Summary

Agent Trust is a significant mechanic inZenless Zone Zero, but considering just how many moving parts are in play, it can be a bit difficult to immediately grasp the system. As the newest gacha game fromGenshin ImpactandHonkai: Star Raildeveloper HoYoverse,Zenless Zone Zeroremixes a lot of ideas from its predecessors and adds its fair share of new concepts. Agent Trust has some similarities to the Friendship system inGenshin Impact, but it’s ultimately much more important as a core part ofZenless Zone Zero’s progression and gameplay loop.

While previous HoYoverse games allow the protagonist to partake in combat alongside other characters,Zenless Zone Zeropositions the player characterin more of a communications role rather than on the battlefield itself. Starter characters and characters pulled from gacha banners can be deployed in the field as Agents, which can be swapped on the fly to make use of different skills in combat.The protagonist’s bond with the Agents is measured through the Trust system, which can be unlocked after finishing a few early-game prerequisites.

Zenless Zone Zero character with items

Zenless Zone Zero Is The Perfect Home For My Favorite Genshin Feature

Zenless Zone Zero’s pace of gameplay and urban lifestyle elements make it the perfect fit for one of Genshin Impact’s best feature additions.

Trust Events Build Relationships In Zenless Zone Zero

Event Conversations Progress Agent Trust

Acquiring Trust inZenless Zone Zerois dependent on engaging in Trust events with Agents, unique scenes and conversations that can be started by approaching Agents in the city. To gain access to this mechanic, it’s first necessary to complete the “Anby’s Problem” quest, which is only available after finishing Chapter 2 Interlude.Agents have to first be acquiredbefore Trust events can play out, and there are also individual Agent Story prerequisites to start building Trust with the respective characters.

Texting Agents through the DMs communication feature can help set up events before heading out on the town. Others can trigger randomly, making it important to pay attention to the options at hand.Agents currently available for Trust events can be spotted on the fast travel menu, making it easy to quickly identify and knock out some events. When a choice is made that impacts Trust levels, an indicator will appear near the top of the screen establishing whether Trust has increased or decreased.

A screen showing the progress bar for Trust Events in Zenless Zone Zero.

Conversations have both right and wrong answers for progressing Trust, so choosing wisely is necessary to avoid backsliding in the progress bar and delaying rewards.

Trust events are essentially part ofZenless Zone Zero’s system of dailies, providing a number of regular tasks for players to take on each day. UnlikeGenshin ImpactorHonkai: Star Rail,Zenless Zone Zerolargely flavors dailies around typically mundane daily tasks. Other elements of the standard routine include things like grabbing coffee or checking newsstands, incentivizing strolls around the town. Multiple trust events can be triggered per day, but more spawn based on the advancement of the clock.

Different character Agents from Zenless Zone Zero posing in front of a bubbly background

Popping in and out of stores or simply walking close to them in the city can help make Trust events pop up.

Agent Trust Has A Variety Of Zenless Zone Zero Rewards

Currency & Character Moments Can Both be Accessed

There are a number of possible benefits to increasing Trust with agents inZenless Zone Zero, offering a bit more in the way of tangible rewards thanGenshin Impactdoes for Friendship progress. Some of these are basic currency resources like Polychrome and Denny, while others are unique outcomes of the Trust system. After completing a videotape request for each,agents can be invited to be promoters for the video storethat the protagonist operates out of, helping to increase the overall income. Resonia buffs and dynamic wallpapers are other acquisitions received upon hitting benchmarks in the Trust progress bar.

Zenless Zone Zero: Character Tier List

A higher tier character can make a difference in Zenless Zone Zero. They may have an easier means of dealing damage or can help other stay alive.

Building Trust isn’t one ofZenless Zone Zero’s most necessary systems, and other mechanics like leveling should definitely be the first priority of anyone just wanting to keep up with the game. It’s a great way to spend more time with the characters, however, and the fact that it does yield concrete rewards still makes it worthwhile for those who aren’t there for the story. It can take some time to start making Trust progress inZenless Zone Zero, but once it does unlock, it’s definitely a more exciting social system than anything else HoYoverse has done to date.

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