View source for Zone of the Enders

{{redirect|Jehuty|the deity also known by that name|Thoth}}
{{For|the first video game in the series|Zone of the Enders (video game)}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Zone of the Enders
| image = ZoneoftheEnders.png
| genre = [[Third-person shooter]], [[Tactical role-playing game|tactical role-playing]]
| developer = [[Konami Computer Entertainment Japan]]<br>[[Sunrise Interactive]]<br />[[High Voltage Software]]<br />[[HexaDrive]]<br />[[Cygames]]
| publisher = [[Konami]]
| creator = [[Hideo Kojima]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]<br />[[Game Boy Advance]]<br />[[PlayStation 3]]<br />[[Xbox 360]]<br />[[Microsoft Windows]]<br />[[PlayStation 4]]
| first release version = ''[[Zone of the Enders (video game)|Zone of the Enders]]''
| first release date = {{Video game release|JP|March 1, 2001|EU|March 23, 2001|NA|March 26, 2001}}
| latest release version = ''[[Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner]]''
| latest release date = {{Video game release|WW|September 6, 2018}}
}}

'''''Zone of the Enders'''''{{efn|{{nihongo|'''''Zone of the Enders'''''|{{ruby|ZONE OF THE ENDERS|ゾーン　オブ　エンダーズ}}|Zōn obu Endāzu|ZONE OF ENDERS}}}} is a [[video game franchise]] created by [[Hideo Kojima]] and [[Konami]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shmuplations.com/zoneofenders/ |title = shmuplations.com}}</ref> that focuses around combat in space with [[mecha]] called Orbital Frames. The original [[Zone of the Enders (video game)|''Zone of the Enders'']] was released for the [[PlayStation 2]] in March 2001. A sequel, ''[[Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner]]'' was released for the same system in 2003. In 2012, the two games were re-released in high-definition for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] as ''[[Zone of the Enders#Zone of the Enders HD Collection (2012)|Zone of the Enders HD Collection]]''.  ''[[Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars]]'' was released for [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2001. ''[[Zone of the Enders: 2167 Idolo]]'', an [[original video animation]], was released in March 2001. A twenty-six episode [[anime]] television series ''[[Z.O.E. Dolores, I]]'' ran from April to September 2001.

==Common themes==
===Setting===
The ''Zone of the Enders'' series is set in the late 22nd century.  Mankind has colonized [[Mars]], and space colonies are set up in orbit around [[Jupiter]]. Fueling this expansion are two scientific advances: the development of the Laborious Extra-Orbital Vehicle, or LEV, a [[mecha]] used for labor and military use, and the discovery of Metatron, a high-energy ore found on [[Callisto (moon)|Callisto]]. Those in power on Earth begin to take a dim view of the colonists of Mars and Jupiter, calling them "Enders", and imposing harsh and exploitative laws and taxes against them. Eventually, different groups on Mars begin to rise up in opposition to Earth, the most well known of these called Bahram. A new weapon given to these rebels is the Orbital Frame, a mecha which makes extensive use of Metatron-based technology. These Orbital Frames come to shape the destiny of Earth and its colonies, for both good and evil.

===Plot===
Throughout the ''Zone of the Enders'' series, a number of themes and dramatic devices show up prominently. The story usually revolves around two specific Orbital Frames: Jehuty and Anubis created as the two "keys" of a [[superweapon]] called Aumaan. In the first game, Bahram forces attack Jupiter's colony Antilia to secure the two Frames, killing several civilians in the process. One of the few survivors, Leo Stenbuck, finds Jehuty and uses it to stop the Bahram soldiers. Leo is hired by the Space Force to deliver Jehuty back to their ship. On his way to the Space Force, Leo rescues several civilians; and often talks with Jehuty's [[artificial intelligence]], A.D.A., regarding the value of life. When succeeding, Leo is requested to work for the Space Force to protect the colony from a terrorist attack. Although Leo succeeds in saving the colony, he is saddened by the revelation that A.D.A. is programmed to self-destruct Jehuty in Bahram's fortress Aumann. Shortly before the release of the sequel, Konami released a side story that explores Leo training in the Space Force and hiding Jehuty.

