(Redirected from Zone of the Enders (series))
Zone of the Enders (ゾーン オブ エンダーズ, Zōn obu Endāzu ZONE OF ENDERS) is a video game franchise created by Konami that focused around space mecha combat involving Orbital Frames. The original Zone of the Enders video game was developed for the launch of the PlayStation 2, citation needed but was pushed back a year, to March 2001. Nintendo Game Boy Advance Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars Sony PlayStation 2 Zone of the Enders Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner.
Zone of the Enders (ゾーン オブ エンダーズ, Zōn obu Endāzu ZONE OF ENDERS) is a video game franchise created by Konami that focused around space mecha combat involving Orbital Frames. The original Zone of the Enders video game was developed for the launch of the PlayStation 2, citation needed but was pushed back a year, to March 2001. 'Zone of the Enders (ゾーン オブ エンダーズ Zōn obu Endāzu), often abbreviated as Z.O.E., is a video game that was developed and published by Konami in 2001 for the PlayStation 2.
Zone of the Enders | |
---|---|
Genre(s) | Third-person shooter Tactical role-playing |
Developer(s) | Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Sunrise Interactive High Voltage Software HexaDrive Cygames |
Publisher(s) | Konami |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 Game Boy Advance PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 |
First release | Zone of the Enders
|
Latest release | Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS |
Zone of the Enders (ゾーン オブ エンダーズZōn obu Endāzu ZONE OF ENDERS) is a video game franchise created by Konami that focused around space mecha combat involving Orbital Frames. The original Zone of the Enders video game was developed for the launch of the PlayStation 2,[citation needed] but was pushed back a year, to March 2001.
That first game has so far spawned a direct sequel (as well as an HD compilation), a Game Boy Advanceside-story, an original video animation entitled 2167 Idolo, and a twenty-six episode animetelevision series. Together, these comprise the Zone of the Enders franchise.
- 1Common themes
- 2Games
Common themes[edit]
Setting[edit]
The Zone of the Enders series is set in the late 22nd century. Mankind has colonized Mars, and space colonies are also set up in orbit around Jupiter. Fueling this expansion are two scientific advances: the development of the Laborious Extra-Orbital Vehicle, or LEV, a mecha used for labor and military use, and the discovery of Metatron, a high-energy ore found on Callisto.
However, those in power on Earth begin to take a dim view of the colonists of Mars and Jupiter, calling them 'Enders', and imposing harsh and exploitive laws and taxes against them. Eventually, different groups on Mars begin to rise up in opposition to Earth, the most well known of these called BAHRAM. A new weapon given to these rebels is the Orbital Frame, essentially a Super Robot which makes extensive use of Metatron-based technology. These Orbital Frames come to shape the destiny of Earth and its colonies, for both good and evil.
Plot[edit]
Throughout the Zone of the Enders series, a number of themes and dramatic devices show up prominently. The story usually revolves around two specific Orbital Frames: Jehuty and Anubis created as the two 'keys' of a superweapon called Aumaan. In the first game, BAHRAM forces attack Jupiter's colony Antilia to secure the two Frames, killing several civilians in the process. One of the few survivors, Leo Stenbuck, finds Jehuty and uses it to stop the BAHRAM soldiers. Leo is then hired by the Space Force to deliver Jehuty back to their ship. On his way to the Space Force, Leo rescues several civilians; and often talks with Jehuty's artificial intelligence, A.D.A., regarding the value of life. When succeeding, Leo is once again requested to work for the Space Force to protect the colony from another terrorist attack. Although Leo succeeds in saving the colony, he is saddened by the revelation that A.D.A. is programmed to self-destruct Jehuty in BAHRAM's fortress Aumann. Shortly before the release of the sequel, Konami released a side story that explores Leo training in the Space Force and hiding Jehuty.
The sequel, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, is set two years after the first game. The story introduces the player to an ex-BAHRAM operative named Dingo Egret, who stumbles upon the hidden Jehuty. BAHRAM soon finds Dingo; Nohman, the leader of BAHRAM, wishes to have Dingo back on his side. Dingo's reluctance to go back to BAHRAM results in Nohman shooting him. However, Nohman's minion, Ken Marinaris, saves Dingo's life by connecting his body to Jehuty and requests his help to defeat him. Dingo agrees to defeat Nohman after learning from Leo that Jehuty will self-destruct in Aumann. Dingo joins with Leo and the Space Force to defeat the BAHRAM forces. In Aumann, Dingo defeats Nohman and Anubis and then uses the remains of the two Frames to stop Aumann.
Games[edit]
Zone of the Enders (2001)[edit]
The first game in the series details the story of a boy named Leo Stenbuck, a colonist from Jupiter who accidentally finds himself piloting the Orbital Frame Jehuty.
Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars (2001)[edit]
This is a side-story released for the Game Boy Advance, about a conspiracy involving the construction of Orbital Frames for Earth. The protagonist, a young man named Cage Midwell, finds himself getting involved with a resistance organization known as BIS.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (2003)[edit]
A new pilot, Dingo Egret, finds Jehuty on the Moon of Callisto two years after the events of the first game and travels to the superweapon Aumaan in order to defeat Colonel Nohman of the BAHRAM army, who pilots Jehuty's sister craft, Anubis.
Zone of the Enders HD Collection (2012)[edit]
At E3 2011, Konami announced a re-release of Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It includes updated interfaces for the HD resolutions, redrawn art, Trophy/Achievement support, improved audio and rumble support.[1] It includes a demo for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, mirroring the first game's inclusion of the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty demo. A PlayStation Vita version was announced but was later canceled.[2] At an event in May 2012, the HD Collection was given a release date in Japan for October 25. At the same event, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the Zone of the Enders series had begun.
Future[edit]
Since 2008, Zone of the Enders 3 has been in concept development by Hideo Kojima, but was kept away from game development until all the big titles were completed. On May 25, 2012, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the Zone of the Enders series had begun.[3] However, the project was cancelled after Kojima Productions acknowledged issues within the HD Collection.[4]
![Zone Of The Enders Video Game Zone Of The Enders Video Game](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/zote.hd.01.lg.jpg)
At Tokyo Game Show 2017, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS[a] was announced, featuring enhanced graphics, 4K resolution support, VR headset support, new sound design and “next-gen surround sound”.[5]
Anime[edit]
Zone of the Enders: 2167 Idolo (released 21 February 2001) is a prequel for the entire series, telling the story of Radium Lavans, the pilot of the first Orbital Frame.
Zone of the Enders: Dolores, i (released April to September 2001) is a followup to Idolo, following the exploits of James Links, an alcoholic trucker, who, while trying to reunite with his estranged family, discovers an Orbital Frame hidden in one of his shipping containers. The frame, calling itself Dolores, seems to consider James her prince.
Reception[edit]
Game | Metacritic |
---|---|
Zone of the Enders | (PS2) 78[6] |
Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars | (GBA) 71[7] |
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner | (PS2) 82[8] |
Zone of the Enders HD Collection | (X360) 75[9] (PS3) 73[10] |
Zone of the Enders achieved moderate success. While the first game obtained good sales in North America as a result of including the demo for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty,[11]Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, received mediocre sales. Hideo Kojima cites 'errors in setting the release time frame' and being overshadowed by other major titles as the reason it did not achieve high sales.[12]
Critical reception to the two PlayStation 2 titles has been positive. The action elements and graphics generated good response.[13][14] The sequel was found to have improved several elements from the first game to the point GameSpot called it 'what the original Zone of the Enders should have been.'[15][16] Both games have also been criticized for their story modes' short length and mixed views were offered regarding their replay value.[15][17][18] The voice acting and script translation has been panned by most writers as it made the character unappealing and the dialogue repetitive, respectively.[13][17][19]
The HD Collection ported by High Voltage Software received mixed reviews, citing that the games' graphics have been improved but suffering from an inconsistent framerate not seen in the PS2 titles as well as suffering from technical issues and lack of special content for all console versions. A patch was worked on by HexaDrive and released which improved textures, anti-aliasing, and framerate, as well as restored other visual effects, but only for the PS3 version and only affected The 2nd Runner HD Edition.[20][21]
Notes[edit]
- ^Known in Japan as ANUBIS ZONE OF ENDERS M∀RS (アヌビス ゾーン オブ エンダーズ M∀RS)
References[edit]
- ^'Metal Gear and Zone of the Enders HD Collection'. IGN. 2011-06-02.
- ^https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/zone-of-the-enders-hd-collection
- ^'Kojima Productions Begins Zone of the Enders Sequel Project'. Andriasang. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^Gaston, Martin (May 3, 2013). 'Kojima axes Zone of the Enders sequel'. GameSpot. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
- ^Skrebels, Joe (September 19, 2017). 'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner remaster with VR support announced'. IGN. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^'Zone of the Enders Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^'Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^'Zone of the Enders HD Collection Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^'Zone of the Enders HD Collection Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
- ^Pavlacka, Adam (November 25, 2001). 'Video Games - 'Metal Gear Solid 2' is a must-have'. Courier News. Sun-Times Media Group: D3.
