ZONE OF THE ENDERS: THE 2ND RUNNER – MARS

The mech series takes another run at success

When does a 4K remaster of a HD PS3 upgrade become an essential game to add to your 2018 most wanted list? When it’s Zone Of The Enders 2, piped into PS VR.

To give it its due, Konami’s venture into VR could be as big as the game’s name is long. ‘Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars’ hardly trips off the tongue.

The original game hit prominence because it was Hideo Kojima’s pet project, but luckily it was more than a fan-baiting release. The blend of melee and projectile combat, mixed with a beautiful anime styling that sent rockets and lasers fizzing around the screen ensured Zone Of The Enders was an instant hit.

The story puts you in the seat of a stolen mech, the Jehuty Orbital Frame. Ahead of you is the full force of the oppressive BAHRAM military organisation, and you’ll need to smash everything that flies your way in order to save Earth and Mars from its tyrannical grip.

VIRTUAL VIEW

While the game’s PS4 Pro 4K texture overhaul freshens the 14-year-old visuals, it’s the promise of playing the entire game inside a virtual reality cockpit that really has us excited, but also concerned. How can the speed and dexterity of Zone Of The Enders be transferred into first-person VR? The answer appears at the bottom-right of your visor, where you can see a representation of the Jehuty as it appears ‘outside’ VR. It would seem to be a neat solution.

In battle Zone Of The Enders’ crackling firework display fills the screen. Lock-on circles buzz in front of your eyes as you scan the horizon for enemies, before missile trails and lasers flow across the screen.

Fundamentally, Konami is offering Zone Of The Enders in PS VR. What’s not to get excited about?

Zone Of The Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars will be released early 2018.

As well as the PS VR edition, you will also be able to play the 4K PS4 Pro remaster.

The depiction of the Jehuty mech will help orientate you in the virtual space.