In 30 seconds
- HoYoverse's action game: short, stylish, combo-heavy fights in a modern city.
- You play a Proxy in New Eridu, guiding agents through dangerous Hollows.
- Light on map-wandering, heavy on combat feel, music and attitude.
- Free to play; on Steam since June 2026, a first for a HoYoverse game. Version 3.3 arrived on October 21.
Who you'll team up with first
Your first jobs come from the Cunning Hares: Nicole, the crew's money-minded leader, Anby, the quiet swordswoman, and Billy, a gunslinging android. They are how the game teaches you its rhythm: one agent opens, the next follows up, the third finishes.
The cast grows fast from there. Every faction has its own look and its own way of fighting, and building a team around one faction is part of the fun — the bonuses push you to experiment instead of always picking the same three.
What's new in version 3.3
Version 3.3, "Journey to the Sky", launched on October 21, 2026:
- Two new S-rank agents: Phoenix, a Fire Anomaly agent in the first half of the version, and Severian, a Wind Attack agent in the second half who dodges automatically and counterattacks.
- Mech combat: Proxies pilot combat mechs to infiltrate enemy bases in disguise.
- A new chapter of the main story and a Halloween-themed event season.
The next update, 3.4, is announced with a crossover: Kafka and Robin from Honkai: Star Rail.
Where you'll explore
New Eridu is a city built around the Hollows — dangerous zones that swallowed the old world. You live in its streets, shops and arcades between missions, then dive into the Hollows to fight.
It is not an open world in the Genshin sense, and that is the point: you are never far from the next fight. The city is a hub with personality — a video store you run, a noodle shop, an arcade — and the Hollows are where the action happens.
Combat: the reason to play
Fast, readable and flashy: dodge at the right moment, chain attacks, swap agents mid-combo for team attacks. It is the most action-game-like of the HoYoverse titles.
The core loop is simple to learn and hard to master. Hit an enemy until it is Dazed, then trigger a Chain Attack that passes the action from one agent to the next. Time a dodge perfectly and time slows; swap at the right moment and the incoming agent counters for you. A full fight often lasts under a minute, which makes the game perfect for short sessions.
Can my PC run it?
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit, DirectX 11 | same |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (7th gen) | Intel Core i7 (10th gen) |
| GPU | GTX 970 | GTX 1660 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 75 GB, SSD recommended | 75 GB, SSD recommended |
Official figures from the Steam store page (October 2026). Settings to change first and what each graphics card can expect: Zenless Zone Zero PC requirements & best settings.
Can my PC run ZZZ?
Rig Check
Your PC is ready.
Play ZZZ freeEstimate based on public GPU benchmarks and the official requirements; RAM (16 GB) and an SSD matter too.
Is it pay-to-win?
Zenless Zone Zero is a gacha game, so here is the honest picture:
- There is no PvP: spending never lets another player beat you.
- On agent banners, an S-rank agent is guaranteed within 90 pulls, and an A-rank every 10 pulls.
- The story, the city and the core modes are free.
- Spending speeds up collecting specific agents and their W-Engines (weapons); it doesn't lock the main content.
Banner rules change; we check them at each update.
Is it for you?
You'll love it if you love stylish action and want quick, intense sessions.
Not for you if…
- You want a big open world to roam freely.
- You dislike anime-style presentation.
- You expect Steam Deck optimization: HoYoverse said it isn't specifically optimized for it.
Coming from Genshin? Read Zenless Zone Zero vs Genshin Impact.
FAQ
Is Zenless Zone Zero on Steam? Yes, since June 2026, alongside the official launcher.
Is it free? Yes.
Is it open world? Not in the Genshin sense: it's city hub plus combat zones.
How long is a session? As short as you like. Most fights take a few minutes, and daily tasks are quick.
Do I need to have played Genshin or Honkai: Star Rail? No. It's a separate world and story. The 3.4 crossover with Honkai: Star Rail is a bonus, not a requirement.
