Zone of the Enders HD Collection Video Review - IGN Reviews

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How does Kojima's collection of mech action games stand the test of time?
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Zone of the Enders HD Collection Video Review - IGN Reviews

[@FiveFingerOutfit]

"remember zone of the enders? oh course you don't!" uh yeah. i do, guy.

[@rikitikki3688]

Someone Somebinks the hell is with the hostility

[@TalesOfBrian]

that's waaay too much bashing on the 1st zoe. I remember playing this as a kid, the horrible imagery of a world burning, I felt like I was there in that cockpit. The second boss, first real boss, whatever, he was so creepy, and it took me awhile to figure out to hurt him after his health hit the 50% mark. This game was one of the first that gave me moral conflict. Do I save civilians or just move on? As a kid I was far less cynical than I am now and always saved them. The game was unique and ahead of its time in a lot of ways. IGN missed the mark on another review. Even if the first game came out before your time you should still be able to appreciate this game. It's not every day a game rolls robots, kids and a dark story up so well. You may even do more harm than good by trying to save the civilians and accidentally wiping them all out. Don't listen to the simple minds at IGN, the first is a classic!

[@name5748]

To be honest, I'm more likely to listen to the ones that don't insult someone else for no reason.

[@12370david]

TalesOfBrian Although that's a good point for playing the original, I still sometimes felt the game was half-bakes and was happy it was so short so that I could get into ZOE 2 faster. I never played the game as a kid but I did play every ps1 and ps2 Kojima game back then, so ZOE 1 was almost unbearable to get through since it was arguably Kojima's low point in writing, aside from the civilian casualty ordeal which dis not really impact the story wether I failed or not. I did, however, find much gratification for playing through ZOE 1 since it did introduce me to EVA and the kid(can't recall his name off the top of my head) because their relationship was arguably the best part of the game's story that preps you for ZOE 2. ZOE 2 on the other hand nails absolutely everything right and is in my opinion a must play classic. You can skip ZOE 1 and play ZOE 2 in full but playing ZOE 1 and skipping ZOE 2 is a sin against Kojima.

[@yetanothergamechannel4440]

Yes, it seems to be an overall consensus that the first game is still pretty great. Even today, it holds up for it's unique gameplay and story. ADA constantly reminds you as you're fighting that, oh, by the way, that crazy move you did to the enemy to knock down some of its health quickly? Some of that impact also killed a bunch of unprotected civilians with no chance of defending themselves, just in the blink of an eye. That's what you get for being reckless. Maybe people die directly from your actions, maybe from the enemy, and maybe you stop caring all together about the little people and launch your enemy into civilian buildings, gladly sacrificing civilians just for a better chance at keeping yourself alive and killing your enemy. What a moral dilemma! Yes, too much bashing on the first ZOE for sure. If it wasn't worthy, we may not have a 2nd game, as well as a few anime movies based on the games.

[@Drucifer1999]

Ign has the absolute shittiest review in all of video game history.

[@Lawless5930]

Gold brought me here

[@gamewizord]

Even thought the first game is a rough skippable game really? 2nd may be better but both are worth playing and the original is not disappointing .

[@k00LGuY671]

I have to admit, I bought this game only because of the MGS2 Demo included. But I quickly fell in love with this game. I bought the 2nd runner immediately when it came out. I bought the HD collection without hesitation.

[@discord6996]

All I think about is the fact that mechs have actual "cockpits"

[@rRainbows]

bout to be free with GOLD sept 1st-15th

[@eejdmrj3hw]

I liked ZOE1 xD

[@Bloodbane2099]

same here,bah good old IGNorance

[@TheSupar]

ZOE1 was beast, what on earth is this guy talking about, i could name only a few games of the same era that were as good as zoe1

[@yetanothergamechannel4440]

I think maybe the IGN guys don't even play the games themselves, but just watch the cut-scenes or videos of others playing. That would certainly explain their bashing of the first game. Even so, while the first isn't as visually stylized as the 2nd, it was still very good. They complain about the encounters and backtracking, but those encounters with a few guys out to destroy the colony helped to add pressure on you, the runner of Jehuty, and the moral dilemma was always on your shoulders. Did you keep all the people of the first colony safe earlier? Great! But more guys are coming to destroy it, whether you're moving on or not. The weight is always on your shoulders. Will you ignore them, or move on? And even if you choose to help, you may be the architect of their destruction unwittingly, just by trying to defend yourself. You can't be reckless. Every move you make matters. The pressure of the 2nd game is all on the battlefield and personal survival and adapting to new environments, and so it's more fast-paced. In the first, it's your survival as well as the defenseless people of the colonies, making it slower-paced while still action oriented. Both games have a very different feel because of that, and both are quite good. This, I believe, is at the heart of what most players felt while playing this series.

