Mindscape Cinema is even sexier than Constellations and Eidolons in Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail
I’ve been mind-wrecked.
Updated on July 4, 4:29 p.m. (GM3+8): Added all version 1.0 characters to the list.
Prepare to get your mind-blown byZenless Zone Zero’sMindscape Cinema.
First off, if you don’t yet know, there’s context to this so let me explain. When we want to increase a character’s power inGenshin ImpactandHonkai Star Rail, we pull copies of them from the limited-time banners. This puts you in more50-50 situationsthat requires money.
In Genshin Impact, the character power-up system is called Constellations. Each character has their own Constellation inspired by the stars. You start from C0 and go all the way to C6, which activates a node, or star, in the Constellation.
In Honkai Star Rail, the equivalent system is called Eidolons, which also runs from E0 to E6. It presents fragments of a character, each with its own name. As you get more copies and unlock Eidolons, you’ll see more images in the shards.
It’s important to note that these character power-ups are entirely optional. You can still clear end-game content and difficult bosses with just one copy of the character as long as you build them right.
What’s more, it’s much easier to fully unlock 4-star characters’ Eidolons and Constellations compared to 5-star characters because their drop rate is higher. Additionally, players can get them during special in-game events.
So what’s the deal with Zenless Zone Zero’s Mindscape Cinema, the equivalent of Constellations and Eidolons? Is it similar, different, or does it adopt an entirely new system altogether? And why am I making a big deal out of it?
Mindscape Cinema is mind-shattering but not for reasons you might assume, so hear me out
Let’s start with what’s familiar. Yes, just like Constellations and Eidolons, there are six levels, so if you want a character at full power, you’ll need six copies of them on top of the base character. I guess in this case we’d call them M1, M2, and to M6.
Now what’s cooler about Mindscape Cinema compared to its two counterparts is that there’s a full-on animation for each level that you can toggle. Unlike Constellations and Eidolons, they have a relationship with each other graphically.
In line with the game’s whole TV theme, you start with a two-tone greyscale character which gets colored in the more you unlock levels. Below is Lycaon at level one (M1), then at level three (M3).
There you have it! At level three, characters look handsomely at you in full color. Feels satisfying right?
But the game developers are not done. Zenless Zone Zero takes it to a whole new level from level four onwards.
Activating M4 recolors the same segment that was colored in at M1 and in turn deactivates M1. In other words, there’s a second character visual to unlock!
At level six, his pose is still the same, but Von Lycaon seems to have… even less clothes on.
For a clearer picture, HoYoverse even lets you toggle the text off.
Let the man show off his tone back muscles that everyone, no matter their gender, would appreciate!
I also like Billy Kid without his jacket, and Anton Ivanov without his shirt but keeping his jacket on. Wow! Are you tempted to pull your favorite Zenless Zone Zero character to M6 yet?
HoYoverse sure knows its audience and how to quench their thirst.
Lucy
Piper Wheel
READ MORE:I, a HoYoverse whale, asked Zenless Zone Zero’s producer to convince me on W-Engines — here’s what he said
