Review: Gunnar x Zenless Zone Zero - Soldier 11 Gaming Glasses
Zenless Zone Zero and Gunnar Optiks have released their Soldier 11 collaboration, bringing out a fascinating collection of specialized gaming glasses for Proxy gamers. As someone who struggles with severe headaches from being in front of a screen for too long, I couldn't do long gaming sessions with friends, which is why I found these glasses particularly exciting to try. In this review, I share my thoughts on its design, functionality, and the overall experience of the special edition Gunnar x Zenless Zone Zero - Soldier 11 gaming glasses.
First Impressions
Gunnar is a popular brand of computer and gaming glasses that specialises in designs to reduce eye strain, fatigue, and dry eyes. This collaboration features the aesthetics of Soldier 11, a character from the Zenless Zone Zero game by HoYoverse. For context, the urban-fantasy game follows the story of a Proxy, a professional who ventures into the dangerous Hollows while exploring disasters, fighting powerful enemies, and uncovering the secrets hidden within the city.
At first glance, the gaming glasses are reminiscent of Soldier 11's character design. The shape of the glasses especially represents Soldier 11, not to mention the amber tint. The outer finish also features the same color. The design feels very close to the character, and it feels like this could also be perfect cosplay for a Soldier 11 cosplay.
The gaming glasses also come with a cushioned case, which I especially liked because of the cleaning cloth and the printed logo on both of them. Not only does it give me the additional security of keeping my glasses safe, but it also captures the flashy aesthetic of Zenless Zone Zero and Soldier 11. This makes me curious and excited about what other collaborations Gunnar and HoYoverse might make in the future.
After unboxing, I realized how Zenless Zone Zero is right for this collaboration because it fits with Gunnar's futuristic vibe, which lines up with all of their current and previous eyeglasses designs. I was very excited to see how they would incorporate Soldier 11 since I admire her character, not to mention her fun design. Overall, I think the visual aspect of this collaboration is exactly how I imagined it to be.
A Fashion and Function Experience
For a gaming accessory that is thicker than most eyeglasses, I was surprised by how light the Gunnar x Zenless Zone Zero: Soldier 11 gaming glasses are. Wearing them was also another pleasant surprise.
The Gunnar glasses have their signature Amber tint and are said to be engineered to block 65% of harmful high-energy visible (HEV) blue light and 100% of UV light, reducing digital eye strain during long hours of computer use or gaming. When I tried it for the first time, it took a bit of a struggle to get used to the color change. I was also worried that my overhead headphones would irritate the back of my ears when worn together with the glasses, but it turned out okay.
The yellow tint was not as difficult to adjust to as I thought, and my ears were also extremely comfortable, unlike my previous experiences. The parts of the eyeglasses also don't obstruct my vision in any way. Most of all, I eventually experienced the relief of less eye strain and headaches.
It has been a while now since I've tested these gaming glasses, and I can say that these glasses are very effective. First off, my gaming and work experiences have been easier on my eyes. I can stay on my laptop for longer periods of time without suffering from my usual headaches. The longer I had these glasses on, the less eye strain I experienced.
There are a few cons, though. For example, one thing to consider is the yellow tint. It might depend on the person's personal preference, and it can affect one's gameplay depending on the kind of game. It also may not be as helpful to people like visual artists or graphic designers who need to see accurate colors. However, I do recommend these glasses for those who struggle with eye fatigue and headaches. I also like that I can wear them outside as sunglasses too. It's great for day-to-day use, whether for work, games, and other things.
Overall Thoughts
I would undoubtedly recommend the Gunnar Optiks glasses in general, but the Gunnar x Zenless Zone Zero: Soldier 11 gaming glasses are a particularly special collectible that I think fans of the franchise can enjoy. All in all, it has a nice design, is helpful for the eyes, and is a stylish and comfortable way to stay productive. I will definitely be wearing these a lot more for my work and gaming sessions now.
I would like to thank Gunnar Optiks for sending these glasses to me!
The GUNNAR x Zenless Zone Zero: Soldier 11 gaming glasses are available for purchase on their official website. Visit their official Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok for more updates.
Photos by Alysha Parkinson
© GUNNAR Optiks © COGNOSPHERE
Anime Atelier received a free product for this review.
