The 2D Action RPG Zenonia is back and coming to Nintendo Switch and PC as Zenonia 1, a remastered version of the 2008 classic.
While the PC version is set to release on August 28th, 2026, and can be downloaded from the Steam Page, we here at Netto's Game Room were given the opportunity to meet with the developers via Discord to discuss the game ahead of its release.Hello, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me! My name is Ben, and I'm one of the co-founders of Netto's Game Room. Before we begin, could you tell us a little about yourself?
Hello Ben, and greetings to all the readers of Netto’s Game Room. I work at Com2uS Holdings, formerly known as GAMEVIL, where I oversee project management for ZENONIA 1. On Discord, I go by the name “Regret.” I’m delighted to have this opportunity to share more about the return of ZENONIA.
So today we're discussing the return of the RPG Zenonia. The game originally launched in 2009 in the West, but has been gone for quite some time. What made you decide now would be the perfect time to bring it back?
ZENONIA first launched in Korea in 2008 before reaching Western audiences in 2009. Over the years, it became increasingly difficult to play the original game on modern devices, while we continued to hear from fans who wanted the opportunity to experience it again. This year also marks the 18th anniversary of the original release, which makes its return especially meaningful. With renewed interest in pixel-art games and story-driven single-player RPGs, we felt this was the right time to let longtime fans revisit the adventure while introducing the beginning of ZENONIA to a new generation of players.
The game is a 2D action RPG similar to classics such as the Mana series, but with quite a few unique mechanics at play. In addition to an alignment system, which allows players to shape the protagonist Regret to their liking, players also need to contend with hunger, an inventory weight system, and a day and night cycle. For those unfamiliar with the title, could you tell us a little more about how these impact the overall game?
These systems help make the world of ZENONIA 1 feel like more than a series of combat encounters. The alignment system changes according to the choices players make and plays an important role in shaping Regret’s journey. Hunger encourages players to prepare food and manage their resources during longer adventures, while the weight system makes them consider which equipment and items are truly worth carrying. The day and night cycle gives the world a stronger sense of time, atmosphere, and rhythm. Individually, these may seem like small mechanics, but together they add an extra layer of decision-making to exploration, progression, and resource management.
Similar to what we typically see in MMORPGs, Zenonia features multiple classes complete with a skill point system for customization. This allows players to build Regret however they wish, but there's no denying that there are optimal ways to do so. In this new version, is there anything in place to help guide players with their builds, or is it still completely left up to our own experimentation?
ZENONIA 1 features three distinct classes: Warrior, Paladin, and Assassin. The Warrior focuses on balance and survivability, the Paladin offers strong defense and a stable playstyle, and the Assassin specializes in speed and powerful attacks. As in the original, players are encouraged to experiment with skill points, stats, and equipment to create a build that suits them. Rather than directing everyone toward a single recommended build, we have improved the clarity of equipment comparisons and combat-related information so that players can better understand the effects of their choices. Discovering effective combinations remains an important part of the game’s progression.
What about the side quests included in game? The original offered a decent amount to tackle for additional experience and reward, though some can be a bit of a grind. Can we expect the same here?
The overall structure and volume of the side quests remain faithful to the original game. Many of them return in a familiar form, offering additional experience, rewards, and opportunities to learn more about the different regions and their characters. We also recognize that some of the more repetitive objectives may feel demanding by modern standards, so we have improved quest guidance, readability, and general quality-of-life features to make progression easier to follow. Since the side quests are optional, players can decide how deeply they want to engage with them depending on their preferred pace and approach to character growth.
Outside of what was previously mentioned, when it came to remastering Zenonia, what changes or improvements have been made over the original release?
Our goal was not to completely remake ZENONIA, but to preserve its original identity while making it more comfortable to play on modern platforms. We refined the graphics and screen presentation for current displays, added keyboard and controller support, and redesigned the UI to better match the game’s pixel-art style. Combat feedback has also been improved through clearer damage information, enhanced hit effects, and updated targeting displays. In addition, we introduced various quality-of-life improvements related to quick saving, equipment comparison, repairs, shop controls, and audio settings. The new version also includes Steam Achievements, expanded language support, balance adjustments, and overall stability improvements.
What would you say has been the most challenging part of bringing the game to modern hardware?
One of the greatest challenges was adapting a game originally designed for feature phones and much smaller displays without losing its distinctive feel. Changes to resolution, screen layout, input methods, or even movement timing can significantly affect how the game feels, especially for players who remember the original. We therefore spent a great deal of time determining which elements needed to be preserved and which should be updated for keyboard and controller play. Finding the right balance between authenticity and modern usability has been the most demanding—and important—part of the process.
Currently the game is set for a release on Steam later this month, with a Nintendo Switch version also currently in the works. Following the Switch release, do you think there's a possibility it will come to other platforms as well?
Our current priorities are the Steam release on August 31 and the Nintendo Switch version that is now in development. At this time, we do not have any additional platform plans that we can confirm. However, we will continue to evaluate player feedback, demand, and the technical requirements of each platform. We remain open to exploring opportunities that would allow more players to experience ZENONIA in the future.
Zenonia itself isn't the only title to have gone missing from the world; in fact, most of its sequels are unavailable as well. Once Zenonia is complete, are there any plans to remaster the other titles? Maybe my own personal favorite, Zenonia 2?
It is wonderful to hear that ZENONIA 2 is your personal favorite. At this time, we do not have any specific plans to announce regarding remasters of ZENONIA 2 or the other sequels. Our immediate focus is on delivering the best possible version of ZENONIA 1 and seeing how both longtime fans and new players respond to its return. We are very aware that many fans would love to see the other entries become available again, and the reception to this release—as well as feedback from the community—will be an important reference when considering future possibilities.
Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know about Zenonia?
This project is more than simply bringing an old game back to market. It is an effort to preserve a title that played an important role in the early history of mobile RPGs and make its original appeal accessible on modern platforms. The feedback we received from the demo and Steam Next Fest has already helped us improve the controls, UI and UX, combat balance, quality-of-life features, and overall stability. We will continue listening to the community after launch as well. We sincerely appreciate everyone who has remembered ZENONIA over the years, along with those who will be joining Regret’s first adventure for the very first time.
And finally, just for fun, who is your favorite character in the Zenonia series, and why?
My Discord name may have already given it away, but my favorite character is Regret. He does not begin his journey as a fully formed hero. Instead, he must confront questions about his identity and destiny while growing through the choices he makes between light and darkness. Watching him develop from an ordinary young man into someone capable of accepting responsibility for his decisions captures much of what makes the ZENONIA series special to me. He is also the character who began the series’ very first adventure, so I have always felt a particular attachment to him.
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