The sequel, ''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'', is set two years after the first game. The story introduces the player to an ex-Bahram operative named Dingo Egret, who stumbles upon the hidden Jehuty. Bahram soon finds Dingo; Nohman, the leader of Bahram, wishes to have Dingo back on his side. Dingo's reluctance to go back to Bahram results in Nohman shooting him. However, Nohman's minion, Ken Marinaris, saves Dingo's life by connecting his body to Jehuty and requests his help to defeat him. Dingo agrees to defeat Nohman after learning from Leo that Jehuty will self-destruct in Aumann. Dingo joins with Leo and the Space Force to defeat the Bahram forces. In Aumann, Dingo defeats Nohman and Anubis and then uses the remains of the two Frames to stop Aumann.

==Games==
===''Zone of the Enders'' (2001)===
{{Main|Zone of the Enders (video game)}}
The first game in the series details the story of a boy named Leo Stenbuck, a colonist from Jupiter who accidentally finds himself piloting the Orbital Frame Jehuty.

===''Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars'' (2001)===
{{Main|Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars}}
This is a side-story released for the Game Boy Advance, about a conspiracy involving the construction of Orbital Frames for Earth. The protagonist, a young man named Cage Midwell, finds himself getting involved with a resistance organization known as BIS.

===''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'' (2003)===
{{Main|Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner}}
A new pilot, Dingo Egret, finds Jehuty on the Moon of Callisto two years after the events of the first game and travels to the superweapon Aumaan in order to defeat Colonel Nohman of the Bahram army, who pilots Jehuty's sister craft, Anubis.

===''Zone of the Enders HD Collection'' (2012)===
At E3 2011, [[Konami]] announced a re-release of ''Zone of the Enders'' and ''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'' on the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]]. It includes updated interfaces for the HD resolutions, redrawn art, [[PlayStation Network#Trophies|Trophy]]/[[Xbox Live#Gamerscore|Achievement]] support, improved audio, rumble support and a new opening animation produced by [[Sunrise (company)|Sunrise]], set to the theme song of ''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'', "Beyond the Bounds".<ref name="E3 2011, HD Collections">{{Cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1172179p1.html|title=Metal Gear and Zone of the Enders HD Collection|date=2011-06-02|publisher=IGN}}</ref> It includes a demo for ''[[Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance]]'', mirroring the first game's inclusion of the ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'' demo. A [[PlayStation Vita]] version was announced but was later canceled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita|title=Zone of the Enders HD Collection|website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref> At an event in May 2012, the HD Collection was given a release date in Japan for October 25. At the same event, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the Zone of the Enders series had begun.

===''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Mars'' (2018)===
At [[Tokyo Game Show]] 2017, ''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Mars''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|''ANUBIS ZONE OF ENDERS M∀RS''|アヌビス　ゾーン　オブ　エンダーズ M∀RS}}}} was announced, featuring enhanced graphics, 4K resolution support, [[virtual reality|VR]] headset support, new sound design and "next-gen surround sound".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/19/tgs-2017-zone-of-the-enders-the-2nd-runner-remaster-with-vr-support-announced|title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner remaster with VR support announced|author=Skrebels, Joe|publisher=IGN|date=September 19, 2017|access-date=September 22, 2017}}</ref>

==Future==
Since 2008, ''Zone of the Enders 3'' has been in concept development by Hideo Kojima, but was kept away from game development until all the big titles were completed. On May 25, 2012, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the ''Zone of the Enders'' series had begun.<ref name="ZOE sequel confirmed">{{cite web|url=http://andriasang.com/con166/zoe_sequel/|title=Kojima Productions Begins Zone of the Enders Sequel Project|date=2012-05-25|publisher=Andriasang|access-date=25 May 2012}}</ref> However, the project was cancelled after [[Kojima Productions]] acknowledged issues within the HD Collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/kojima-axes-zone-of-the-enders-sequel-6407899|title=Kojima axes Zone of the Enders sequel|author=Gaston, Martin|publisher=GameSpot|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=September 26, 2013}}</ref>

==Anime==
''[[Zone of the Enders: 2167 Idolo]]'' (released 21 February 2001) is a prequel for the entire series, telling the story of Radium Lavans, the pilot of the first Orbital Frame.

''[[Z.O.E. Dolores, I|Zone of the Enders: Dolores, i]]'' (released April to September 2001) is a followup to ''Idolo'', following the exploits of James Links, an alcoholic trucker, who, while trying to reunite with his estranged family, discovers an Orbital Frame hidden in one of his shipping containers. The frame, calling itself Dolores, seems to consider James her prince.

