Punishing vs Zenless Zone Zero
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Punishing
Lead an elite task force against a mechanical army in this fast-paced sci-fi action RPG. Assemble powerful cybernetic soldiers, master fluid combat, and uncover the secrets of a virus threatening humanity's survival.
- Lightning-fast combat
- Real-time 3D control
- Squad member switching
- Dazzling combo system
- Dystopian sci-fi story
- Explore fallen planet environments
- Stylized post-human aesthetic
Read full descriptionHide full description
Punishing: Gray Raven is a Fast-paced Sci-fi Action RPG. Humanity stands on the brink of extinction. Earth has been overrun by the Corrupted—a mechanical army twisted and warped by the deadly biomechanical virus known as The Punishing. The last remnants of mankind have taken refuge in orbit aboard the spacefaring vessel Babylonia. After years of preparation, the Gray Raven, an elite task force, now leads the mission to reclaim their lost homeworld. You are their Commandant. As the commandant of the Gray Raven squad, you must assemble the most powerful Construct soldiers ever created and lead them into battle. Uncover the dark truths behind the Punishing Virus, push back the Corrupted, and reclaim Earth in this stylish, high-octane action RPG. LIGHTNING-FAST COMBAT Immerse yourself in fluid, high-speed combat with real-time 3D control. Seamlessly switch between squad members mid-fight, master unique abilities, and chain together dazzling combos. Utilize an intuitive 3-Ping skill system to parry, dodge, and unleash devastating Signature Moves. A DYSTOPIAN SCI-FI SAGA Delve into a beautifully ruined world and unravel the mysteries of a grim cyberpunk future. Through rich visual-novel storytelling spanning hundreds of chapters, discover a hauntingly beautiful universe filled with hidden wonders—and even darker secrets waiting to be uncovered. EXPLORE A FALLEN PLANET Journey through breathtaking environments—from desolate city ruins and desert battlegrounds to towering megastructures and surreal digital realms. Battle the Corrupted across frozen wastelands and beyond Earth's atmosphere in an ever-expanding cinematic narrative. STYLIZED POST-HUMAN AESTHETIC Flesh is no match for the Punishing Virus. Mankind's last hope lies in the Constructs—human consciousness housed in advanced mechanical bodies. Recruit and command a diverse roster of these living weapons, each meticulously designed and animated in full 3D, to face off against hundreds of enemy variants. SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION Move to the pulse of an electrifying soundtrack that blends atmospheric synthscapes with intense drum & bass. Every battle becomes a rhythmic dance of destruction—a feast for both the eyes and ears. A SANCTUARY BEYOND THE FIGHT Find respite from the relentless war in the warmth of the character dormitory. Customize your space with various themes, interact with beloved characters, and cherish the moments of peace you're fighting to protect. --- CONTACT US --- We'd love to hear from you! Reach out through any of the following channels: Official Site: https://pgr.kurogame.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PGR.Global X: https://x.com/PGR_GLOBAL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PunishingGrayRaven Discord: https://discord.gg/pgr
Zenless Zone Zero
Embark on an urban fantasy adventure in a near-future world threatened by mysterious "Hollows." Assemble a squad, engage in fast-paced 3D combat, and explore a city teeming with diverse factions. Your role as a Proxy is crucial to navigating these dangerous dimensions and uncovering the secrets of this unique world.
- Fast-paced 3D combat
- Squad building
- Unique visual style
- Engaging storyline
- Faction interactions
- Exploration of New Eridu
Read full descriptionHide full description
Don't go into Hollows. I know, I know, there are Ether resources in the Hollows, bizarre creations, even ruins of the old civilization — all invaluable treasures. But don't forget about the spatial disorder, the monsters, and mutants running rampant. Ultimately, this is a disaster that could swallow the world. Hollows are not where ordinary people should go. So don't go into Hollows. Or at least, don't go in alone. If you insist on getting into danger, go to New Eridu first. This city full of people from all walks of life has many who need the Hollows: powerful and wealthy tycoons, gangs who rule the streets, schemers hiding in the shadows, and ruthless officials. Make your preparations there, find strong allies, and most importantly... Find a "Proxy." Only they can guide people out of labyrinthian Hollows. Good luck. Zenless Zone Zero is an all-new 3D action game from HoYoverse that takes place in a near future, with the world plagued by a mysterious disaster known as "Hollows." Dual Identities, a Singular Experience In the near future, a mysterious natural disaster known as "Hollows" has occurred. A new kind of city has emerged in this disaster-ridden world — New Eridu. This last oasis has mastered the technology to co-exist with Hollows and is home to a whole host of chaotic, boisterous, dangerous, and very active factions. As a professional Proxy, you play a crucial role in linking the city and the Hollows. Your story awaits. Build Your Squad and Fight Fast-Paced Battles Zenless Zone Zero is an all-new 3D action game from HoYoverse, here to provide a thrilling combat experience. Build a squad of up to three and begin your assault with Basic and Special Attacks. Dodge and Parry to neutralize your opponents' counterattacks, and when they're Stunned, unleash a powerful combo of Chain Attacks to finish them off! Remember, different opponents have different traits, and it would be prudent to use their weaknesses to your advantage. Immerse Yourself in the Unique Style and Music Zenless Zone Zero has a unique visual style and design. With its carefully crafted character expressions and fluid