New Eridu Security Force

Lore & Background

The relationship between the Security Force and the Proxy community is complex; they rely on each other but often operate with different priorities. The Force focuses on containment and public order, whereas Proxies are driven by contracts and survival within the Hollows. Despite this friction, mutual respect has grown over time as both groups face the same existential threat. The Force's officers are trained to handle Ether-based phenomena, making them uniquely equipped to deal with the supernatural dangers that ordinary police could never withstand.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of the city flickered against the grey rain as Officer Kael raised his hand, signaling a halt to the traffic. Behind him, the barrier around Sector 4 hummed with an unstable energy, a fresh tear in reality pulsing like a diseased heart. 'Stay back,' he barked at a group of panicked civilians, his voice cutting through the static of the emergency broadcast. A Proxy team was already descending into the rift, their gear glowing faintly against the dark void, but until they returned, Kael and his squad were the only thing standing between New Eridu and the monsters waiting inside.

Reader's Guide

The primary goal of the New Eridu Security Force is to maintain public order and ensure civilian safety in a world constantly threatened by Hollow incursions. They operate under the authority of the City Administration, acting as the official face of law enforcement while coordinating closely with licensed Proxy agencies for deep-zone operations. Their leadership structure is hierarchical and bureaucratic, designed to manage complex crisis scenarios efficiently. Officers are trained not only in standard combat but also in Ether suppression tactics, allowing them to contain supernatural threats that spill out of Hollows into populated areas. Publicly, the Force enjoys a reputation as the city's protectors, though they face criticism when containment protocols fail or when resources are stretched thin during major outbreaks. They play a pivotal role in the ongoing conflict by securing evacuation routes, managing disaster zones, and providing the logistical backbone that allows Proxies to operate safely within the dangerous rifts.

Did You Know?

• Security Force officers often wear specialized gear designed to mitigate Ether contamination from Hollow exposure.
• They are responsible for issuing licenses and permits to Proxy agencies operating within New Eridu.
• The Force maintains a dedicated division focused specifically on investigating anomalies caused by Hollow instability.
• Their tactical units frequently coordinate with Proxy teams during high-risk rescue missions inside the rifts.

The Proxy Profession and Combat Dynamics

In the post-apocalyptic city-state of New Eridu, players assume the role of a Proxy, a specialized guide hired to navigate civilians through supernatural disaster zones known as Hollows. At the game's outset, one selects either Wise or Belle Arna to serve as this protagonist, operating under the pseudonym "Phaethon" while running a video rental store called Random Play as a front for their illicit activities. These Proxies do not fight alone; they recruit and manage Agents, who act as the primary combatants within these distorted dimensions. Combat is a real-time, third-person affair emphasizing precise timing and reaction speeds. Players control one Agent at a time while others assist autonomously, utilizing a unique defensive mechanic called Defensive Assist to parry or counter enemy strikes by swapping characters instantly. Success relies on building synergistic parties of three Agents and a Bangboo robot, leveraging specific equipment like Disc Drives for general buffs and specialized W-Engines tailored to individual character types.

New Eridu: A Retro-Futuristic Sanctuary

Zenless Zone Zero presents a unique setting where modern society persists within the city-state of New Eridu, surrounded by Hollows that have consumed most of the planet. Inside these zones, a substance called Ether distorts matter and corrupts sentient life into twisted entities known as Ethereals. Paradoxically, this same Ether is harvested outside the Hollows to power New Eridu's infrastructure. Despite its futuristic context, the city adopts a distinct retro-analog aesthetic, explained by the susceptibility of advanced technology to Ether corruption. Citizens rely on flip phones reminiscent of the 2000s and 2010s, while entertainment revolves around CRT televisions, amusement arcades, and VHS tapes rented from the protagonist's shop. This design choice creates a lively atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the implied devastation of the outside world, grounding the narrative in a nostalgic yet dangerous environment where daily life continues amidst looming supernatural threats.

Narrative Structure and Seasonal Evolution

The story unfolds through a live service model, delivering new plot developments approximately every six weeks via updates titled Versions. These updates introduce Commissions that guide players as they explore New Eridu and the Hollows, gradually uncovering mysteries surrounding events from eleven years prior. The narrative is organized into Seasons, with each major arc corresponding to an increment in the version number's X value. Central to the plot are the Arna siblings' investigation into their mentor's involvement in Hollow Zero, a catastrophic event that caused the collapse of the previous capital city and impacted nearly all current residents. While players choose one sibling as the protagonist, the unselected twin remains a supporting character throughout the journey. This structure allows for continuous storytelling that deepens the lore regarding Ether corruption and the history of New Eridu without requiring players to commit to a single static narrative path.

Gameplay Mechanics and Strategic Depth

Beyond standard combat, Zenless Zone Zero incorporates strategic layering through its party composition and enemy interaction systems. Players must manage Anomaly Effects to apply damage-over-time reactions and execute Chain Attacks by coordinating different Agents and Bangboos. Enemies possess a Daze meter that fills as they take damage; once full, the foe is stunned and becomes vulnerable to increased damage output. Character progression involves enhancing statistics through Disc Drives and W-Engines, with every Agent possessing a signature W-Engine acquired via the same summoning system used for characters. The game also features an in-game clock dividing days into morning, afternoon, evening, and midnight, allowing players to explore the overworld at specific times to meet Agents and build affinity. Although the "Array Mode" or TV Mode was phased out after Version 1.2 due to mixed reception, it remains accessible in specific permanent events, highlighting the game's evolving approach to exploration mechanics.