Flashback to Zenless Zone Zero’s 2024 Version 1.1: N.E.P.S. Takes Center Stage

It’s 2026, and Zenless Zone Zero has evolved into a living, breathing cityscape of danger and style. But for many Proxies, the memories of its early updates still hit like a charged Flash Connect Voltage. One patch that truly left its mark was Version 1.1, which dropped on August 14, 2024, and threw New Eridu’s finest law enforcers into the spotlight.

Back then, HoYoverse knew exactly how to keep the hype train rolling after the game’s explosive launch. Instead of a simple filler patch, they delivered a full narrative punch centered on the New Eridu Public Security (N.E.P.S.) Bureau. Suddenly, the thin blue line between order and chaos became the most exciting place to be.

The update’s Special Episode “Undercover R&B” wasn’t just a side story—it was a game of wits and courage. Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Seth squared off against the slippery Mountain Lion Gang. But what really threw players for a loop was Jane, an enigmatic criminal who kept springing her accomplices from custody. For the first time, Proxies got to walk literally in someone else’s shoes, completing commissions as Jane herself and peeling back layers of her tangled past with N.E.P.S. It felt less like a typical gacha event and more like a noir thriller you could play.

Of course, Version 1.1 wasn’t just about story—it brought firepower. Qingyi rolled in as an S-Rank Electric Stun agent, and she instantly became that one colleague everyone wanted on their team. Her kit was built around one beautiful loop: rack up Daze, stun enemies, and then let her “Flash Connect Voltage” trigger a devastating follow-up. What made squad-building nerds lose their minds was how perfectly she slotted in with Zhu Yuan. Pair them together, and Qingyi’s buffs turned her N.E.P.S. partner into an absolute monster. 🚔⚡

Then there was Jane herself. At first, she played both friend and foe. Before you could pull her, you had to face her in combat as a Mountain Lion enforcer—and trust me, eating a flurry of her rapid, multi-stage attacks was a humbling experience. Once she finally joined your roster as an S-Rank Physical Anomaly Agent, the tables turned beautifully. Her “Passion State” unleashed a torrent of slashes that stacked Attribute Anomaly like nobody’s business. The community quickly learned that if you saw Jane on the opposite side, you dodged early and often. 😅

Seth, the A-Rank Electric Defense agent, rounded out the N.E.P.S. trio. At first glance, his shield support seemed modest, but then you noticed his weapon could morph into a massive sword. Watching that transformation mid-combo gave off serious “don’t judge a book by its cover” energy. For free-to-play Proxies, Seth was a godsend—reliable defense, solid electric application, and a very satisfying heavy blade finisher.

Even the Bangboo got some love. Officer Cui, a new S-Rank Bangboo, joined the roster to lend a helping paw in the Hollows. Because let’s face it, no team is complete without a tiny mechanized cop ready to taser an Ethereal.

Version 1.1 also expanded the endgame loop in a meaningful way. Hollow Zero gained “Inferno Reap,” a time-limited battle against Nineveh unlocked after clearing the “Withering Garden” core. The best part? You could retry as many times as your sanity allowed. Limited-time rewards made each victory feel like a real achievement, pushing players to optimize their builds and learn every dodge timing by heart. 🔥

The themed event “Camellia Golden Week” kept the streets of New Eridu lively. Completing commissions showered Proxies with Polychromes, an A-level W-engine, and a mountain of upgrade materials. Beyond the main event, smaller additions like the Immersive Tactical Drill and First-Class Customer Service offered bite-sized challenges that never felt too grindy. And who could forget the camera upgrade? Filters and selfie options finally let players capture their stylish agents mid-combat or mid-pose, flooding social feeds with perfectly framed action shots.

Looking back from 2026, it’s clear that Version 1.1 was more than just a patch—it was a statement. It proved Zenless Zone Zero could weave intricate faction stories while delivering top-tier character design and varied gameplay. For veteran Proxies, it’s the update that made them fall in love with N.E.P.S. For newcomers who joined later, it’s a fascinating chapter to catch up on. Either way, the echoes of Qingyi’s electric combos and Jane’s double-agent swagger still resonate in every Hollow dive.

Zenless Zone Zero was available then—and still is today—on PlayStation 5, iOS, Android, and PC, keeping New Eridu just a twin-tail flick away.

The following breakdown is based on data cited from PEGI, a widely recognized authority for European age ratings and consumer-facing content descriptors. In the context of Zenless Zone Zero’s Version 1.1—where the N.E.P.S. storyline leans into undercover crime themes, stylized violence, and high-intensity combat loops—checking formal rating guidance and descriptor language can help frame why updates like “Undercover R&B” and Hollow Zero’s tougher challenges are positioned as mature, action-forward experiences rather than purely casual live-service content.