Zanki Zero: Last Beginning

Zanki Zero: Last Beginning oozes both charm and horror in equal measure. It’s a highly enjoyable game that deserves a lot more attention than it’s getting. Perfect for fans of horror, mystery, and dungeon crawling RPGs.

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A first-person dungeon crawler staring eight protagonists who are the last surviving people on earth after a disaster that killed off most of humanity in a single day.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 343 reviews

story159 positive mentions

grinding35 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional story with well-developed characters that keep players invested.
Unique mechanics involving character aging and death that add depth to gameplay.
Visually appealing with a vibrant art style and good voice acting.

Clunky controls and frustrating inventory management that detracts from the overall experience.
Combat system feels simplistic and repetitive, lacking strategic depth.
Some puzzles and gameplay mechanics can be tedious and poorly explained, leading to confusion.

story
451 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a significant highlight, featuring a compelling narrative filled with dark themes, intriguing character backstories, and unexpected twists reminiscent of Spike Chunsoft's previous works like Danganronpa. While many players found the plot engaging and emotionally impactful, some criticized the pacing and gameplay mechanics, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite mixed feelings about the gameplay, the story remains a strong draw, with options to adjust difficulty for those primarily interested in the narrative.
- “The story is incredible, and the difficulty settings don't treat me like I'm 5, like many other games where normal means easy.”
- “The story is captivating in a way that is expected of Spike Chunsoft but it's held back by gameplay that gets really tedious after a while.”
- “A wonderful story from front to back with very likeable characters that have their own gripping stories to tell.”
- “The gameplay does the story injustice.”
- “The story is so soul-crushingly dark that it’s hard to care about what happens, and the characters aren’t as deep as I would have liked, either.”
- “While the story kept me going to finish the game, I can't recommend it unless you are very patient and looking for something unique and different (even if the gameplay is not very good).”
gameplay
293 mentions
20 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Zanki Zero" is a contentious aspect, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating due to its blend of dungeon-crawling, survival mechanics, and RPG elements. While some appreciate the unique mechanics like aging and the death-rebirth system, others criticize the controls, repetitive combat, and the overwhelming number of auxiliary mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, the gameplay often feels like a chore, overshadowing the engaging story and characters, leading many to recommend playing on lower difficulties or simply watching the story unfold through other means.
- “The mechanic of coming back stronger and better each time was enough to get me invested in the story, which I found to be enthralling.”
- “If you like dungeon crawlers with lots of RPG elements as well as a bit of scary gameplay sometimes, then you will surely like this game.”
- “The story and character dynamics are what really keep you coming back for more, but the gameplay is fun and challenging as well, with multiple difficulty settings for all kinds of players.”
- “The gameplay does the story injustice.”
- “The gameplay is frustrating.”
- “The gameplay is so horrible that even with an epic story, I can't recommend this game.”
music
37 mentions
32 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as expertly crafted and mood-setting, while others find it lackluster and forgettable. Many players appreciate the inclusion of an in-game music player, allowing them to enjoy tracks outside of gameplay, but some criticize the overall quality and repetitiveness of the music. Despite the varied opinions, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere for many players, even if it doesn't stand out universally.
- “The soundtrack is expertly crafted and sets the mood just right.”
- “I loved the music!!”
- “Light-hearted and eerie music play on cue, which results in more impact; the atmosphere is on point.”
- “The music is rather lackluster.”
- “BGM is meh; the atmosphere in dungeons is hampered by a lack of music and the inclusion of ambiance instead.”
- “The music serves its purpose: background noise.”
grinding
36 mentions
8 % positive mentions
-6 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and laborious, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the survival mechanics and find enjoyment in the grind, others find it overwhelming and frustrating, particularly in the context of repetitive dungeons and resource scarcity. Overall, the game may appeal to those who enjoy grinding in RPGs, but it risks alienating players who prefer a more streamlined experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I truly cannot emphasize enough how tedious this game gets as it goes on, which in my opinion makes this game far worse.”
- “The story is captivating in a way that is expected of Spike Chunsoft, but it's held back by gameplay that gets really tedious after a while.”
- “The combat isn't fun, it's grindy as hell and feels like a chore.”
graphics
28 mentions
32 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback for their impressive art direction and aesthetic appeal, with a unique style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the colorful visuals, quality character animations, and the cohesive design that ties together the user interface and character portraits. While some noted limitations due to the game's development for the PS Vita, the visuals are still considered a strong point, contributing to an engaging atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The music and visuals are extremely impressive, especially for such a small game like this.”
- “Seems like they had a unified art direction going forward, which certainly strengthened their primary aesthetic, from the UI to the character portraits.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly good (Danganronpa, please try this style).”
- “It opens with a warning for graphic violence, but except for a couple of images here and there, it is not really that violent or graphic.”
- “As it was developed with the PS Vita in mind, its graphical elements were held back.”
- “Yeah, this game takes a long time to beat, or you can beat it quickly if you just cheese the game by doing difficulty level one, but for the visuals, gameplay, soundtrack, and overall playability... this game should have only been $30 tops, and that is being generous.”
