Z.O.N.A: Origin

About

Z.O.N.A: Origin is a single player role playing game. It was developed by AGaming+ and was released on August 22, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

MAIN FEATURES Full weapon customization — paint your guns however you like using spray cans. This is the first VR game to feature such a system. A large number of diverse locations and monsters to discover and face. Over 30 hours of gameplay, offering a deep and fully immersive VR experience. Next-generation graphics created using advanced VR technologies. A blend of action, horror, surviva…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 191 reviews

story14 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

The game captures the atmosphere of classic Eastern European post-apocalyptic fiction, providing an immersive experience.
The environments are beautifully designed, with a variety of unique zones to explore, enhancing the sense of discovery.
The developer is highly responsive to community feedback and actively updates the game, showing a commitment to improvement.

The AI can be inconsistent, with enemies sometimes failing to react appropriately during encounters.
The lack of auto-saving and the need for manual saving can lead to frustrating experiences, especially after dying.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as weapon handling and inventory management, can feel clunky and unintuitive.

story
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
82%
3%
The game's story is characterized by a gradual introduction to its world, relying heavily on environmental storytelling rather than direct exposition, which enhances its atmospheric quality. While the narrative is generally straightforward and lacks depth, it effectively incorporates various factions and missions that contribute to the overall experience, though some players find the quest structure and clarity lacking. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop for exploration and gameplay, appealing to fans of the survival genre, particularly those familiar with the Stalker franchise.
- “The game rarely relies on direct exposition to explain what happened; instead, it allows the environment to tell its story through visual decay, scattered notes, and the behavior of factions that inhabit the zone.”
- “Great huge world to explore with many hidden stuff and locations, good story.”
- “Story is enjoyable (currently ends with a 'to be continued' note) and voice acting was fine.”
- “The main mission is definitely not worth a second playthrough, and there isn't anything post-game or any good gameplay loop.”
- “There are a few different factions and some minor interplay between them, but this is a solo dev VR game, so you don't really pick a side or make any choices on who to help; you just do missions and then do more missions.”
- “Literally one of the main missions requires you to take a near-linear path to reach a bunker, where your reward for going through the area is just getting ambushed. Surviving the ambush rewards you with doing the entire map over again, where literally nothing happens until you get back to the beginning.”
gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
61%
6%
The gameplay of "A: Origin" is characterized by its immersive survival mechanics and open-ended exploration, drawing inspiration from classic post-apocalyptic narratives. Players appreciate the blend of environmental puzzles, looting, and tense encounters with enemies, although some mechanics, such as NPC behavior and weapon effectiveness, have received criticism for inconsistency. Overall, the game offers a rich content experience with a focus on player agency, despite some jankiness and graphical limitations typical of indie titles.
- “These sequences stand out as high-tension gameplay moments, blending environmental puzzles with survival instincts.”
- “Great atmosphere, gunplay, and mechanics all culminating in a fun, tense, and intriguing experience.”
- “One of my favorite aspects of the game is the degree of freedom the gameplay allows in approaching problems, especially with the inclusion of melee weapons and how you can eliminate or neutralize certain anomalies since it reserves ammunition.”
- “A focuses on gameplay and interactions above all else, so if you're expecting the highest quality graphics and animations, it's not all there.”
- “Even though many mechanics are handled better now, it’s still a very basic, cheaply made (which I don’t mind) and poorly thought-out (which is a real shame) Stalker clone.”
- “There is no running, no jogging; most of your gameplay time will be walking through the dark and figuring out how to shove more things into your backpack.”
atmosphere
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
28%
8%
The atmosphere in "A: Origin" is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of classic Eastern European post-apocalyptic fiction. Players appreciate the game's attention to environmental detail, sound design, and the tension-filled exploration that enhances the survival experience. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and atmospheric world that resonates with fans of the genre, drawing comparisons to beloved titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Metro.
- “By focusing on survival pressure, exploration-driven discovery, and a deeply oppressive atmosphere, the game delivers a compelling journey into a ruined landscape where every decision matters and every step forward feels earned.”
- “I know 'atmospheric' gets used to death, but carefully stepping through overgrown brush, dark forests, abandoned bunkers, and bombed-out buildings while flicking on your head flashlight and digging up loot is very enjoyable.”
- “The open world is visually captivating and fits the post-apocalyptic atmosphere very well.”
- “However, these rough edges are often overshadowed by the game’s commitment to atmosphere and survival tension.”
- “The lighting is creepy and even though I have yet to run into an enemy indoors, the atmosphere keeps me on my toes.”
- “Atmosphere is way scarier than Into the Radius, which I absolutely love.”
graphics
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
58%
