Zenless Zone Zero: HoYoverse’s Urban Action RPG That’s Building Its Own Identity
HoYoverse has a problem that most game studios would kill to have: every new game they release gets immediately compared to Genshin Impact. When Zenless Zone Zero launched in July 2024, the comparisons were relentless. Is it as good as Genshin? Is it better than Honkai: Star Rail? The framing missed the point entirely — ZZZ isn’t trying to be either megaslot88 of those games. It’s trying to be something new, and in 2026, the argument that it’s succeeding is getting stronger.
The Urban Fantasy Setting
Where Genshin Impact explores a fantastical open world and Honkai: Star Rail travels between alien planets, Zenless Zone Zero is set in New Eridu — the last surviving city after a catastrophe has covered the world in dimensional anomalies called Hollows. The visual language is urban, modern, and stylishly anime: neon signs, city streets, underground fight clubs, and corporate skyscrapers all feature prominently.
This contemporary setting creates a completely different emotional atmosphere from HoYoverse’s other titles. ZZZ takes a relaxed, slice-of-life approach to storytelling — the day-to-day relationships between characters matter as much as the dramatic plot, and the studio’s quieter, more character-driven writing shines here in ways that the grander narratives of Genshin and Honkai sometimes don’t allow.
The Combat That Sets It Apart
Zenless Zone Zero features skill-and timing-based battles with flexible team building. Using even the free starter characters requires good timing and careful planning — a design philosophy that rewards mechanical skill more directly than HoYoverse’s other titles.
The combat system centres on chaining attacks between three characters, triggering parry windows, and deploying ultimate abilities at the right moment. The visual spectacle of a well-executed combo in ZZZ rivals anything in mobile gaming — characters move with cinematic flair, and the sound design rewards perfect play with deeply satisfying feedback.
The Revenue Trajectory
ZZZ launched to an impressive $96 million in its debut month of July 2024. Revenue grew to $16.6 million in March 2026 from $13.4 million the previous month, representing consistent upward momentum as the game matures and its content pipeline deepens.
The game’s trajectory differs from Genshin’s explosive launch pattern — ZZZ is growing steadily rather than peaking and declining, which suggests a player base that is actively expanding rather than one inherited from earlier HoYoverse goodwill. In 2026, Zenless Zone Zero is no longer the new kid trying to prove itself. It’s a game finding its stride, and the players who’ve stuck around are telling everyone they know to join them.