| EDENS ZERO | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Embark on an intergalactic adventure with Shiki and friends in EDENS ZERO. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
EDENS ZERO Review Overview
What is EDENS ZERO?
EDENS ZERO is an action RPG based on the space fantasy anime by Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima, launching July 15, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC! Step into the roles of Shiki Granbell, Rebecca Bluegarden, and their friends as you journey through the original story—now expanded with exclusive quests and content. Explore a vast open world and travel across planets in this interstellar adventure.
EDENS ZERO features:
⚫︎ Action
⚫︎ Anime
⚫︎ RPG
⚫︎ Open-World
⚫︎ Based on Fairy Tail Creator Hiro Mashima’s Manga
⚫︎ Sci-fi
⚫︎ Adventure
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about EDENS ZERO's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
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| Price | $59.99 | ||||
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EDENS ZERO Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Characters are as Likable as Ever Simple, a bit Janky, but Fun Combat System Fully Voice-Acted Story Mode Tough and Varied Boss Battles Tons of Gear Customization Options |
Visuals and Performance Issues Bland Open World The Game’s Story is Incredibly Rushed In Need of Several Quality-of-Life Improvements Other Planets aren’t Explorable in Open World Repetitive Gameplay in Story Mode |
EDENS ZERO Overall Score - 62/100
EDENS ZERO is an ambitious yet ultimately underwhelming RPG—a mixed bag that shines in moments but stumbles far too often. While the combat offers flashes of chaotic fun despite its janky execution, the experience is weighed down by dated visuals, frequent FPS drops, and a lifeless open world. Its repetitive gameplay in story mode and lack of polish suggest that while the developers poured genuine effort into the project, they were ultimately constrained—unable to deliver the kind of adaptation that Hiro Mashima’s vibrant universe truly deserves. Shiki believes all things have heart, but this game feels like its heart was lost long before it had the chance to truly shine.
EDENS ZERO Story - 5/10
EDENS ZERO might be Mashima’s strongest work, but sadly, the game doesn't do it justice. While the lovable cast still shines thanks to their well-written personalities, the story itself feels like a rushed retelling. Key arcs are stripped down to their bare bones, and moments that should hit hard fall flat. What should’ve been epic in a video game format ends up feeling condensed, uninspired, and emotionally hollow compared to the manga and anime.
EDENS ZERO Gameplay - 7/10
The game is an action RPG with open-world elements, but overall, it's a mixed bag. The combat can be surprisingly fun—especially once you've upgraded your gear and unlocked more party members—even if it feels stiff and janky at times. Boss fights stand out as the most memorable encounters, but most regular enemies are forgettable. It also lacks many much-needed quality-of-life features. However, the biggest letdown is the open-world experience in Blue Garden, which feels painfully bland and empty, making exploration more of a chore than an adventure.
EDENS ZERO Visuals - 6/10
Shiki, Rebecca, and the rest of the crew are faithfully brought to life in 3D, with expressive animations that capture their personalities well. However, the game's overall visuals feel noticeably outdated. The overly saturated color grading, frequent frame rate drops, repetitive enemy designs, and constant pop-ins all detract from the experience. These technical shortcomings are especially disappointing for a $60 title—particularly one published by a major company like Konami.
EDENS ZERO Audio - 8/10
I’m glad the story mode is fully voice-acted by the original cast, who bring their characters to life with strong performances. While there are occasional issues—like mismatched lip-syncing and some inconsistent audio mixing—the overall sound design is solid. The soundtrack may not break new ground, but it has its moments, with Planet Norma’s theme standing out as a particularly memorable track.
EDENS ZERO Value for Money - 5/10
At its current $60 price point, it's tough to recommend the game at full price. While there's fun to be found, a number of issues prevent it from truly shining. It’s definitely worth picking up during a sale—especially after a few update patches. For those new to EDENS ZERO, the manga or anime offer a far more polished and enjoyable introduction to the series.
EDENS ZERO Review: Just Read the Manga or Watch the Anime
I’ve been a fan of Hiro Mashima’s work for as long as I can remember—from Rave Master to Fairy Tail, and now Edens Zero. His stories have always had a special charm—full of high-stakes adventure, emotional friendships, and yes, the signature fan service that fans have come to expect. While Fairy Tail may be his most iconic series, I personally believe Edens Zero is his best work yet. It feels like a culmination of all the themes and storytelling strengths he’s honed over the years.
Often described as Fairy Tail in space, Edens Zero takes familiar elements—like character archetypes and flashy magic systems—and repackages them into a rich sci-fi setting with surprisingly strong world-building and a more nuanced tone. So when a game adaptation was finally announced, I was genuinely thrilled. An Edens Zero game—especially one set in an open-world format—seemed like the perfect match.
