Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars

"Leaves you playing non-stop"

When I first heard of this game, I never knew that it would be such a good game.I believed it was just another bash on gundam wing,but I was wrong.You get one of the best storys since Chrono trigger.Well, onto the review-

Visuals- The backrounds are nice and details, better than the backrounds in AW. It's not just a random assortment of the same types of land, but each piece of grid its own work of art.As for the IAS system, The graphics are decent but I think that in a few years if this game recieves a sequel, it will be PS1 quality.(Visual-wise)The attack animations is what sets it appart from others.It looks like it was taken out of a high-quality anime movie.During conversation between characters,the expressions they make really hightens the mood of the game.I Give it a 9/10

Sound-The music you will hum for hours.The sound effects are perfect at times.During battle the music helps you battle with its upbeat sound. Also the sound never seems repditive, so you won't get tired quickly.The song,''Promise of Reunion''Sounds like it's played by a professional Pianist.A note of advice, wear headphones.It makes it sound a LOT better.The sound delivers a 10/10

Story-I won't go far into detail, you should play it yourself to understand it.Basicly, you are a teen named Cage Midwell, and you're in a ship bound for one of mar's moons, when you are attacked by a mysterious frame.The ship is about to explode when you find a girl suffering from amnesia, named myona.You find a large battle mech called a L.E.V. and attack your adversary, with help from the ships A.I. named Pharsti.You are then pulled out of orbit,and are captured by the UNSF or United Nations Space Force.You are blamed for the attack on a military instilation that happend earlier that day. YOu are broken out by your friend Ares and and rescued by BIS, a group bent on freeing mars from earth's grip.So begins the saga of Zone Of the Enders-The Fist Of Mars.
This has so many plot twists, Its confusing.Luckily there's an encyclopedia of everyone you met.It gets a 11/10

Gameplay and Replay-Simple, you move your mechs and select an attack,then comes the fun part.IAS, Interactive attack system.You have to lock on to enemys or avoid their attacks.As for replay value, There are so many moments and alternate storylines to keep you occupied for a good long while.It gets a 10/10 and 8/10, respectively.Replay would of been better with a multiplayer mode.
Buy/Rent factor-Buy, one of the best $30 I've spent in a long while.
Final score, 10/10.
Pray for a sequel......the plot is pretty open at then end.........Freedom to Mars!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/07/02, Updated 07/07/02