Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS Review

Thanks to some smart blindsiding and a little lack of control (especially in the new mode specifically designed for virtual reality, known as VeRy Easy, I never felt nauseous or overwhelmed, as these fast paced games can tend to do. Effects felt punchy and the aging graphics are instantly smoothed over – thanks in large part to great texture work and, admittedly, lower expectations when playing in VR. This will be the way I tackle Zone of the Enders going forwards – though it’s a shame the first game wasn’t bundled in here to form a complete package.

Presentation:

There is support here for 4K visuals, but with such sharp graphics anyway it’s difficult to really see how the effect benefits Zone of the Enders. Whilst the visuals aren’t anything to write home about – especially if you’re simply playing on the TV – the audio is still stellar – at least the soundtrack is. Instantly recognizable and hauntingly beautiful, this OST stands toe to toe with some of the all-time greats in my opinion, and is one part of the package that has aged wonderfully.

The voice work leaves a lot to be desired, but honestly compared to its peers in 200X Zone of the Enders was pretty far ahead of the curve. Sound effects are also great with headphones in the midst of a VR-battle, immersing you further into the hectic, futuristic fisticuffs.

Conclusion:

Zone of the Enders will likely garner few new fans from this re-re-release, but for existing diehards it’s a sumptuous package. If you have a VR headset and any love for the slick mecha brawler, you’re going to dig what’s on offer here. If not, and you already had your fill on the PS2 (or PS3!) then you can safely skip this release in favour of something a little more modern.