But while the concept had so much potential, I couldn’t help but feel some hesitation. Anime games have a reputation for being rushed, low-effort adaptations or shallow cash grabs, and even Fairy Tail's own game outings have been hit-or-miss. Sadly, despite my excitement and high hopes, this Edens Zero game just doesn’t deliver on what it promised.
EDENS ZERO’s Cast Still Makes Me “Happy”
Puns aside, the characters are one of the game’s saving graces—and honestly, they carry the game’s rushed story and uneven pacing almost entirely on their backs. That’s thanks to how genuinely likable and well-designed they are. Shiki, in particular, is such a wholesome and endearing protagonist—he just wants to make friends and explore the universe, and that pure-hearted energy really shines through. Rebecca and Happy have fantastic chemistry, balancing adorable moments with explosive action. I especially love how Rebecca is warm and supportive, yet not afraid to bring the heat when needed. Her dream of becoming a top B-Cuber gives her character some fun extra depth.
The rest of the core crew is just as strong. Weisz is easily my favorite—his cocky yet clever personality and Machina Maker ability make him a blast both in and out of combat. Homura’s personal quest to find her master adds an emotional layer, and the other members of the Edens Zero crew—like Witch Regret, Sister Ivry, Hermit Mio, and Jinn—are all great additions. It’s even better that they’re playable, with unique abilities and combat styles that make party composition genuinely fun to experiment with.
Even the side characters are memorable. I adore Happy and Pino, and of course, Elsie Crimson steals every scene she’s in. Character design has always been one of Hiro Mashima’s strengths, and that’s on full display here—these characters are instantly recognizable and full of personality.
A huge bonus is that the original voice cast returns, and they absolutely nail their performances. Even when the narrative falters, the voice acting brings these characters to life in a way that makes you want to keep going. I’m especially glad the story is fully voice acted—it adds much-needed emotional weight to scenes that might have otherwise fallen flat. And when it comes to gameplay, using each character in battle feels satisfying thanks to their distinct abilities and playstyles. Swapping between them to build different party combos adds a lot of variety and makes the combat far more engaging than it should be.
What also pleasantly surprised me is just how much there is to do with the characters outside of the main story. Exploring the Edens Zero ship itself is surprisingly engaging. Whether it’s relaxing at the Spa of Eden, diving into quirky minigames like the massage parlor, cooking meals, or upgrading your crew’s Ether Gear, there's a solid amount of side content to enjoy between missions. You can also fine-tune your party setup—tweaking their loadouts, enhancing their abilities, and even adjusting their appearances with various accessories.
The game goes a step further by allowing players to upgrade onboard facilities by recruiting specific characters to the crew. It’s a fun mechanic that not only adds layers to your ship management but also gives you more reasons to interact with the wider cast.
And yes, while there’s that kind of fan service Mashima is known for, there’s also a different kind of fan service here—one that celebrates the franchise’s universe. From fun little easter eggs to nostalgic nods, fans of Mashima’s previous works will spot familiar faces like Plue in the most unexpected places. It’s a charming touch that makes exploring more rewarding.
Customization is another standout feature. With over 700 pieces of gear and cosmetic options, the variety is impressive—and it’s not just for looks either. Many accessories offer gameplay benefits that can help in battle, adding a layer of strategy to how you style your characters. Seeing your favorite characters in different outfits while boosting their performance never gets old.
On top of all that, there are new storylines exclusive to the game, which I appreciated. One that particularly stood out involves Elsie Crimson—adding new depth and perspectives to a character fans already love.
Combat Has Problems But It's Incredibly Fun
While the combat in Edens Zero isn’t groundbreaking, I actually appreciated its simplicity. In an era where many action RPGs lean into overly complex systems, this game sticks to a more traditional formula—and sometimes, that’s exactly what works best. As you explore different areas, you'll encounter enemy groups that trigger arena-style battles. These fast-paced encounters rely on basic combos, party-based mechanics, and the strategic use of character abilities.
Combat revolves around a mix of Normal Attacks, Finishing Attacks, Signature Actions, and Special Skills, most of which are powered by your Ether Gear. You can unleash devastating moves by building up a special gauge, though I found Special Skills a bit underwhelming due to how slowly the gauge recharges—unless you're constantly stocking up on items to fill it, you likely won’t be using these often.
Overboost, a temporary buff that enhances your attack, defense, and stagger resistance while unlocking special moves, adds another layer of strategy. Weapons and Ether Gear can also be upgraded through a skill tree system, which rewards consistent progression and gives you meaningful ways to power up your favorite characters.
