Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner HD Edition

As a 2012 HD Remaster, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner HD Edition preserves the core experience of high-speed mech combat, blending intense 3D shooting with close-quarters hack and slash action. You pilot the Orbital Frame Jehuty, following miner Dingo Egret's fight against the military group BAHRAM in 2174. This version features updated high-definition visuals and entirely new opening animations by Sunrise, while faithfully retaining the Special Edition content of the original title.

This is the high-definition remaster of the acclaimed 2003 mech action title, released in 2012 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. It offers players a chance to experience the thrilling conclusion to the original saga, focusing intensely on high-speed, aerial robot combat. The core experience is preserved, presenting the definitive version of the original game, including the "Special Edition" content.

Setting and Narrative Context

The narrative unfolds in the year 2174, two years following the events of the preceding installment. Players step into the role of Dingo Egret, a seemingly ordinary miner on Callisto. His life is irrevocably altered when he discovers the powerful Orbital Frame unit known as Jehuty. This discovery immediately draws the attention of the military organization BAHRAM, leading to intense confrontations. Dingo is forced to pilot Jehuty to defend himself, engaging in dogfights against skilled rivals, including the Orbital Frame runner Ken Marinaris. The story delves into themes of conflict, control, and the legacy of advanced robotics within a futuristic setting.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay blends elements of fast-paced Shooter mechanics with intense Hack and slash/Beat 'em up action, all centered around piloting massive, agile mechs known as Orbital Frames. The combat emphasizes speed, maneuverability, and precise targeting. Players utilize a variety of ranged and melee weapons while navigating complex 3D environments at incredible velocities. The control scheme is designed to facilitate complex aerial maneuvers, allowing players to chain together attacks and evasive actions seamlessly.

What are the key enhancements in this HD Remaster?

This 2012 release focuses primarily on visual fidelity and presentation upgrades over the original release. The most significant improvements include:

High-Definition Visuals: The game has been updated to run in high definition, offering sharper textures and improved graphical presentation across the platforms it supports.
New Opening Animation: The introductory cinematic sequences have been entirely redone by the renowned animation studio Sunrise, providing a fresh, high-quality visual prologue to the story.
Preservation of Content: The remaster is a faithful recreation of the original Special Edition, ensuring that all gameplay mechanics, story beats, and included content from that version are maintained. No significant gameplay changes or additions were introduced to alter the core experience established by the original title.

Is there any additional content available for this version?

As of its release, this specific HD Remaster package does not include any downloadable content (DLC) or separate expansions. It packages the complete, enhanced version of the base game.

What genres define the action in this title?

The game is primarily categorized as a high-speed Shooter combined with close-quarters Hack and slash combat, all executed while piloting powerful robotic units.

Setting and Narrative Context

Core Gameplay Mechanics

What are the key enhancements in this HD Remaster?

This 2012 release focuses primarily on visual fidelity and presentation upgrades over the original release. The most significant improvements include:

High-Definition Visuals: The game has been updated to run in high definition, offering sharper textures and improved graphical presentation across the platforms it supports.

New Opening Animation: The introductory cinematic sequences have been entirely redone by the renowned animation studio Sunrise, providing a fresh, high-quality visual prologue to the story.

Preservation of Content: The remaster is a faithful recreation of the original Special Edition, ensuring that all gameplay mechanics, story beats, and included content from that version are maintained. No significant gameplay changes or additions were introduced to alter the core experience established by the original title.

Is there any additional content available for this version?

As of its release, this specific HD Remaster package does not include any downloadable content (DLC) or separate expansions. It packages the complete, enhanced version of the base game.

What genres define the action in this title?

The game is primarily categorized as a high-speed Shooter combined with close-quarters Hack and slash combat, all executed while piloting powerful robotic units.