Zenless Zone Zero Explained

Zenless Zone Zero
Developer:miHoYo
Producer:Li Zhenyu[1]
Engine:Unity[2]
Released:Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5Xbox Series X/S
Genre:Action role-playing, hack and slash
Modes:Single-player

Zenless Zone Zero is a free-to-play action role-playing game developed and published by miHoYo. It was released outside mainland China by HoYoverse.

Zenless Zone Zero was released on Windows, iOS, Android and PlayStation 5 on July 4, 2024.[3] A port for Xbox Series X/S was released on June 6, 2025.[4] It received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise of its gameplay, soundtrack, animation and characters.

Gameplay

The player assumes the role of a Proxy (the protagonist known as Belle or Wise), a character who helps others explore alternate dimensions called Hollows.[5] [6] Over time, the Proxy will recruit new party members known as Agents to fight hostile entities called Ethereals and other enemies. In addition to the Proxy, players use rabbit-like robotic assistants known as Bangboos.

The gameplay is split into two different modes: "TV Mode" and "Combat Mode". TV Mode gameplay resembles a 2D dungeon crawler game, with the Proxy roaming on tiles that resemble televisions to find treasure, solve puzzles and fight enemies. If the Proxy steps on an enemy tile, the party is sent to "Combat Mode", where they fight in a 3D hack and slash-like game mode.

By combining the abilities of different Agents and Bangboos, players can deal greater damage and combos (known as Chain Attack) onto enemies.[6] [7] [8] The game features an in-game clock system, with the days split into morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight.

Story

Setting and characters

See main article: List of Zenless Zone Zero characters.

Zenless Zone Zero is an anime-styled gacha urban fantasy game that takes place in an post-apocalyptic universe that is a futuristic haven known as New Eridu. Large pocket dimensions called Hollows plague the world, engulfing the land and spawning hostile monsters called Ethereals, who have wreaked havoc on humanity. After the fall of Eridu, a group of survivors established a bastion against the invaders known as New Eridu. The group survived the oncoming onslaught by extracting a substance called Ether from the Hollows, which is used as a potent energy source for the entirety of New Eridu.[9]

The story follows Belle and Wise, two siblings who are proxies and are secretly the legendary Phaethon. The siblings possess a special technology known as the Hollow Deep Dive System, which allows them to remotely monitor and navigate Agents within Hollows through the use of their Bangboo, Eous. As the player progresses through the game, they meet new factions and their proxying capabilities are expanded with the addition of the A.I. Fairy, who can analyze Hollows.

Despite falling into the "futuristic" category, Zenless Zone Zero adopts a retro and analog aesthetic, which is explained by the notion that modern technology is susceptible to corruption from overexposure to Ether. Characters operate flip-phones or mobile phones reminiscent of models from the 2000s and 2010s. The two main protagonists reside in a video store (known as Random Play), where New Eridu citizens can rent VHS tapes.[10] CRT television sets reminiscent of those from the early 1980s to the 1990s are commonly seen throughout the game. There are also references to 1990s media as well as grunge or street-style designs present throughout New Eridu.

Plot

The player takes the role of the "Proxy", Belle or Wise (depending on the player's choice), one half of a sibling duo who are collectively known as the legendary "Phaethon". They operate a video rental shop called "Random Play" as a front for their undercover activities as Proxies; individuals who assist Hollow-raiding Agents in navigating the hazardous and ever-changing landscape of Hollows. To this end, Phaethon utilizes a Hollow Deep Dive System, or HDD, which allows them to project their consciousness in real-time into a small rabbit-like robot called a Bangboo, as opposed to other publicly-available Hollow observation systems which have a significant time delay on information going to and from a Hollow. As being a Proxy without authorization from New Eridu's Public Security is illegal, the siblings use Random Play as a legitimate cover while they carry out commissions in the various Hollows both within and outside of New Eridu, though their Proxy career is secondary to their investigation into "Hollow Zero", one of the oldest and largest Hollows, which is located on the site of the old Eridu city which was destroyed in a massive Hollow disaster 11 years before the events of the game.

