ZOE: The 2nd Runner

[Moodmon]

[enters ZOE fanboy mode]

With the release of the PAL version of this (which waits inside my PS2) I was wondering what all you import people thought of it. I haven't had time for a huge go at it, but it seems to keep all the hallmarks of the original. That is HUGE cut-scenes, a poor English translation, poor voice acting and some of the finest no-brain action on the format.

There are a couple of minor problems thus far though. The wonderful graphics of the original have been given a slightly cell-shaded look to them (especially the debris clouds). The cut scenes are now anime, and seem totally at odds with the CGI in the original. And some tit decided to let people talk over the intro music. Dammit people, that's one of the highlights of the series. It'll also be the same idiot who put in the daft 'Anubis Vs Jehuty' and 'High Speed Robot Action' bits. Who decided to call the main charatcer Dingo. And a woman Ken. [sighs]

Sometimes I wonder if Kojima is a little too much up himself (his signatures on the cover art). But then, I look at the ace new grab stuff (spin huge mech round and lob it at things) and the tweaking of the dash/burst attacks (no more cheap spamming people from range).

And of course, Leo pilots the Vic Viper. Yep, the ship from Gradius now turns into a mech. And it has shield, option, ripple etc. Al-right. Just try not to give away all the plot in the video like KOTOR. My prediction...

The woman with the man's name buys it. Hopefully in a violent, messy way.

[exits ZOE fanboy mode]

[Flabio]

I'm finding it to be much tougher than the original. havn't played the import version, so chances are they've made the EU one a bit harder. They've added the dodgy porn-esque 'European Extreme' mode as well, heh.

[Moodmon]

Much tougher as in I've actually died before the end of the game. Unlike the original. Ahem.

[Cacophanus]

Oh, you must have played a copy of Anubis minus the suck. I just got the crummy bash em up with wasted design work.

[Moodmon]

Well, it is the PAL version...

I've had time for a real good play, and haven't noticed this suck you speak of. It ain't as easy as the last game, the controls are good, the new viable sub-weapons are good, and you can smash robots into scenery.

There is at least one good set-piece per level (highlights include the train and bringing down an armarda of ships), the music is wonderful, and I can only think of three complaints.

The camera gets messy in enclosed spaces, and the anime cut-scenes look worse than the CGI in the original. And Dingo is a rubbish name for a lead character.

I cannot dislike a game with a macross style version of the Vic Viper from Gradius. Option!

[Flabio]

All indications are that they've improved it from the NTSC versions. Exactly by how much is tricky to say.

[Cacophanus]

Well, it is the PAL version...

Which, as far as I can ascertain, is considerably shoddier than the NTSC original. Admittedly the additional extras are nice, but the UK release is slooooooooow.

[Moodmon]

On me portable, 60Hz always stretches the screen off the edge, so I can't see everything. And I can't tell the difference speed wise. But I can tell that PAL looks better (see KOTOR).

But then, everyone else swears by 60Hz. I'm happy with ZOE 2 though, and would recommend it to anyone to rent (really, it's much too short to buy. Unless you're an idiot)

[Cacophanus]

On me portable, 60Hz always stretches the screen off the edge, so I can't see everything. And I can't tell the difference speed wise. But I can tell that PAL looks better (see KOTOR).

But then, everyone else swears by 60Hz. I'm happy with ZOE 2 though, and would recommend it to anyone to rent (really, it's much too short to buy. Unless you're an idiot)

Anubis is actually oone long cutscene with a bonus mecha game.

[broder]

It's simple see... If you like mechas.. then you like ZOE2.
I've only played an hour or something and i found it to be really good, but then again i really did love the first game and still do. But this game is on hold since Disgaea is ruining my life at the moment.

[broder]

On me portable, 60Hz always stretches the screen off the edge, so I can't see everything. And I can't tell the difference speed wise. But I can tell that PAL looks better (see KOTOR).

But then, everyone else swears by 60Hz. I'm happy with ZOE 2 though, and would recommend it to anyone to rent (really, it's much too short to buy. Unless you're an idiot)

Uhmm.... You know i don't think it's supposed to do that, i have one of thos prog.scan toshibas wich am turning back since all my ntsc material stretches vertically..

(soooo, i am an idiot but you dont need to be so open about it) (^_^)

[Moodmon]

Point 1: My portable also refuses to use RGB properly. It's too dark, and when you turn the brightness up you have ghosts of what's on the TV at the time (?!?)

Point 2:

Anubis is actually oone long cutscene with a bonus mecha game.

Well...errr....the....see....

Look over there, a three headed monkey! Saying "What?" for the 19th time in a cut-scene.

[Cacophanus]

It's simple see... If you like mechas.. then you like ZOE2.

...or...not...

[Moodmon]

Havinh been bored before I went to bed, I watched the intro through again. There's another intro video afterwards, with tatty remixed music. But is also includes a clip of what looks like a 3d Gradius mini-game. Must...complete...game...

[Cacophanus]

Havinh been bored before I went to bed, I watched the intro through again. There's another intro video afterwards, with tatty remixed music. But is also includes a clip of what looks like a 3d Gradius mini-game. Must...complete...game...

...it's called Zoradius and is the only redeeming feature in a over-hyped and eminently average title...no really...