Zenless Zone Zero: A Neon Sci-Fi Urban Adventure
Zenless Zone Zero embraces a vibrant Hi-Fi Rush/Jet Set Radio Future aesthetic, blending neon accents with sci-fi urbanism. In this world, skateboards serve as decorative items, bunny-robot mascots roam the streets, and dialogue flows through direct messages. It’s a stylish rebellion against polished businesses with political influence: graffiti appears artistic but lacks substance, and a massive tech corporation sets up shop only to distribute trendy trinkets. Surprisingly, the corporate military officers are friendly and helpful.
Zenless Zone Zero is a new revenue stream targeting a similar yet distinct audience from MiHoYo’s other successful gacha-style games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. This game fills a gap in the market, offering a fresh experience for players.
Gacha games like this are designed to entice players to spend money on in-game purchases. The goal is to engage players daily, enticing them with characters, storylines, and merchandise. However, for many players familiar with similar games from the same company, the experience may feel repetitive and insincere.
The game features a diverse cast of characters, each with unique personalities and visual styles, catering to a wide range of preferences. From shark girls to bear-men and abs-baring young men, the character selection is varied and appealing.
While the game initially charms players with its colorful and carefully crafted world, the gameplay can feel repetitive and uninspired. Missions often involve exploration in maze-like environments, followed by combat sequences in small arenas. The combat, while initially exciting, lacks depth and becomes monotonous over time.
Players may find themselves distracted by filler content and mandatory side stories that do little to enhance the overall experience. The game’s focus on in-game purchases and complex currency systems can also be overwhelming for some players.
Despite being free-to-play, Zenless Zone Zero heavily incentivizes in-game purchases, making it challenging for players to progress without spending money. The game’s ultimate goal seems to be to keep players engaged and spending, rather than providing a fulfilling gaming experience.
As players delve deeper into Zenless Zone Zero, it becomes apparent that the game prioritizes monetization over gameplay quality. While it may offer moments of enjoyment, the game’s relentless focus on extracting money from players can leave a bitter aftertaste.