I'm not saying every project needs to match the name on the tin, but all the zines I've read have wacky page layouts, quirky pictures and articles, and a lot of personality.

This project seems to take content and turn it into really bland flat design with social media style scrolling of thumbnails. Every page has elements perfectly aligned. And, at least in the one example they shared, even the colors are really boring.

https://2d2d.io/

If you want a relevant example, 2600 magazine does a good job of giving each page a unique feel and keeping that hacker spirit alive from it and it's articles.