HoYoverse’s latest free-to-play action RPG, Zenless Zone Zero, has officially launched on Steam, and early reports suggest that it runs smoothly on Linux and SteamOS—an unexpected but welcome development for PC gamers. The release marks another major expansion for the studio behind Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, with the new title quickly gaining attention for both its gameplay and technical performance.
According to initial testing and user feedback, the game is already proving to be highly playable through Proton, despite featuring anti-cheat software that often complicates Linux compatibility.
A Smooth Steam Debut With Linux Compatibility
One of the most notable aspects of Zenless Zone Zero’s Steam release is its apparent support for Linux-based systems. The game uses HoYoKProtect, an anti-cheat solution typically associated with limited compatibility outside Windows environments. However, in this case, it appears HoYoverse has enabled functionality that allows the game to run properly through Proton.
Early testing on Fedora KDE 44 with Proton 11 indicates that the experience is largely seamless. Aside from a minor launcher issue—described as a “weird white bar along the top”—players have reported no major barriers to getting into the game or progressing through its content.
Performance metrics also paint a positive picture. On a system powered by a Ryzen 5800X and Radeon 6800 XT, the game reportedly achieves around 165 FPS outside combat scenarios, with dips to approximately 140 FPS during intense battles. These numbers suggest strong optimization, especially for a newly launched title.
While the installation process via Steam is straightforward, players should be aware of an additional step after downloading the game. Once linked to a HoYoverse account, Zenless Zone Zero requires a separate in-game download of roughly 5GB.
Following this, the game performs a resource integrity check, which can take some time depending on system performance. Although this extra step may delay immediate gameplay, it ensures that all necessary files are properly installed before entering the game world.
Despite this, the onboarding process has been described as smooth, with no major technical roadblocks reported so far.
Inside Zenless Zone Zero’s Urban Fantasy World
Beyond its technical performance, Zenless Zone Zero introduces players to a fresh setting that blends post-apocalyptic themes with stylish urban fantasy elements. Developed by HoYoverse under its publishing label COGNOSPHERE, the game places players in the role of a “Proxy”—a specialist who guides others through dangerous anomalies known as Hollows.
The official description explains the premise:
“Zenless Zone Zero is a brand-new urban fantasy action RPG lovingly crafted by HoYoverse.”
In this world, Hollows are mysterious dimensional disasters that have devastated modern civilization. These anomalies spawn hostile entities called Ethereals, forcing humanity to retreat into the last surviving city, New Eridu.
Players team up with a diverse cast of characters to explore these dangerous zones, battle enemies, and uncover secrets hidden within the city and beyond. The combination of fast-paced combat and narrative-driven exploration positions the game as a strong addition to HoYoverse’s growing portfolio.
