Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s (miHoYo) latest free-to-play action RPG, released on July 4, 2024. It throws you into a vivid urban fantasy world where every character looks like they stepped out of an anime. The promotional artwork above showcases some of the game’s colorful protagonists and high-energy style. The game plays smoothly on high-end hardware (PC or PS5) and even scales down well to mobile devices. HoYoverse spared no effort: Zenless has sleek art design, a catchy electronic soundtrack, and lots of goofy humor in its storyline. It’s a mix of joy and grind – the core gameplay is fun, but the free-to-play banners can get intense. (More on that below.)
Gameplay & Features
Gameplay in Zenless Zone Zero blends two modes: a top-down “TV Mode” and a third-person combat mode. In the screenshot above, a Proxy character is about to leap into action with a giant mech-suit. You explore each area in the 2D grid-like TV Mode to pick up items and encounter enemies. When you step on a monster tile, the game switches to 3D Combat Mode for real-time hack-and-slash battles. Combos feel satisfying: you dodge, parry, and unleash chain attacks with your three-person squad. Each Agent (character) has unique abilities and “Bangboos” (robot buddies) that buff attacks. Overall the action is fluid and cinematic – much like other HoYoverse RPGs, it’s all about flashy combos and stylish visuals. Many players will enjoy the character collection aspect too, since you can recruit and level up dozens of agents with distinct looks and playstyles.
Release & Game Details
Release Date: July 4, 2024. (Zenless had soft launches earlier, but the global launch was on this date.)
Platforms: Windows PC (Epic Games Store), Android, iOS, PlayStation 5; an Xbox Series X/S port is planned for June 2025.
Developer/Publisher: Developed and published by miHoYo (HoYoverse). (In China it’s under the miHoYo brand; overseas it’s published by HoYoverse/Cognosphere.)
Genre: Free-to-play action RPG (hack-and-slash ARPG). Zenless plays like a gacha game, meaning it’s heavy on character pull mechanics and frequent updates.
Budget: Not publicly disclosed. (HoYoverse’s games are known to have huge budgets, but exact figures aren’t released.)
Revenue/Players: Zenless has been a financial hit. It amassed over 40 million pre-registrations before launch, and earned roughly $96 million on mobile in its first month. In fact, PCGamesN reports that Zenless pulled in nearly $100 million in July 2024, making it one of the biggest launches among gacha games. (This figure is mobile-only; PC and PS5 sales push the total even higher.)
Reception (Metacritic/User): Critics have given Zenless generally favorable reviews – the Metacritic score is about 76/100. Common praise goes to the art style, combat, and polish. On the other hand, players’ own reviews are mixed, averaging around 6.8/10. Many users like the core gameplay, but some are frustrated by the gacha monetization and grindy progression.
Where to Download
Android: Zenless Zone Zero on Google Play (Android) – download via Google Play Store.
iOS: Zenless Zone Zero on the App Store (iOS) – download via Apple App Store.
PC: Zenless Zone Zero on Epic Games Store (Windows PC) – free PC download from the Epic store.
PlayStation 5: Zenless Zone Zero on PlayStation Store (PS5) – free PS5 game.
Final Thoughts
Zenless Zone Zero is a pretty solid new entry in the ARPG genre. Its animation and soundtrack really stand out – it's easy to get sucked into the neon-lit world of New Eridu. The combat is fun (especially in co-op mode, though split-screen co-op is only on Xbox as of launch). As a blog writer, I’d say HoYoverse has once again delivered a high-quality experience. However, the free-to-play design means it will constantly nudge you to spend on new characters. Casual players should be aware that to keep up with endgame content, some grinding or microtransactions are basically required – that’s reflected in the somewhat mixed user scores. If you’re a fan of games like Genshin Impact or enjoy collecting characters, Zenless is worth checking out (and it’s free to download). Overall, it’s an eye-catching, action-packed RPG with lots of content – just be ready for that gacha trap!
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