Zenless Zone Zero version 2.8 adds the Vortex mechanic and is heading to Steam

HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero Special Program delivered the full rundown on version 2.8 – New Eridan Sunset – and dropped a surprise alongside it: the game is coming to Steam. That makes it the first HoYoverse title on Valve's platform; every other PC release from the studio has gone through the official website or the Epic Games Store. Version 2.8 launches May 6, though the Steam version doesn't have a release date yet.

Two new S-Rank Agents arrive in 2.8. Promeia is the executioner of Krampus and an Ice Anomaly Agent who converts Corrosive Chill into Trial by Cold to trigger Abloom on enemies. Her EX Special Attack puts her into the Bound Absolution state, which lets her automatically Perfect Dodge any incoming attack. Having another Anomaly or Support Agent on the team pushes her further, boosting the whole squad's Abloom damage. The second new Agent is Starlight - Billy – an upgraded form of Billy and a Physical Rupture S-Rank who rides in on a combat motorcycle with his Starlight Knight. The higher his HP, the more Sheer damage he deals, and all of his Physical damage lands as Sheer damage by default. His kit also includes self-healing to keep that health bar topped up. Re-runs in 2.8 are Lucia in the first half and Orphie & Magus in the second. The headline mechanical addition is Vortex: when an enemy is inflicted with the Wind Attribute Anomaly, any subsequent Anomaly attack type triggers Vortex instead of Disorder, dealing AoE Anomaly damage matching the corresponding element. That's a direct shake-up to how team comps interact with elemental reactions.

Version 2.8 also closes out Season 2, with Ramiel becoming the main target of rival factions in the Outer Ring. On the events side, the Marcel Bootopia event puts you in control of Eous to explore a Bangboo resort island overrun by Hollows – clear it and you earn the A-Rank Bangboo Booltergeist, which floats around and fires lasers in combat. The Ultimate Verdict Trial lets you fight alongside Promeia and stack up Polychrome rewards. Hoshimi Miyabi also gets a new outfit, Dignified Blossom, available in the store.

The Steam launch is still dateless, so players waiting for that version will need to sit tight for a follow-up announcement. Everyone else can jump in when version 2.8 goes live on May 6.