Season 2

Development

Zenless Zone Zero was produced by Zhenyu Li.[11] The development team cited Persona 5, Digimon World, and Street Fighter as influences for Zenless Zone Zero, influences from Street Fighter can be seen within the animation of characters during combat while the influences of Digimon World can be seen in the implementation of the in-game clock system. The development team stressed that Zenless Zone Zero has a unique style.[12] [13]

Characters in Zenless Zone Zero have different designs based on their faction; For instance, the design for Victoria Housekeeping characters is based on Victorian-era butlers and maids with tropes from horror movies.[10] There is an emphasis on quality over quantity regarding the development of characters.[12]

Unlike the character designs in MiHoYo's previous games such as Genshin Impact and , Zenless Zone Zero took a different direction with its variety of playable characters; There are non-human playable characters such as Ben Bigger, a grizzly bear, Soukaku, a blue-colored oni, and Billy Kid, an android[14] gunslinger.[15] [16] During the planning stages, these non-human characters were not intended to be present in the game but the team did find them fun and later incorporated them into the game.[17]

The developer has adjusted gameplay elements after player feedback. Late in 2024, the TV Mode was largely truncated due to generally negative reception of the puzzle-based design.[18] The version 2.0 update in July 2025 optimized the hub world design and user interface to improve player's experience.[19]

Marketing and release

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.[20] A second closed beta test, called an "Equalizing Test", was also held for PC and iOS in November 2023.[21] A third beta test, called an "Amplifying Test", was held for Android, PC, and iOS, in April 2024.[22] During Sony Interactive Entertainment's State of Play presentation in January 2024, a PlayStation 5 port of the game was announced as a timed console exclusive.[23] 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.[24] An advertisement campaign on the Manila Light Rail Transit in the Philippines was held.[25] A series of launch events titled "New Eridu City Tour" is being held in 19 locations worldwide.[26] Another series of events titled "Zenless Dazzle Expo" is held within six comic conventions.[27]

In July 2024, HoYoverse, through a collaboration between them and Lofi Girl, released a Zenless Zone Zero-themed Lofi Girl video featuring the character Belle though its HoYoFair YouTube channel, which features lo-fi remixes of select Zenless Zone Zero soundtracks.[28] [29] [30]

Reception

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 as 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.[31]

Eurogamer said that the combat and day-to-day exploration exciting, and the world setting unique and immersive. Kotaku said its combat system is similar to miHoYo's previous game, Honkai Impact 3rd.[15]

Paste, in its more critical review, praised the character design and variety, while calling the starter playable characters' usage repetitive and the TV mode dull and uninspiring.[32] PC Gamer criticized the combat system by calling it "mindless mouse clicking".

In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game a total score of 34 out of 40.

Zenless Zone Zero has surpassed 50 million downloads around the world just three days after launch.[33] The mobile version of the game grossed almost million in its first 11 days and million in its first month.[34] [35] [36] Chinese video game news website GameLook estimated the total revenue from all platforms of the game for July 2024 to exceed billion (million.)[37]

