Zenless Zone Zero Is Insane

[@AeroViro]

Zenless Zone Zero’s official release is coming soon! Pre-register here: hoyo.link/coOiFfAL

[@Skasaha_]

Soon TM

[@BigFatOfFate]

Oh boy, another gacha that locks 99% of its combat variety behind gambeling with an extremely improbable chance of every getting somthine even after spending weeks griding for a pittance of the free currency inevitably resulting in you spending money because you have been emotionally manipulated into getting your "favourite" png. Good to see you actively promoting more gacha scams.

[@AeroViro]

@@BigFatOfFate bro you can just not play it 😭

[@thahirshibu5042]

that model looks like its seen some shit... and not the good kind either

[@fanwarpnova4735]

Once again, I really enjoyed your Animation Shenpai.

[@mummyheadGamma]

The most striking thing about the animation to me is how they’re absolutely not afraid of going off model to play up expressiveness. Like if you pause during some of the more action-y cutscenes odds are good you’ll see damn smear frames. Which is insane to me.

[@chillax319]

Yeah they are not afraid to turn characters in eldricht abominations old-cartoon style in-between frames.

[@StriderHoang]

I think the reason the animation is so good is because it is absolutely peaking on a really basic animation fundamental: squash and stretch. Every character gets their actions and mannerisms extra emphasized with anticipation frames (squashing up) before letting loose and becoming extra, well, extra (stretch).

[@thedocmmd1366]

Also it’s really obvious when you compare it to most things with anime art styles, where they usually go for the more conventional limited movement style until like major moments happens. Which is really refreshing to see

[@scotginger4690]

I was about to say yeah, I noticed it so much compared to (what little) Genshin I've played. It's a basic technique I'd say but gods does it look so damn good!

[@kuroo_nyanko]

why do u think it's 50gb for release

[@jameseads6597]

​@kuroo_nyanko Probably because of the four language packs it is installed with, language packs are massive

[@Vasharan]

Yeah, Zenless devs have really mastered the 12 Rules of Animation, and what's more they know how to apply the rules in service of the character and the story. Every character is given care and attention, and has distinctive animation traits. Nicole is flouncy, and her combat animations are wild and brash. Billy has larger than life movements, and copies a lot of dramatic poses like the Sentai shows he watches. Anby is reserved and interestingly, *never* squishes, but her combat moves are full of action hero signature poses, she is quite literally copying the action movies she loves. Nekomata is very catlike both in dialogue and in combat. Ellen has contrasting traits of sluggishness and explosive action, just like a shark. She often leans or sits on objects when still, but then has bursts of speed and agility in combat. The devs at Hoyo paid close attention to the details, and boy did they cook.

[@TheKarishi]

I feel like "zenless" is a great way of saying "no chill" and want to work it into my lexicon.

[@quack-tastictictac1630]

Unfortunately for you, however, you are ZENLESS

[@velconx15]

No zen?

[@rayanderson5797]

I can't get enough of this animation. Also Billy is just... Perfect. Cool and dorky in equal measure.

[@Bluecho4]

Same. I immediately low-key fell in love with the animation in this game.

[@quack-tastictictac1630]

This game’s use of animation and art in cutscenes is the exact opposite of Scarlet Nexus’s “animated” cutscenes and its great

[@livingreverie5951]

Missed opportunity for title to be Shenless Shone Shero

[@ArshadZahid_nohandleideas]

Zit

[@chester1882]

Save that banger for the full release video

[@oddforoddssake3751]

How about Shenless Zone Viro? Eh?

[@lonelyduckling2704]

Shen letting out the ugliest, most horrendous giggle in existence after seeing the wolf man at 11:20 is why i started to watch this channel... Never change, Shen, love ya❤️

[@quinnie_here]

Genshin: rarity for the MC to speak at ALL Star Rail: more common than Genshin, but still not the most often ZZZ: talk all the time hell yeah let's go, my ADHD is INTO THIS

[@kirrb-dot-exe]

THANK GOD THEY WENT ALL OUT FOR THE ANIMATION LIKE THESE CUTSCENES WERE SO BOUNCY AND SMOOTH!!!

[@kamainu8934]

god i cant WAIT for this to release im so glad you got into the beta so we could get a vid on it from you earlier

[@SyLuX636]

She's under contract to not be able to be negative towards the game. Of course she's gonna be a chill.

