Registration is now available for Zenless Zone Zero’s closed beta, HoYoverse’s new free-to-play action RPG, but the beta will only release on limited platforms. The game is described by the company as an urban fantasy action title and takes place in a post-apocalyptic metropolitan city. Little is known apart from what HoYoverse has decided to share online. The Zenless Zone Zero closed beta has not been given an exact date, but participants will be contacted by email in the future.
Based on the details released by the company, the dystopian ARPG is set in a world where most of modern civilization has been wiped out by a disaster, known as the Hollows. This phenomenon is said to spontaneously form dimensions out of thin air. These areas are inhabited by monsters known as the Ethereal and supply resources for New Eridu, the last surviving society. Players are tasked with accompanying people through the Hollows as professionals called Proxy, similar to Genshin Impact‘s 2.0-updated Traveler. While they may serve a different purpose in the story of each game, the two are fundamentally comparable. If Zenless Zone Zero is anything like HoYoverse’s other works, then the title is sure to be filled with a cast of colorful characters.
In trailer footage, players can see fast-paced action combat similar to both Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd. HoYoverse knows how to make satisfying gameplay, but is slightly changing up the formula in this next title. Zenless Zone Zero will incorporate roguelike elements, which may mean that each trip into the Hollows will be different, granting access to a variety of enemies and resources. HoYoverse has experimented with this type of gameplay before with Honkai Impact 3rd‘s Elysian Realm. The company’s other games are massive and fitting this new title in can be a daunting idea. Hopefully, a sci-fi Genshin isn’t all Zenless Zone Zero will be, and the roguelike elements can give players a reason to devote their time to the ARPG.
Zenless Zone Zero’s Beta Test Will Be PC & iOS Platforms Only
Players who want to participate in the Zenless Zone Zero beta test must first create an account with the company before signing up for the closed beta on the game’s official website. Afterward, participants need to fill out a survey conducted by HoYoverse. These questions range from the types of games played to the user’s desired console. Unfortunately, the closed beta will only be available on PC (Windows) and iOS devices, and while this will no doubt be disappointing for some fans, it’s not a surprising development, as Genshin Impact‘s closed beta sign-ups have been restricted to these platforms in the past. In the FAQ section of the website, HoYoverse does state that they will continue to expand beyond PC and iOS in the future.
The details and footage of HoYoverse’s latest title are promising and give an insight into what fans can expect from the closed beta. The inclusion of roguelike elements shows an evolution in the company’s development process and the willingness to try something new. While unfortunate, players without a PC or iOS device will have to wait a bit longer before they can become a Proxy and fight Ethereal in Zenless Zone Zero, and while final platforms are yet to be confirmed, platforms that Genshin Impact has already appeared on seem likely candidates.