[@pforgottonsoul]

i've heard by many others that the first game was rough so it's not just ign.

[@RicardoRiSkAmaro17]

I'm playing it right now and they backtracking is rough indeed...

[@MetalRenard]

To this day, ZOE2 remains one of my favourite games of all time. And the story is good, it's one of the reasons I love the game.

[@Clu5961]

After Playing armored core 6 I definitely wanna play more mech games, and this is definitely one I'm playing

[@qwertyMrJINX]

1 worse than 2? Now you're just being silly.

[@bucket9486]

Uh, why exactly? In my opinion, 1 is NOTHING compared to the mecha awesomeness that is ZOE2.

[@cdoc6558]

+Bucketninja you got a point besides have you heard of far cry 3 and far cry 3 blood dragon

[@bucket9486]

C Doc Yeah.

[@cdoc6558]

Bucketninja well blood dragon has nothing to do with far cry 3 in blood dragon the characters are differnt, the plot is differnt, the cutsences and grathics are differnt witch makes no sence why is blood dragon called far cry 3 blood dragon if i has nothing to do with far cry 3

[@soufioscar6104]

ITS BACKWARD COMPATIBLE FOR XBOX ONE NOW

[@rRainbows]

bout to be free with GOLD sept 1st-15th

[@9ALiTY]

1 is Great why do people not like it?

[@alecpanic]

this collection was my first experience of the series, with little knowledge of the original ps2 releases. Despite my lack of nostalgia I am glad to say I really enjoyed both games overall! Actually, the roughness of the first game only gave me more respect for all of the changes made in the second. xD

[@CheesieGamer]

Just bought it on ebay... Getting all the Ps2 HD ports

[@sandman4832]

To date this game, both the 1st and 2nd, are still the best big battle mech brawlers out there. What the first game did, for its time, was nothing short of revolutionary!

[@chrisozorio2487]

7.6 to much movement- ign

[@XiterLine]

PS Plus brought me here. Yep, still enjoying some old games on PS3 until PS Plus stop the free games :(

[@unclejune2839]

Pablo Tedeschi me too

[@AuthorJoelKrupa]

Downloading it now on my dusty old PS3 Slim.

[@jclausell]

I'm here too. Getting some old trophies i couldn't get back in the day. I'll get PS4 trophies later.

[@deadly_m5]

Currently getting it on my series x since it can do backwards compatibility lol gonna be buttery smooth 😊

[@samuraipai]

Part 2 is the best one. It looks amazing, plays awesomely and (probably) totally holds up even after 8 years (or so)

[@r123456789rei123]

1rst one reminds me of neon genesis evangelion

[@15thCrypt]

Just saying what I've seen. I was looking up this game a week ago and found a bunch of customer reviews that all call this collection very lackluster and that some of the issues are as bad as the ones from the Silent Hill collection. Also saw some comparison videos of this and the collection and saw that some of the things were a bit slower. So its possible you either got lucky & had good version of the game or only a few had the bugs but complained a lot. Still getting it in the future.

[@DreyfussOldStuff]

This review is absolutely right. The HD collection is worth the buy for ZoE2 alone. DO NOT make the childish mistake that because you haven't heard of it, the game must not be good. That reasoning is just as false as the "hipster" idea that it's good because you haven't heard of it. ZoE is just good, period. Take it from someone that has played thousands of games over 20 years. ZoE2 had a criminally short production run. You don't often get second chances like this.

[@hyperforce]

The cool part about ZOE (I've only played the second runner) is that it controls amazingly well. The game is skill based at times, so some bosses will require you to learn their attacks and weaknesses and counter their moves. But the game presents you with your arsenal one ability at a time.

[@Archerxtreme]

It's a single player only game and they're all easy to get...though time consuming for some.."The Last Chase" achievement is very irritating..In the "Two Songstresses" mission which is a replay of the last episode of Macross F is a super long Chase mode only mission but with long unskippable movies.Pilot EVERY SINGLE UNIT in this mission and you get the Last Chase Achievement..very irritating and time consuming. Bunch of youtube videos are available to help you gain them. They're all winnable.

[@Archerxtreme]

I've played all the Another Century Episode games on PS2 and the latest on PS3...my question is HOW ON EARTH DID I NOT PLAY THESE AMAZING GAMES!!!! It is clear the gamestyle, UI and possibly engine are all the same used by Another Century's Episode....or is it the other way round? I'm willing to bet Zone of The Enders is the real deal! And i'm gonna play them both! Thanks for the video!

