Hoyoverseneeds to give me a break already. I’ve already sworn offGenshin Impact, largely due to it beinglittle more than an anime girl slot machine designed to suck up moneyas we grind for resources in the vain hope we’ll pull the characters we’ve already fallen for. While it’s yet to arrive on consoles,Honkai Star Railis much the same in its design, despite sporting what appears to be a different RPG mold. Now we haveZenless Zone Zero, an action RPG which to my absolute horror, looks incredible.
Receiving a fresh trailer atGamescom Opening Night Livethis week, Zenless Zone Zero is a beautiful mixture of Persona meets Devil May Cry meets Jet Set Radio as the game eagerly pilfers from all three to define its undeniably striking aesthetic. Its roster of characters range from everything to adorable cat girls to buff tiger men we will all be simping for in due time, with each design distinct in its visual and mechanical execution to such an extent that I wish to collect and get to know them without knowing much about the game at all. It’s a winning recipe that Hoyoverse has had success with several times in the past, so why bother stopping?
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Its greatest strength could be in the freedom it provides, since the player is free to explore a hub world and build relationships with characters similarly to Persona. Metres can be seen filling up after spending time together, and I won’t be surprised if this results in buffs or new abilities that can’t be uncovered unless you put in the time - and money - to give your favourite characters the greatest chance at levelling up. Time throughout each day is spread into different periodsjust likePersona, while there are even arcade games to be found within its Tokyo-esque setting that you’re able to interact with and chase high scores on.
Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail have already proven that Hoyoverse is capable of telling compelling stories with great characters, with Zenless Zone Zero opting for a grittier, more urban feel without sacrificing the anime fan service that acts as the bedrock of its catalog. It’s all here, with every single character designed for optimum fanart potential and designs so alluring that, if they aren’t available in the base experience, we’ll spend hundreds if it means earning them for ourselves. Then you have the combat, which appears to be battles big and small with a range of different enemies.
You’ll take control of one character, but at any time can summon in an assist character who also sits in your party. It’s a cool system, and likely bolstered by an excellent range of combos and equipment if the brief footage is anything to go by. I have nothing but positives to say about this game, and then I come to its economy.
Like many games from this developer, Zenless Zone Zero will be a freemium experience on mobile and PC before inevitably coming to console later down the line. There will be plenty of content and activities and characters all for free, and you may count on seasonal updates being a thing here too. But for all the enjoyment you’ll get out of Zenless Zone Zero, I’ve already got the fear that it will be in service of a monetization scheme that will act on all my worst impulses. If I see a character I want I need to have them, even if it means searching my pockets for money I don’t have to roll incessantly with no recourse.
I wish games like this which often look so imaginative and incredible weren’t brought to life through in-game economies designed to take advantage of the most vulnerable, or studios weren’t drawn to them so endlessly because we’ve proven we’ll turn up and spend all our money for cute anime girls and boys. Or in this case, sexy tiger dudes. I convinced myself years ago that games like this can’t be a part of my life anymore, and I’ve turned down the offers of friends to get back into Genshin Impact or finally boot up Honkai Star Rail to join them on their adventures time and time again, because I know exactly where it will lead.