- ^Welsh, Oil (October 20, 2009). 'Kojima promises Zone of the Enders 3'. Eurogamer. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ abSmith, David (March 26, 2001). 'Zone of the Enders'. IGN. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^Sanders, Shawn (March 1, 2003). 'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review'. GameRevolution. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ^ abVaranini, Giancarlo. 'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review'. GameSpot. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ^Dunham, Jeremy (March 10, 2003). 'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review'. IGN. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- ^ abSatterfield, Shane (March 28, 2001). 'Zone of the Enders'. GameSpot. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^Fahey, Rob (October 13, 2003). 'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Review'. Eurogamer. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^'Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'. Electronic Gaming Monthly. May 1 – September 2, 2003. Archived from the original on March 1, 2004. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
- ^Linneman, John (18 August 2013). 'Zone of the Enders: how Konami remade its own HD remake'. Eurogamer. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^'ZONE OF THE ENDERS HD EDITION -はいだらクオリティへの道- For quality and performance improvement.: ヘキサドライブ日記' (in Japanese). HexaDrive. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
External links[edit]
- Zone of the Enders entry at Konami's official site
- Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars entry at Konami's official site
- Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner entry at Konami's official site
- Zone of the Enders HD Edition entry at Konami's official site for the remastered versions
- Zone of the Enders: 2167 Idolo, official site for the Zone of the EndersIdolo OVA
- Zone of the Enders: Dolores,i, official site for the Zone of the EndersDolores,i TV series
- Zone of the Enders: The Unofficial Site - Unofficial Zone of the Enders site. Contains various information on Zone of the Enders media.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zone_of_the_Enders&oldid=917191771'
EditDirected by
Noriaki Okamura |
Writing Credits (in alphabetical order)
Takashi Kitao | .. | (scenario/script: game design unit) |
Satoru Kobayashi | .. | (scenario/script: game design unit: KCE School) |
Shuyo Murata | .. | (script: scenario unit) |
Noriaki Okamura | .. | (script: scenario unit) |
Cast (in credits order)
Remy Le Boeuf | .. | Leo Stenbuck (voice) | |
Cynthia Marcucci | .. | ADA (voice) | |
Ali Johnston | .. | Celvice Klein (voice) | |
Jean Mazzei | .. | Viola (voice) | |
Bruce Robertson | .. | Rock Thunderheart (voice) | |
Roger Jackson | .. | Nohman / Axe (voice) | |
Scott Keck | .. | Slash (voice) | |
Carl Hubenthal | .. | Nightraid (voice) | |
Doug Boyd | .. | Corporal (voice) | |
Jim Singer | .. | Boy A (voice) | |
Liz Stimson | .. | Reporter (voice) | |
Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
Masashi Ebara | .. | Nohman (voice) | |
Yui Horie | .. | Celvice Klein (voice) | |
Rio Natsuki | .. | Elena Weinberg (voice) | |
Hiroyuki Oshida | .. | Nightraid (voice) | |
Debbie Rogers | .. | Elena Weinberg / Boy C (voice) | |
Hiroki Shimowada | .. | Leo Stenbuck (voice) | |
Chiharu Tezuka | .. | Viola (voice) | |
Kôsuke Toriumi | .. | Slash (voice) | |
Kiyoyuki Yanada | .. | Rock Thunderheart (voice) | |
Miki Yoshino | .. | ADA (voice) | |
Takeharu Ônishi | .. | Axe (voice) |
Produced by
Hideo Kojima | .. | producer |
Music by
Norihiko Hibino |
Akihiro Honda |
Toshiyuki Kakuta |
Maki Kirioka |
Shuichi Kobori |
Art Direction by
Nobuyoshi Nishimura |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Shiro Mukaide | .. | assistant director |
Art Department
Yoshiyuki Koido | .. | art supervisor |
Ichiro Kutome | .. | art director: package design unit |
Nobuyoshi Nishimura | .. | art director: concept design unit / illustrator: package design unit |
Toshio Noguchi | .. | art designer: concept design unit |
Yoji Shinkawa | .. | illustrator: package design unit / mechanical designer |
Sound Department
Akihiro Honda | .. | sound effects: game |
Maki Kirioka | .. | sound effects: movies / sound unit director |
Ryoji Makimura | .. | sound effects: game |
Kazuki Muraoka | .. | sound advisor / sound programmer |
Special Effects by
Masayuki Kobayashi | .. | special effects: program unit |
Masafumi Okuta | .. | special effects: program unit |
Visual Effects by
Shinichiro Hashimoto | .. | demo background/prop CG modeling: movie part design unit, KCE School |
Masaki Higashimoto | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit, Konami CGI Works |
Yuichi Hirasato | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit |
Tomomi Kato | .. | background CG modeler: game part design unit |
Youngbaek Kim | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit / mechanical CG modeler: fundamental, game part design unit |
