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WhenZenless Zone Zerolaunched last year, it was one of those demonstrably good games I couldn’t get into.

There were things to love, but it felt like I couldn’t reach them.

Zenless Zone Zero Jane Doe rat Thiren twirling a knife

So when developer HoYoverse touted ZZZ update 1.4 as a soft relaunch, I was interested.

What changed?

A few big adjustments pulled me back to ZZZ.

Zenless Zone Zero characters

My problem with TV mode wasn’t its sheer existence.

The Baby’s First 3D Platformer sections that have helped replace TV mode in some missions are alsofine.

These structural changes have made it easier to enjoy the combat and story missions.

Zenless Zone Zero screenshot

Top-notch production and presentation is primarily why I’ve become so enamored with the world of ZZZ.

Expressions, gestures, attacks, and even basic movements carry infectious personality and energy.

Less effective is the button that ZZZ slams roughly every 14 seconds: positively unhinged jiggle physics.

Zenless Zone Zero characters

People like Nicole, Jane Doe, and Lighterknowthey’re sexy.

And ZZZ can also be serious when it needs to.

This game and its community are never beating the horny allegations, but that shouldn’t put you off.

Zenless Zone Zero characters

Similarly, there’s a new test-your-limits tower mode in the latest patch.

And with a bigger roster of characters available today, teams deliver a greater range of experiences.

For combat content and quality-of-life niceties, ZZZ is running laps around other HoYo games for version 1.5.

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Ranged fighters like Zhu Yuan don’t do it for me, while Ellen Joe is too stop-start.

Yanagi, the textbook overworked office lady, excels at stacking attacks for satisfying burst damage.

Upcoming bodyguard Evelyn has a wonderful sense of flow to her garrot wire swings.

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ZZZ update 1.4 introduced two new characters, and they’ve been my workhorses.

But she presents fun opportunities to layer in other characters while her long animations shred everything to ribbons.

I can’t remember the last time I had such a complete 180 with a game.

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