Zenless Zone Zero PS5 Pro Performance Review: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
When I first jumped into Zenless Zone Zero, I was hooked almost immediately. The stylish combat, flashy animations, and the atmosphere of New Eridu create one of the most visually striking action RPGs available today. Like many players, I spent dozens of hours running Hollow missions, experimenting with different Agent teams, and pushing endgame content.
But there was always one thing that bothered me on the standard PlayStation 5: consistency.
The base PS5 version is absolutely playable, and in many situations it looks fantastic. However, whenever combat became chaotic or I spent time in the busiest city districts, I could feel the system struggling to maintain the level of smoothness that a fast-paced action game deserves.
After spending significant time with Zenless Zone Zero on PS5 Pro, I can confidently say that this is the version of the game I always wanted. It is not a revolutionary transformation that changes every aspect of the experience, but it improves the areas that matter most.
A Game Built Around Smooth Gameplay
One thing that separates Zenless Zone Zero from many other RPGs is how heavily it relies on timing.
Perfect dodges, assists, parries, chain attacks, and ultimate ability rotations all depend on quick reactions. Unlike slower RPGs where occasional performance drops are merely annoying, every frame matters in ZZZ.
On the original PS5, I occasionally noticed performance fluctuations during:
- Large-scale boss encounters
- Crowded city hubs
- Endgame challenge content
- Particle-heavy team compositions
- Rapid camera movement in dense environments
None of these issues made the game unplayable, but they were noticeable enough to break immersion.
The PS5 Pro addresses most of those frustrations immediately.
The Difference Is Easy to Notice
Some console upgrades require side-by-side comparisons before you can spot improvements.
This is not one of those cases.
The first thing I noticed on PS5 Pro was how stable everything felt. Running through New Eridu, rotating the camera, entering busy districts, and engaging enemies all felt more fluid.
The experience is difficult to describe with technical numbers alone because it comes down to responsiveness. The game simply feels more confident on the stronger hardware.
Visual Comparison
| Feature | Standard PS5 | PS5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Dynamic 4K | Near-native 4K |
| Frame Rate Target | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| Frame Stability | Variable | Much More Consistent |
| Reflections | Standard | Enhanced Ray Tracing |
| Texture Clarity | Good | Excellent |
| VRR Experience | Good | Outstanding |
| Overall Image Quality | Strong | Premium |
The visual improvements are not just marketing bullet points. They’re visible during normal gameplay.
New Eridu Looks Better Than Ever
One of the strengths of Zenless Zone Zero is its art direction.
Even years from now, I think people will remember the game’s combination of anime-inspired character designs and futuristic urban environments. HoYoverse clearly invested enormous effort into creating a city that feels alive.
On PS5 Pro, that artistic vision benefits from the additional graphical power.
- Neon signs appear sharper.
- Storefront windows look cleaner.
- Distant environmental details remain clearer.
- Character models stand out more naturally against backgrounds.
The city already looked great before, but now it feels closer to what I imagine the artists originally intended.
Ray Tracing Is Actually Worth Trying
Normally, I disable ray tracing in many games.
The visual improvement often feels minor compared to the performance cost. Zenless Zone Zero surprised me because the feature actually complements the game’s aesthetic.
The world is filled with:
- Wet streets
- Metallic surfaces
- Glass windows
- Bright signage
- Reflective interiors
These elements benefit greatly from improved reflections.
Walking through nighttime sections of New Eridu feels noticeably richer when reflections accurately respond to the environment around you. It is not a mandatory setting, but it is one of the few games where I found myself leaving it enabled more often than expected.
Combat Is Where the PS5 Pro Really Wins
The biggest advantage of the upgrade isn’t graphics.
It’s combat stability.
If you’re a casual player who logs in occasionally to enjoy story chapters and collect characters, you may not immediately appreciate the difference.
However, players who spend time in challenging content will understand exactly what I’m talking about.
During lengthy sessions, I noticed:
- Fewer micro-stutters.
- More consistent dodge timing.
- Smoother camera movement.
- Cleaner visual effects during chain attacks.
- Better overall responsiveness.
The combat system already feels excellent by design. The PS5 Pro simply allows it to operate closer to its full potential.
When several enemies fill the screen and multiple abilities trigger simultaneously, the game maintains its composure much better than on the standard console.
That stability adds up over dozens of hours.
Loading Times Are Not the Miracle Some Players Expect
If there is one area where some players might feel disappointed, it is loading performance.
Many people assume stronger hardware automatically means dramatically faster loading screens.
That is not always how game engines work.
In my experience, loading times remain relatively similar between the two systems. Some transitions may feel slightly faster, but this is not a night-and-day improvement.
If your primary reason for upgrading is reducing load screens, you will probably be underwhelmed.
The biggest benefits remain visual quality and gameplay consistency.
VRR Makes a Bigger Difference Than Most People Realize
A lot of discussions about PS5 Pro focus entirely on raw graphical power.
In reality, pairing the console with a quality display can have an equally important impact.
If you own a television that supports:
- HDMI 2.1
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- Proper HDR implementation
Zenless Zone Zero becomes even more enjoyable.
VRR smooths out tiny performance fluctuations that would otherwise be noticeable. Combined with the game’s vibrant color palette and excellent HDR presentation, the result is incredibly polished.
The bright neon lights, colorful combat effects, and atmospheric environments practically jump off the screen.
For players with premium displays, this combination is arguably where the PS5 Pro delivers its strongest value.
What the Community Seems to Think
After browsing community discussions and talking with other players, a clear pattern emerges.
Most players who upgraded specifically for games like Zenless Zone Zero are happy with the decision.
The common praise usually centers around:
| Positive Feedback | Common Criticism |
|---|---|
| Smoother combat | Price of the hardware |
| Better image quality | Loading screens still exist |
| More stable frame rate | No 120 FPS mode |
| Improved reflections | Some engine-level stutters remain |
| Better VRR experience | Not essential for casual players |
I think both sides make valid points.
The PS5 Pro does not magically transform Zenless Zone Zero into an entirely different game.
What it does is refine the experience.
And for dedicated players, refinement matters.
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Should Zenless Zone Zero Players Upgrade?
This is the question everyone eventually asks.
My answer depends entirely on how invested you are in the game.
Consider the PS5 Pro if:
- Zenless Zone Zero is one of your main games.
- You spend time in endgame content.
- You value visual fidelity.
- You own a quality 4K HDR display.
- You are sensitive to frame drops.
Stick With the Standard PS5 if:
- You mainly play casually.
- Performance issues rarely bother you.
- You are satisfied with current visuals.
- Zenless Zone Zero is only one of many games you play occasionally.
For many players, the original PS5 remains perfectly capable.
For enthusiasts, however, the Pro version feels like the premium experience the game deserves.
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Final Thoughts
After spending considerable time with Zenless Zone Zero on PS5 Pro, my overall impression is simple: this is the smoothest and most visually impressive console version of the game available today.
The upgrade does not reinvent Zenless Zone Zero, nor does it eliminate every technical limitation within the game’s engine. What it does accomplish is arguably more important. It removes many of the small annoyances that gradually accumulate during long play sessions and allows the game’s strongest qualities to shine.
The combat feels cleaner. The city looks sharper. The frame rate remains more dependable. The overall presentation feels closer to what you would expect from a high-end gaming PC.
For casual players, the standard PS5 remains a solid platform.
For dedicated Proxies who spend countless hours chasing upgrades, mastering team rotations, and clearing difficult content, the PS5 Pro finally delivers the premium Zenless Zone Zero experience that many of us were hoping for from day one.
