Video Games : Zone of Enders

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Amazon Maximum Age: 20 years
Amazon Minimum Age: 204 months
Binding: Video Game
EAN: 0083717200161
ESRB Age Rating: Mature
Label: Konami
Manufacturer: Konami
Platform: PlayStation2
Publisher: Konami
Sales Rank: 14087
Studio: Konami

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
A "giant robot"-themed action-adventure, Zone of the Enders not only looks great, but it plays great--a rarity in this junk-heap-filled genre. Set in the future inside an orbital space colony, Zone casts players as Leo, a young boy who inadvertently and unwillingly becomes the pilot of an orbital frame (giant robot) named Jehuty during a brutal invasion by hostile forces. While the original story is based on a familiar premise used in Japanese animation, the orbital frame designs are quite fresh, with nice touches such as glowing-vein-like patterns on Jehuty's armor that change color according to the armor's condition.

The mission-based gameplay in Zone requires Leo to travel back and forth between various locations, performing simple tasks and fighting squads of enemy orbital frames in addition to the occasional "boss." Piloting Jehuty is a breeze thanks to intuitive controls, effective onscreen displays, and a rotating third-person camera viewpoint that's refreshingly unobtrusive. While the 3-D environments are somewhat cramped, they're richly detailed and very interactive, allowing for some serious property damage that, along with civilian casualties, is frowned upon.

Admittedly, Zone's arcade-style combat is a bit too dumbed down, as the majority of battles can be won by mindlessly mashing away at the main weapon button. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if not for the fact that the game can be beaten in just a few hours, with the story coming to an abrupt end that leaves you hanging. --Joe Hon

Pros:

Absolutely stunning 3-D graphics and exceptionally friendly controls
Heavy-handed melodrama that really grows on you
1- or 2-player vs. mode unlocked when game is completed
Includes Metal Ge

Amazon.com Review:
A "giant robot"-themed action-adventure, Zone of the Enders not only looks great, but it plays great--a rarity in this junk-heap-filled genre. Set in the future inside an orbital space colony, Zone casts players as Leo, a young boy who inadvertently and unwillingly becomes the pilot of an orbital frame (giant robot) named Jehuty during a brutal invasion by hostile forces. While the original story is based on a familiar premise used in Japanese animation, the orbital frame designs are quite fresh, with nice touches such as glowing-vein-like patterns on Jehuty's armor that change color according to the armor's condition.

The mission-based gameplay in Zone requires Leo to travel back and forth between various locations, performing simple tasks and fighting squads of enemy orbital frames in addition to the occasional "boss." Piloting Jehuty is a breeze thanks to intuitive controls, effective onscreen displays, and a rotating third-person camera viewpoint that's refreshingly unobtrusive. While the 3-D environments are somewhat cramped, they're richly detailed and very interactive, allowing for some serious property damage that, along with civilian casualties, is frowned upon.

Admittedly, Zone's arcade-style combat is a bit too dumbed down, as the majority of battles can be won by mindlessly mashing away at the main weapon button. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if not for the fact that the game can be beaten in just a few hours, with the story coming to an abrupt end that leaves you hanging. --Joe Hon

Pros:

Absolutely stunning 3-D graphics and exceptionally friendly controls
Heavy-handed melodrama that really grows on you
1- or 2-player vs. mode unlocked when game is completed
Includes Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty playable demo disc
Cons:

Shallow gameplay
Short game length, disappointing ending

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty demo
Packaged with Zone of the Enders is a playable demo disc of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the highly anticipated and much-hyped sequel to the PlayStation classic Metal Gear Solid. Fans will be pleased to know that it's everything they could have hoped for... and then some.

Not simply a rehash of its predecessor with next-generation graphics, MGS2adds much deeper gameplay to its tactical espionage action formula. Our hero, the "famous" Solid Snake, has been given a handbook's worth of new moves and techniques--skills that are put to the test against much smarter enemies within highly interactive environments. To introduce newbies to the Metal Gear world and to bring veterans up to speed, the demo includes an onscreen tutorial as well as a cleverly written plot synopsis of the first game.

Although it only contains the initial stage of the game and can be played through in less than an hour, the MGS2 demo has surprisingly huge replay value that's further boosted by its Internet ranking system, where players can enter in their clear codes (which they receive upon completion of the game) on the Konami Web site to see how they stack up against other players worldwide. --Joe Hon

Amazon.com Product Description:
The humans living on Antilia, a colony orbiting the planet Jupiter, think of themselves as Enders, as they're essentially at the end, or furthest reach, of human civilization. After a sudden attack by a fanatical Martian military regime known as the Z.O.E., Ender Leo Stenbuck finds himself with access to the one weapon that can save Antilia: a mechanized attack vehicle called an orbital frame.