[@kamainu8934]

@@SyLuX636 bro i aint said anything abt that get some joy and whimsey into ur life and be excited for stuff for once

[@SyLuX636]

@kamainu8934 it has already been confirmed. They pulled the contract papers online about the Hoyoverse Content creator program they literally are not allowed to give good reviews to any other gacha game other than ZZZ. It's a predatory tactic on the Hoyoverse part.

[@Kpoping727official]

Look at the description.she was clearly sponsored. They literally paid her to say good things about the game

[@kamainu8934]

yall got some trust issues even if shes sponsored it doesnt mean she didnt genuinely enjoy it

[@grimmfate8078]

Awww! Bunnypai is so cute! Edit: The Male MC voice is absolutely smooth. Shenpai has good taste.

[@yetanothrerone]

Hoyo made a great choice by asking Shenpai to promote this game. I feel like it fits her perfectly. Also, this game heavily reminds me of Scullgirls with such varied characters.

[@secret1566]

I saw a random ad for this game and was really worried it was going to be some sort of basic phone gacha game, while it still has some of that it looks SO MUCH BETTER and I really want to try it when it's out!

[@cietalvon6850]

haven't seen animation this good since hi-fi rush

[@quack-tastictictac1630]

It’s like if Jet Set Radio and Hi-Fi Rush had a baby

[@bencegergohocz5988]

good thing this isn't owned by Xbox...

[@williek08472]

Rip

[@justjus5840]

@@bencegergohocz5988hifi is on ps

[@Martin-rh6bn]

​@@bencegergohocz5988 counterpoint is that I'm sad that it's trapped in another lootbox game

[@Lightmagician60]

they gave Billy the Deadpool/Spiderman eyes and it's great

[@marfit77]

2:14 I love the personality in this Billy is running completely straight using those long ass legs to get over the TVs Anby is parkouring like a pro Nicole is just going around the TVs because she is the least acrobatic and carrying the heaviest load (in her hands and in front of her)

[@shadowthief19]

the way this game scratched my urge for bayonetta/dmc combat, TWEWY style and music, then my barely suppressed gambling urges during the beta means my money is in danger. hoyo finally got my ass after all these years

[@scotginger4690]

Yeah they're getting me too. I'm so cooked man I thought I was immune but if I end up liking this game I'm gonna try their other stuff. But right now that gorgeous animation, fast paced DMC combat and simple but funky beats just call to me.

[@meh3629]

God, I wish Von Lycaon would inter-knot me... I mean whaaaaat, who said that

[@jadebayoba7073]

Me and im manifesting it happens to me and only me and none of yall

[@bruh10246]

i have a hunch that bao will say it verbatim

[@SD_299]

🤨📸

[@valekstormhowl4999]

Me!

[@ancard3118]

Damn i think Ben is definitely Bigger down there than my ex... I mean whaaaaaaat

[@imranicanovic1154]

ZZZ is my dream game. I'm a sucker for Street Art and Street Wear, so naturally when this game was annouced with it's myriad of styles of characters and the FUCKING DESIGN OF THE WORLD I JUST AAAAAAA. Saying "My God" in english isn't enough so I'll just yell "MEIN GÖTT ALTER!!!!" What a fucking game, I can't wait to get my hands on it by July.

[@callmekitto]

The animation in this reminds me a *lot* of Trigun Stampede. They're USING the 3d animation and animating it uniquely and with different techniques from 2d animation, and it's to its favor. There's a sense of squash and stretch that's used that reminds me a lot of pixar. It's very impressive.

[@erdtroll7010]

Animation? Sick af Gameplay? Sick af Characters? Sick af Music? Sick af As far as ive seen They‘re cooking a freaking banquet

[@Narrendor]

bruh,,,, this game got my art brain going crazy - I'm so looking forward to more

[@Natsunalia]

Zenless zone zero is already a fever dream. And I am all for it! The character designs are so cool and cute!!!!!!! This game has a lot of life in it already. Thanks for an amazing video again shen!

[@edwardsutherland8240]

23:57 His just standing there, MENACINGLY!

