[username]

In honor of the venerable Fucking Konami Week, I've decided to play the used copy of ZOE: The 2nd Runner I picked up last week. While it seems to be a quality piece of software, I completely suck at it. I make it right past the first boss and enter the enemy ship, and then tend to die right there against the normal enemies within a minute or so, which strikes me as rather pathetic on my part. I have no experience with either this series or mech games in general (not sure if there is really much overlap here), so I'm curious if there are any handy tips to help me survive a bit better.

Also, my used copy unfortunately has a small but noticeable scratch on it that causes the intro movie to stutter, and the previous story to outright stop playing, only to start again when I tilt the PS2, which after a few seconds will stop again and force me to resume the tilting. I can still press start while it is moving to skip these so I won't outright freeze, but I'm curious if the story is "OMG so good!!!" that I should just try to find a better copy as I haven't really heard anyone say a damn thing about the story either positive or negative, and in truth if unexceptional I'd just skip the random cutscene if necessary. On a similar note, as I gave up on the previous story vid do I really need to know what happened in ZOE1 to follow this game, or is it just background info?
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http://www.audioatrocities.com/games/castlevania-sotn/clip1.mp3

[EU03]

Nah, ZOE1 isn't totally required to play ZOE2, though it does explain Leo's relationship with ADA, haha.

Grabbing and swinging enemies is by far the most effective way to fight in the beginning and even later in the game, so use that move very liberally. Just keep zipping around constantly to avoid most fire. It took me a while to get used to it, too (often dying when I got up to Viola the first time).

The game becomes like a billion times better when you get Zero Shift.
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[professor_scissors]

The story is standard Kojima faire, and is thusly interesting but forgettable.

As for Fighting Some Dudes 101:
Dash alot. Rapidly tapping R2 is faster than holding it. Dash Attacks are very powerful and hard for your enemies to avoid. If you're righting the normal flying mechs, a good solid strategy is dash+square, square, square, square, dash away, repeat. Generally avoid using the homing laser as anything other than a way to irritate enemies who aren't close to you, as its damage is not very impressive.
Against Mummyheads, use O to grab and throw them at other enemies/walls. A fantastic skill, as it destroys their barrier, turning them into normal enemies.

Any particular encounters giving you trouble?

[username]

No encounter in particular was giving me trouble, as I took a good chunk of damage (>50%) before getting to the first boss, who oddly enough didn't give me much trouble, and then got owned a few times in the area immediately after by normal enemies.

I think it was mainly the fact that there were 3+ "real" enemies (not like the dozens of flying tiny ones that you just mass homing to death), and while I tried to take one out the other 2 would nail me in the back. That and in all fairness I wasn't very finesse in my movements, just holding dash and charging straight in with few twists and turns on the way. I actually hadn't even thought of dashing in and out and instead tried to just stand in there and block when needed, so that plus the rapidly tapping dash tip should help make a difference. Thanks.
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http://www.audioatrocities.com/games/castlevania-sotn/clip1.mp3

[Renfrew]

I just got to the train level. Its everything I could hope for in a game.

[username]

After my last post I put about 2 and a half hours into the game, and while I'm still a bit rough at it, I'm at least competent enough to get through most areas with only a continue or two spent. If it wasn't for the ability to grab enemies and chuck them at other enemies I'd be screwed.

I really don't care for the camera all that much (if the right analog stick caused it to shift faster it would be much improved), and perhaps due to my own inadequacies combat still feels a bit less... elegant than I'd have hoped, but beyond that it is a pretty darn fun videogame. I'm not the biggest Gradius fan, but when you know who showed up it put a massive smile on my face.

Also, none of the story/cinema scenes have skipped or froze yet, which is a pleasant surprise. It feels like the Metal Gear Solid B-team was behind them, which is still pretty good, but if push comes to shove I could probably live without them.
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http://www.audioatrocities.com/games/castlevania-sotn/clip1.mp3

[SplashBeats]

Lock on, dash in, sword sword sword.

[Wyndian]

I was thinking of playing the Zone of the Enders double this week when I got notice of this Fine Konami Week 2007. All that's holding me off are those "save the people" missions which I always tend to screw up. Aw, I think I just play them for the fun of it! Even if I know that I'm gonna hate that virus killing bossfight again.

[Felix]

i played this until you land on the bluish wasteland type place after that viola fight in the spiral place.

it was good! better than the first, even though i think i enjoyed that one more.

[Duckzero]

Just wait until you get to the airships level. For some reason, I had the hardest time playing that level (well not including part where you have to try to keep that girl from falling), but it's also one of the best looking parts of the game.
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Keepin' it real like Oatmeal

[Leau]

Except perhaps for the 100-man melee, which has massive bouts f slowdown, and the game engine obviously couldn't handle, but they went ahead and did the stage anyway.
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[EU03]

[Lasakon]

I wish all mech games controlled as well as ZOE.
It's one of the most natural control schemes there is.
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[Renfrew]

I finally beat this. Its one of the most satisfying video game experiences that I have had in awhile. Now, if they just make the camera rotate a little faster in ZOE3...

[Cryo]

If only they would make a ZOE3 :(

I highly doubt that ZOE2 sold decently enough to warrant another, being that 80% of the people that bought ZOE1 did it for the MGS2 demo.

Think this is going to happen to Crackdown as well?
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PS3 - Cryoh
X360 - Cryoh

[EU03]

I'm pretty sure Kojima said he would love to work on ZOE3 after getting things done (i.e. MGS4)?

My second greatest wish is to see it come out on 360.
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[professor_scissors]

The thought of next-gen Zone of the Enders is breathtaking.

[Cryo]

Aww, now I'm frothing for a ZOE3 now!

<-- just beat ZOE2 for the gajillionth time
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PS3 - Cryoh
X360 - Cryoh