Sleeper of the Week: Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner

[maxlords]

Sleeper of the Week: Zone of the Enders – The 2nd Runner

Yep, another Zone of the Enders game. Why? Well…because they’re good! Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner is the 2nd of the three Zone of the Enders games currently released. It takes place several years after the original ZOE game, and stars an entirely new character with the unlikely moniker of Dingo Egret. Whatever moron came up with that weird-ass name I don’t know, but nonetheless, you’re Dingo Egret. Yes, that’s right, Dingo Egret, the half-man, half-bird, half-dingo. Unless he’s a Taito Egret, in which case he’d be half arcade cabinet, and that’s three halves no matter which way you slice it. Ok, sorry, couldn’t resist. It’s just such an odd name for a character.

Anyway, ZOE The 2nd Runner jumps right into the story with killer cinemas and action fairly quickly. The game tells a well-crafted story with plenty of references to the original game, as well as a few special surprises (those of you who’ve played it, don’t give em away!). For those of you that don’t know, ZOE The 2nd Runner is a third person action game where you control extremely fast, highly maneuverable mechs in combat. And not just in some lame Virtual On style arena either. Not that I’m knocking Virtual On, it’s just that ZOE The 2nd Runner blows it’s socks off and then sets them on fire! The mechs are all blazing fast with multiple firing modes, exceptional detail, and some wild special moves. Expect a graphical overload when you’re playing this one, and on top of that, expect sore fingers and thumbs! The battles are brutally intense, very challenging, and long as all get out. Basically Konami did everything right on this one!

So why didn’t it sell? I really honestly don’t know. Maybe people didn’t like the story so much from the first ZOE. Maybe it just wasn’t marketed well. Either way, a proportionally small number of gamers bought ZOE The 2nd Runner, and it wasn’t because it has bad music either, as the soundtrack for the game is amazing, especially if you like energetic techno! The music adds to the frenzied feel of the game to the point where you almost feel overwhelmed when a cloud of vicious enemies comes swarming at you. Music, graphics, gameplay, story, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner has it all!

Anyway, the point is you should go buy it. Now. While you still can. In addition to being a really exceptionally fun game, ZOE The 2nd Runner is also becoming very hard to find. People are just starting to realize how good it is and how small the supply of copies really was. Used copies on eBay are starting to shoot up to the $50-60 mark already, and I’d expect they’ll go higher. I bought the game new, but I’ve only seen it used maybe a handful of times. This one will definitely be hard to find soon! If you can get a nice copy for under $40, grab it! And now that I’ve got your appetites whetted, here’s some pics!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/d8d296f4.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/ec15e909.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/5c7e1dc5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/25ac3c35.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/3e5107bb.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/7508d564.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/8ef7d344.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/maxlords/09da4f91.jpg

[Jibbajaba]

Well supposedly the GameStop near me has a copy in stock, so I'll swing by after work and grab it. I'll post my thoughts about it later.

Thanks for the reccomendation!

Chris

[Mr.FoodMonster]

Bought this on the day of release after playing the first ZOE for the PS2.

Both are FREAKING AWESOME GAMES. I hope a third is made, or that they port it to the PSP or something (Because then I would be forced to buy one. Portable ZOE would be WAY too good to pass up)

[Videogamerdaryll]

Thanks for the reccomendation!



Yea!! Ditto...

[lendelin]

maxlords, good review, and a good choice of the title! I completely agree with your evaluation.

The game was so far one of the great game experiences I had this year. I bought it used around 9 months ago for $15, and yep, even back then I didn't see it often used. I had no idea that the price increased so much in the meantime on online auction sites.


So why didn’t it sell? I really honestly don’t know.

I asked myself the same question. As you pointed out, marketing wasn't certainly great; and still, a game so good and well executed should make it without marketing hype. As you said, the game has it all; graphics, sound, story, gameplay, and the controls are just fantastic and very easy to get into, and the battles are strategic and therefore interesting.

My answer: the game falls in between two popular 'genres' and alienates both of its supporters by the mere set-up; which makes it hard to be commercially successful despite extraordinary gameplay.

The fans of sky/space shooters are probably disturbed by the Mech set up, and the Mech fans on land are disturbed by the sky/space set-up. The result is a first-rate game which is overlooked and not underrated. A typical example where a game tries to get more gamers of two popular genres, and ends up alienating both of them.

...or maybe it is just one of those unexplainable things where something good flies under the radar like we have in movies, music, and literature. There is just no guarantee what will be a success and what will be a failure.

[WanganRunner]

Best intro song of any videogame.....EVER.

Also just tons of fun in general. I had a roommate who owned it, and I told him that if he ever sold it, to sell it to me.

So what does he go and do?

He trades it for a dimebag of weed........the troglodyte.

But it's ok, because I kicked him out of the place awhile ago. What's NOT ok is that I still don't own a copy of the game.

[Crush Crawfish]

This game seems really awesome! I'll have to sit down and play it someday.

EDIT: Accidentally ruined something cool. My bad! ^^;

[SamuraiSmurfette]

Here's my opinion on why it didn't sell well.
The first ZOE sold like wildfire, because it was a playable MGS2 demo, with a free mech game attached.
I don't think even the first one had many fans.
It sold primarily on the Metal Gear name.
(I personally sold many on this premise alone)
My local Blockbuster was even renting them separately.
Also, I remember selling a ZOE to a co-worker on launch day and it had a $79.99 price point.
Although, that was canadian, but still!

