| Platform | OVERALL |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | 6.40 |
| Overall | 6.40 |
|
Some games feel like a test run for an idea that gets fleshed out in a sequel, Zone of the Enders is one such game. This is a simple mech combat game that can be beaten in about 4-5 hours with no extra modes or any other content to pad the length. The mechs are fun to control but the gameplay remains simple from start to finish. You control Jehuty, a flying fast mech which can attack with laser fire from afar and has a sword for up close combat. Combat mostly involves dodging with a boost dodge and swooping in for some melee attacks then flying back to avoid an attack. The camera will lock on to the enemy as you fly about all around him. The moves you perform depend on whether you are moving or staying still when you attack. There are also charge attacks and secondary weapons most of which are useless except two or three of them. The game is broken up into small hub areas which have missions to perform. Most missions involve killing a squad of enemies who have keys or new items required to unlock a different hub area. Throughout the game there are only three enemy types, they do get harder as the game goes on but it is unacceptable to have so few enemy types. There are five optional rescue missions where there are survivors in the hub and you need to protect them from attacking squads. This mode should have been the whole game as it is the only time strategy is needed. These missions grade you on how little collateral damage there is to the city and how many civilians you save. I went for a platinum trophy so I need to get perfect A ranks on all these missions. It is the only challenge I experienced in the entire game and the only time where any kind of combat strategy is needed. This is the kind of depth needed throughout the rest of the game but sadly all other missions are basic go here, get that, fight the same enemies over and over. Being a Kojima Prodcutions game of course there are big boss battles but they are spaced out terribly. You fight two at the start of the game, play the entire game, then fight three nearly back to back at the end. The bosses seem intimidating at first but after some pattern recognition a good player should have no issue defeating them easily. I expected much more from the story, what I did not know was that it was not written by Kojima which was noticeable cause there were no 10 minute cutscenes. The result is a story is filled with unlikable, whiny, annoying characters with a cheesy plot about an innocent boy who doesn't want to kill anyone learning the value of murdering your enemies. It's ridiculous and so anime influenced that it did not hold my interest at all. Zone of the Enders has a good core base of mechanics to build on. Controlling the mech is fun. With some well designed missions the mech gameplay would shine greatly. This game needs fleshing out and I know the sequel did just that, which means this game is rather pointless now. |
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Posted by Dvader Fri, 29 Aug 2014 05:37:38
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 10:54:59
How many people would have bought this if it didn't come with a Metal Gear Solid 2 demo?
Sat, 30 Aug 2014 16:50:11
Like 5. The MGS2 demo was way better than this.
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