Since launching almost a year ago, Wuthering Waves has captured the hearts of millions of players worldwide, most especially gacha fans. Set in the post-apocalyptic world of Solaris-3, Wuthering Waves follows the amnesiac protagonist, Rover, as they explore the new world and meet other characters, known as Resonators, along the way. Players also have to form strong teams and master the combat system to fight against different monsters.
Wuthering Waves‘ open-world setting, and some of its gameplay mechanics, have been compared to HoYoverse’s Genshin Impact. However, both games also have clear distinctions when it comes to combat and exploration, giving players very different experiences when they play through their stories. One title that Wuthering Waves fans should definitely try, though, is HoYoverse’s Zenless Zone Zero.
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Wuthering Waves and Zenless Zone Zero Have Similar Post-Apocalyptic Story Beats
Just like Wuthering Waves, Zenless Zone Zero is set in a futuristic and post-apocalyptic world, primarily focused on the city of New Eridu. Its protagonists, the Proxy siblings Belle and Wise (aka Phaethon), help Agents, and other people, navigate the Hollows and defeat powerful enemies. Hollows are essentially supernatural disasters, with dimensions that swallow up large parts of the city and contain monsters called Ethereals. They are also similar to Wuthering Waves‘ Laments, which are connected to disaster trends and the Waveworn Phenomena happening in the game’s world.
Both Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves allow players to explore disaster-ridden worlds, to discover the truth behind the worlds’ anomalies, and, ultimately, to find ways to eradicate the anomalies and save humanity. In terms of gameplay, both games are action-adventure gacha titles, where players have to farm upgrade materials and optimal items to build powerful units. The exploration also provides opportunities to find treasures, to engage in side quests, and to interact with interesting NPCs who expand the games’ respective worlds.
The Role of Zenless Zone Zero’s Proxy Compared to Wuthering Waves’ Rover
The first clear difference between Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves is that the former’s protagonist, Proxy (Belle or Wise), doesn’t go into combat. Zenless Zone Zero has playable Agents with different elements and fighting styles, and they are the ones who enter Hollows and fight Ethereals. The Proxy also “enters” Hollows in the form of Eous, a Bangboo they control remotely to accompany Agents and provide support in battle.
Meanwhile, Wuthering Waves‘ Rover is a playable multi-attribute Resonator, with alternate forms being unlocked as players progress through the story. They’re more similar to Genshin Impact‘s Traveler and Honkai: Star Rail‘s Trailblazer in this respect.
The Similarities and Differences Between Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves’ Combat
As mentioned, Wuthering Waves has drawn comparisons to Genshin Impact because of its fantasy approach to combat. However, certain elements of Wuthering Waves‘ combat mechanics clearly stand apart from the HoYoverse title, such as Concerto Effects applying buffs to the next character that is swapped in. Genshin Impact‘s approach is different, with Elemental Resonances that apply buffs to the entire party. Evasion and stunning are also important in Wuthering Waves, as they allow players to trigger additional powerful attacks against enemies.
Zenless Zone Zero is often likened to a fighting game because of its beat-em-up mechanics and team-up features. Just like Wuthering Waves, dodging attacks at the right time allows Agents to immediately deal Dodge Counters to enemies. What makes Zenless Zone Zero stand out is that Agents can get stat buffs when their allies have the same elements, fighting style, and come from the same faction.
Although Zenless Zone Zero doesn’t have the same fantasy approach as Wuthering Waves, the post-apocalyptic atmosphere brings a sense of familiarity. Plus, the more modern take on Zenless Zone Zero‘s characters and environment also make it relatable to the real world in a way.
- Released
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July 4, 2024
- ESRB
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T (Teen) – Suggestive Themes & Violence
- Publisher(s)
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HoYoverse