Summary
The producer forZenless Zone Zerorevealed that HoYoverse’s upcoming free-to-play title took direct inspiration fromStreet Fighter 6. With the release ofZenless Zone Zeroon the horizon,HoYoversefans are gearing up to explore every nook and cranny of the futuristic city of New Eridu. The highly anticipated action RPG promises to be a thrilling new title for fans of the urban fantasy sci-fi genre, with stylish combat and a vivid post-apocalyptic setting in which humanity is on the brink of extinction.
Since its reveal, HoYoverse fans have compared elements ofZenless Zone Zeroto several other beloved video game franchises. In terms of gameplay, players notedZZZ’s fast-paced and combo-focused combat system seemed to blend the action found inDevil May Crywith thequick-swapping mechanics of HoYoverse’sGenshin Impact. Its flashy, urban fantasy setting combined with its dungeon-crawling gameplay and day and night cycle might also feel familiar to players of Atlus' long-runningPersonaseries. But while the upcoming action RPG wears most of its influences on its sleeve, some fans may be surprised to discover that the latest entry in a beloved fighting game series also majorly influencedZenless Zone Zero.
During aninterview with IGN,Zenless Zone Zeroproducer Zhenyu Li revealed his obsession withStreet Fighter, having sunk thousands of hours into the series. His history withCapcom’s beloved 2D fighter franchisewent on to influence his vision forZZZ’s combat, with Li explaining thatStreet Fightertaught him the importance of conveying the weight of every hit and how to make it so that each strike carried the appropriate momentum through its animation.
Street Fighter 6 Influenced Zenless Zone Zero
The producer also applauded the latest entry into theStreet Fighterfranchise,Street Fighter 6, which notably made an effort to introduce gameplay mechanics at set intervals to avoid bogging downnewcomers to the fighting game genrewith too much information. Despite the differences in combat between both games, Li claimed the developers ofZenless Zone Zeroattempted to emulateStreet Fighter 6’s tutorials to the best of their ability and purposefully paced the introduction of new gameplay elements to better suit a diverse player base.
Zenless Zone Zerois shaping up to be one of the biggest gacha games to debut in 2024 and has amassed over 40 million pre-registrations at the time of writing. However, that’s not to say it won’t face its own challenges. Notably, there are already plenty of similar free games on the market, such asHoYoverse’sGenshin Impactand Kuro Games’Wuthering Waves.
Zenless Zone Zero
WHERE TO PLAY
Don’t go into the Hollows.I know, I know, there’s Ether in the Hollows, bizarre creations, even heritage of the old civilization, all precious treasures. But don’t forget, there’s also spatial disorder, monsters and mutants running rampant, and ultimately, a disaster that could swallow the world. They are not a place where ordinary people should go.So don’t go into Hollows.Or at least, don’t go in alone.If you insist on getting into danger, go to New Eridu first.This city where the good and the bad mix has many people who need the Hollows: Powerful wealthy tycoons, gangs that stalk the streets, conspiracy nuts, and ruthless officials.Make your preparations there, find strong allies, and most importantly—Find a “Proxy”.Only they can guide people out of the maze-like Hollows.Good luck!