Accolades

Year Award Category Result
2024China Game Innovation CompetitionBest Innovative Game Award[38]
Gamescom AwardsBest Mobile Game[39]
App Store AwardsiPhone Game of the Year[40]
PlayStation Partner AwardsPartner Award[41]
The Game Awards 2024Best Mobile Game[42]
Players' Voice
UCG Game AwardsBest Mobile Game[43] [44]
2025New York Game Awards 2024A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game[45]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tuting . Kristine "Kurisu" . April 24, 2024 . Exclusive: Zenless Zone Zero is HoYo's next big gacha — and its already so different . 2023-12-04 . ONE Esports . December 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204064004/https://www.oneesports.gg/gaming/zenless-zone-zero-genshin-impact-hsr/ . live .
  2. Web site: Games Made with Unity: July 2024 in review. Saver. Michael. Unity Technologies. 2024-08-01. 2024-09-07.
  3. Web site: Zenless Zone Zero launches July 4. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. May 27, 2024. May 27, 2024. August 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240823234036/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/05/zenless-zone-zero-launches-july-4. live.
  4. Web site: Zenless Zone Zero for Xbox Series launches in June alongside version 2.0 update. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. April 11, 2025. April 11, 2025.
  5. Web site: Genshin Impact Developer Reveals New Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy RPG. Troughton. James. The Gamer. May 13, 2022. October 12, 2022. July 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240715172949/https://www.thegamer.com/genshin-impact-zenless-zone-zero-closed-beta-registration/. live.
  6. Web site: Sanchez . Miranda . June 29, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero: The Final Preview . 2024-06-29 . IGN Middle East . en-ae . June 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240630183400/https://me.ign.com/en/pc/222135/preview/zenless-zone-zero-the-final-preview . live .
  7. Web site: Genshin Impact creators reveal new game, Zenless Zone Zero. Goslin. Austen. Polygon. May 13, 2022. May 13, 2022. May 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513211341/https://www.polygon.com/23070860/zenless-zone-zero-hoyoverse-new-game-genshin-impact-closed-beta/. live.
  8. Web site: 'Zenless Zone Zero' is a new action RPG from the studio behind 'Genshin Impact'. Bonifacic. Igor. Engadget. May 14, 2022. October 11, 2022. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711091822/https://www.engadget.com/zenless-zone-zero-announced-201118401.html. live.
  9. Web site: miHoYo announces 'urban fantasy action RPG' Zenless Zone Zero for PC, iOS, more. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. May 13, 2022. October 11, 2022. June 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220617055718/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/05/mihoyo-announces-urban-fantasy-action-rpg-zenless-zone-zero-for-pc-ios-more. live.
  10. Web site: Nelva . Giuseppe . September 12, 2023 . Zenless Zone Zero Producer Promises "Much More Complete Gaming Experience" for Second Beta . 2024-08-08 . TechRaptor . en . July 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727001927/https://techraptor.net/gaming/features/zenless-zone-zero-interview-hoyoverse . live .
  11. Web site: Lada . Jenni . 6 June 2025 . Interview: Preparing Zenless Zone Zero 2.0 and Its Characters . Siliconera. 1 November 2025.
  12. Web site: Lawton . Tilly . June 19, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero's producer says "you can only produce something that players like if you like it too" . 2024-08-09 . Pocket Tactics . en-US . August 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803165128/https://www.pockettactics.com/zenless-zone-zero/interview-2 . live .
  13. Web site: Jia . Si . June 19, 2024 . HoYoverse's Action Game 'Zenless Zone Zero' Adapts Street Fighter Formula For Genre Newcomers & Fans – Interview . 2024-08-10 . Geek Culture . en-US . July 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240726120636/https://geekculture.co/geek-interview-hoyoverse-zenless-zone-zero-street-fighter/ . live .
  14. Web site: Zenless Zone Zero Official Site . 2025-11-03 . zenless.hoyoverse.com.
  15. Web site: Rowe . Willa . July 8, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero Is Stylish, Fun, And A Letdown . 2024-08-07 . . en . August 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240823234037/https://kotaku.com/zenless-zone-zero-genshin-impact-mobile-impressions-1851581587 . live .
  16. Web site: Warnock-Estrada . Micah . July 13, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero's Character Designs Could Signal a Shift for Genshin Impact . 2024-08-08 . Game Rant . en . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715173553/https://gamerant.com/zenless-zone-zero-character-designs-genshin-impact-honkai-star-rail/ . live .
  17. Web site: Tan . Amanda "Tannie Mae" . June 29, 2024 . Many furries in Zenless Zone Zero's roster: we find out why . 2024-08-09 . ONE Esports . en-US . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809152401/https://www.oneesports.gg/zenless-zone-zero/furries-zenless-zone-zero/ . live .