In Zone of the Enders, you'll command the orbital frame against several robotic opponents. The game features agile 3-D movement, both in the air and on land, and smart camera work that keeps your opponent in view during the most intense, furious battles. The game also comes with a playable demo of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating:

Rating: - A masterpiece in play
Like many stories of depth in a series, this opening volume may seem a little convoluted and hard to grasp. Give it a chance and most of the important questions will be answered before "The Second Runner". It's fun to watch the characters grow and there are a number of shocking twists before the volume closes, but players may find a little disappointment in the fact that the main character, Leo, doesn't seem to grow from start to finish like everybody else. Fortunately, he grows up in "The Second Runner", but that's a different game if well worth looking for. Although short, a lot happens in this game and it finishes on a note of relative closure that won't leave you angrily hanging if you can't find the sequel.
Story: 8/10

There's a lot of competition between PS2 games among which one has more sparkles or flashes. This game isn't jaw-dropping, but remember when it was made and give it a chance, it holds its own very well. The characters are good and the mecha models are very solidly designed, with seamless and flowing graphics throughout the game. Explosions look nice and the particle effects really lend themselves to the futuristic setting. The details and environments also do an excellent job of emphasizing the scale.
Graphics: 7.5/10

Sound effects in this game are fitting and appropriate. The slashes of your charged particle sword sound believable and the basic energy shots may not be astounding but nothing in the game is irritating or sub-standard. The only problem is that music, voices, and sound effects can't be altered independently - the only option is 'stereo' and 'mono', but at least the volume leveling is intelligent so the music never drowns out the effects, and the voices are always clearly audible.
Sound: 7.9/10

There are some beautiful pieces, though the majority is meant more for ambiance. The worst you'll hear is 'forgettable', and the rest depends on your taste.
Music: 7.6/10

Execution is where this game really shines. The action is fast-paced and intensive, but rarely if ever aggravating (and even then only against some challenging bosses and bomb puzzle). No game before this has ever challenged the sensation of a war machine that is not just powerful but also fast and agile, and the final boss fight is a work of art against a frame quite nearly Jehuty's equal. Although the run-up to the boss might be nerve-wracking the ending is more than worth it. The fun of playing is so good, you'll be replaying it even though it lacks a 'new game plus'.
Gameplay: 9.5/10

Besides the pleasure of the play-through, the only thing you gain by re-playing the game is unlocking more options in the versus mode. Fortunately, the Versus match is quite fun in itself, allowing you to pick and choose your Frame and go up against almost anybody you've faced, excluding the enormous bosses. Matches can be quick or long and both you and your friend will enjoy them. Play with a friend or against the A.I.
Replayability: 5/10

This game really shows what it means to hit hard and fast, despite its short length (an inexperienced gamer could finish it in less than 10 hours). The only complaint I had was that the controls on the menu was 'backwards' - the circle confirms and 'x' button cancels. PS3 owners with the limited-compatibility models will be pleased to know this game plays as well here as on the PS2.
Overall: 8.6/10

Rating: - It's not about the Gameplay
This game is all about the story and the animation. The gameplay is basic enough and it's basically the same throughout the entire game. The drawing point is the story and characters and the wonderful cut scene animations that are amazing. The gameplay is fun, I've always wanted to pilot a mech like this, but for me once I saw that first cut scene I was hooked. If you like the anime style, this game is for you.

Rating: - A Highly Underrated Game
This game is so highly underrated. A lot of people bought the game because of the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo disc. But those like me who actually played the game found a gem! If you like an arcade type shooter/hack and slash game, then this one is for you. The graphics is just incredible. The controls smooth. The gameplay is addictive. Although it is relatively short it can be replayed for higher scores not to mention the two-player versus mode. If you like Metal Gear Solid 2 then you owe it to yourself to try this game from the same producer.

Rating: - nothing
What is the japanese obsession with teenage boys saving the world? seriously. Its unrealistic. Sure its a robot game. But think of it as a future game. In the future little kids would be able to defeat army people? I doubt it. This game was fun and pretty and cool. But it was short and kind of repetitive.

Rating: - My Review
I love the concept of this game. Big robot that blows other big robots up. Set in the not to distant future on a space colony orbiting Jupeter, a young boy named Leo is tossed into the middle of a war that he wants nothing to do with. Now it is up to him to save his home and the peopel that are still alive. OK now that the good stuff is out of the way I can tell you the only downer..... the ending I was left deeply disapointed with the ending. This, however, is not reason enough to now buy this great game.

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