[@remor698]

Another cool animation detail is that apparently in the character selection and modification screens going through the different tabs has them move between different poses... and the order in which you go through the tabs matters! There are two variant poses for each tab as well as a different transition animation between the poses to make them flow from one to the next logically. The attention to detail in this game's visuals is crazy!

[@Kurumi.tokisaki.]

iirc one of the lead producers of ZZZ is the guy who lead a lot of HI3's CG/cutscenes and thats why it probably has such satisfying animations

[@lv.2073]

20:58 Love that this sounds like it was FIGHTING to get out of you

[@fredallan5110]

28:03 the reference is making me laugh harder than it should

[@scotginger4690]

Took me a while to see what you mean but with the way those hands are sitting I get it now. Good one.

[@flyingorange2482]

What is the reference?

[@TjocCreation]

​@@flyingorange2482late reply but it's the "Here's Johnny!" Clip from The Shining

[@halapenopepper]

the curse of genuinely enjoying mihoyo games but wanting to anything BUT keep up with 4 gacha games... still... this looks really fucking cool

[@campbellmaggs4384]

This game is extremely not my usual vibe but you may have sold me on it on style alone; genuinely feels like I'm watching a hype shonen fight scene where teamwork is the key to success. All the characters have such a distinct kinetic moveset and the fact that there's obviously more to unlock has me friggin salivating.

[@DeathKingGolthan]

While I'm no fan of gacha, I have to say the voice acting and just the bounciness of the character animation is so dang GOOOOOOOOD!

[@partymantis3421]

The animation in this is stellar! Not into the whole gacha roulette model, but ZZZ is undeniably expressive & smoothly animated . Gameplay looks good too (tho lets hope it avoids the gacha pitfall of having a few OP characters that make it all a boring cakewalk)

[@dinner1232]

Broooo the animations are so bouncy and expressive!!!

[@yourcommrad2]

Wasn't sure about this game before but its now going to be the game im obsessed with just bc of the animation

[@RyuuKishiTheSeventh]

I was waiting to watch the vod for this after catching up with the Star Rail vods, a highlight is a welcome surprise

[@AeroViro]

I'll try and upload the vods for it as well soon!!!

[@RyuuKishiTheSeventh]

@@AeroViro Looking forward to it, and the rest of Star Rail. No rush Shen.

[@domino9700]

I have been looking forward to this game, but seeing it in action now and seeing you enjoy it as well, sold me for sure. I am definitely playing this once it launches!

[@richardthomas8371]

Billy personifies all the "Dante is a gay cowboy" memes in the best way! I LOVE HIM!

[@granzedora]

With a hint of Deadpool

[@TheConman-18]

This game looks so good, and I love Billy I get massive deadpool vids, really hope you do series on this

[@diamondking6432]

I am rewatching this video multiple times, CAN IT PLEASE RELEASE ALREADY

[@treedude4246]

Oh fuck those animations got me. I love this bouncy style

[@dantekaze7213]

I need to play this yesterday! The animation, the smooth combat, and the characters, they just hit right

[@Chagogo]

I'm coming to this video post release and it's interesting seeing the differences. The phone UI being streamlined and they definitely got Billy to do some new takes to punch up his delivery. It's neat!

[@Mariodash23]

The whole aesthetic of this game being similar to Frutiger Metro, along with Von Lycaon activating my neurons anytime I see him, is really make me want this game NOW!

[@sodafying]

im so hyped up for this game, the combat, the style, everything about it HITS so good

[@blazemcking]

okay i 100% need one of those shen-bots from the opening. Feel like i could start my own Despicable me Arc with a couple dozen!

[@cadence_2463]

What combat bonus does the Shenboo provide?

[@flufflepuffs2425]

I was planning on skipping out on ZZZ, but you convinced me to at least give it a shot. Hopefully it doesn't consume my life or wallet. Sidenote: I really do enjoy watching you and your stuff. Your laugh is contagious and despite having some confidence issues you still seem to put as much as you can into things. Never stop

[@StickMaster500]

Shenpai's reaction to Von Lycaon pretty much sells this game

[@imranicanovic1154]

Sticky! To think I'd see you here. But to be fair, you're literally everywhere like those guys with and without mustaches. Hope you're doing well, seeing you brings joy.

