Mind Zero
A Vita dungeon crawler with visual novel dialogue and turn-based battles.
Mind Zero is a dungeon crawler role-playing game for the PlayStation Vita, created through a collaboration between Acquire and ZeroDiv, the developer behind Class of Heroes. GungHo Online Entertainment handled publishing duties. The title launched in Japan on August 1, 2013, and reached Europe and North America in May 2014 via Aksys Games. It later secured a PC release through the Steam Greenlight program.
The game’s premise has drawn frequent comparisons to the Persona series. Dialogue is fully voiced and presented in 2D, resembling a visual novel, while battles use 3D graphics and turn-based combat. The story unfolds across two worlds: the real world and a “crazy spiritual world.” Real-world locations include Saitama, Akihabara, Yokohama, Amamiya, and Nippori in Japan. The plot follows high school student Kei Takanashi and a group of classmates who stumble into the outer realm, where they battle other MINDS and MIND Users to protect people.
Development was first revealed in March 2013 in Famitsu, with the game reported to be 70% complete at that time. It marked the first release from GungHo Online Entertainment since the company acquired Acquire in 2012. After a pre-order listing appeared on GameStop in January 2014, Aksys Games formally announced a physical and digital release for North America and a digital-only release for Europe on January 30.
Reception was mixed. Hardcore Gamer called it a welcome addition to the Vita’s JRPG library despite its lack of an established lineage. IGN praised the battle system and voice acting but criticized repetitive dungeons and poor writing. GameSpot was harsher, citing repetitive gameplay and calling the title “occasionally mediocre.” HonestGamers later reviewed the PC version, criticizing it as a low-quality port from the Vita.
Quick Facts
- Title
- MIND≒0
- Developer
- Acquire, ZeroDiv
- Publisher
- JP · GungHo Online EntertainmentNA/EU · Aksys Games
- Composer
- Zizz Studio
- Genre
- Role-playing, dungeon crawler
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows
- Released
- PlayStation Vita / JP · August 1, 2013 · NA · May 27, 2014 · EU · May 28, 2014Microsoft WindowsWW · March 8, 2016
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mind Zero takes place in two different worlds: the real world and a 'crazy spiritual world'. The real world aspect is set in Japan, in the regions Saitama, Akihabara, Yokohama, Amamiya and Nippori. The story revolves around a high school student, Kei Takanashi, and a group of other high school students who stumble into the outer realm and begin battling other MINDS and MIND Users to help protect and save people. The premise has received many comparisons to the Persona series of role-playing video games. The game's dialogue is fully voiced and takes place in 2D, similar to that of a visual novel, while the battle system consists of 3D computer graphics and turn-based battles.
Reader's Guide
Mind Zero was first announced in March 2013 in an issue of Famitsu, reported to be 70% complete at that time. It was the first game released by publisher GungHo Online Entertainment since buying out Acquire in 2012. After a pre-order spot was noted at websites such as GameStop in January 2014, Aksys Games formally announced the game for a physical and digital release in North America, and a digital-only release in Europe, on January 30. Upon release, Mind Zero received mixed reception. Hardcore Gamer called it a welcome addition to the Vita’s growing JRPG library. IGN praised the battle system and voice acting but criticized repetitive dungeons and poor writing. GameSpot was more critical, citing repetitive gameplay and stating the game 'fails at anything beyond being occasionally mediocre.' HonestGamers later reviewed the PC version released through Steam and criticized it for being a low-quality port from the Vita. The game's significance lies in its attempt to blend visual novel storytelling with dungeon crawling on the Vita, and its eventual transition to PC via Steam Greenlight.
Did You Know?
- Mind Zero was developed jointly by Acquire and ZeroDiv, the developer of Class of Heroes.
- The game was first announced in March 2013 in an issue of Famitsu, at which point it was reported to be 70% complete.
- It was the first game released by GungHo Online Entertainment after buying out Acquire in 2012.
- The PC version was greenlit via the Steam Greenlight voting system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mind Zero?
Mind Zero is a dungeon crawler RPG built for the PlayStation Vita, created by Acquire in collaboration with ZeroDiv, the studio behind Class of Heroes. GungHo Online Entertainment published it in Japan, while Aksys Games brought it to Western audiences.
When was Mind Zero released?
It launched in Japan on August 1, 2013, followed by a European and North American release in May 2014. A PC version was later added through the Steam Greenlight program.
What does Mind Zero's gameplay feel like?
Story moments are delivered through fully voiced 2D dialogue in a visual-novel format, while combat shifts to 3D turn-based battles. This hybrid structure has prompted frequent comparisons to the Persona series.
Who developed and published Mind Zero?
Development was a joint effort between Acquire and ZeroDiv, the creators of Class of Heroes. Publishing was split between GungHo Online Entertainment for Japan and Aksys Games for Europe and North America.
What platforms is Mind Zero available on?
The game runs on PlayStation Vita and PC, with the PC port arriving via the Steam Greenlight program.
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