10%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting that while the visuals can be technically decent, they often suffer from low texture quality and inconsistent image fidelity, particularly in foliage and NPC interactions. Many users prioritize gameplay over graphics, finding the overall experience enjoyable despite the visual shortcomings, while others express disappointment, citing that the graphics detract from immersion. Overall, the game is seen as having potential, especially for VR, but it currently lacks the polish expected from higher-end titles.
- “The game has nice graphics for VR, and lots of different locations and enemies.”
- “I must say these graphics are better than almost anything I've seen in VR, including the new Into the Radius 2. This is looking like it could be a great-looking game one day.”
- “This is the closest thing to Stalker games we have as Stalker fans... played the tutorial and first missions... graphics are awesome and really optimized, gunplay is solid.”
- “A focuses on gameplay and interactions above all else, so if you're expecting the highest quality graphics and animations, it's not all there.”
- “The graphics are technically higher fidelity, but they all have a strange 3D sheen to them that makes it obvious you're looking at composited images in a way that it doesn't.”
- “Even running graphics at high, and with all graphic settings turned on for the best visuals, the game looks poor.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while the latest update has improved performance and reduced bugs, players still encounter glitches, particularly with inventory management and loading functions. Many users note that the game runs smoothly at times but remains janky, especially in early access, indicating a need for further refinement and features like autosave to enhance the experience.
- “Even on the lowest settings, it glitches and tears.”
- “I know it's early access still, but it is pretty janky with grabbing stuff out of your bag and it's a bit buggy.”
- “Needs autosave on because of how buggy it is; I accidentally quit the game without saving while the PDA is on my waist.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Overall, the optimization of the game has been criticized, with many users experiencing significant lag and stuttering even on high-end hardware, such as the 4090 and 4070. Despite the impressive graphics and engaging gameplay mechanics, the performance issues detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for players to enjoy a smooth playthrough.
- “I have a pretty decent rig, but VR games can always have performance problems, so that is very refreshing.”
- “This is the closest thing to Stalker games we have as Stalker fans. I played the tutorial and first missions; the graphics are awesome and really optimized, and the gunplay is solid. Some mechanics taken from Into the Radius, like cleaning weapons, are a great addition.”
- “Performance could definitely be a bit better; I was averaging 60-77 fps on high and ultra settings on a 4070. That's not great, because the framerate makes the gun physics (since there's quite a bit of weight to the AK) unpredictable.”
- “Optimization is lacking. I have a 3900XT and a 3070Ti with 32GB DDR4 3200MHz, and the game lags and stutters on medium settings.”
- “I have a 4090, and performance is still jittery.”
- “Right from the start, even on a powerful gaming rig, you'll notice heavy stuttering/frame pacing which absolutely kills the immersion.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The music in the game is used sparingly, enhancing the overall atmosphere by allowing silence to prevail, which intensifies the impact of musical moments during encounters.
- “Music is used sparingly, allowing silence to dominate and making encounters feel more intense when they do occur.”
- “The music is used sparingly, allowing silence to dominate and making encounters feel more intense when they do occur.”
- “The soundtrack is forgettable and lacks the emotional depth needed to enhance the gameplay experience.”
- “The music feels repetitive and uninspired, failing to create an engaging atmosphere.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is present but varies in effectiveness; while some players find it amusing, others may not resonate with it as much.
- “I find it pretty funny overall.”
- “The humor in this game really adds to the experience.”
- “There are some genuinely hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game engaging, as it effectively immerses them in a survival experience that balances resource management and exploration. The mechanics of looting and inventory organization evoke a sense of realism and urgency, keeping players grounded in the game's world while fostering anticipation for new discoveries. Overall, the emotional connection is enhanced by the challenges faced and the satisfaction derived from overcoming them.
- “The gameplay is very fun to loot and interact with, reminding me of games like 'The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners'. It keeps you grounded in the reality of the world, making sure to track time so you know if you'll get to your destination by day or night.”
- “This is your VR game; if you consider gameplay, adventure, and overall feel as your checklist, then you shouldn't pass on this game. I can't wait to see what I'm missing and what new experiences await me.”
- “Backpack mechanics are a fun way of loot organization, allowing you to cram everything you can into it without overlapping, resulting in a chaotic yet satisfying inventory.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the lengthy backtracking required after respawning or making incorrect area selections. This can detract from the overall gameplay experience, as it feels more like a chore than an engaging challenge.
- “The grinding feels like tedious moments that unnecessarily expand gameplay.”
- “It gets very tedious having to run so far back to the den/shop after returning, especially if you select the wrong area and have to run all the way back to reselect the correct one.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the monetization aspect of the game problematic, particularly due to the intrusive nature of VR ads, which detract from the immersive experience. The lack of a laser pointer further complicates gameplay, making it less enjoyable, especially outside of tactical shooter contexts.
- “In a high-stress environment, alongside the inherent issues with ads in VR, not having a laser pointer makes the gun completely unviable.”
- “Unless you're playing a tactical shooter, VR ads are not very enjoyable.”