[@BlitzdiverPvt447]

As someone who has also played the game, i love that the immediate reaction to “your finally awake” is Skyrim

[@MappyTheSquire]

Ben Bigger makes me think unholy thoughts.

[@robbieliddle2462]

If the Zone is out of Zen again I stg...

[@aquavelvetica2725]

22:06 *FUCKIGN BNUUY*

[@Kenionatus]

Whelp, looks like retro has finally caught up with the 2000s.

[@adnankhalid8457]

I've already made up my mind i will only use the big bear and nothing else

[@CrowitzerTheHoloFan]

Nah nah, you got to get the Little Miss President as well to go with the bear to unlock their Special Combo

[@rodrigorodrigues2129]

this is the only right way to play the game

[@scotginger4690]

If not friend, why friend shaped?

[@flyingorange2482]

​@@scotginger4690He's actually a very friendly fella

[@minibotas9496]

I can finally watch some gameplay, and from one of my favs to boot! For now, I think I’ll like it.

[@aquavelvetica2725]

They should totally add an actual Shenpai Bangboo called Viroboo or somethin' like that to the game

[@BT_721]

Coming into this video the only thing I knew about it was that there was an extremely really really REALLY hot wolf man I am now coming from this video with the knowledge that Mihoyo made a perfect game with an extremely huggable cyberpunk Ai Ohto (from Wonder Egg Priority), an extremely dommable Caelus (from HSR), Wrench (from Watch Dogs), combat like Honkai Impact 3rd, character design that would make a God cry (the "this is so beautiful" type of crying), a voice cast more perfecter than the most perfectestest cup of iced coffee on a cool 65° lightly rainy morning, and an animation budget that makes the US Defense Budget look like the pennies stuck to the bottom of your cars cupholder This game isn't just edible, it is a 17-course meal where you think the meal you just had was the best one but the next one is even better

[@thespyhatofficial]

I started playing the game when it launched and I actually love it, which is a rarity for this kind of gacha.

[@valekstormhowl4999]

I'm so glad you got to check this game out!!! I'm so hype for it!!!!!

[@alexlowe2054]

This is the first time the animation in a game has me excited to play. It's like they let the animators loose to do whatever they wanted, like those old internet stickfight videos, or Monty's Red vs Blue fights. There's some classic element of passion that's just missing from most corporate projects today. They just let the animators have fun and give each character a movement style that matches their personality. I'm a bit bored, so allow me to try and articulate why the animation is so good. Which is a problem, because I have to do the opposite of what the animators did. Rather than using a few seconds of animation to communicate a lot of information quickly, I'm going to have to use ton of words to explain what the animators did in a few seconds. One reason the animation is so good is because each character expressed themselves by moving. Look at the clip from 7:47 to 8:47. It's an entire minute of high quality animation, where you could remove the voice lines and copy/paste their animations onto a basic character rig, and you'd still be able to tell which character was which. The main characters are chill and laid back, making small subtle movements to express themselves. Nicole is bouncing around constantly with tons of excitable energy, swaying around and never stopping to rest. Red jacket man (name?) has tons of energy, but he's instantly snapping from one pose to another in a stylish way that also shows how he's constantly unprepared and caught off guard by everything. Meanwhile, the girl with him is emotionally muted, moving slower but blending her animations smoothly together, showing that she's more focused and thoughtful. Heck, even the gameplay animation communicates the same thing. The girl's attacks are smooth and flowing, while the guy's attacks are literally snapping to firing in multiple directions. The character consistency is so good. The contrast between characters is really good. I think red jacket man looks so goofy because he's moving like three times for every one time she moves. It's a great way to keep the baseline grounded, with her slower animations serving to show what "normal" characters look like. It helps viewers avoid getting overwhelmed by too much motion, while giving the animators the ability to go all-out and do some crazy animations on a specific character, flaunting their talents and letting us enjoy some crazy fun animations. It also helps emphasize the character personality. You don't need tons of lines of throwaway dialog to show that she's less expressive, because you get that contrast from the animation. Without the animation to express character traits, the characters would feel lifeless. Plus, the animation is so good because it's there. It simply exists, when so many other games wouldn't bother. Like, when they land at 8:15, he sticks the landing but then adds a roll at the end, while she smoothly transitions from the landing into a run. An almost unnoticeable jump cut zooms in to them running, where she's completely focused on moving, while he's stumbling a little as he glances around and his running dissolves into a wobbly saunter, with her realizing he's slowed down, and turning her head around as she stops running ahead of him. The camera does a full 180 degree pan, focusing on his exasperated expression, while she's carefully scanning the environment. That's only five seconds of animation, that certainly took a HUGE amount of work for an animator. The reason this animation is SO good, is because a lesser game just wouldn't have had any custom animation there. They would have just replayed the same cutscene from the first entrance, and had either some stock "surprise" idle pose playing with voiceovers or something. Heck, some games would have just jumped to them getting out at 8:52, with stock character idle animations and motionless dialog, and just completely not bothered to animate anything. However, this game actually bothers to animate those little interactions. It's funny, because the animation makes the talking idle animation parts a LOT better, since your brain starts filling in the missing animations. They don't need to create full animations for everything, just enough that you understand the characters. The animation is good because it's following good basic principles of animation, showing the audience through animation, rather than explaining things to them. When the smoke grenades go off, there's a TON of personality and character communication in just 4 seconds of animation. The camera pulls back quickly to show the force of the explosion, while showing the enemies jumping in, and the characters being caught off guard. Both of them are waving away the smoke, but she smoothly moves to glaring at him with a gasp and a grunt. His eyes open before his body catches up, then he jumps up so excitedly he throws his hair upwards. The subtitle says "wait" only once, but the voice actor adds some flare by saying it a few times, while his body starts flailing his hands around to catch up with his mouth. The scene only works because of the constant back-and-forth between the characters. Any other game would have had to write several very clunky lines of dialog to show that interaction, with characters saying "oh no, smoke", while this game gets away with one wordless voice line from her, and a single line of "not my fault" from him. The discomfort of the smoke and her accusation are both implied through the animation. *That's* why it feels so good. They're following one of the basic principles of "show don't tell". If you can express something in animation instead of dialog, do it. tl;dr, great animation.