emotional
24 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its touching and unique storytelling, with well-developed characters that evoke strong attachments and reactions from players. Many reviewers noted the heart-wrenching backstories and impactful plot twists that contribute to an emotional roller coaster, making the experience memorable despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully combines a compelling narrative with emotional depth, leaving players moved by the characters' journeys and the overarching themes of survival and connection.
- “Easily one of the most touching, emotional, and unique stories that is comparable to other spike hits.”
- “The characters are well crafted and each backstory is touching and paces the overarching story really well.”
- “This story of a few humans surviving together and forming bonds in a world full of monsters is a touching one that makes the game worth playing, but one should be prepared to deal with some difficulty.”
humor
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of intelligent writing and dark comedy, often delivered through memorable characters and quirky dialogue. While some players find the cutscenes and menus can disrupt the flow, they still appreciate the humor that emerges from these moments, including unintentional comedic elements. Overall, the game successfully blends tragedy and comedy, creating a unique atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “Amazing story, memorable characters, and its weird and funny sense of humor.”
- “The writing is intelligent and very funny.”
- “Some fantastic ambience, a fun cast, and the same hybrid level of dark/funny/darkly funny that is signature to the creators.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and chilling, effectively blending horror and survival elements that create a sense of constant tension and urgency. While the dungeons are highlighted for their unique designs and eerie ambiance, some players find the lack of music in certain areas detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully evokes feelings of mystery and hopelessness, appealing to those who appreciate dark themes and complex narratives.
- “Together with the calm and eerie atmosphere, it creates a very immersive experience, definitely something where you have to stay concentrated since you have to make decisions all the time.”
- “Each set of ruins really had its own unique atmosphere while also giving off a sense of mystery and hopelessness.”
- “The atmosphere was eerie and very chilling at times, which was a constant reminder of just how barren and hopeless the world had become following the end of the world.”
- “BGM is mediocre; the atmosphere in dungeons is hampered by a lack of music and the inclusion of ambiance instead.”
- “Not for people who don't like games with scary atmospheres (gameplay-wise) and dark situations involving children (story-wise).”
character development
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with well-rounded designs that enhance player attachment. While some reviewers found certain characters' stories to be bland, the overall character-centric approach and unique art direction contribute significantly to the game's appeal. The Danganronpa series, in particular, is noted for its strong character development and suspenseful storytelling.
- “Well-rounded character design and development, even creating a bit of emotional attachment (at least for me, very subjective).”
- “As the game is heavily character-centered, character development is the most amazing.”
- “Other than that, the game is overly amazing, with its amazing character developments, and its unique game features that left me slightly confused during my first few hours of playing the game, but I soon got the hang of it.”
- “The story and the character development of the several characters just feels bland.”
- “The Danganronpa games kind of lived from the character development, the suspense when a murder is going to happen, the stories of the characters, and sometimes even from the murder solving, at least in my opinion.”
optimization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it offers rewarding resource and base management for those who enjoy micromanagement, the extensive menu navigation can become tedious. Additionally, performance issues persist, particularly related to rendering resolution, and other aspects like the launcher remain unaddressed. Overall, players may find the optimization experience varies significantly based on their playstyle and preferences.
- “So if survival mechanics are not your thing, you should still enjoy this game solely because the story is that good. However, if you do like the micromanaging and grind that comes with resource and base optimization, this game should be a great fit for you, as it was for me.”
- “This is one of these games where performance is highly dependent on the rendering resolution.”
- “While you'll do less damage if you're not as optimized, the game is so bogged down in menus that you'll just get tired of setting up the optimal equipment and party formations all the time.”
- “While you'll do less damage if you're not optimized, the game is so bogged down in menus that you'll just get tired of setting up the optimal equipment and party formations all the time.”
- “This is one of those games where performance is highly dependent on the rendering resolution.”
- “The rest (performance, launcher...) wasn't fixed.”
replayability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability; while some users find the game to have little replay value, similar to other titles from Spike Chunsoft, others describe it as infinitely replayable. This suggests that player experience may vary significantly based on personal preferences and engagement with the content.
- “🔲 Infinitely replayable.”
- “Now to the real cons: very little replay value.”
- “No, like the majority of Spike Chunsoft's other visual novel style games, there is very little replay value.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
While the game is generally stable, players have reported specific issues during certain boss battles, where glitches can prevent bosses from being defeated, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. This suggests that some aspects of the game may not have been thoroughly playtested, particularly at higher difficulty levels.
- “The combat can become even more frustrating during certain boss battles, where some of them (possibly due to difficulty-specific glitches, I've read) simply refuse to die, resulting in you using standard procedures on them interminably while your characters literally urinate themselves, die of starvation, or some combination thereof.”
- “It's not a buggy game by any means, but it just seems some things were not playtested very well. For example, a boss in the high school later on, on a certain difficulty, will not die.”