South Korean indie developer Sanctuary Games has revealed Zanerdin: Unboundand PlayStation 5 and a collectible turn-based strategy RPG for PC that incorporates gacha mechanics without a single microtransaction in sight. The PS5 and PC game is the debut title from a studio founded in April 2025 by former NEOWIZ business development manager Hyunduk You. NEOWIZ is, of course, known primarily for titles such as DJ Max and Lies P.
At first glance, a game with gacha mechanics might raise red flags for some players. Traditionally, the term persists for free-to-play Gacha games, where random draws are funded by real-world money. But Zanerdin: Unbound it is definitely taking a different path that, if successful, could set a new precedent.
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Gacha RPG without paywalls announced
Zanerdin: UnboundThe release date and price haven't been locked in yet, but it's sure to be a highly anticipated Gacha game for some players. This means that those interested in news and updates can put the game on Steam and the PlayStation Store. In a press statement, founder Hyunduk You clearly explained the team's philosophy: “We believe that a Gacha game can exist and be fun without microtransactions.” Instead of paying to summon new characters or gear, players unlock each piece of content as they progress. Characters, pets, and gear are earned by exploring battle stages, defeating raids, and earning rewards. Sanctuary Games wants to focus on strategy and collection gained through gameplay, not monetization hooks.
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The game takes place in the fantasy world of Kalatos, a land shaped by the six elemental blessings: water, fire, earth, metal, wind and electricity. Players take on the role of Zanerdin, a protagonist born in a chaotic, powerless fringe of society called the Chaos region. From there, the story unfolds through more than 60 battle stages, each of which comes with hand-drawn narrative cutscenes that serve both story and tactical context. Combat revolves around building teams from a roster of over 25 playable characters, each associated with specific elemental blessings and positions on the battlefield. Much like Cookie Run: Kingdom and its player-friendly gacha system, all content available in the basic version Zanerdin: Unbound can be unlocked without paying extra. The developers have confirmed plans for additional story packs and playable characters via DLC, but pricing details have yet to be outlined.
Gamer reaction has been largely upbeat, with many expressing relief that a “gacha” RPG doesn't mean endless paywalls and RNG cash shops. This hybrid design—combining popular collection mechanics with non-wallet-focused progression—can appeal to both RPG purists and players who enjoy the thrill of discovering rare units through the game itself. Zanerdin: Unbound's model is much closer to traditional RPG progression than modern gacha systems where interpretations and currencies are tied to real cash. And this paid model has translated into negativity for some titles. For example, Heartopia he was just responding to gacha's own criticism.
While Heartopia players think its free-to-play gacha needs work, Zanerdin: Unbound will have a different focus. Its ability to maintain balance without microtransactions while providing satisfying development will be a key test as more details emerge. But if Sanctuary Games can pull it off, this indie title might inspire other developers to rethink how gacha mechanics are implemented in mainstream games. For now, those interested who own a PS5 or PC can keep an eye on the project and add it to their wishlist before the launch announcement.