That said, the combat isn’t without its issues. In the early hours, things can feel rough. There’s no animation canceling, so once you're locked into an attack, you're vulnerable until the animation finishes—which can be frustrating when enemies clip through your combos and land hits during those openings. I highly recommend upgrading your Ether Gear early—especially the perks that boost attack power during combos or let you equip more lacrima—since that goes a long way in smoothing out the jank.
Camera issues can also be a problem; it’s sometimes too close for comfort, making it hard to track enemy movement. Enemy AI is also inconsistent—some enemies dart around unpredictably, while others barely fight back, making regular mob encounters feel easy, if not occasionally lifeless. Still, as you unlock more characters, the combat really starts to open up.
Each character plays differently, offering a variety of styles to experiment with: Shiki uses gravity-powered fists to launch enemies into the air, Rebecca fights with dual pistols, Weisz is a gunner who can summon turrets with Machina Maker, and Homura wields a sleek soul blade. Being able to switch between four party members mid-battle allows for creative combo chaining and dynamic strategy.
One of my favorite combos involves launching enemies into the air with Shiki’s gravity attacks, then instantly switching to Rebecca to wipe them out with her Finishing Attack, which fires a barrage of bullets in a full circle. It’s small moments like these that keep the combat fun and engaging—even if it starts off rough.
Boss battles, in particular, are where the system shines. They pit you against the major villains from the anime, often with flashy mechanics and a noticeable step up in difficulty. One standout fight for me was against the Knight Gear Mage—a massive mecha with powerful AoE attacks. The battle felt intense and satisfying, and it was one of the few times where the combat truly clicked on every level.
Overall, combat in Edens Zero is far from perfect, especially early on, but once you push past the jank and start unlocking characters and skills, it becomes surprisingly enjoyable. It’s not trying to reinvent the genre—but it knows how to have fun, especially if you’re a fan of the cast.
Blue Garden? More like Bored Garden
Bigger isn’t always better—especially when it comes to open-world design. It’s a lesson more developers need to learn. I want to feel rewarded when I explore—not just walk through large, empty spaces for the sake of scale. And unfortunately, EDENS ZERO suffers from exactly that. The most disappointing aspect of the game is, without a doubt, how bland and lifeless Blue Garden feels.
At first, I was genuinely excited to explore Blue Garden outside of the main story. The idea of walking around one of the anime’s most iconic locations sounded great on paper. But in practice? It’s frustratingly empty. Most NPCs just stand around or walk aimlessly—only a handful, like the guild receptionist or a few battle quest givers, actually interact with you. The rest are generic copy-paste models, adding little to no immersion or worldbuilding.
Side quests are painfully basic—standard fetch quests like snapping a photo or beating up some enemies before reporting back. Sure, there are random enemy encounters and some scattered loot, but they’re too few and far between to make exploration feel meaningful. Even the lore notes scattered around the map, while interesting in concept, come off as dry and unengaging.
There were moments I wanted to be surprised. I’d see floating buildings or unusual structures and think, “Oh, maybe there’s something hidden here!” But there never was—no collectibles, no secrets, nothing. Even the cool mechanics, like riding a bike or flying through the sky with Shiki, lose their charm quickly because the world just doesn’t give you a reason to keep exploring.
Yes, Blue Garden is large, and visually it’s nice to see familiar areas from the anime brought to life. But they feel more like cardboard cutouts than real places. Worse yet, after beating other planets or zones in the game, you can’t return and explore them freely. You're locked into Blue Garden as the only explorable hub—which is a shame, because there are far more interesting worlds in Edens Zero that would’ve been a blast to roam around.
I get there may be story reasons for limiting areas like Granbell, but the missed potential is hard to ignore. Edens Zero is a series built on the spirit of exploration and discovery, yet the game’s adventuring feels anything but. It’s lifeless, unrewarding, and frankly, a disservice to what the franchise represents.
Story Mode is a Disservice to the Source Material
I was genuinely disappointed by how rushed the story mode feels in this game. While I’ll avoid major spoilers out of respect for those who still want to experience Edens Zero through the anime or manga, I can confidently say: this game is not the ideal way to experience the story for the first time.
What we get here is essentially a cliff-notes version of the narrative—important plot points are touched on, but many emotional beats, world-building elements, and meaningful character moments are lost in the process. As a result, scenes that should hit hard emotionally often fall flat.
A perfect example is the first meeting between Shiki, Rebecca, and Happy in Granbell. In the anime, this scene is heartfelt and hilarious, capturing the awkward charm of Shiki’s character and instantly endearing the trio to the audience. In the game, it feels rushed, awkward, and lacking any emotional punch. It's a recurring issue—the pacing jumps forward too quickly, and many key moments are glossed over or cut entirely.
