Zenless Zone Zero story, gameplay, Hollows and more explained

Zenless Zone Zero, or ‘the new Genshin Impact game’, is an action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic metropolitan city. We know you’ll be playing a professional demon-sized explorer that you’ll be looking forward to killing a lot of monsters and exploring, but what else is in this new game?

From the anticipated Zenless Zone Zero release date to its characters and gameplay, here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming HoYoverse (miHoYo) game!

Is there a Zenless Zone Zero release date yet?

Zenless Zone Zero was announced on May 13. The first closed beta is also expected to begin in June, as recruitment begins that day.

We don’t have an official Zenless Zone Zero release date yet, and we probably shouldn’t wait at least another year. If this game follows a similar pattern to previous HoYoverse titles, there will be a second closed beta towards the end of the year.

Will Zenless Zone Zero have cross-recording between platforms?

The approved platforms for Zenless Zone Zero are PC and iOS. So far, PlayStation and Android have not been mentioned. We also don’t know if there will be a cross-save functionality, but as with other HoYoverse games, it seems likely.

What is the story of Zenless Zone Zero?

In Zenless Zone Zero you will uncover the mysteries behind the last remaining urban civilization, the world known as New Eridu. The rest of the world was destroyed by a supernatural disaster known as the Hollows; portals that appear out of nowhere, leading to distorted dimensions filled with spirit beasts.

The new Eridu people managed to survive by extracting resources from the Hollows. Since then, the Hollows have industrialized and monetized under the city’s rule, leading to rivalries between various companies, gangs, and fanatics. However, you need a professional guide known as Proxy to explore the Pits.

And guess what? You, the player, become such a Proxy. You will team up with various groups of explorers, each with their own reasons for entering the irregular dimensions. Once inside, you’ll fight monsters, help your employers achieve their goals, and learn more about their stories.

What is Zenless Zone Zero game?

Since Zenless Zone Zero is an action RPG, it is more similar in gameplay to Genshin Impact than Honkai Impact. The game is connected to the anime-style world and characters, but in a futuristic urban setting.

We don’t know if there is an elemental system or how big the parties will be, but we will definitely see the return of the character rotation system. The developer also announced that there will be a roguelike element in the gameplay. The roguelike system is probably paired with entering the Hollows.

Finally, since the trailer seems to show a brother and sister, we’ll likely have a choice between a hero and a heroine. It’s unclear whether Zenless Zone Zero is a ‘missing brother’ arc similar to Genshin Impact.

Zenless Zone Zero characters and groups

At this point the official Zenless Zone Zero website has only one character description: Anby Demara. He is a mysterious but competent warrior who joins the “Gentle House” (aka Cunning Hares) gang. Thanks to the trailer, we got a little insight into what these groups look like:

Kind House or Crafty Rabbits: “always available at the right price”. Probably a bunch of hired swords. Besides Anby Demara, we see a pink-haired girl, a cyborg guy, and a cat-eared girl.

Belobo(g) Industries. If the name is correct, it should be an interesting name. It seems to be a link between Zenless Zero Zone and the other upcoming HoYoverse game Honkai: Star Rail, because the city in Star Rail is called Belobog. Its members, a giant bear, a red-haired girl, and a man with a punching machine, are all dressed in factory clothes. Miners, maybe?

Victorian House Retention. A girl in a maid costume and a wolf-like man. It is unknown if they are here for the actual cleansing of the demon fight.

The final group has yet to reveal a name, but its members are a dark-haired girl with fox ears and a blue-skinned alien girl with elven ears and horns. They look like mercenaries.

And that rounds out everything we know about the cyberpunk that evolved into Genshin!