Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
Developer(s): KCEJ
Publisher(s): Konami
Genre: Action
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: Metacritic: 82/100
Game description: Inspired by the anime TV series, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner gives you control over a lightning-fast mechanized robot. The sequel to Zone of the Enders features new weapons, maneuvers, and tactics to fight an evil militaristic force. You'll travel to expansive cityscapes, enemy fortresses, and even to the depths of space. Now that you have the power to target and destroy hundreds of enemies at the same time, quieting conflict should not be a problem.
Throughout Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, the player controls Jehuty, the Orbital Frame piloted by Dingo, from a normally behind-the-back third-person viewpoint that centers itself between the player and enemy when locked on. The gameplay is linear, eschewing the "world map" of Zone of the Enders in favor of consecutive stages in which the player must defeat large amounts of robotic enemies, as well as other Orbital Frames and combat vehicles. The player can fully repair Jehuty by collecting Metatron, and save their progress at the beginning of each stage.
The game’s protagonist is Dingo Egret, a former BAHRAM pilot who, at the beginning of the game, works as an ice miner on the moons of Jupiter. After he finds the orbital frame Jehuty, he is attacked by Nohman and his BAHRAM troops. After his capture, he is mortally wounded, but is saved after Ken Marinaris, a disgruntled member of BAHRAM, has Dingo wired into Jehuty’s life-support system. As the game progresses, Dingo and Ken get to be close friends.
Test configurations on Windows:
Environment | Configurations | Comments | Tester | ||||
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Region | OS | CPU/GPU | Revision | Graphics | Sound/Pad | ||
NTSC-U | ? |
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0.9.8 | GSDX r4600 |
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BIOS: USA v02.00, There is a graphical glitch, invisible beams, in hardware mode. These problems still exist in r5492. Varying speeds, down to 30FPS in boss battles. Software mode (F9) in older GSdx revisions (r3693) can actually be faster. Native resolution in hardware mode is the key. In smaller areas 2-3 enemies its fine with 3x upscale, but other than that, it will be painfully slow. | Machina |
PAL | Windows 10 |
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1.4.0 | GSDX 1.0.0 |
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BIOS: EUv2.20, The game is VERY GPU heavy if you upscale above the native resolution. Performance varies between gameplay and cutscenes due to the heavy use of effects if you upscale to a high Resolution (like 6xNative). Settings that affect performance using OGL HW are: Internal Resolution , 8-Bit Textures , Blending Unit Accuracy , FXAA so play around until it runs at a stable Framerate. The issue with light sources seen through solid objects is fixed by using OGL HW with Hardware Depth enabled. |
Trivia
- Original names: アヌビス ゾーン オブ エンダーズ (SLPM-65236) & (SLPM-65500), 존 오브 엔더즈: 세컨드 런너 (SLKA-25066)
- Also known as Anubis: Zone of the Enders Special Edition (JP), Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Special Edition (EU), Anubis: Zone of the Enders (JP)
Known Issues
Lights seen through walls
- Status: Fixed
- Type: Minor
- Description: Happens in hardware mode, you can see enemy lights or just any lights through solid objects.
- Workaround: Update to the latest nightly version of PCSX2.
Ram and Vram Spikes
- Status: Active
- Type: Severe
- Description: Can use a ton of RAM and VRam resources.
Out of memory comes up also when you use save states somewhat frequently (DX11 mode). Corrupts your current savestate file. Previous state can be restore from backup. Also PCSX2 needs to be restarted before you can use states again. - Workaround: Allow 8-bit textures in GSdx hardware mode can help, unavoidable in DX9 hardware modes (shows "Out of memory" error after a bit).
The gallery
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Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (SLUS 20545)
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Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner (SLES 51113)