Diving Deep into Zenith: The Last City – A VR MMORPG Adventure
John: Welcome, readers, to our latest exploration into the ever-evolving world of gaming. Today, we’re strapping on our virtual reality headsets to delve into Zenith: The Last City, an ambitious title that aims to deliver a full-fledged Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) experience in VR.
Lila: Hi everyone! I’m super excited about this one, John. An MMO in VR? That sounds like the dream for so many gamers, myself included! The idea of actually *being* in a vast fantasy world, interacting with other players in real-time… it’s a big step, isn’t it?
John: It certainly is, Lila. Developed by Ramen VR, Zenith: The Last City launched with considerable buzz, drawing inspiration from JRPG aesthetics and promising a rich, immersive world. It was initially announced for platforms like Oculus Quest and Rift, as Meta’s blog highlighted back around January 26, 2025, noting its inspirations from giants like World of Warcraft and Dark Souls (Source: Meta Blog).
Lila: Wow, those are some heavy hitters to be inspired by! So, what’s the story? What are we actually doing in this last city?
Overview & Key Features
John: Zenith: The Last City throws players into a vibrant, anime-inspired post-apocalyptic world. Generations after a cataclysmic event known as “The Fracture,” players emerge as heroes destined to fight against the darkness, uncover secrets, and rebuild civilization. The “Last City” itself serves as a central hub and a beacon of hope.
Lila: Sounds epic! So, beyond the main story, what are the core gameplay elements? What keeps players engaged day-to-day?
John: The game offers a mix of classic MMORPG staples and VR-specific mechanics. You have your questing, of course, from story-driven missions to daily tasks. Combat is very hands-on, requiring physical movements to swing swords or cast spells. Exploration is a huge component, significantly enhanced by two of its most talked-about features: gliding and climbing.
Lila: Oh, I’ve definitely seen clips of the gliding on TikTok! It looks incredibly freeing. People are zipping all over the place in those Zenith and The Last City Gameplay videos (Source: TikTok, with 18.8M posts as of May 12, 2025).
John: Precisely. The ability to climb almost any surface and then launch into a glide across vast distances was a major selling point. It offers a unique sense of freedom and verticality rarely seen in traditional MMOs. However, it’s worth noting that changes to flying mechanics have been a point of contention within the community, which we’ll touch upon later.
Lila: Good to know. What about character progression? Are there classes like in other MMOs?
John: Yes, Zenith features a class system. At launch, the primary classes were the **Blade Master**, a DPS (damage per second) specialist focused on melee combat with dual swords, and the **Essence Mage**, a ranged caster and support class. Later, they introduced the **Cyber Ninja**, a high-mobility class. Each class has its own unique abilities and playstyle, and players can switch roles within their class to adapt to different situations, like focusing on tanking, damage, or support.
Lila: So, you’re not locked into just one role forever? That’s flexible! What else can you do in the world besides fighting and exploring?
John: There are life skills, such as crafting and cooking, which allow players to create their own gear, enhancements, and consumables. Social interaction is also key. You can team up with other players for quests and dungeons, join guilds, and communicate via built-in voice chat, which adds to the immersion in VR.
Lila: Voice chat in VR with other players sounds like it could be really engaging, or potentially chaotic! Are there big group activities, like raids or world bosses?
John: Indeed. Zenith includes instanced dungeons for smaller groups and larger-scale raid encounters that require significant coordination. There are also world bosses that spawn in the open world, encouraging players to band together. These are typical features designed to provide endgame content and foster community play.
Lila: It sounds like a pretty complete package for an MMO, especially in VR. What about the story? Is it a deep narrative, or more of a backdrop for the action?
John: The main storyline revolves around “The Fracture” and the fight against “The Corruption.” Players interact with various NPCs (non-player characters), uncover lore through quests, and gradually piece together the history of the world. While the depth of the narrative can be subjective, it provides context for the player’s journey and the world’s state.
Technical Elements
John: From a technical standpoint, delivering a seamless MMORPG experience in VR is a monumental task. As mentioned, Zenith: The Last City is available on major VR platforms, including Meta Quest devices (Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro), SteamVR (for PC VR headsets like Valve Index, HTC Vive), and PlayStation VR and VR2.