movements, you'll easily feel immersed in the fascinating world as you embark on your own journey~ And of course, every VIP deserves their very own soundtrack, so you'll also have emotional beats full of drip to accompany you in each unforgettable moment~ Surprise Encounters With Various Factions Random Play can't operate without videotapes, and Proxies can't operate without Agents. In New Eridu, customers from all walks will come knocking. So don't be fooled by their innocent and cute appearances, don't be afraid of those who tower over you and look dangerous, and don't turn away the fluffy ones who might shed fur all over your spotless floor. Go and talk with them, learn about their unique experiences, and allow them to become your friends and allies. After all, this is a long path, and only with companions will you be able to walk far~ OfficialWebsite: https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/en-us/ Customer Service Email: zzzcs_en@hoyoverse.com Official Forum: https://www.hoyolab.com/accountCenter/postList?id=219270333&lang=en-us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZZZ.Official.EN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zzz.official.en/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZZZ_EN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZZZ_Official Discord: https://discord.com/invite/zenlesszonezero TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zenlesszonezero Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZZZ_Official/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/zenlesszonezero Telegram: https://t.me/zzz_official *** Compatibility Requirements *** Recommended Operating System: iOS 14.0 or later Recommended Device: iPhone: iPhone 11 Pro or above iPad: Equipped with A13 chip or above and 4GB RAM Supported Devices: iPhone: iPhone XS or above iPad: Equipped with A12 chip or above and 4GB RAM
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Punishing at none against Zenless Zone Zero's shown. Zenless Zone Zero's advantage is chart position (#29 vs #113). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Punishing sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Zenless Zone Zero sells 17 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Punishing against 4.1 for Zenless Zone Zero. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.7K and 22K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Punishing's written reviews are positive against 60% of Zenless Zone Zero's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.
| Parameter | Punishing | Zenless Zone Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (8.7K ratings) — better | 4.1 (22K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 65.2% of reviews — better | 59.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8.7K | 22K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #113 | #29 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3.7 GB | 3.7 GB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | KURO TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) CO., LIMITED | COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD. |
Customer experience
Punishing
Zenless Zone Zero
User reviews
Punishing
From 8.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Unique characters
- 💎 Generous free-to-play model
- 🎨 Impressive visuals and soundtrack
- 🔥 Addictive combat system
Room to improve
- 🔍 Confusing UI and menus
- ⏱️ Slow progression and stamina system
- 💰 Expensive monetization practices
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🌐 Unequal treatment between global and other servers
Zenless Zone Zero
From 22K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Smooth and fluid combat
- 👍 Unique and expressive character designs
- 🎨 Beautiful art style and animations
- 📚 Engaging story and character interactions
- 🎮 Satisfying parry and combo mechanics
Room to improve
- 🔍 Overwhelming amount of dialogue and cutscenes
- 🔌 Game takes up a lot of storage space
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- 🎮 Repetitive and monotonous gameplay loop
- 🕹️ Forced character swapping can disrupt flow
Bugs and requests
Punishing
Reported bugs
3 issues- Account resets after updates
- Unresponsive controls and camera issues
- Difficulty spikes in certain missions
Requested features
5 requests- Improved co-op mode
- More cinematic story cutscenes
- Faster stamina recovery
- Controller support optimization
- Consistent rewards across all servers
Zenless Zone Zero
Reported bugs
4 issues- Game crashes on launch for some users
- Compatibility issues on certain devices
- Graphical glitches and visual bugs
- Progression-blocking bugs in story missions
Requested features
5 requests- More open-world exploration
- Streamlined progression and less grinding
- Improved optimization for older/lower-end devices
- Increased variety in gameplay modes and activities
- Addition of more male characters with diverse designs
In-app purchases
Punishing
- 5 Rainbow Card$0.99
- 28 Rainbow Card$4.99
- 34 Rainbow Card$5.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- 59 Rainbow Card$9.99
- 71 Rainbow Card$11.99
- 119 Rainbow Card$19.99
- 299 Rainbow Card$49.99
- 600 Rainbow Card$99.99
Zenless Zone Zero
- Monochrome ×60$0.99
- Eridu Welcome Gift$0.99
- Limited Gift$0.99
Show 14 moreShow fewer
- Hollow Navigator Supply$2.99
- Special Bundle$3.49
- Monochrome ×300$4.99
- Inter-Knot Membership$4.99
- Sincere Invitation Gift$4.99
- Growth Plan$9.99
- Favored Invitation Gift$9.99
- Monochrome ×980$14.99
- Limited Gift$14.99
- Exclusive Invitation Gift$14.99
- Premium Plan$19.99
- Monochrome ×1980$29.99
- Monochrome ×3280$49.99
- Monochrome ×6480$99.99
Questions
Is Punishing free?
Is Zenless Zone Zero free?
Which has better reviews, Punishing or Zenless Zone Zero?
Do Punishing or Zenless Zone Zero have ads?
Which is updated more often, Punishing or Zenless Zone Zero?
Which is more popular, Punishing or Zenless Zone Zero?
Other comparisons