==Reception==
{{VG Series Reviews
| game1 = [[Zone of the Enders (video game)|Zone of the Enders]]
| mc1 = (PS2) 78/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Zone of the Enders'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>
| game2 = [[Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars]]
| mc2 = (GBA) 71/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders-the-fist-of-mars/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=''Zone of the Enders: The Fist of Mars'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>
| game3 = [[Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner]]
| mc3 = (PS2) 82/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders-the-2nd-runner/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>
| game4 = [[Zone of the Enders HD Collection]]
| mc4 = (X360) 75/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Zone of the Enders HD Collection'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref><br>(PS3) 73/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/zone-of-the-enders-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=''Zone of the Enders HD Collection'' Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>
}}

''Zone of the Enders'' achieved moderate success. While the first game obtained good sales in North America as a result of including the demo for ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'',<ref>{{cite journal|title=Video Games - 'Metal Gear Solid 2' is a must-have|date=November 25, 2001|page=D3|publisher=Sun-Times Media Group|journal=Courier News|author=Pavlacka, Adam}}</ref> ''Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner'', received mediocre sales. Hideo Kojima cites "errors in setting the release time frame" and being overshadowed by other major titles as the reason it did not achieve high sales.<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/kojima-promises-zone-of-the-enders-3|title= Kojima promises Zone of the Enders 3|publisher=Eurogamer|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=September 30, 2013|author=Welsh, Oil}}</ref>

Critical reception to the two PlayStation 2 titles has been positive. The action elements and graphics generated good response.<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164247p1.html|title=Zone of the Enders|publisher=IGN|author=Smith, David|date=March 26, 2001|access-date=June 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Gamerev>{{cite web|url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/ps2/action/zone_of_enders_second_runner.htm|title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review|publisher=GameRevolution|date=March 1, 2003|access-date=October 2, 2013|author=Sanders, Shawn}}</ref> The sequel was found to have improved several elements from the first game to the point GameSpot called it "what the original Zone of the Enders should have been."<ref name=GSsecond>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/zone-of-the-enders-the-2nd-runner/reviews/zone-of-the-enders-the-2nd-runner-review-2912559/|title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=October 2, 2013|author=Varanini, Giancarlo}}</ref><ref name=IGNsecond>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/10/zone-of-the-enders-the-2nd-runner|title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner review|publisher=IGN|date=March 10, 2003|access-date=October 2, 2013|author=Dunham, Jeremy}}</ref> Both games have also been criticized for their story modes' short length and mixed views were offered regarding their replay value.<ref name=GSsecond/><ref name=GSpot>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/zone-of-the-enders/reviews/zone-of-the-enders-review-2702237/|title=Zone of the Enders|publisher=GameSpot|author=Satterfield, Shane|date=March 28, 2001|access-date=June 3, 2012}}</ref><ref name=eurog>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_zoe2_ps2|title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Review |publisher=Eurogamer|date=October 13, 2003|access-date=October 3, 2013|author=Fahey, Rob}}</ref> The voice acting and script translation has been panned by most writers as it made the character unappealing and the dialogue repetitive, respectively.<ref name=IGN/><ref name=GSpot/><ref name=egm>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040301150608/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1490347,00.asp | archive-date=March 1, 2004 | url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1490347,00.asp | title=Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner | magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | date=May 1 – September 2, 2003 | access-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ''HD Collection'' ported by [[High Voltage Software]] received mixed reviews, citing that the games' graphics have been improved but suffering from an inconsistent framerate not seen in the PS2 titles as well as suffering from technical issues and lack of special content for all console versions. A patch was worked on by [[HexaDrive]] and released which improved textures, anti-aliasing, and framerate, as well as restored other visual effects, but only for the PS3 version and only affected ''The 2nd Runner HD Edition.''<ref name=EuroG>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-how-konami-remade-zoe-hd-remaster |title=Zone of the Enders: how Konami remade its own HD remake |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |first=John |last=Linneman |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=HexaDriveJP>{{cite web |url=http://hexadrive.sblo.jp/article/71326168.html |title=ZONE OF THE ENDERS HD EDITION -はいだらクオリティへの道- For quality and performance improvement.: ヘキサドライブ日記 |publisher=[[HexaDrive]] |date=25 July 2013 |access-date=3 September 2016 |language=ja}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|-group/zone-of-the-enders-series|''Zone of the Enders'' series}}

{{ZOE series}}
{{Konami franchises}}

[[Category:Zone of the Enders| ]]
[[Category:Konami franchises]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2001]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]