Product Description

The humans living on Antilia, a colony in orbit of the planet Jupiter, think of themselves as "Enders" since they're essentially at the end, or furthest reach, or 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 mechanised attack vehicle called an orbital frame.

In Zone of 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10012 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Konami
• Released on: 2002-11-01
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
Apart from the likes of the Mechwarrior series, mainly aimed at hard-core gamers, robot fighting sims have not really caught on in the West. Due to an extremely canny piece of marketing on Konami's part Z.O.E. comes packaged with a demo of the sequel to Metal Gear Solid, a serious candidate for best game ever and the game that introduces the delights of Gundam, Patlabor and others to a more general European audience.

Forget the derivative sci-fi back story: Z.O.E. is all about arcade action. Pilot your oversized Mech through dozens of encounters with other automated units all out for your blood. An element of strategy is added by the arenas you fight in, a cross between Judge Dredd's Mega City 1 and Akira 's Neo Tokyo--too much collateral damage to the local citizenry or architecture and it's game over. The graphics are astonishing: laser blasts and explosions fill the screen and no matter how many enemies you face the frame rate zips along. Like a lot of Japanese conversions, the longevity of the game is questionable, but while it lasts you will experience an adrenaline-packed arcade romp

But, in all honesty, a lot (a majority?) of UK gamers will be buying Z.O.E for the one-level demo of MGS2: Sons of Liberty. This is probably the most anticipated console game ever and will be a defining moment for the PS2--if the whole game lives up to the demo's promise then the wait will have been worth it. But if you have got Z.O.E. for the demo, make sure that you play the main game as well otherwise you will be missing out on an exhilarating if short-lived gaming experience. --Michael Bartley

DailyRadar.com
Konami's big bad robot battler from the future is nearly upon us, and PS2-toting fans of classic anime and classic arcade action have good reason to be enthused. The game is gorgeous, the designs are gorgeous and the action is (mostly) uninterrupted, fast and furious. Thanks in no small part to a superb, free-floating camera that dives and wheels about to capture the action, players find themselves feeling like the hero of their very own anime adventure -- many games have sought to capture this sensation, but Z.O.E. succeeds.

The game is designed as a single-player experience, replete with that uniquely heavy-handed melodrama that could only have come from the east. Thankfully, maestro developer Kojima and team have included the opportunity to go mano a mano, and while it's not got enough depth to be a game in itself, it's good fun -- especially with a friend on equal footing. Getting started is simple: Simply select 2 Frames (the giant robots), adjust for handicapping, select an environment and then go to it!

The versus mode serves a two-pronged purpose: First, it enables pro Frame Runners (that's what pilots are called in the colonies) to test their skills one-on-one against computer-controlled enemies, providing an uninterrupted melee with a foe whose vitality can be adjusted before starting the match. The second, more interesting feature is the ability to go head-to-head with a human foe.

What's interesting is that despite its 3D trappings, the versus mode doesn't feature a splitscreen -- one player tends to be in the foreground while the other is in the back. It's not flawless, but anyone who's familiar with the game's excellent controls will find that it's easy to adapt to. It's a fine demonstration of one of the best-handling cameras and control schemes we've laid hands on. --DailyRadar.com

Manufacturer's Description
Zone of the Enders

After witnessing the death of his friends under the foot of a giant Mech. Leo, running for his life stumbles into the cockpit of a revolutionary new Mech. From here on in, begins the story of a young boy, trying to come to terms with his fear of death and loathing for killing. Only by becoming what he hates will he survive and realise his destiny Taught how to pilot the Mech by the onboard computer, ADA. Leo teaches ADA about love, loyalty and respect for life Whether that life is biological or digital. Along the way Leo makes friends and enamies, His most dogged opponant is the beautiful and twisted Viola. A brilliant pilot and a cruel warrior. Her defeat at the hands of this boy early in the story burns like a torch in her heart She will have her revenge and teach this youngster the root of true power. At once a balls-to-the-wall shoot-em-up and essay on the sanctity of life

Metal Gear Solid 2 Trial Edition

Included with Zone of the Enders is your first exclusive chance to get your hands on a fully playable demo of the arguably the most eagerly anticipated PlayStation 2 title. Metal Gear Solid 2 is the follow up to one of the best games ever on the PlayStation and is looking likely to be far better in every department! See what the PS2 is really capable of in this stunning example of the full potential of the machine that will leave you gagging for the full game!

Customer Reviews

ZOE-Another Konami classic
Having never played a Mech fighting game i actually like I was worried at what this one might be like. To be fair i probably wouldnt of bought it if it were not for the MGS 2 demo.

Uppers: Incredible graphics Multi-player mode to be unlocked Good story Interesting characters Fast Nice Sound Good battle system

Downers: Short Ends so suddenly Multi-player not brilliant

Overall this is a great game dispite its shortness. Well deserves the ***** it has been awarded.

Mechs a nice change
The 'Mech' videogame genre is hysterically popular in Japan, but no more than a niche market elsewhere; it can often seem over-complicated and too technical to potential new gamers. However, if you like the idea of giant robots dukeing it out but were intimidated by the complexity of games like Armoured Core, this is the perfect solution. It's smart, stylish and very easy to get into; the controls are simple and fairly intuitive, although rather on the ultra-responsive side - one flick of the analogue stick and you go shooting off into the stratosphere. It's by Hideo 'Metal Gear' Kojima (that probably isn't the right spelling, sorry) so you can expect polished graphics and a 'deep' philosophical storyline told in numerous lengthy cut scenes. As many people have pointed out, the game is quite short and not very difficult to complete, plus there is a fair amount of repetition in the levels... you're just basically fighting enemies and collecting things in the same kinds of environments all the way through. Nevertheless, at its new budget price it's well worth a go, and I for one will be looking out for the apparently much-improved sequel next year.

VERY MOVING BUT VERY BRILLIANT.
This is the best 3-D Adventure yet some parts are moving though. It will have you thrilled from start to end you won't want to stop playing.