Yoshiteru Kobayashi | .. | mechanical CG modeler: fundamental, game part design unit / mechanical CG modeler: refinement, game part design unit |
Yoshiyuki Koido | .. | art supervisor/background CG modeler: game part design unit |
Hideaki Mori | .. | CG finishing: movie part design unit |
Shuyo Murata | .. | CG finishing: movie part design unit |
Tsuyoshi Okino | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit, Konami CGI Works |
Kumi Sato | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit |
Akira Sawa | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit, Konami CGI Works |
Shinichiro Shimano | .. | CG supervisor/background CG modeler: game part design unit |
Yoji Shinkawa | .. | mechanical CG modeler: supervision, game part design unit |
Tsuguro Shinpo | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit, Konami CGI Works |
Natsuyo Tanaka | .. | background CG modeler: game part design unit |
Toshiyuki Terada | .. | CG finishing: movie part design unit, Konami CGI Works |
Hiroyuki Tsuchida | .. | demo background/prop CG modeler: movie part design unit |
Camera and Electrical Department
Makoto Akashi | .. | camerawork: game part design unit |
Takashi Kitao | .. | animation camera system: program unit / camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Masaya Kobayashi | .. | camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Yoshiteru Kobayashi | .. | camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Hideaki Mori | .. | camerawork: movie part design unit |
Shiro Mukaide | .. | camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Shuyo Murata | .. | camerawork: movie part design unit |
Nobuyoshi Nishimura | .. | camerawork: movie part design unit |
Juntaro Saito | .. | camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Ryosaku Ueno | .. | camerawork: pad demo production, game part design unit |
Animation Department
Nobuyoshi Nishimura | .. | character designer: concept design unit |
Yoji Shinkawa | .. | mechanical designer |
Other crew
Scott Dolph | .. | international coordinator: translation unit / text translation: publicity unit |
Kyoko Hariyama | .. | effects: game part design unit / model construction: movie part design unit |
Yuichi Hirasato | .. | effects: movie part design unit |
Masato Ide | .. | web site production: publicity unit |
Janice Inaci | .. | voice-over coordinator |
Kenichiro Kano | .. | environment effects: program unit |
Toru Kawakami | .. | 2D production: game part design unit / effects: movie part design unit |
Youngbaek Kim | .. | creator: high resolution model, package unit |
Yoshihito Kira | .. | tool support: program unit |
Takaaki Kitamura | .. | destruction effects: program unit / environment effects: program unit |
Masafumi Kitao | .. | mechnical effects: program unit |
Takashi Kitao | .. | director: game design unit / director: program unit / game design staff |
Yoshiteru Kobayashi | .. | game design unit |
Hideo Kojima | .. | opening movie creation: movie part design unit |
Yuta Kunibe | .. | environment effects: program unit, KCE School |
Hideaki Mori | .. | effects: movie part design unit / layout: movie part design unit |
Shiro Mukaide | .. | original map designer: game design unit / original planner: game design staff / text creation: publicity unit |
Shuyo Murata | .. | movie unit director / text creation: publicity unit |
Nobuyoshi Nishimura | .. | facial designer: movie part design unit / illustrator: package / pad demo production supervisor: game part design unit |
Noriaki Okamura | .. | original planner: game design staff / setting creation: scenario unit |
Juntaro Saito | .. | 2D production: game part design unit |
Kumi Sato | .. | facial designer: movie part design unit |
Tomonori Satoh | .. | enemy programmer: program unit (as Tomonori Sato) / environment effects: program unit (as Tomonori Sato) |
Shinichiro Shimano | .. | bug check manager: publicity unit |
Yoji Shinkawa | .. | illustrator: package |
Hiroyuki Tsuchida | .. | effects: movie part design unit |
Ryosaku Ueno | .. | lip sync data creation: movie part design unit / pad demo production assistant: game part design unit / setting creation: scenario unit / text creation: publicity unit |
Shinji Yamashita | .. | tool support: program unit |
Zone Of The Ender's Anime
Thanks
Zone Of Enders Xbox
Dave Cox | .. | special thanks: KOE |
Satoshi Hirano | .. | special thanks |
June Honma | .. | special thanks: KOA |
Masahiro Inoue | .. | special thanks: Konami CG Works |
Yumiko Kitamura | .. | special thanks |
Takaaki Kumemura | .. | special thanks |
Yoshikazu Matsuhana | .. | special thanks |
Yasuo Miyagawa | .. | special thanks: Sunrise |
Takashi Mizutani | .. | special thanks |
Ikuya Nakamura | .. | special thanks |
Yutaka Negishi | .. | special thanks |
Ken Ogasawara | .. | special thanks: KOA |
Hideki Sasaki | .. | special thanks |
Kunio Takabe | .. | special thanks |
So Toyota | .. | special thanks |
Takahiro Ômori | .. | special thanks |