside a futuristic setting.
External links
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- v
- t
- e
- Honkai Impact 3rd
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Genshin Impact
- Tears of Themis
- Zenless Zone Zero
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