Lila: That’s a good range of platforms. What’s the VR experience like? Is it smooth? Does it feel truly immersive with the controls?
John: The level of immersion is generally praised. The physical actions for combat, like swinging a sword or drawing a bow, and the intuitive gliding controls contribute significantly to this. Performance, however, can be a mixed bag, especially on standalone headsets like the Quest. MMOs are demanding, with many players and complex environments, so developers often have to make trade-offs between visual fidelity and smooth frame rates. Ramen VR has released numerous patches and updates aimed at optimizing performance since launch.
Lila: That makes sense. It must be a constant balancing act. You mentioned “shards” earlier in a different context. I saw a news update on the official Zenith blog about shard reduction starting April 17, 2025 (Source: zenithmmo.com/blogs/news). What does that mean for players?
John: Shards, in MMO terminology, are essentially different copies of the game world running on separate servers, or server instances. They help manage player population. Reducing the number of shards often means consolidating the player base onto fewer servers. The official announcement stated this was a community request to “make it easier to play with others and feel more like an MMO world.” This usually leads to more populated zones, which can enhance the social aspect but also potentially strain server performance if not managed carefully.
Lila: So, fewer, but fuller, worlds. That could be good for finding groups! What about this “Zenith: Nexus” I’ve seen mentioned? Is that a technical update or something else entirely?
John: That’s a great question, Lila, and an important distinction. Zenith: Nexus was announced around May 22, 2025, as available for free on Steam (Source: GG.deals, zenithmmo.com). From what we can gather, Zenith: Nexus seems to be a new entry point or a significant evolution of the Zenith universe. The official website describes it as “Zenith reimagined,” featuring “seasonal content, a new free-to-play model, a new lighting and rendering pipeline (Lux), an updated User Interface, and much more.” It suggests a shift in how content is delivered and accessed, possibly moving the original *Zenith: The Last City* content into this new framework or alongside it.
Lila: Free-to-play is a big change! So, The Last City was the original paid game, and Nexus is like a new, free version or platform that includes it or builds on it? This is where it gets a bit confusing for a beginner.
John: It can be. Think of Zenith: The Last City as the foundational VR MMORPG experience that players initially purchased. Zenith: Nexus appears to be Ramen VR’s strategy to expand the player base and evolve the game’s structure, possibly integrating the existing world and content into a new, more accessible free-to-play model with seasonal updates. The finer details of how existing owners of *The Last City* transition or benefit within *Nexus* are usually outlined by the developers during such launches.
NFT & Blockchain Usage
John: Now, this brings us to a crucial section for our GameFi-focused audience: NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and blockchain integration in Zenith: The Last City or Zenith: Nexus.
Lila: This is what I’m really curious about! Given our blog’s focus, I’m expecting some cool crypto tie-ins. Are there in-game items as NFTs? Can you earn cryptocurrency by playing?
John: This is where we need to be very clear. Based on all publicly available information from Ramen VR, the official Zenith website (zenithmmo.com), and official store pages, **Zenith: The Last City and the newer Zenith: Nexus do not currently feature direct blockchain integration, NFTs for in-game items, or a play-to-earn cryptocurrency model.**
Lila: Oh! That’s… surprising. So, it’s not a “blockchain game” in the way we usually discuss titles like Axie Infinity or The Sandbox?
John: Correct. Zenith is a traditional MMORPG in terms of its economic model, albeit delivered in VR. While the GameFi space often involves digital ownership via NFTs and tokenized economies, Zenith has, to date, focused on the immersive VR experience and conventional MMO systems. There’s no mention of specific blockchain networks (like Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, etc.) being supported, no smart contract addresses for item ownership, and no native cryptocurrency associated with the game that players can earn and trade on external exchanges.
Lila: So, why are we covering it on a GameFi blog then, John? Is there potential for it in the future, or is it about looking at popular games through a GameFi lens?
