Zerowake GATES is a free role-playing game developed and published by Storytaco. It’s a deckbuilding game with strong narrative storytelling, emotional themes, as well as deep character development. The game also has a Gacha system implemented in it, where you can pull rare and powerful cards through a randomized system.

At its core, Zerowake GATES features a turn-based combat system, utilizing a deck of cards to lay out your strategic moves and plan of attack during battles. Your team composition, as well as your thorough understanding of what each of them does, is key to emerging victorious in these fights.

Join in the fight to save humanity

Zerowake GATES has a compelling and emotional narrative with a visual-novel style of walking you through the game’s intriguing story. There is quite a bit of dialogue present, so expect a lot of reading as you play. The plot features Han Gaon, awakening in a devastated world ravaged by an alien invasion. Those who managed to suppress being infected must now join him to fight for humanity.

Combat is heavily tied to a turn-based system, utilizing deckbuilding and strategic composition to outwit your opponents. Pairing certain cards together can form powerful synergies that can turn the tide of fights and push the outcomes in your favor. However, the combat mechanics are painfully slow and lack some mechanical variety to stay engaged long-term. Those looking for fast-paced combat are definitely going to be disappointed.

Being a gacha-driven game, expect a lot of the usual systems implemented from that genre. One of them is a daily login rewards feature that provides you with useful items just for logging in every day. The downside here is that it can provide a “Fear of missing out” mindset for not logging in on time in order to get the most out of these free rewards for maximum efficiency.

Great storytelling, but lacks some combat variety

Overall, Zerowake Gates shines in its character-driven narrative storytelling experience, but severely lacks in keeping you engaged with its combat system. Most battles lack depth and challenge, and your opponents can easily be beaten without strategizing too much. If you’re after a game with great emotional storytelling and character writing, then this one is worth your time. Otherwise, it definitely needs more work to reach a broader audience.