A Space Fantasy Adventure That Surprisingly Hits Home
EDENS ZERO, developed by KONAMI and based on Hiro Mashima’s manga/anime of the same name, lands as a 3D action RPG that blends fanservice-heavy charm with simple but addictive gameplay. It may not be a technical marvel, but what it lacks in polish, it makes up for in heart, personality, and sheer abundance of content. Whether you’re a die-hard Mashima fan or an anime RPG enthusiast looking for your next fix, this one might surprise you.
A Story That Sticks
You take control of Shiki and his crew as they travel across various planets in search of adventure, friendship, and the secrets of the cosmos. EDENS ZERO stays faithful to its source material while adding plenty of exclusive quests and side content. There are moments of comedy, emotion, and hype that echo the anime, but with some added player agency. Despite some rough translations and minor localization issues, the narrative holds firm, especially if you’re already invested in the world.
Shallow But Fun
The combat is a real-time action system that might feel floaty at first, but improves over time as characters unlock new moves and combos. You can switch between party members mid-combo, allowing for fluid chain attacks and character synergy. While it’s not a deep system by any means, there’s enough variety and customization to keep battles feeling fresh. Think of it as a budget Genshin or Visions of Mana with lighter mechanics, but still fun.
Customization Overload
If you’re a fan of character customization, EDENS ZERO goes all in. With over 700 pieces of equipment to collect and mix and match, you can personalize your crew to your heart’s content. Outfits are unlocked through gameplay rather than paywalls, which is a rare and welcome feature. The ability to change appearance without affecting stats lets you prioritize aesthetics without sacrificing performance.
World Exploration & Progression
Once you reach a certain point, the planet Blue Garden becomes fully explorable. The open-world structure includes tons of side quests, collectible cards, notes, and an Adventurer’s Guild that functions similarly to an RPG rank-up system. You can toggle between Story Mode and Free Roam, encouraging either linear narrative progress or sandbox-style exploration.
The world itself feels alive, even if it isn’t graphically cutting-edge. There are a lot of systems layered in—equipment upgrades, stat tweaking, skill trees—that cater to players who enjoy long-term progression and grinding.
Characters Carry It
EDENS ZERO’s true strength lies in its cast. Whether or not you’ve seen the anime, the characters are likable, colorful, and unique. Shiki, Rebecca, Happy, and the rest bring plenty of charm to the journey. Side interactions are sparse and could use more depth, but the main cutscenes carry enough emotional weight to keep things engaging. The voice acting is serviceable, though not all lines are voiced, and some translation errors occasionally muddle the dialogue.
Technical & Visuals
Let’s be honest: EDENS ZERO looks and feels like a game from the mid-2010s. It’s serviceable, but won’t wow anyone with cutting-edge graphics. That said, the cohesive art direction and Mashima’s signature character designs help it shine despite its technical shortcomings. The frame rate remains steady, and performance is generally stable across all platforms, including the Steam Deck.
Issues & Rough Edges
The most noticeable flaw is the translation quality. Misgendering, missing words, and awkward phrasing pop up often, particularly in side quests. While it doesn’t break the experience, it does hurt immersion. Combat can feel repetitive during long sessions, and the lack of polish in animations and sound effects is evident. However, the game possesses an undefinable “soul” that makes it easy to overlook these flaws.
Should You Play It? If you like anime games, JRPGs, or Mashima’s work—yes.
Should You Buy It? If you’re looking for a light, fun, character-driven RPG that isn’t another cookie-cutter arena fighter, it’s worth the price.
EDENS ZERO might not be a masterpiece, but it’s a damn enjoyable ride through space with some friends you’ll probably grow to love.
EDENS ZERO: EDENS ZERO isn't here to redefine the action RPG. It's a passion project, made for fans, by developers who clearly care about the source material. What it lacks in depth and budget, it makes up for with personality, charm, and sheer content density. It's cozy, nostalgic, and rewarding in the way only a certain kind of anime RPG can be. – Obsidian