John: Both are valid points, Lila. Firstly, the lines are blurring. Many traditional game developers are exploring blockchain, and many blockchain games are striving for the quality of traditional titles. It’s important for our audience to understand which games incorporate these technologies and which don’t, especially when they are as innovative in other areas, like VR. Secondly, the community often speculates about such features. Given the digital nature of MMO items and economies, there’s always a discussion to be had about whether NFTs *could* enhance player ownership or create new economic models. However, Ramen VR has not announced any official plans in this regard.
Lila: So, if someone is looking for a play-to-earn experience where they can earn crypto to pay their rent, Zenith isn’t that game, at least not right now?
John: Precisely. The in-game currency is just that – in-game. While Zenith: Nexus is free-to-play, it will likely feature monetization through in-game purchases for cosmetics or convenience items, using real money to buy a virtual currency, which is standard for the F2P (free-to-play) model. This is distinct from a crypto-based economy.
Lila: It’s a good clarification to make. It manages expectations. Perhaps the focus on VR development itself is so intensive that adding a blockchain layer would be overly ambitious for the current stage?
John: That’s a reasonable assumption. Developing a stable and engaging VR MMO is a significant undertaking. Integrating blockchain robustly and meaningfully adds another layer of complexity concerning technology, game balance, security, and regulation. For now, Zenith appears committed to refining its core VR MMO experience.
Getting Started
John: For those interested in jumping into the world of Zenith, the access point has evolved. Originally, Zenith: The Last City was a premium title, meaning you had to purchase it. It’s available on the Meta Quest Store, Steam, and the PlayStation Store.
Lila: And now with Zenith: Nexus? Is that the new starting point?
John: It seems so. As we noted, Zenith: Nexus is available for free on Steam (Source: GG.deals, zenithmmo.com, May 2025). This likely means new players can download and start playing without an upfront purchase, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry. Existing owners of *The Last City* usually have their purchase honored, often with veteran perks or equivalent value in the new model, but players should always check the official announcements for specifics.
Lila: What about VR hardware? That’s a big consideration. What do I need?
John: You’ll need a compatible VR headset. For standalone play, a Meta Quest 2 or Quest 3 is a common choice. For PC VR, you’ll need a VR-ready PC and a headset like a Valve Index, HTC Vive, or even a Quest connected via Link cable or Air Link. PlayStation users would need a PSVR or PSVR2 and the corresponding console. Always check the minimum and recommended specs on the store page before diving in.
Lila: Any tips for a complete newbie once they’re in the game?
John: Start by familiarizing yourself with the VR controls and movement, especially gliding and climbing, as they are central to the experience. Follow the initial tutorial quests; they do a good job of introducing game mechanics. Experiment with the different classes—Blade Master and Essence Mage, and later the Cyber Ninja—to see which suits your playstyle. Don’t be afraid to use the voice chat to ask for help or team up with other players. The community is generally a good resource.
Lila: Speaking of community, I saw there’s a Facebook group, “Zenith The Last City MMO Community Group!” (Source: Facebook). Are there other good places to find fellow players or get help?
John: Absolutely. Besides Facebook groups, there’s usually an official Discord server, which is often the most active place for direct communication with other players and sometimes even the developers. Subreddits dedicated to the game can also be valuable for tips, discussions, and finding groups.
Reputation & Reviews
John: Zenith: The Last City launched with a lot of excitement. It was one of the first truly ambitious VR MMORPGs, and many players and critics praised its immersive qualities, the freedom of movement, and the sheer novelty of experiencing an MMO in this way.
Lila: I remember the initial hype! But I’ve also seen some less positive discussions more recently. For instance, there’s a Reddit thread in r/virtualreality titled “How did Zenith fell off like that?” (Source: Reddit). The description mentions, “Lots of people dropped off because it was a boring slog. They removed fun features related to flying and never listened to the community.” That sounds pretty harsh.
John: It is, and it reflects a segment of the player base that became disillusioned. MMOs are hard to sustain. Initial content can be consumed quickly, and if endgame loops or updates don’t meet expectations, player numbers can decline. The criticisms you mentioned – a perception of repetitive gameplay (a “slog”), controversial changes to core mechanics like flying, and a feeling that community feedback wasn’t adequately addressed – are common pain points for live service games.