[@statesminds]

I remember this from ps2 but didn’t realize they rereleased it wtf lol

[@christopherharper5542]

We still need Z.O.E 3!

[@15thCrypt]

- during something at e3 (think it was the one like 2 years ago) he hinted at it while talking about the collection -few months ago it was confirmed Honestly dont remember how long ago it was so I cant cite anything but you could probably find the info with a quick search

[@15thCrypt]

This collection has been said to be kinda crappy. Some of the frame rates are slower than the original version for example. I heard there were a few glitches as well. Usually collections are the same as when they were on the original console but in this case its more of an "eh"

[@ColdBandit]

People... the guy asking if it comes with a MGS2 Demo is because the original Zone of the Enders came with a MGS2 demo and that is one of the main reason's that anyone bought it. It is just a clever marketing trick that they had the Metal Gear Rising demo on this collection.

[@Archerxtreme]

If you haven't played the earlier ps3 ACE games i suggest you do...they work great on ps2 emulation. dont require that much pc power for these three particular games. BTW, I've got ALL the achievements for ACE R, have you? They're pretty easy to get actually.

[@JohnsonBoba]

IGN is by far garbage these days. They're all about mainstream and first person shooters and plat forms. They don't have any respect or feel for Japanese RPGs or these type of games anymore.

[@RealCoachMustafa]

Doesn't mean it's well known. Go to your local Gamestop, ask people about Zone of the Enders. I bet none of the customers would know what it is, and half the staff probably wouldn't know either.

[@GutterDemon123]

ZOE 1 was my favorite game of all time. beat it several times and fell in love with the characters, never played 2

[@Jffxdeejay560]

Loved these games back in the day and I enjoyed playing them again. I just could never get over the "cockpit"

[@15thCrypt]

Hollow may have been the wrong word for it but the 1st game has been regarded as highly mediocre and the reason the series never took off.

[@ReiAyanami8]

Saying the voice acting for ZOE 2 is "much improved" over the first isn't saying much, I mean the first one had REALLY shitty voice acting, as does the second. Saying it's better is like saying "Hey look, there's the skinniest fat person here!" I would have much preferred redone VO or at least the option to switch to the original Japanese audio. Still, it's a fun game. Now make ZOE 3 already, GOD DAMN IT!

[@cici2121]

I do agree with this review in some ways. ZOE 1 was fun but it was short and kinda bland, when I beaten the game I was like "What really... that's it? :l" Though when I started The 2nd Runner its so much more fun. I think the game length is about the same as the first, but there is so much more going on to keep you entertained so the game length doesnt matter. Though I do think this guy shoulda gave this HD collection a better concluding score. 7/10? No sir. 8.5/10 at best.

[@flipsilog_Gaming]

How could you guys say that ZOE1 is hollow.. It wouldn't have a sequel without it. Hoping that Kojima-san would make a 3rd game!!

[@hp123434]

I got this collection at Gamestop and it said, on the box, that it came with a demo of MGS Ground Zeros. I was like, "bullshit", and asked the clerk if this was true. He said it was. Now I bought the collection for the actual games, so I'm not disappointed, but sure enough that was some false advertisement haha,

[@xbrian1992x]

I only played the 1st game and I still own it and thought it was an amazing game but I guess you people at ign will only rate that over rated fps CoD good when its far from good black ops 2 looks bad and the voice acting is bad and you give it an undeserving 9.3 and yet this game which is amazing gets a 7 ign doesn't know what a good game is

[@CornishCreamtea07]

Well if your a fan of Metal Gear your going to buy the game anyway, why buy another game, just to play a small section of it.

[@Steamedhams578]

I guess as an hd collection it isnt well realised and thats the problem. The hd isnt that great and theres the framerate issues

[@amx9122]

I loved ZOE 1 even though I never got to play the second one but I hope they have it on psnow, maybe kojima got out of Konami so he could build his own thing and maybe he'll come up with ZOE3 on ps4, THAT would be SICK!!

[@MasonMillerKingofCaturday]

Kojima hardly did anything for ZOE, he was only a producer

[@kaminskasmitchell]

This game is something else. Its a mech simulator done anime-super-action style with tons of bright colors and dizzying amounts of movement. It's quite different from most mech games. If you're looking for a good mech game, I would recommend the original Steal Batallion games, those were the shiiiiiit.

[@cantwhistleforshit]

Okay, Game 1 gets a sequel but it's "hollow." Game 2 marks the end of the franchise, but it's amazing. I love both games and yeah, 2 was better, but your logic doesn't make sense. Obviously enough people enjoyed it and saw potential in it that they wanted a second.