That’s not to say there aren’t any good scenes. Some still land well, thanks largely to the strong Japanese voice performances. But even those moments feel like they’re doing most of the heavy lifting in place of dynamic storytelling. It’s a missed opportunity. Games like the Naruto Storm series have shown how anime adaptations can reimagine scenes in bold, interactive ways that take advantage of the medium. Edens Zero only does this occasionally—most of the time, it plays it safe, and it shows.
I truly enjoy this cast of characters, and I wanted to love seeing them brought to life in-game. But sadly, this adaptation doesn’t do them justice. It’s a rushed retelling that strips away too much of what makes Edens Zero special.
What really drags the story down even further is how it’s structured within the game itself. Before each new arc begins, you're placed aboard your ship, where you’ll talk to Happy to initiate the next chapter. At first, this format is kind of fun—it feels like you're setting off on a new adventure as you land on a different planet. But unfortunately, it quickly becomes repetitive.
Every arc follows the same formula: arrive on a new planet, hit a few key story beats, fight a wave of enemies, move to the next area, and repeat. There are no side quests to break up the pacing, no alternate paths to explore, and no optional objectives to make each journey feel unique. It’s a strictly linear experience, and the lack of variety starts to wear thin fast.
What’s frustrating is that it feels like the developers cut down meaningful story and lore content just to make more space for combat segments—which, after a while, start to feel like filler. Each planet you visit has the potential to be a vibrant, explorable world full of secrets and character moments, but instead, they're reduced to narrow, combat-heavy corridors.
The Game Just Looks Horrible at Times
Seriously—when did it become a trend for anime games to crank the saturation up so high that everything looks like it’s glowing? This overly glossy, plastic-like sheen really does a disservice to otherwise solid character models, making them look as if a spotlight is constantly shining on their faces. It’s a visual style that not only feels off-putting, but also makes the game look oddly dated—Edens Zero included. For a title released in 2025, that’s incredibly disappointing.
To be fair, the game can look good in moments. Some of the combat animations are flashy and well-executed, and certain cutscenes—particularly the ones aboard the Edens Zero ship—actually look pretty nice. But these moments are the exception, not the rule.
Most of the time, Edens Zero suffers from visual issues that drag down the entire experience: aggressive pop-in, blurry textures, repeated environmental assets, stiff and janky animations, and underwhelming rendering across the board. It’s especially noticeable in the open-world sections of Blue Garden, where the lack of detail and environmental polish makes the world feel lifeless and unfinished.
This is especially frustrating considering how imaginative and vibrant the planets are in the manga and anime. Those source materials are bursting with creativity and charm—but here, it often feels like the visual design ran out of time, budget, or both. It’s hard not to see this as a massive missed opportunity, and frankly, it's inexcusable coming from a major publisher like Konami.
The Edens Zero ship is one of the few places that actually shows promise visually, but that level of care and polish is rare. And while I didn’t run into any major bugs during my playthrough, the dated graphics and technical shortcomings left a lasting negative impression. With better lighting, cleaner textures, and more attention to environmental design, this game could’ve looked so much better.
Is EDENS ZERO Worth It?
Worth Picking Up…On Sale
As it stands, I can’t recommend picking this up at full price—$60 is simply too steep, especially for newcomers, even those who are fans of anime and manga. As someone who genuinely appreciates Hiro Mashima’s work, it’s clear that a lot of heart and passion went into bringing Edens Zero to life in game form. But unfortunately, that passion is weighed down by too many technical issues and frustrating design choices that make it hard to fully enjoy.
I truly wanted to love this game, but the problems are too glaring to ignore—and frankly, inexcusable. If you’re new to the series, you’re much better off diving into the anime or manga, where the story is told far more effectively. And if you’re a longtime fan hoping to experience new adventures with your favorite Edens Zero characters? I’d still suggest waiting for a sale. The game has potential, and there is something special here for the right audience—but it’s not worth a day-one purchase in its current state.
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox |
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| Price | $59.99 | ||||
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EDENS ZERO FAQ
Who are the Playable Characters in EDENS ZERO?
⚫︎ Shiki Granbell
⚫︎ Rebecca Bluegarden
⚫︎ Weisz Steiner
⚫︎ Homura Kogetsu
⚫︎ Witch Regret
⚫︎ Sister Ivry
⚫︎ Hermit Mio
⚫︎ Jinn
Does EDENS ZERO Have an English Dub?
Unfortunately, the game only features a Japanese voice dub, with no English voice option available.
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EDENS ZERO Product Information
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| Title | EDENS ZERO |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 15, 2025 |
| Developer | KONAMI |
| Publisher | KONAMI |
| Supported Platforms | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series XIS, PC |
| Genre | RPG, Anime |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | EDENS ZERO Website |
