Z.O.E : Zone of the Enders
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Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami jpn
Rated:
"What exactly did Hideo do?"
[submitted by dancingmind ]
I bought this game after Metal Gear Solid 2, so I am one of the few that did NOT buy the game for the Demo of MGS2. ZOE (Zone of the Enders) has pretty much the same control scheme as Metal Gear�s making it real easy to pick up and play. It also controls solidly like you�d expect, but there is still something missing. While it�s clear that this game is developed by the superior group who make the Metal Gear Solid series, ZOE doesn�t feel like the kind of game that Hideo Kojima's are able to make. Elements are the same, but the package seems a little weak.
Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things I like about this game. It has a fantastic mood to it, an incredible VS mode and great controls. But it seems to lack enough things that make the game feel incomplete and more like a demo. The length for starters, is really short. When the game was suddenly over, I was surprised. It seemed like it was about to move to a new chapter (like the plant episode in MGS2) but instead is a blantant indication that a sequel is coming.
I found the graphics for the level design very bland, and the very tiny levels pissed me off with the appearance of a red wall that mysteriously won't allow you to explore. After seeing games like GTA3 and Jak and Daxter where entire levels are seamlessly integrated, it was really dissapointing to see such a small fighting area. They should really have eliminated the overview map and allowed people to cruise from one area to the next seamlessly. Perhaps the sequel will solve that problem.
The main character Leo, is a little kid. He annoyed me a bit, but not enough to lose any marks. I just didn't understand why a 12 year old was the protagonist in a M rated game. The relationship between Leo and ADA was great and showed Kojima's interest in making a father/son type game (something he has been talking about doing for a long time). I wish that the sequel had a returning Leo as a hard assed Snake-esque character. It would be good character development to share that much of his growing experience.
There is definate potential in this game, but it really didn't have the "polished" feel that I'm used to in a Hideo Kojima game. It makes me wonder how much involvement Kojima really had in it. Did he only work on the fantastic direction in the cutscenes? Surely, he would have wanted more time involved in making a deeper storyline.
I am glad that ZOE is in my collection of games, but I doubt that it is one that I will return to many times. the replayability is uncompetable with MGS2, GTA3 or NBA2K2. It�s cool that you can unlock a two player mode and some extra fighters, but it is otherwise somewhat limited. I hope the sequel offers a lot more to be desired.
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