[@scotginger4690]

Me: I ain't reading all that You: tl;dr, animation good Me: TRUE

[@WorldsTallestLeprechaun]

11:17 the textbook definition of a *pervy laugh* lol

[@Max-ek4dn]

27:15 is why you gotta love shen

[@bassyxgrelle8659]

Here a month later the day after the official release, it's genuinely such a fun game 😭 Oh and Billy is hands down best character 🥰

[@SOoshi_art]

this game has so much style. Oh my god

[@Jonk2014]

11:14 shen inspects the roster

[@zaynew9521]

I misread your comment as "Shen inspects the rooster" I misread things a lot...

[@consciame]

This makes me want to try it out, thanks for delivering good content as always shen

[@Ndgamefreak]

This video singlehandedly convinced me to play this game. That gameplay looks incredible

[@pipedream2556]

I've not even got to play it yet and I'm already losing my mind over which of the player characters to pick, they're both SO LIKEABLE!!! Belle is frigging ADORABLE but Wise is so...ugh I've wound up choosing the female MC on Genshin and Star Rail bc I liked their designs better but its this one where they've got actual different personalities that in stumped because there is that question of what difference it makes which you choose if the cutscenes have them both anyway...IS something going to happen to the sibling we didn't choose at some point??

[@Eric_the_traveler]

I kid you not and I don't know why but when I saw that god damn wolf guy I turned into Shen whenever she plays Hades GOD HE'S TOO DAMN HOT Update: I love Ben Bigger I love that god damn bear

[@quox3987]

The game’s style feels like a mix of Splatoon and Persona. I dig it.

[@JohnnyNocturne]

Only thing thay will ruin this game for me is the inevitable microtransactions

[@SyLuX636]

Hoyoverse game always have the worse rates to force you to pull your wallet.

[@aquasis995]

When I first saw ZZZ I thought it was going to be a non-gacha one-time purchase thing. Definitely can’t afford to keep up with 3 Hoyo gacha, so I feel like that kind of backfired.

[@warbacca1017]

Dread it. Run from it

[@adnankhalid8457]

I've played many gacha games and i have to say that honkai Impact third was the one with the worst rates it's a good game but god is the gacha on it horrendous ​@@SyLuX636

[@novatm13]

Its inescapable with gacha games. You just have to have the self control.