  18. Web site: Hyeon . Namil . 7 December 2024 . '젠레스 존 제로' 1.4 업데이트 관련 개발진 서면 인터뷰 . ThisIsGame . 1 November 2025.
  19. Web site: Kim . Seungju . April 10, 2025 . 젠레스 존 제로, 2.0에서는 어떻게 바뀌나? . ThisIsGame . 1 November 2025.
  20. Web site: Derrick . Connor . July 25, 2022 . Zenless Zone Zero offers up a release date for upcoming closed beta test and it's very soon . October 11, 2022 . . August 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818101922/https://www.pocketgamer.com/zenless-zone-zero/closed-beta-test/ . live .
  21. Web site: November 4, 2023 . Zenless Zone Zero Equalizing Test Sign-Up Starts Now! . 2023-11-26 . Zenless Zone Zero . en-us . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715101756/https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/en-us/news/113511 . live .
  22. Web site: March 17, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero Amplifying Test Sign-Up Now Open . March 18, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero . March 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318034545/https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/en-us/news/122896 . live .
  23. Web site: Romano . Sal . January 31, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero adds PS5 version . January 31, 2024 . Gematsu . February 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201152701/https://www.gematsu.com/2024/01/zenless-zone-zero-adds-ps5-version . live .
  24. Web site: 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! . 2024-07-09 . Jagat Play . id-ID . July 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715101815/https://jagatplay.com/2024/07/news/karya-seniman-lokal-inilah-graffiti-zenless-zone-zero-di-19-kota-indonesia/ . live .
  25. Web site: Manaloto . Nicolo . 2024-07-12 . Manila's LRT just debuted a Zenless Zone Zero wrapped train . 2024-09-07 . UnGeek . en-US . September 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240907131724/https://www.ungeek.ph/2024/07/manilas-lrt-just-debuted-a-zenless-zone-zero-wrapped-train/ . live .
  26. 1804726126079848921 . ZZZ_EN . New Eridu City Tour . June 23, 2024.
  27. 1805058270337572918 . ZZZ_EN . Zenless Zone Zero 2024 Expo Plan #ZenlessDazzleExpo . June 24, 2024.
  28. Web site: July 15, 2024 . New Zenless Zone Zero x Lofi Girl-Themed 'Zenless' Playlist Is Out Now . 2024-08-01 . en-US . August 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240801172820/https://www.gosugamers.in/new-zenless-zone-zero-x-lofi-girl-themed-zenless-playlist-is-out-now/ . live .
  29. Web site: Arias . Jackie . July 14, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero Collabs With Lofi Girl . 2024-08-01 . Game Rant . en . August 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240802071045/https://gamerant.com/zenless-zone-zero-lofi-girl-collab/ . live .
  30. Web site: Zenless Zone Zero Collabs With Lofi Girl . 2024-08-01 . OpenCritic . en . August 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240801172816/https://opencritic.com/news/2764/zenless-zone-zero-collabs-with-lofi-girl . live .
  31. Web site: June 2, 2022 . 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 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602005736/http://news.17173.com/content/05132022/144902177.shtml . 2022-06-02 . 2024-07-05 . 17173.com . Simplified Chinese.
  32. Web site: Rodriguez . Jason . July 3, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero Is a Rare Misstep for miHoYo . 2024-08-12 . . en-US . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809152400/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/zenless-zone-zero/zenless-zone-zero-is-a-rare-misstep-for-mihoyo . live .
  33. Web site: Marco . Wutz . Zenless Zone Zero reaches 50 million downloads in three days . Sports Illustrated . 8 July 2024 . December 17, 2024 . December 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241222134716/https://www.si.com/videogames/news/zenless-zone-zero-50-million-downloads . live .
  34. Web site: Astle . Aaron . July 16, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero surpasses $50 million in 11 days . 2024-08-08 . Pocket Gamer . en . July 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240720140823/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/zenless-zone-zero-surpasses-50-million-in-11-days/ . live .
  35. Web site: Norris . Rory . August 2, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero made over $96 million in its first month alone . 2024-08-08 . PCGamesN . en-US . August 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240808063236/https://www.pcgamesn.com/zenless-zone-zero/revenue-launch-july-2024 . live .
  36. Web site: Vahlström . Johan . August 7, 2024 . Zenless Zone Zero raked in $100 million in its first month . live . August 8, 2024 . Gamereactor . August 8, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240808063616/https://www.gamereactor.eu/zenless-zone-zero-raked-in-100-million-in-its-first-month-1417833/ .
  37. Web site: 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 . 2024-08-09 . GameLook . Simplified Chinese . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809064733/http://www.gamelook.com.cn/2024/08/550954 . live .
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