Updated on October 10, 11:57 a.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy, updated title.
Are you a fan of HoYoverse games like Honkai Impact 3rd, Genshin Impact, or Honkai Star Rail?
Do you like action-packed games that test your reflexes and include lots of quick-time events?
Are you drawn to playing video games with characters depicted in art styles typically seen in anime?
If you answered yes to these questions, then Zenless Zone Zero is the perfect game for you.
In Zenless Zone Zero, a supernatural catastrophe called the “Hollows” has wiped out modern civilization.
These Hollows appear suddenly, creating chaotic realms where mysterious creatures known as the “Ethereal” wander. The surviving city, New Eridu, has thrived by developing technology to extract valuable resources from these Hollows.
As New Eridu becomes a miraculous haven, drawing in more residents, it utilizes extensive exploration of the Hollows for expansion.
The Hollows transform into an industrialized and monetized zone under the city’s control, sparking tensions among monopolies, gangs, conspirators, and fanatics.
ONE Esports spoke to video game producer Zhenyu Li (李振宇) on what HoYoverse fans and gamers should expect from Zenless Zone Zero.
3 compelling reasons why you should play Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero’s distinctive style and vibrant color scheme takes your breath away
Right off the bat, you’ll notice Zenless Zone Zero’s bold and fun art style. This is characterized with the use of highly contrasting colors in their character designs, tons of holographic skill effects, and snappy animations.
“From the artistic standpoint, I believe what makes Zenless Zone Zero unique is the blend of our team’s inherent personality and our collective dedication,” Zhenyu told ONE Esports.
The game follows an urban fantasy theme in a post-apocalyptic era. Despite the setting, ZZZ is not entirely grim — instead, this setting helped develop the creation of their intended artistic style and story, which “places a strong emphasis on vibrant colors, dynamic rhythms, and impactful animation effects.”
The game celebrates beauty amidst the chaos, evident in its visually stunning characters juxtaposed against the bustling city streets and the wreckage within Hollows.
Intriguing and one-of-a-kind characters? ZZZ has them
While ZZZ maintains the beloved anime-style art typical of HoYoverse games, it distinguishes itself within the gacha gaming scene through its captivating array of characters.
For example, one of the factions in the game is called Victoria Housekeeping, a group of maids and butlers that offer different services.
ZZZ’s design team combined the familiar cleaning profession with elements commonly seen in horror movies, resulting in a set of intriguing characters.
“Our team really values self-improvement,” Zhenyu said. “When we start designing a new character, we all get together and ask ourselves, ‘What kinds of characters haven’t players seen before?’ We take the ideas brought up in these discussions and develop them further.”
It’s all about the details in ZZZ
Creating great games requires time and attention to detail. The ZZZ team dedicated themselves to refining every aspect of the game to ensure players find joy in even the smallest elements.
“We all agree on one thing: paying close attention to details and commitment to execution is crucial,” Zhenyu said. “When designing the game, we carefully consider what players might like and repeatedly refine every aspect. Some features even exceeded my expectations.”
When you explore the town in ZZZ, you’ll encounter numerous establishments. What’s surprising is that major locations like New Eridu’s arcade, cafe, and restaurant are all fully interactive.
Each establishment offers fresh mini-games and content that players can experience, maybe even relive the nostalgia of the 90s and 2000s eras.
“The in-game TV commercials, movie posters in stores, and news pages on NPC phones add so much depth, significantly enhancing the game’s final presentation,” Zhenyu said.
Experience all these and more in Zenless Zone Zero on iOS, Android, PC, and PlayStation 5.
READ MORE: Exclusive: ZZZ is a love letter to this iconic era, says HoYoverse producer
