I still vividly remember the first time I stepped into New Eridu and felt the pulse of its neon-drenched streets. Fast forward to 2026, and HoYoverse is about to catapult us into a whole new chapter. On March 24, Zenless Zone Zero drops Version 2.7, titled “Champions Never Fall to the Past,” and I’ve been lucky enough to dig into every detail ahead of launch. If you think you know where the story is heading, trust me — this update rewrites the rulebook.
At the core of this patch sits the Hollow Champion competition, a colossal tournament orchestrated by the enigmatic TOPS organization. This isn’t just another hollow raid side story — it’s a full-blown gladiatorial event that pulls in fighters from every corner of New Eridu. The Cunning Hares, the Sons of Calydon, and an intriguing newcomer called the Public Security Metropolitan Order Division are just a few of the factions clashing under the spotlight. I’ve always admired how ZZZ weaves its factions into the narrative, and having them collide in a competitive format feels like the climax we’ve been craving.
What really gets my heart racing, though, is the arrival of two brand-new playable agents. First up is Cissia, an S-Rank Electric Attack powerhouse who serves in the Metropolitan Order Division. Her kit revolves around stacking Venom — a resource that continuously fries enemies with Electric damage while simultaneously jacking up her own critical rate. But the real magic happens when she converts those stacks into a devastating burst of damage that can shred boss HP bars in seconds. I’ve already theorycrafted half a dozen team compositions around her, and the synergy potential with fast-attacking supports looks absurdly fun. To see her in action is electric in every sense of the word.
Then there’s Nangong Yu, captain of the Angels of Delusion — a group that’s been shrouded in mystery until now. She’s an S-Rank Ether Stun agent, and her design philosophy is all about control and punishment. She generates a resource called Downbeat, which she can spend on charged attacks that extend stun duration on enemies, creating these beautiful windows where stunned foes take amplified damage. Her Ultimate, Ether Veil: Delusion Reprise, cast a shimmering ether field that boosts the entire party’s attack power. Combine her with Anomaly-based squadmates, and you’ve got a stagger-locking machine that can trivialize even the tankiest Ethereals. I can’t overstate how much I’m looking forward to pairing her with some of my older anomaly units.
Of course, HoYoverse never forgets the rerun crowd, and Version 2.7 brings back two fan favorites. Yidhari, the S-Rank Ice Rupture agent whose freezing shatter combos never get old, and the nimble Electric Attack agent Seed are both getting rate-up banners. If you missed them before, now’s the perfect time to round out your roster. Personally, I might finally snag Yidhari to complete my Ice team.
Outside the combat arenas, the dev team has cooked up some delightful slice-of-life content. The Simmer Hot Pot Restaurant in Lumina Square is hosting a themed mini-game where you assist the ever-cheerful Blaze in managing a hot pot frenzy. From the previews, it reminds me of classic diner-dash mechanics but infused with ZZZ’s quirky humor and mouth-watering food art. I’m already planning to sink hours into this just to see all the special dialogue.
For those who crave more structured challenges, the new HSOS 6 relay-style mission adds a tactical layer I didn’t know I needed. You’ll deploy three two-member squads in sequence, forcing you to think carefully about which agents to pair together and when to rotate them. It’s a puzzle wrapped in high-octane combat — exactly the kind of innovation that keeps me coming back to ZZZ.
The Simulated Battle Trial mode also gets a substantial refresh. New enemy lineups featuring remodeled Ethereals will test your positioning and elemental coverage, while bonus mechanics like temporary buffs and debuff fields add a fresh strategic twist. The expanded leaderboard now rewards top performers with exclusive titles, namecards, and a healthy dose of Polychromes. I can already hear the theorycrafting community crunching the numbers to dominate the rankings.
As of 2026, Zenless Zone Zero continues to thrive across PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and mobile (iOS/Android), and Version 2.7 proves HoYoverse isn’t afraid to shake up the formula. With a blockbuster tournament arc, two stellar new agents, and a buffet of side activities, “Champions Never Fall to the Past” feels like a turning point for the game’s narrative and meta. I’ll be there day one, Venom stacks blazing, ready to prove that this Proxy still has a few tricks up their sleeve.