Zenless Zone Zero: Expected release date, characters, gameplay, platforms, more
HoYoverseZenless Zone Zero is Hoyoverse’s next RPG, and the new action-packed gacha is coming soon, so here are all the confirmed characters, story, gameplay details, how to pre-register, and more.
Following the success of Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact, HoYoverse have been working on another gacha title called Zenless Zone Zero. The new game from the ex-miHoYo is coming soon, and there are plenty of surprises when it comes to its combat, setting, lore, and other things.
Ahead of its highly-anticipated release, here’s everything we know about Zenless Zone Zero, including the game’s expected release date, characters, story, and more.
- Zenless Zone Zero expected release date
- Zenless Zone Zero platforms
- How to pre-register for ZZZ
- Zenless Zone Zero trailers
- Zenless Zone Zero story and setting
- Hollows and New Eridu in Zenless Zone Zero explained
- Zenless Zone Zero gameplay and combat
- Is Zenless Zone Zero multiplayer or single-player?
- All Zenless Zone Zero factions & characters confirmed so far
- What are dual identities in Zenless Zone Zero?
- Will Zenless Zone Zero be free-to-play?
Zenless Zone Zero expected release date
The iOS store page for Zenless Zone Zero has confirmed that the expected release date for Hoyoverse’s new RPG is July 3, 2024. This is marked as “expected,” so it might be subject to change, but following Hoyo’s last releases, the store date should be accurate.
Zenless Zone Zero platforms
Zenless Zone Zero will be released on consoles, mobile (Android + iOS), and PC. The game’s closed beta was exclusive to PC and iOS users and we’ve seen HoYoverse restricting platforms for beta testing for Genshin Impact as well.
An official announcement on ZZZ’s X account mentions the game’s release on consoles, and the State of Play 2024 live stream confirmed the game for PS5.
It is important to note that previous titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail have made their way to the PlayStation 5 but Xbox and Nintendo Switch users are still waiting for them.
How to pre-register for Zenless Zone Zero
Pre-registration for Zenless Zone Zero is now open, giving Android, iOS, PC, and PlayStation 5 users the chance to earn enticing rewards once the game comes out, and here’s what you need to do:
- PlayStation can find the game on the PlayStation Store and need to press ‘Add to Wishlist‘ to pre-register.
- Android users can visit Zenless Zone Zero’s Play Store page or the official website, and select the Pre-Register button.
- iOS users can check the App Store page or the official website as well, and then tap the Pre-Order button.
- PC players can head to the Epic Games Store page for the game and select Add to Wishlist to pre-register.
HoYoverse will reward all players with different items and resources if they reach different milestones. You can check these rewards on our full ZZZ pre-registration guide.
Zenless Zone Zero trailers
The first trailer for Zenless Zone Zero dropped in 2022 and it gave us the first look at New Eridu and over ten playable characters. You can check out different characters showcasing their combat abilities in the trailer:
Another big trailer showcasing 18 minutes of gameplay including combat, cut-scenes, and the protagonists arrived in September 2022 and hyped fans around the world:
A gameplay trailer for Zenless Zone Zero dropped during Gamescom 2023 through which you can take a closer look at the combat, the Overworld, gacha mechanics, and more.
During Tokyo Game Show 2023, Hoyoverse released a ZZZ Announcement video showcasing the game’s world and characters:
HoYoverse has also revealed four playable character demo videos, which seem to be the ones that you can unlock in Zenless Zone Zero. These include:
Anby
Billy
Nicole
Nekomata
Zenless Zone Zero story and setting
Zenless Zone Zero takes place in a post-apocalyptic world called New Eridu, the last remaining urban civilization. Hollows, a supernatural disaster, not only destroyed the entire world but opened gateways that let in monsters from other dimensions.
New Eridu survived the disasters because of its technology that allowed the extraction of resources from the Hollows. However, this led to the industrialization and monetization of the Hollows, and gangs, corporations, and fanatics now actively fight to gain a monopoly over it.
In Zenless Zone Zero, you play as a Proxy who guides others while exploring the Hollows. Throughout the campaign, you’ll frequently fight monsters in the Hollows, improve your damage, and get to know more about the surrounding world.