Lila: So, what happened? Did the developers respond to this kind of feedback?
John: Ramen VR has continued to release updates and patches. The introduction of new classes like the Cyber Ninja, new content, dungeons, and system refinements are all part of that ongoing development. The recent shard reduction, framed as a community request to improve player density (Source: zenithmmo.com/blogs/news), could also be seen as an effort to address concerns about the world feeling empty if player numbers did indeed drop.
Lila: And the move to Zenith: Nexus being free-to-play? Is that also a response, perhaps to reinvigorate the player base?
John: That’s a very likely strategy. Shifting to a free-to-play model with seasonal content, as indicated for Zenith: Nexus, is a common approach to attract new players, bring back former ones, and provide a more regular cadence of new things to do. It can breathe new life into a game, but it also comes with its own challenges, like balancing monetization fairly and keeping up with content demands.
John: It’s a game that showed immense promise for VR MMOs, and like many ambitious titles, it’s had its ups and downs. The player experience can be very subjective, and often depends on what someone is looking for in an MMO and their tolerance for the unique challenges of VR.
Q&A
Lila: This seems like a good point to tackle some direct questions our readers might have, especially those coming from a GameFi perspective.
John: Excellent idea, Lila. Let’s clarify some key points.
Lila: Okay, Q1: **Is Zenith: The Last City (or Zenith: Nexus) a blockchain game?**
John: As we discussed, no. Currently, neither Zenith: The Last City nor Zenith: Nexus are built on blockchain technology. They do not utilize NFTs for in-game assets or feature a play-to-earn cryptocurrency. It’s a traditional game in terms of its underlying tech and economy, albeit in the innovative VR space.
Lila: So, no crypto wallets needed to play or anything like that, right?
John: Correct. Your game account and any in-game items are managed through the game’s servers and the platform you play on (Meta, Steam, PlayStation), not on a decentralized blockchain.
Lila: Got it. Q2: **What about in-game currency? Is it a cryptocurrency? Can I buy it?**
John: Zenith has its own in-game currency, which players earn by completing quests, defeating enemies, and other in-game activities. This currency is used to buy items from vendors, repair gear, and so on. It is *not* a cryptocurrency. With the move to Zenith: Nexus and its free-to-play model, it’s highly probable there will be a premium currency that can be purchased with real money. This premium currency is typically used for cosmetic items, convenience services, or season passes. This is standard for free-to-play games and distinct from blockchain-based tokens.
Lila: So, more like standard MMO gold or premium “gems,” not like Bitcoin or Ethereum that I can trade on an exchange?
John: Exactly. Any currency purchased is for use within the game’s ecosystem only and generally isn’t designed to be cashed out or traded on external crypto markets.
Lila: Alright, last one for this section, Q3: **Can I trade in-game items as NFTs in Zenith?**
John: Again, because there’s no current NFT integration, the answer is no. In-game items in Zenith – weapons, armor, resources – are traditional digital items. Trading between players, if supported, would occur through in-game systems, not via blockchain-based NFT marketplaces. The ownership is within the game’s database, not represented by a token in a crypto wallet.
Lila: That makes sense. So, trading would be more like the old-school player-to-player trade window in an MMO, if the game allows it, rather than selling an NFT on OpenSea?
John: Precisely. The systems are self-contained within the game environment. This distinction is crucial for managing expectations for players familiar with the GameFi space.
Developer Info
John: The studio behind Zenith: The Last City and Zenith: Nexus is Ramen VR. They are an independent game development studio focused on creating immersive online worlds, with a clear passion for virtual reality.
Lila: Do we know much about their background or their team? Any previous big hits?
John: Ramen VR was co-founded by Andy Tsen and Lauren Frazier. Zenith: The Last City is their flagship title and the one they are most known for. While they might not have a long list of previous AAA blockbusters, they successfully crowdfunded Zenith and brought a highly ambitious VR MMO project to market, which is a significant achievement in itself. Their focus has been squarely on making Zenith a reality.
Lila: Any notable tech partners involved, besides the VR platform holders like Meta?
