Review: EDENS ZERO

Developer – Konami

Publisher – Konami

Platforms –   Xbox Series S|X, PS5,PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Developer

EDENS ZERO has finally made the leap from page and screen into a full scale 3D action role playing game. Konami’s latest anime adaptation brings Hiro Mashima’s space fantasy into a digital world where you are not just watching the crew travel across galaxies, you are guiding them yourself. It is a big step for the franchise, one that tries to capture the charm of the anime while delivering an RPG experience full of combat, exploration, and customization.

The first thing worth pointing out is how closely tied the game is to the anime and manga. EDENS ZERO was created by Hiro Mashima, who is also known for Fairy Tail and Rave Master. His stories have always blended strong friendships, wild powers, and colorful worlds. EDENS ZERO takes that blueprint and launches it into space, creating a universe that mixes science fiction technology with fantasy magic. The game carries over all of these elements and gives players direct control over Shiki and his crew.

Fans of the anime will notice right away that the major story arcs are here. The opening chapters and early planets are recreated, complete with voiced cutscenes and plenty of Mashima’s trademark humor and emotion. This is not just a shallow retelling. The developers included brand new quests, new story beats, and even lore penned by Mashima himself. For a fan, that is reason enough to dive in, because you get the comfort of familiar arcs alongside the excitement of brand new material.

From a gameplay standpoint, EDENS ZERO sits firmly in the action RPG category. Battles happen in real time, with each character unleashing flashy combos and Ether Gear techniques. Shiki slams enemies with gravity based powers, Rebecca blasts away with dual pistols, and Homura slices through waves with sword skills. The game encourages switching between party members, which keeps the pace lively and prevents combat from becoming too stale.

While the battles look great, they can lean toward simplicity. Many encounters devolve into mashing attacks until your special gauge fills, then unleashing a cinematic finisher. It is fun in short bursts, but during long sessions the repetition becomes more obvious. This will not bother players looking for a casual anime brawler, but RPG fans who crave deeper systems may feel the lack of complexity.

Enemy design also contributes to the repetition. Too many foes are recycled across different planets with minor variations, making some dungeons feel padded out. When bosses appear the excitement rises, as those fights are often much more cinematic and true to the anime. The balance between common enemies and boss encounters is something that could use refinement.

Exploration fares better than combat in the long run. The planet of Blue Garden, which serves as a major hub, is fully explorable. It is packed with shops, NPCs, collectibles, and side content. Once you progress further, you unlock access to other planets, each with its own design and atmosphere. This sense of traveling between worlds is one of the strongest aspects of the game, and it mirrors the anime’s space spanning adventure nicely.

Scattered throughout the environments are collectibles like cards and notes. These do more than pad playtime. They reveal new lore and side details that deepen the EDENS ZERO universe. If you are already a fan, finding these feels rewarding because they expand the story in ways the anime never touched. If you are new, they serve as a way to better understand the characters and their world.

Customization is another highlight. With over seven hundred pieces of gear and accessories, the game gives you plenty of freedom to alter stats and appearances. A particularly smart feature is the ability to change how a character looks without changing their stats. This means you can chase style without sacrificing power. It is the sort of detail that makes long hours of grinding more enjoyable because there is always a new look to unlock.

The presentation does a lot of heavy lifting. EDENS ZERO uses cel shaded visuals that echo the anime’s bright, bold art style. Characters are expressive, environments are colorful, and combat animations explode with exaggerated flair. Watching Shiki use his gravity powers or Rebecca dive into her Overdrive mode feels like an episode of the show playing out in front of you.

Cutscenes are plentiful and fully voiced. The performances add personality to every interaction, helping the humor land and the emotional moments feel more genuine. Even when the pacing stumbles, the voice work helps carry scenes through. It is clear that a lot of care went into making sure the cast felt true to their anime counterparts.

Performance is where things get messy. On PC, the game runs reasonably well most of the time, but frame drops are noticeable during crowded battles or when exploring larger areas. Camera control is also clunky, often struggling to keep up with the fast pace of combat. There are texture pop ins and occasional glitches, all of which chip away at immersion. None of these issues ruin the game, but they remind you that this adaptation could have used more polish.

The story pacing has its own problems. Some arcs are condensed so heavily that key emotional beats lose their impact. Others are stretched with repetitive encounters that drag down the flow. For fans who already know the story, this is easier to forgive, because you are filling in the gaps with your memory of the anime. For newcomers, the uneven pacing might be confusing and lessen the impact of what should be big narrative moments.

Even so, the heart of EDENS ZERO remains intact. Mashima’s signature mix of humor, emotion, and action is still here. The bonds between characters, the lighthearted jokes, and the moments of genuine drama shine through despite the uneven delivery. If you already love these characters, seeing them in interactive form is a thrill.

The addition of game exclusive content also helps. New side quests and expanded lore give even veteran fans reasons to explore. This is not just a copy of the anime, it is a version of the story that adds to the canon. That makes it stand out compared to other anime adaptations that simply retell what you already know.

For players who enjoy collecting, the game offers plenty of reasons to explore. Hunting for every card, every note, and every piece of gear can become a game in itself. It is a smart way to stretch playtime without relying solely on the main story. It also feeds into the customization system, keeping you invested in tweaking characters and chasing better loadouts.

Crossover content is another fun touch. Characters from Fairy Tail make special appearances, offering quests and rewards that act as a love letter to Mashima’s wider universe. It is a nice extra that fans of both series will appreciate, and it adds variety to the overall package.

The game’s biggest strength is how much it embraces its identity as an anime adaptation. It knows its audience and caters directly to them. If you are already invested in EDENS ZERO, you will find countless details and nods that make the experience rewarding. If you are not familiar with the anime, you may struggle with the pacing and repetitive combat, but you will still get a colorful and energetic RPG that stands out in its presentation.

In terms of value, the game offers a lot of content. Between the main story, side quests, customization, and collectibles, you can easily sink dozens of hours into it. Whether that time feels well spent depends on your tolerance for repetition and grind, but the amount of content is undeniable.

As a package, EDENS ZERO is not flawless. It has rough edges, technical hiccups, and some design missteps. Yet it is full of heart. The visuals, the voice acting, the faithfulness to the anime, and the added lore make it a worthwhile journey for fans. It is not the deepest RPG on the market, but it captures the spirit of Mashima’s universe and delivers it in interactive form.

For fans, this game is almost a must play. It is the closest you can get to stepping inside the anime, fighting alongside Shiki and Rebecca, and experiencing the galaxy in your own way. For newcomers, it is a mixed recommendation. You will get a flashy, fun RPG with lots of charm, but you will also face uneven pacing and repetitive mechanics.