[@my_mystake]

I honestly can't wait to play this game! You really sold it for me Shen, Thank you~

[@dokerat2736]

billy is just a hoyoverse deadpool.. and thats why i like him XD

[@donvoltonus8898]

I love how these "Pro Proxy" siblings IMMEDIATELY shove a random street USB into their supercomputer.

[@trident042]

Don't think I don't hear ProZD in there being the voice for LORGE BEAR, you can't sneak that shish by me

[@chillax319]

I wish they didn't kill of that Silver Tears boss so quickly. Him crying his eyes out while trying to murder us was hillarious. And yes Billy and Nekomata made me try out this game and got hooked on it. I love how they are animated in cutscenes. Also I really hope that both siblings will be present in the story and one of them will not be kidnaped for half of the story or something like that(for a chapter, cool). It's far more enjoyable to have them both interact with characters and the plot.

[@mixednarwhal]

I only just now got the KZbin notification about this upload, I was already aware since I already saved it to watch it later. Only took KZbin 4 hours..

[@TehNoobiness]

"They're knotting on the internet now?" They've been knotting on the internet for a while actually

[@robertito901]

NGL but, this was a VERY good intro. Very creative and entertaining !

[@papyrusspagetti]

man ive been binge watching your latest videos cuz i kinda stopped watching youtube for months and this is more laugh i had in this WHOLE year lmao. Keep it coming youre a fun-guy!!! :D cant wait for moreeeee (i am in need of your videos more than air to live >:c )

[@johnc7389]

This rolled through my recs today and I was like, "Damn, everyone playing ZZZ, lets go." And then you said the bit at the start. And then I realized this came out 2 months ago Damn it youtube.

[@byrontheusurper6505]

11:26 yep. They definitely are knotting on the internet now.

[@dogenasus1717]

She got bit by the Hoyobug. Its joever.

[@screwtrapdaemon9776]

the gameplay, mechanics and character choreography Reminds me heavily of Spyborgs!

[@Neopulse00]

I know this may be off topic, but this game looks so damn good for it being made on the Unity engine (besides Escape from Tarkov). The blending of animation with comic story telling is seamless and doesn't break the flow.

[@leetaeryeo5269]

I didn't think I'd like this game when I saw it, but this has about sold me on it. Also, Wise's "I don't understand girls" is amazing

[@eur0be4t3r]

Everytime I see a video about this game I keep thinking it’s out already

[@purpleserenity137]

This is probably the first time a gacha game is holding my interest and I'm tempted to pre-register for the game. The gameplay looks so fun, the characters are nicely designed, everything just looks smooth and cleanly put together. I also like your animation of the proxy rabbit at the start of the video. It would be cool for the devs to add your design of the proxy to the game as a little nod to you testing out the beta. Great video today Shen! 💚

[@alexg1720]

Hell ye Shen! Glad to see this

[@destinydivided8689]

In the beginning of the video, I thought you sounded like Aiba from Ai Somnium Files. I love that game.

[@cheshireshadow518]

oh the artstyle is so perfect AAAAA

[@JULR0W]

They absolutely NEED a thingie to let us create a Bangboo!

[@nils3939]

Gods I can't wait for this game to release! the animations are so good

[@GrimmShane]

God, I'm so fuckign Excited for this game, the fighting looks SO FUCKING COOL

[@tsumetai_kaze]

The quality of the animation just goes to show... Pay your animators right, and give them plenty of time, and your project will sing to the heavens!

[@darianstarfrog]

Hoyo has their own animation dept.

[@tsumetai_kaze]

@@darianstarfrog Okay? And?

[@itsnyxiechu]

Billy reminds me of Deadpool so much and i adore both characters!

[@khorrusvoa]

From "Space Train to the Cosmos" to "Hi-Fi Punk"? This will be interesting...

[@angelghost5393]

this game looks so good it hurts my soul that we gotta wait until like july to play it

[@fearjunkie]

I haven't seen a game oozing with this much personality since P5.

[@SchwartzBruder30]

The fact that we have to wait two more months for this to come out is a SIN! I NEED THIS GAME RIGHT NOW

[@darianstarfrog]

Very soon now

[@ScruffyMC]

Billy seems like a Deadpool cyborg clone, from the one liners to the fighting style...