Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse studio's third major title after Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, this time set in a stylized urban environment instead of a fantasy landscape. Instead of a vast open world, the game combines city exploration in the form of isometric streets with expeditions into so-called Hollow zones, which the player reaches through a screen resembling a TV menu. Combat is fast, built on combo-style attacks, last-second dodges, and flashy switching between three characters in the team; on touch controls, this works surprisingly smoothly thanks to simple gestures and large buttons.

The visual style draws on anime and streetwear aesthetics, characters have distinctive designs and voice acting, and the music blends electronic and hip-hop elements that match the game's urban atmosphere. Like its sister titles, Zenless Zone Zero is built on the gacha model – the game is free to download, but the strongest characters and their upgrades are tied to draws paid for with in-game or real money, and the game actively encourages regular logins and spending during time-limited in-game events and banners.

Why play: Players who like the distinctive visual style and fast combat of HoYoverse titles but are looking for an urban setting instead of fantasy and have made peace with gacha monetization.