ohOne of the biggest changes in the modern video game industry is happening just beyond the reach of the average console gamer. Free-to-play gacha games, where you spend real money or in-game currency for a randomly selected set of characters and weapons, are booming in the Chinese market, led by publishers like miHoYo, NetEase, and Yostar. Some of the most popular games in this genre include Genshin, Arknights, and Another Eden, with tens of millions of players on smartphones and significant revenue from players willing to pay to enhance their collections.
More recently, the genre has expanded beyond mobile with Zenless Zone Zero, the newest addition. Developed by HoYoverse, the game is an expansive, anime-inspired action role-playing adventure set in a chaotic sci-fi dystopia. Earth has been invaded by extra-dimensional aliens, and human survivors now reside in New Eridu, a city built on the remains of a previous civilization. Players can choose to play as Wise or Bell, sibling hackers who run a video rental store, or as proxy agents sending teams of warriors on missions for clients.
Everything you do earns you some form of currency… Zenless Zone Zero. Photo: HoYoverse
Similar to the popular Persona RPG series, Zenless Zone Zero combines story, beat ’em up, and life simulation elements. Players navigate through various activities like fighting aliens, managing a video store, running errands, playing games, and capturing photographs of neighborhood cats. Actions in the game earn players currency, which can be used for upgrades and acquiring new characters. Completing contracts involves solving puzzles before battling aliens, leading to more lucrative missions and a continuous cycle.
Combat is straightforward with one button for attack and another for dodging. Characters have unique abilities and weapons, each with special and ultimate moves for enhanced gameplay. Switching between characters during combat adds visual effects and explosions, making it engaging.
Laser beams, bullets, blades flying…Zenless Zone Zero. Photo: HoYoverse
Visually, the game embodies cyberpunk anime with a rundown cityscape contrasted by advanced technology. Marauding gangs, AI raids, and cute robots coexist in a dystopian setting reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and Ghost in the Shell. The game allows for exploration of the environment, interactions with characters, and development of human relationships among the agents. The gacha system in the game entices players with rare items available for limited times, encouraging engagement through in-game currency or real money.
Zenless Zone Zero is a captivating gacha game with a mix of gameplay elements and a compelling narrative. Despite the controversial nature of gacha games, the experience offered by Zenless Zone Zero is engaging and rewarding, making it a fair exchange for players invested in its world.
Source: www.theguardian.com
