Ten Years Ago: The 2nd Runner

On 03/19/2013 at 10:59 PM by daftman

March of 2003 saw some big name games released, like Pokémon Ruby and Saphire and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. The game that interests me today for this blog, though, is Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner for the PS2, a superb take on the old Japanese trope of mechs in space. An action masterpiece by Hideo Kojima, The 2nd Runner was the only game to stand toe-to-toe with Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden reboot on the Xbox, or so I've heard. I've never had a chance to play any ZOE game, let alone The 2nd Runner. Its fluid controls, intense action, and (at the time) astounding graphics cemented The 2nd Runner into gamers' hearts and, as a result, its fans have been bugging Kojima for 10 years now for ZOE3 (which, supposedly, is in development now). Fans were thrown a bone last year with the release of an HD collection containing the two PS2 games but we're still waiting for ZOE3.

Anyone play this back in the day? I've heard good and bad things about the HD collection. Anyone played that? Would I be better served hunting down PS2 copies or have things been blown out of proportion? I do want to play these games. It's hard to believe, though, that it's been a decade since The 2nd Runner first hit store shelves.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

03/19/2013 at 11:12 PM

I've never played these but I really want to. I should pick up the HD collection.

Super Step Contributing Writer

03/20/2013 at 12:29 AM

I'm in the same boat as Matthew.

daftman

03/20/2013 at 08:20 AM

I guess we're all in that boat then.

Homelessrook

03/20/2013 at 08:48 AM

Well 10 years ago I was on my way to Iraq.

I would try to track down the PS2 ones, but that is just me.

03/20/2013 at 12:50 PM

Iraq! Yowzers, glad you made it back alright.

It would be nice to have the originals, though it's actually cheaper at this point to get the HD collection. Not that I'd actually play them right away lol

Surfcaster

03/20/2013 at 09:03 AM

I'm going to get the HD collection, but I never did play ZOE2. I played the original, though, and really liked it. Admittedly, the only reason I played the original, though, was to play the demo of Metal Gear Solid 2.

03/20/2013 at 12:51 PM

I heard the worst part of the first game was the whiny main character. If that's the biggest problem, then it must be a pretty good game.

mothman

03/20/2013 at 10:32 AM

I have the PS2 version of second runner. I only played it for an hour or so but it was fun. From talking to others I hear it is a big improvement over the first one.

03/20/2013 at 12:53 PM

You should try and play the whole thing. I hear it isn't very long.

Halochief90

03/20/2013 at 11:38 AM

Yeah, I want the HD collection. I suppose there's no harm in waiting though as I have lasted ten years by now!

03/20/2013 at 12:56 PM

Same here lol. I'll pick up the HD collection for sure if I find a really good deal on it. Otherwise, well, I'll probably keep waiting.

PixlBit