Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars

"At least good enough to try out"

This will be a bit long, because this game is hard to explain. ZOE:The fist of Mars is a game made by Konami (the creators of Metal Gear Solid). Although in some ways related to the original ZOE, fans of the game should not buy this simply because it is ZOE. This game is actually quite the opposite. Let's take a look. In a strategy game like this, I am rating this in 5 ways-Gameplay, Story, Graphics, Sound, and Challenge. By the way, for the few who read this who do not know, I am not mispelling Mech, Mecha is just the cool anime way of saying it.

Gameplay: 7 0f 10.
Z.O.E. has pretty good gameplay, but again nothing like it's predecessor. You move your mechas around varying map areas, with turn based movement not unlike Final Fantasy Tactics. Terrain is taken into account for both moving and defending/evading. This game uses the basic system of attaking-you can move and attack, providing the attack you select is close-range, or attack from far-range. Each mecha has varying sets of abilities, and the use of these are determined by ammo and energy (some take one, some take both, and some take neither) and spirit. Better moves require spirit, and spirit is gained by either killing an enemy unit or being hit by an enemy's attack (no idea why this would increase spirit). When you attack, you can enable or disable Interactive Attack System (I am guessing that is what it is, I can't remember for sure) or commonly know as IAS. Pretty much, with this enabled, you have a certain amount of time to hit or dodge an enemy mecha using an aiming thingy. If it is disabled, a percentage determines the chance of hitting. With IAS, the game is easy, without it, it's tough. That's all for the most complicated part of the game.

Story:10 of 10
This is a great part of the game. The basic story is about a teen named Cage Midwell. While working on a ship with his best friend Aeries, he discovers a mysterious mecha with an onboard computer named Pharsti. No later does he see it then he evacuates using it with a girl he sees who helps him get on somehow. He then confronts a mysterious Black Frame, with an easily recongnizable runner (pilot). Not that any character is smart enough to tell. Soon after fighting it off, he lands on Mars and the girl forgets everything but her name, Myona Alderan. Cage then joins BIS, a resistance group against the persicution of humans on Mars, and becomes a LEV pilot. An LEV is a ground Mecha in this game, and an OF (which the LEV Cage gets quikly reveals itself to be) is a mecha with a booster that allow it to fly above the ground that tends to be more powerful as well. This seems like a spoiler but it's kinda obvious, at least to me. There are also 2 known endings, amd rumors still floating a little bit of a third (although this idea is rejected).

Music: 8 of 10
Although the music is good, it's not perfect. Still, most of the music is 10 of 10, but as a few are really bad, and some are a bit normal, I'm draggin it down a little bit.

Graphices: 7 of 10
Although these are not amazing, especially the map graphics, the attack graphics are pretty good. You will probably enjoy the graphics, but this game does not take GBA as far as it could have gone.

Challenge: 10 of 10
The challenge of this game is perfect. If you want an easy game, use IAS, and if you want a strategic challenge, don't.

That's all. Hope it helped. May the force be with you.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/20/02, Updated 12/20/02