John: Platform holders like Meta (for Quest) and Sony (for PlayStation VR) are key partners for distribution and sometimes co-marketing, as seen with Meta’s early blog spotlight (Source: Meta Blog). Beyond that, specific middleware or backend service partners aren’t always publicly detailed unless it’s a major collaboration. They would use standard game development engines and tools, with Unity being a popular choice for VR development, though the specific engine for Zenith would need to be confirmed from their technical publications (unconfirmed at this moment).
John: As for their roadmap, the launch of Zenith: Nexus as a free-to-play title with seasonal content seems to be the current major strategic direction (Source: zenithmmo.com, GG.deals). This suggests a long-term commitment to evolving the game, introducing new content regularly, and growing the player base. The shard reduction in April 2025 (Source: zenithmmo.com/blogs/news) was another recent operational update. Players should keep an eye on the official Zenith news blog and social media channels for the latest roadmap details and upcoming features.
Lila: So, it sounds like they’re actively working on adapting and growing the game, especially with Nexus.
John: That appears to be the case. The shift to free-to-play often signals a new phase in a game’s lifecycle, aimed at sustained engagement and broader appeal.
Summary
John: To sum up, Zenith: The Last City, and its evolution into Zenith: Nexus, represents a bold and ambitious undertaking in the VR MMORPG space. It offers a unique, immersive experience with dynamic movement systems like gliding and climbing, hands-on combat, and a persistent online world to explore with others.
Lila: It definitely pushed boundaries for what VR games could be! But it’s also faced challenges, like player retention and criticisms about game changes, which is pretty common for live service MMOs, right?
John: Absolutely. The journey of an MMO is rarely smooth. For our GameFi-oriented audience, it’s important to reiterate that Zenith, in its current form, is not a blockchain-based game. It doesn’t feature NFTs or play-to-earn crypto mechanics. Its economy is internal, and its monetization, especially with Nexus, is likely to follow traditional free-to-play models.
Lila: So, who is this game for then? If I’m a VR enthusiast who loves MMOs and isn’t primarily looking for crypto earning, it sounds like it could be worth checking out, especially with Nexus being free-to-play?
John: Precisely. If you’re captivated by the idea of physically embodying your character in a vast online world, exploring beautiful anime-inspired landscapes, and engaging in active VR combat alongside other players, then Zenith: Nexus offers an accessible entry point. The free-to-play model allows players to experience the core game and decide if it’s for them. However, players should go in with realistic expectations regarding its current standing as a traditional game, not a GameFi project.
Lila: It’s an interesting case study, then. A game that’s innovative in one area (VR MMO) but stays traditional in another (economy/blockchain). It highlights that not every new or online game is jumping onto the crypto bandwagon, or perhaps not yet.
John: Well said, Lila. The landscape is diverse, and Zenith provides a valuable data point. It will be interesting to see how Ramen VR continues to develop Zenith: Nexus and how the community responds to its evolving form.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available sources as of late May 2025. The gaming and GameFi landscapes are constantly evolving. Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any financial decisions or investing significant time or money into any game.
References
- Official Zenith Website & News: https://zenithmmo.com/blogs/news and https://zenithmmo.com/
- Meta Blog (Jan 26, 2025): “The Latest Look at ‘Zenith: The Last City,’ a New MMORPG…” (Specific URL from SERP: https://www.meta.com/da-dk/blog/…)
- Reddit r/virtualreality Thread: “How did Zenith fell off like that?” (Specific URL from SERP: https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/…)
- GG.deals (Zenith: Nexus): (Specific URL from SERP: https://gg.deals/game/zenith-mmo/)
- TikTok Discover (Zenith and The Last City Gameplay): (Specific URL from SERP: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/…)
- Facebook Group (Zenith The Last City MMO Community Group!): (Specific URL from SERP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/…)
Related Links
- Zenith Official Website: https://zenithmmo.com/
- Zenith on Steam (for Zenith: Nexus): Search on Steam store.
- Zenith on Meta Quest Store: Search on Meta Quest store.
- Zenith on PlayStation Store: Search on PlayStation store.
- Official Zenith Discord: Typically linked on their official website or community pages.