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Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)
Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2003 @ 05:03:35 am E.S.TTwo years ago "Zone of the Enders" wowed us with its frantic gameplay but left us wanting more. Today we find out if its sequel, "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner," can live up to its legacy, and live down its problems.
In the original "Zone of the Enders" you were forced to play as the whining Leo Stenbuck. This time around you get to play as the Dingo Egret. He's cranky and much more fun. While he's ice mining on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, he stumbles across the ultra powerful orbital frame (mech) Jehuty, the same frame that appeared in the last game. He's immediately drawn into a violent battle with forces that want Jehuty for their own nefarious purposes.
As the story unfolds, Dingo meets old enemies, new enemies, and some enemies who really aren't. As anime plotlines go, it's typical; incomprehensible and apocalyptic with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Design: In a typical mech game you play in a lumbering, heavily armored upright tank. Not so in ZOE2. Although you have an insane amount of firepower at your disposal, your mech (called an orbital frame) is amazingly maneuverable. Battles are fast and furious as you fly from opponent to opponent, shooting and slashing your way to victory.
Most mech games stress strategy and upgrading, but not ZOE2. True, your frame's capabilities will improve as you play, and you can collect a total of 12 sub weapons to bolster your arsenal. But these weapons are mostly good for mindless frenzy, not tactics. And with the exception of a few boss battles, your strategy is simple: Blow the crap out of everything around you. The game is a button masher's paradise, but that doesn't make it any less fun.
Konami has fixed the original's balance issues. You can no longer rely on one weapon through the game. Most battles are still mindless conflagrations of firepower. But the boss battles require more strategy and are much tougher. Each boss presents a unique challenge. Some will test your defensive capabilities. Others will force you to time your attacks.
Graphics: Like the first game, the graphics are amazing. Subtle cel-shading, over-the-top lighting, and the frenzy of activity combine to make ZOE2 one of the most gorgeous games I’ve seen on any console. ZOE2 is a true graphical masterpiece.
Sound: The game's audio is equally impressive with top-notch voice acting. It's too bad the script isn't better. The soundtrack is a good mix of J-Pop, techno, and classically inspired music that always fits the action. The weapons and explosions sound impressive, filling your ears with destructive force.
Addiction: ZOE2 doesn't solve all of its predecessor's problems. The game is a little longer than the original, but that isn't saying much. After a mere six to eight hours of blissfully mindless frenzy, it's over. Finishing the game opens some extra missions and multiplayer options, but come on... six hours? I wanted to watch the gorgeous frenzy unfold forever.
But when the worst thing you can say about a game is, "Dammit, I want more," you know it's a pretty damned good game. And this is a pretty damned great game. The combination of stunning graphics and frenzied gameplay make "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner" a must-have for anime RPG fans or, heck, anyone with a functioning pair of eyeballs. Review By: C.J. - 534 Reads
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Review Scores for PS2 :
| Gameplay |
| 9.5 |
| Graphics |
| 9.5 |
| Sound |
| 9 |
| Replay |
| 8.5 |
| Overall |
| 9.3 |
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