Will Zenless Zone Zero Be the Next Top Game?

After three tests, "Zenless Zone Zero" has fully demonstrated its uniqueness.

"PC-quality graphics," "high completion rate," "strong impact," and "sexy characters" are some of the unanimous praises players have for "Zenless Zone Zero." However, despite the game's stunning visuals and unique art style, there are also criticisms such as "grayish visuals," "low precision of modeling materials," and "cumbersome exploration operations."

This indicates that "Zenless Zone Zero" is not a game suited for most mobile game players and highlights that the game has chosen to prioritize its unique expression over mass market appeal.

Indeed, the enormous success of "Honkai: Star Rail" and "Genshin Impact" seems to have left miHoYo unsatisfied. "Zenless Zone Zero" inside and out does not resemble miHoYo's previous works.

Externally, the game blends "street," "Harajuku," "trendy cool," "retro sci-fi," "wasteland," and "J-POP" art and music elements to construct the unique world of "New Eridu."

Internally, it features a simple, impactful combat system, "roguelike" + "grid-based" puzzle exploration, and constant world easter eggs and mini-games to better immerse players in this world.

1. More Consistent and Dynamic Expression

Abandoning the traditional action mobile game's interface setup and relatively fixed level progression, "Zenless Zone Zero" integrates key game functions into the initial "Sixth Street." Players receive quests, collect daily rewards, play mini-games, and purchase buffs here.

As players explore the district, some exploration actions advance time, and certain quests and functions are only available at specific times. This "dynamic" world is not uncommon in mobile games, but it highlights a "Japanese RPG" essence in a non-open-world game.

The street scene, combining Japanese and American street elements, includes "graffiti-covered walls," "wind-blown banners," and "benches made from skateboards." Strolling through, eating ramen, drinking coffee, scratching lottery tickets, accepting quests, and reading New Eridu's daily news are all miHoYo's efforts to encourage players to "slow down" in this world.

To create a more immersive world, previously straightforward systems are now intricately packaged. For example, the "Proxy's" Inter-knot system allows players to accept quests and learn more about the city's dynamics and fun anecdotes through dynamic images and post comments.

Additionally, daily tasks are now accessed through the "family activity schedule" in the base.

The seamless detail handling is the strongest weapon "Zenless Zone Zero" has to create a lively world, especially evident in the cutscenes and interactive interface.

Cutscenes combine manga and animation, presenting a unique effect. Retro visual elements permeate the game, with character backdrops featuring animated film strips as identifiers, skills screens incorporating "cassette wheel" elements, and equipment screens highlighting "sound engine" equipment features.

In the main gameplay, "Hollow Investigation," the retro-futuristic world is represented by monitoring screens made from variously shaped, arranged CRT TVs. When exploration assistant "Bamboo" moves on them, dynamic pixel animations indicate paths, threats, or treasures.

Unlike traditional "grid maps," the varied TV sets sometimes form patterns to convey different information, making art a true game mechanic aid.

"Zenless Zone Zero" doesn't spoon-feed players on gameplay. As an F2P game, teleport functions in the district and menu reflect miHoYo's "small compromise" to players' "leisure needs."

2. More Enjoyable and Simple Combat

Over three tests, "Zenless Zone Zero's" combat system has been widely praised. While satisfying, it also has some potentially "fatal" flaws.

For a more enjoyable experience, the combat keys are greatly simplified, mirroring traditional action mobile games: basic attack, special skill, ultimate, switch, and dodge. Holding or pressing these keys differently triggers varied effects, maintaining some combo possibilities.

In combat, players may not always focus on combos. Beyond matching the enemy's attack rhythm and performing the game's unique "personality switch block," it's often a button-mashing "tendonitis" experience. Most of the time, players just hammer the basic attack or skill keys, accumulating enemy imbalance values and then enjoying miHoYo's cinematic feast.

The strong visual effects, long frame freezes, and camera shake are most evident in chain skills triggered after accumulating enemy imbalance values. For example, in the beginner stage, after using the short sword-wielding Ambi to create imbalance, players can trigger Nicole's chain skill for a devastating attack.

Combining short and long distances with single-target areas is the essence of these chains. Alongside rock-inspired sound effects, combat becomes even more thrilling.

If hit or knocked down mid-fight, players can quickly use the switch key to get close again, ensuring continuous combat. The basic attack-skill-enhanced skill-chain-ultimate loop, with excellent camera performance, will amaze any newcomer to "Zenless Zone Zero" with its fluid, impactful combat design.

Connecting a PS5 controller to a computer enhances the experience with delicate vibrations and fine graphics.

However, nothing is perfect. The simplified combat system, combined with high-frequency battles, can quickly become repetitive. Adding puzzles or breaking enemy defenses with character skills would make combat more strategic.

Lacking a "jump" key also limits combat's spatial dimension, restricting exploration to 2D and reducing vertical combat possibilities, a regrettable shortfall.

3. More Roguelike and Surprising Exploration

After players complained about exploration taking too long, miHoYo added a fast travel feature in the third test. Despite this, many players enjoy the unprecedented exploration experience "Zenless Zone Zero" offers.

Though still grid-based, the "exploration commissions" and "Hollow Zero" main gameplay modes offer rich experiences beyond typical grid traversal and reward collection.

Exploration cleverly integrates classic mini-games like box-pushing and single-stroke puzzles with tasks such as cleaning trash, transporting materials, and rescuing Bamboo, providing fresh experiences each time.

However, grid exploration isn't always smooth. Players must consider some one-way grids and watch out for moving enemies, echoing the classic "Pac-Man" gameplay.

The hollow exploration, adept at integrating various gameplay elements, reminds me of a classic game design interview question: "How would you add a rule to make simple rock-paper-scissors more interesting?"

Often, familiar gameplay mechanics can produce new and exciting experiences with the addition of one or two harmonious rules.

Inheriting the essence of "Honkai: Star Rail's" Simulated Universe, the hollow exploration offers a satisfying collection aspect in acquiring character buffs ("Seals"). When characters collect a series of buffs, they combine to create even more powerful effects. Starting with a single character and gradually adding more to the team during exploration adds a sense of growth, making it a breakthrough in the "roguelike" genre.

4. Some Conclusions

Judging by the game's current quality and player feedback from three tests, "Zenless Zone Zero" is a commercially successful work. Although some systems resemble miHoYo's previous games (including inherited gacha probabilities), miHoYo has moved beyond "assembly line" industrial game design to embrace bold, artistic creation. In this regard, miHoYo has achieved a self-revolution.