[@stebsis]

People complaining about the score, ZoE1 dragged it down. Face it, it's not that good game. Everyone most likely will buy this for ZoE2 like said in review, but reviewers still need to consider it as a package and not just exclude the other game and pretend it's not there.

[@th3Invincible]

ZoE 2 is my all-time favorite game, and it really is miles better than the first game. Gonna have to say I agree with the first game's story and voice acting being pretty damn bad, but still not a bad game. Just inferior to2nd Runner in every way imaginable.

[@josevelajr]

I don't think he was knocking the series as far as its quality goes, I think he was just commenting on the fact that its underrated and didn't sell well. If it doesn't sell well, it doesn't get a sequel. He even calls it underrated a couple sentences later.

[@ShadrackMeduson]

this guy sounds like he started playing videogames in this gen, not a real gamer, this game offers a great deal of challange and hardcore gaming with just a campaing, something that many games praised by IGN can barely do with a full multiplayer

[@Tahames]

Did anyone else buy ZOE for the MGS2 Demo and find out there was an enjoyable game with ZOE. I know for fact I want to buy this collection seeing I never played the 2nd one. Sad panada that The ICO and Shadow of the Colossus is only PS3

[@Daxien]

It still saddens me that to this day people will buy this for the demo, and probably not experience what a fantastic game ZoE2 is ( and ZoE1 too to a lesser extent), I just ask of anyone who buys this to at least play for an hour or two

[@Chrisorr]

well that settles it, I gotta buy this tomorrow as we still has a few more copies where I work. I was sketchy of it before because 1) recent HD remakes have sucked. and 2) I've never even heard of Zone of the enders until is was release in the HD collection.

[@TheodoreAhn]

I think we're at the point of our time where we should consider how much is being dedicated to make stories better in a game and how they utilize effects to enhance the gamers' experience in "living out" their games. We were focused on improving gaming systems for a long time and we are still far behind, but stories are becoming a big part of it really fast. I hope we see less of tedious text dialogues and horrible cut scenes in the future...

[@PonchoANS7]

I didn't find any major technical issues. Yeah, there was some problems with the frame rates, but they were passable. I would honestly recommend this to anyone that likes action games, and highly recommend it to mech fans.

[@Socialdfan323]

I loved the first one, i dont know what this dude is talking about, but if the second one is that much better, i cant wait to play., N i got to play a little of the new Metal gear...so disapointed.

[@AzureFayt]

it spawned a few anime and ovas, games on game boy advance and was even showcased on twin snakes back in the day. Jehuty and anubis custom figures are STILL being sold all over the frigging world.

[@SharpWanker]

kind of dumb the verdict on ZOE 1 and 2 are out so if your not buying it for one it is the other why harp on the fact that you hate ZOE 1 for 2 minuets when you can treat it as additional content.

[@lunarproduction]

Okay I was playing to day I though voice acting was geat for back then. WHat the is bad voiceacting? I feel like people say that they are not being clea about what theymeans.

[@jojoash7926]

i know. instead of real final reviews, they should say opinion instead. if this was on any other console first it would get 8.0 or 8.5 etc. just saying. aka xbox.

[@TheFormActually]

ofcourse the acting is crap when you have english voices over Jpn artwork and storyline... dubing is always worst case scenario.... and if you can..AVOID it...

[@subzeroblaze]

The reason there hasn't been a sequel IGN is because Kojima and Fox have been busy pumping out Metal Gear games despite Kojima and Fox wanting to make ZoE 3.

[@PyramidHACK]

Does the HD version or the original version have an option to use the Japanese voice acting? I HATE playing Japanese-made games with English voice acting.

[@CornishCreamtea07]

Why would you buy a game just to play the demo that comes with it. Those people are pretty stupid.

[@scottrich7469]

another poor review by ign surprise surprise

[@TheJameezy]

I will be honest. Never heard of this game before. Guys think a noob could jump right ino this possibly?

[@untrustfulstatue1314]

And how dare you say skip ZOE1. True people will play it. Us ZOE fans like both and secound. Secound maybe better but ZOE1 is good aswell.

[@ShadowtheHedgehog717]

i wanna get this game but it looks way too complicated...kinda looks like kingdom hearts(which i like btw).Is this game complicated to play?

