Zenless Zone Zero

About Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero dropped on June 20, 2024 from miHoYo. This is a third-person action RPG set in New Eridu, a city surviving near-future disasters called Hollows. You play as a Proxy, guiding a squad through chaotic districts filled with dangerous factions. The game hits PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and mobile devices like Android and iOS. It focuses on single-player missions where you control a team of three characters. The art style is loud and colorful, leaning into urban aesthetics. This title tries to separate itself from the studio's previous open-world hit by focusing strictly on fast-paced dungeon crawling rather than exploration.

Gameplay

You control one character while two others assist in combat. The core loop involves switching between party members to chain attacks together. Basic and Special Attacks build up a stagger meter on enemies. Once an opponent hits the Stunned state, you trigger Chain Attacks for massive damage. Timing your dodges and parries is essential since blocking does not stop enemy combos. Every enemy type has specific weaknesses you must exploit. The game runs in single-player mode with no multiplayer interaction. Sessions feel like a series of short, intense combat encounters rather than long traversal segments. You manage your squad loadout before entering each mission instance.

What Players Think

Critics gave this title mixed but mostly positive marks. OpenCritic shows a 75 out of 100 score with 72.97% of reviewers recommending it. IGDB lists a 69.8 average based on 146 ratings. Twinfinite called it the best gacha action RPG available, ranking it above Wuthering Waves and Genshin Impact. IGN noted the kinetic combat but mentioned momentum-killing moments in their 80-point review. Community data suggests players spend an average of 35 hours completing main story achievements. The mood remains active with high engagement on social platforms discussing character builds. Achievement completion rates hover around 42% for the hardest challenges.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best if you want tight combat over open exploration. The price point varies by platform but generally aligns with standard live-service titles. You will unlock over 50 achievements, though many require grinding specific characters. MiHoYo nailed the action mechanics while keeping the story lightweight. I recommend this for players who enjoy hack-and-slash games and want a mobile-friendly experience. Skip it if you prefer slow-paced storytelling or massive open worlds. The combat loop is strong enough to keep you engaged for dozens of hours.

Storyline

In the near future, a mysterious natural disaster known as "Hollows" has occurred. A new kind of city has emerged in this disaster-ridden world — New Eridu. This last oasis has mastered the technology to co-exist with Hollows and is home to a whole host of chaotic, boisterous, dangerous, and very active factions. As a professional Proxy, you play a crucial role in linking the city and the Hollows. Your story awaits.