Preview: Zenless Zone Zero is a spectacle fighter with Persona vibes

Hoyoverse’s gacha giants are ticking in the background as it focuses on an exciting new project. No Zen Zone ZeroThis is an action-RPG that combines life simulators with an urban fantasy theme. Its characters don’t glide across lush biomes nor ride on intergalactic train systems. They eat Konbini foods in front billboards or pose on top street racing vehicles.

The game is set in an urban post-apocalyptic city, awash in graffiti and concrete. It’s a genre mashup similar to Persona. As a video shop owner, you live in a post-apocalyptic metropolis surrounded by random disasters known as Hollows. These Hollows create pocket dimensions filled with mutant creatures named Ethereals. Through a terminal in the video store (which looks like an anime Blockbuster), you act as a proxy for teams of character-action heroes that embark on graded roguelike combat challenges, called “commissions,” inside the aforementioned Hollows.

Commissions are paid during the commission period. No Zen Zone ZeroThe game is an entertaining spectacle, with its slomo moves and staggers. It isn’t nearly as complex as something like Devil May Cry 5.It felt great when I got into the rhythm. As I switched between a basic attack and generous dodge to dance with my enemies, I accumulated decibels towards a noise meter which allowed me more powerful moves. This combat system’s most captivating feature is its gameplay. ZZZ’s Switch Attack: Upon staggering an enemy, you’re prompted to tag in another fighter from your team to extend the combo, refreshing the animations and available abilities in the process. This handover was seamless and made me look like an awesome badass.

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Battle environments are also colorful and well-detailed. In the story mission that I played, decommissioned mechs were scattered around a graveyard with rippling sheets of tarpaulin. ZZZ’s visual novel and sometimes animatic cutscenes split up the brawling. They’re frantic and verbose, with spats of aloof comedy offsetting exposition about the curious factions that volunteer to chart the Hollows, including a housekeeping duo and a construction company.

You can also explore the area around your video shop, engaging with the locals, and chatting up the vendors. There’s an arcade where you can play cute minigames, a record store where you buy vinyls that tune your abilities, and a stat-buffing ramen shop run by a noodle maestro with robot arms named General Chop.

ZZZ is certainly riffing on Persona, and fans will spot the similarities quickly, but I think it’s stylish enough in its own regard to beat any rip-off allegations. New Eridu was full of quirky little details, even though I only played the short demo. One time I saw a wooden bench constructed from skateboards. Another, I watched a panda wearing a beret enjoying his coffee. My adventures were accompanied by a jazzy-bass score reminiscent of Meguro. It was easy to talk with almost anyone near the VCR, and the dialogue options were great. The take-out guy reprimanded me for advocating pineapple on my pizza. Then it happens.

ZZZ’s futuristic streetwear stood out to me as an impressive study of contemporary trends, furthering them to fit this anime future in a manner evocative of Tetsuya Nomura’s work on Kingdom Hearts. Across the roster of playable characters, there’s the option to wear plenty of different layered, functional, military-inspired ensembles with an air of Acronym or Sacai about them. Balenciaga’s Triple S silhouette also casts an impressive shadow. ZZZ’s penchant for chunky statement shoes.

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The characters are memorable, like Anby Demora who flies around with an electric gas blade. There are many different weapon designs. For example, one character is seen carrying a unique shotgun briefcase. My favorite, the jacketed accountant bear, uses a huge girder enhanced with shock-absorbing elements.

The different combinations of trios I have created are a lot of fun. ZZZ’s roster in the demo’s challenge arena and exploring how unique medleys of weapons and abilities would summon satisfying nuggets of combo interplay. After being crushed by a boss I got a sense of how mixing nimble and powerful characters could create safety nets. Genshin ImpactThe following are some examples of how to get started: Honkai: Star RailI have not been able to understand why you would want me to do that. ZZZIt has my attention, and I’m sure it will be my first real entry in the Hoyoverse once it is released.

The elephant is now in the room. Historically, Hoyoverse is known for making free-to-play gacha games, and in addition to not knowing the release date, I’m also not sure how ZZZLong-term, the site will become monetized. Given the compelling base this project is working with, I’m praying that monetization won’t be too hostile. No Zen Zone Zero’s tight combat and killer art direction demand an audience. I’m just hoping those elements will be respected come launch, and that the intricacy I enjoyed in my short time with the game won’t be diluted by the typical free-to-play life cycle.