[@GiupyTravel]

IMO it's 7.0 to ZoE1 and 9.0 to ZoE2... so the package should be 8.0... the 2nd runner is a masterpiece and one of the best games ever for PS2

[@michaelbiland5575]

This is not to say that ZOE 1 or 2 are bad games, but Kojima had absolutely NOTHING to to with the development of either of them. He was just the producer, which just means that you are backing the project. This is such a huge misconception that drives me absolutely nuts, with heaps of idiots saying "If you like MGS, you'll like ZOE." NO. Kojima was solely the producer, not the designer, director, composer, writer, or anything like that. He was just the producer. Thanks for reading to the end, if you did. I just had to get it off my chest. Such a massive misconception.

[@rikitikki3688]

Michael Biland fair enough. I love this game to death and hate any bashing it gets but fair enough

[@atylerblack164]

Producers generally play a big role. Producers and directors almost always get more recognition than the writers and designs.

[@jleiros]

Enders are the people living "at the end of the world" alias, in space, space colonies etc.

[@techyin326]

i have the first zone of enders given to me by a friend, i never knew it was that popular....huh, oh well! let the dust keep on collecting

[@SAMASzero]

So what? Those suckers are the same people that got us the GBA game, the animes, and the sequel. So I say let Konami have their money.

[@dnalloh1987]

Yea its angry hearing him not appreciating what the first did only after playing the 2nd game he calls it hollow can you say biased..

[@nekousagyichigo]

By the way, these games are way better than some of today games. I consider them to deserve 8 or 9 or another person to review the games.

[@jojoash7926]

ill be getting this game when zoe 3 comes out for ps3/4 anyway. i already played this game on ps2 and its amazing. ignore the reviews.

[@swarlsbarkley9348]

why? when the demo comes out for free, my holidays are over. and the demo is awesome, I'm still not finished to discover new combos.

[@mathewhaight]

100% Even when he is give a positive review he tends to insult fans of the game or game series like his review for sonic generations.

[@blakespidey]

Ok, I don't know why anyone would just get this game for the demo anymore, seeing as it's been in the PSN for like a month now.

[@kungfusteeze]

Hmm... I missed out on The 2nd Runner. And absolutely loved the original ZoE. So, by the time I get this its gonna be worth it.

[@SupremeKingToshiro]

Never played this game but looking for something different what is the story of the game and it look good is it worth getting

[@TheGroovemaker1]

you will become a diehard fan once you play ZOE2, and wonder why there hasn't been a ZOE3 as I have for the past 10 years

[@litofernandez1]

2nd runner is total krap, Repetetive kak and naf story, Dis hd ed should b less than a fiver to buy, Not worth d money,

[@goofella35]

@chrissk08 Wow that's going to the first retro games and kojima's debut in the gaming world surprised people still know it

[@zereph7167]

The 2nd runner was beast

[@RICT0R]

Enders Project, why do all the ZOE HD Collection reviews say there still isn't any news about a ZOE3...when there is?

[@razial36]

I played the original ZoE on my Ps2 and i loved it , IGN making it look terrible makes me more dissapoint in IGN

[@2rok334]

They don't fuck around when using the term "Cockpit" in this game... Fans of the series will know what I mean...

[@ernestog20]

the ZOE games has some of the most intuitive controls on not just any mech game but any action game ever made. there is nothing like it before or after. it should definitely be experienced at least once. worth buying with or without a MGS demo.

[@Tristen778]

Oi, get out of kindergarten before coming and saying things. Your mommy should keep a larger eye out on you.

[@KarlM29]

It was revealed earlier from animate News Network that zone of the Enders 3 is in the works from Konami.

[@gagongflip389]

Lol cmon ZOE1 was just a promotional game really for the MGS series. I agree though ZOE 2 was so badass, the multiplayer is really good too. I just wish they made a gundam version of this with the the same gameplay.

[@QuartzIsAnOxide]

You've never heard of Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, have you?

[@fmshrey]

That gameplay is nothing like this

[@gagongflip389]

Masked lunatic I did and it pales in comparison. They just don't have the maneuvaribility lol. Jehuty will just dance around them and call it a day.

[@mathewhaight]

Disagree and work and your typing skills. It gives people a headache to read your chicken scratch.

[@hercufles]

Yeah you can I never played this game on ps 2 I personalythink that the controls are really easy.

[@joey199412]

zone of the enders 1 is NOT hollow, wtf?. Yes 2 is better but that doesn't make 1 a hollow game.

[@Rogue_Console]

got my limited edition copy for £23 on ebay! :D

[@MEPSIPAX826]

Fun fact: the guy who voiced Nohman voiced Mojo Jojo from the Powerpuff Girls.

[@BloopinDaThird]

Owned both even bought em twice just for collection and won't regret getting the HD collection