[Putney]

The original ZOE was the first game I bought for my PS2, and I had to say I was somewhat underwhelmed. Between the annoying main character and the short game length (I seriously thought the game was just getting started when I finished it), I was pretty ambivalent towards it. But the second game, which I haven't really spent too much time with, surpassed it a great deal in my mind.

I didn't know the price was getting that high though...ironically I picked it up with another now sought-after Konami game (MGS2 Substance) for about $19.99 each during a Gamestop buy 2 get 1 free sale when I was getting an xmas present for my brother in law...now THAT was a good deal :)

[Sylentwulf]

Honestly, I couldn't stand this game. I liked the first one although it was very quick and easy. Bought the second one and ran into a problem quickly. VERY HARD to control. I tried the game on normal and was having some BIG problems within 2-3 hours of playtime. I tried it on easy, and it was PATHETICALLY easy.

I suppose if there had been a skill level between easy and normal, I'd have enjoyed it, but as it was, I just felt very awkward trying to control jehuty. Didn't really feel like I was playing the game so much as fighting with the controller for control of the game.

[drummy]

Last time I checked (months ago), this game was going for like, $50 sealed.

[klausien]

Want to add my post from months ago to this thread. Z.O.E. 2 is a truly mind-blowing experience:

Wow. That's the best way to describe it.

I finally got around to putting in some time with Z.O.E. 2 after a marathon play-through of the first one. The first Z.O.E. was really neat, despite its shortcomings. Way back when it was released, I felt that it was the first PS2 game to really feel "Next Gen" and was annoyed that so many people bought it simply for the MGS2 demo. I just never got around to finishing it with so many games to play. It has aged better than expected, but the second one is totally mind-blowing.

The graphics are some of the best I've seen on the PS2. Sure, there is some slowdown when there are lots of enemies on the screen, but the particle effects, subtle cel-shading and breakneck pace are truly incredible. I couldn't believe that there were XBox-level graphics coming out of my PS2. I recently played through Panzer Dragoon Orta, and must say that Z.O.E. 2 gives it a good run for its money. Also, the cinema sequences are all Anime, and so much better for it. I thought Robotech Battlecry was cool, but this is astounding.

So, even though I'm sure that many of you have already played Z.O.E. 2, I need to give it my recommendation. It is one of the coolest action games I have had the pleasure of playing.

And, it is always fun to unearth a hidden treasure in your own collection.

[maxlords]

Honestly, I couldn't stand this game. I liked the first one although it was very quick and easy. Bought the second one and ran into a problem quickly. VERY HARD to control. I tried the game on normal and was having some BIG problems within 2-3 hours of playtime. I tried it on easy, and it was PATHETICALLY easy.

I suppose if there had been a skill level between easy and normal, I'd have enjoyed it, but as it was, I just felt very awkward trying to control jehuty. Didn't really feel like I was playing the game so much as fighting with the controller for control of the game.

Hmmm....I never really had any problems with the controls. However, they are VERY accurate, so if you're one to make sweeping motions and play games with large hit areas, this game is a bit different. Maybe that's where the problem was for ya Sylent. I played on Normal and blazed through about half the game in a matter of like two days of light play. I died a lot, but hey, that's a GOOD thing.

[josekortez]

At some point, I gave up on this game because I got tired of getting lost inside the levels. It's been over a year since I last played it and this thread makes me want to try it again after all this time.

As far as it going for $50 sealed, I can believe it. It's $26 pre-owned at EB right now, which is what they charge for PS2 Metal Gear 2 Substance pre-owned.

The funny thing is that Circuit City was selling it for $7.50 new at one point. That's the only reason I even bothered trying it out in the first place...

[AtariBuff]

I bought Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner on a local flea for EUR 15,- today and the back of the box says:

Special Edition: This european Edition features NEW gameplay sequences and Polygon demos, a new intro and more hidden extras, new 3d models and better graphics.

Was this version also released in the States????

[sleepycal]

Hmm. I can see myself pulling out the first game from my shelf to give it a whirl in the near future.

Thanks for the review.

[maxlords]

I bought Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner on a local flea for EUR 15,- today and the back of the box says:

Special Edition: This european Edition features NEW gameplay sequences and Polygon demos, a new intro and more hidden extras, new 3d models and better graphics.

Was this version also released in the States????

Ack! Not fair! Sadly, that version was NOT released in the US. There's only the one version here!

@ sleepycal: I'd say that the first game is WELL worth playing, but not even close to as amazing as ZOE 2nd Runner. The first game has a lot of preachy story that's kind of irritating, and a stunning lack of variety in enemies. However, it's still fun and the gameplay itself is awesome :)

[PDorr3]

after reading this, I am definitly picking it up next time I go out if I can find it, and I am going to play the original ZOE for old times sake :)

[Raedon]

HIGH SPEED ROBOT ACTION!

great game. 6 hour play time though.

[Oobgarm]

Was away on vacation when this was posted...

A wonderful game for those looking for some quick action. The story isn't the greatest, but the gameplay is wonderful.

Plus, the unlockable game in it is well worth the playthrough to get it. 8-)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Decided to give this game a whirl after reading your review and managed to pick up a copy at Gamestop for 17.99 used. I haven't actually played the game yet so I can't really comment on your review or it's gameplay, music, ect. However I just finish watching the amazingly cool (and longggg) intro a couple of minutes ago and was blown away at the qulity of it. I mean, not only were the graphics and music awesome in it, but it had a Vic Viper mech and the Gradius enter coin sound effect in it!