HoYoverseHollows and New Eridu in Zenless Zone Zero explained
While New Eridu in Zenless Zone Zero is the last remaining urban civilization, Hollows are portals to different dimensions. The city is a colorful metropolis comprising refugees, shops, NPCs, and gangs.
On the flip side, you’ll find the following in the Hollows:
- Ethereal monsters
- Thugs
- Officials from Hollow Investigative Association, a faction in the game.
- The Corrupted
- Mysterious air that corrupts residents.
Zenless Zone Zero gameplay and combat
Zenless Zone Zero will feature action-hack & slash combat and roguelike elements. Mostly, you’ll be exploring locations and fighting monsters, and like other roguelikes, we might witness a certain level of randomness in these levels.
The ramen shop revealed in the trailers also hints at Zenless Zone Zero being a roguelike. These shops grant buffs to the character in terms of HP, attack, status effects, and upgrades. This is very similar to the meal system in Monster Hunter titles.
Based on the official press release that mentions Unlimited QTEs, players can look forward to enjoying combat mechanics similar to previous HoYoverse titles like Honkai Impact 3rd. To give you some context, QTEs are quick-time events and usually, you’ll have to press the desired buttons to activate them.
In one of the trailers, fans also noticed that enemies can be staggered and in this state, you can unleash multiple attacks on the defenseless opponent.
HoYoverseIs Zenless Zone Zero multiplayer or single-player?
HoYoverse are yet to confirm whether Zenless Zone Zero will be a purely single-player experience or a multiplayer game. Considering that the developer has released both games with co-op such as Genshin Impact and single-player experiences like Honkai Star Rail, it is hard to predict if there will be multiplayer in Zenless Zone Zero.
For more information on the topic, you can check out our detailed guide on ZZZ multiplayer.
All Zenless Zone Zero factions & characters confirmed so far
There are multiple factions in Zenless Zone Zero with different goals and means. Here’s a brief rundown of all the factions in the game and their prominent members:
- Cunning Hares – A human resource dispatch agency that deals with commissions related to Hollows. Its members are:
- Anby
- Billy
- Nekomata
- Nicole
- Victoria Housekeeping – Another human resource dispatch agency that boasts a wide range of high-quality services. It has the following members:
- Corin
- Ellen
- Lycaon
- Rina
- Belobog Heavy Industries – A new group in New Eridu that takes care of infrastructure and construction machinery. It has the following members:
- Anton
- Ben
- Grace
- Koleda
- Section 6 – A newly established frontline operational unit of the Special Operations Department of H.A.N.D. They usually carry out the most dangerous tasks and have some of the most powerful members for any faction. The faction has the following members:
- Miyabi
- Soukaku
- OBOLS Squad – Soldier 11 is the only confirmed member of the group and we don’t have more information on it.
- Random Play – This is the video store of the game’s sibling protagonists. Customers watch movies here. These characters belong to Random Play:
- Wise
- Belle
While these are the Zenless Zone Zero factions with playable characters, you’ll also stumble upon these factions that might not help in adding characters to your party but will still play a major role in the story:
- Proxy Network
- New Eridu City Administration – Hollow Investigation Association
- H.A.N.D.
- Hollow Raiders
- Red Fang Gang
- Vision Corporation
HoYoverseWhat are dual identities in Zenless Zone Zero?
Characters in Zenless Zone Zero have dual identities due to their work as Proxies. From the looks of it, the Proxy identities of characters might be a secret so that their missions in the Hollows do not affect their life in New Eridu, the main city.
Fans of the Persona series will be quick to identify this mechanic. Atlus’ massively popular RPG series splits character lives into two halves. During the day, the characters attend school and socialize with their peers like any other person but take on monsters and solve mysteries during the night.
According to ZZZ’s producer Zhenyu Li, in a Pocket Tactics interview, Proxies are very different from the protagonists that came before them. As opposed to HSR and Genshin Impact, which already have a main character, ZZZ will grant you more control over the Proxies. You’ll be able to define their roles and personalize your role-playing experience.
Will Zenless Zone Zero be free-to-play?
Yes, Zenless Zone Zero will be a free-to-play gacha game like other HoYoverse titles such as Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact. The gacha mechanics are expected to be quite similar to these games, but we’re yet to see any official announcements for the same.
Well, this is everything we know about Zenless Zone Zero so far! We’ll keep updating this space with the latest information on the upcoming title, so make sure to bookmark and check back often.
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