Kojima left Konami (?)

[Lordstar]

Joke all you want but I would love to see another Komani kart racer. that was my fave GBA game

[xxx1993]

I honestly can't remember, I do remember being pissed there was a fairly large update and that's it.
It's just my opinion, I'm just some cunt off the intertubes. After years of reading about ZOE and a generally positive experience with the MGS series; I was very disappointed with both games. At one stage I actually owned both games individually for PS2, but the backwards compatible PS3 I had died before I got a chance to play either and luckily I managed to sell ZOE2 at a fairly inflated price about 2 weeks before the HD version's release announcement.

You can't be disappointed with ZOE. I mean, sure, the first game is a bit slow-paced compared to the second game, but the second game is where everything really shines...

[xxx1993]

And you guys know something? Konami was already dead to me even before Metal Gear ruled over the company with an iron fist.

[Satan]

I honestly can't remember, I do remember being pissed there was a fairly large update and that's it.
It's just my opinion, I'm just some cunt off the intertubes. After years of reading about ZOE and a generally positive experience with the MGS series; I was very disappointed with both games. At one stage I actually owned both games individually for PS2, but the backwards compatible PS3 I had died before I got a chance to play either and luckily I managed to sell ZOE2 at a fairly inflated price about 2 weeks before the HD version's release announcement.

You can't be disappointed with ZOE. I mean, sure, the first game is a bit slow-paced compared to the second game, but the second game is where everything really shines...

The only thing I liked was the Vic Viper reference.

[xxx1993]

I honestly can't remember, I do remember being pissed there was a fairly large update and that's it.
It's just my opinion, I'm just some cunt off the intertubes. After years of reading about ZOE and a generally positive experience with the MGS series; I was very disappointed with both games. At one stage I actually owned both games individually for PS2, but the backwards compatible PS3 I had died before I got a chance to play either and luckily I managed to sell ZOE2 at a fairly inflated price about 2 weeks before the HD version's release announcement.

You can't be disappointed with ZOE. I mean, sure, the first game is a bit slow-paced compared to the second game, but the second game is where everything really shines...

The only thing I liked was the Vic Viper reference.

Is that all? Are you not used to ZOE at all?

[Blinge]

The MGS HDC predated both Silent Hill and ZOE's. :[

[Pretas]

ZOE1 is a better game in story, setting, characterization, pacing and atmosphere.

ZOE2 is better at everything else. Though, it can't be ignored that it has an infuriating escort mission where you have to keep flinging an immobile, fragile friendly mecha upwards through an incredibly tall shaft as it is constantly beset by enemies. The preceding cutscene that shows why you're forced to endure it is completely stupid, as well.

BTW, the HD version of ZOE1 was not patched by HexaDrive, but its issues were comparatively minor - the only significant added slowdown was during a couple boss fights. Harder to screw up on a first-generation PS2 game that wasn't pushing the hardware, I guess.

[Satan]

Is that all? Are you not used to ZOE at all?

I finished both seeing as it's Kojima Pro (and I'm a Konami MSX fanboy)

[Squire Grooktook]

Subjective taste etc.

[ACSeraph]

Just out of curiosity, how was the SH collection in the long run post patch on PS3?

[evil_ash_xero]

I just hope that KojiPro can get a publisher, and get going on some other games ASAP. Kind of like how Clover turned into Platinum so quickly, and started putting out a decent amount of games.

Metal Gear had to die at some point. And from what I can tell from this game, this finishes Big Boss' story. So, I don't see the need for more of that.

Konami has nothing else, so this is dumb, on their part. But these Japanese companies are insane nowadays (Capcom, Tecmo, Square etc.), and don't seem to know that good people make good games. And good games sell.

The only thing I truly worry about, is if it will affect TPP. I know they took Kojima's name off it (which is SO fucking petty). I honestly don't care if they try and make him censor some of the story too much. Because most of Metal Gear's stories are gobbeldy gook. As long as the GAME itself isn't changed, I'll be happy. Ground Zeroes promised an amazing experience.

But the absolute worst thing about this, is that it cancels out Metal Gear Rising 2 (unless Konami get Platinum to make it anyway...which I kind of doubt they will) and Silent Hills.

This was Konami's opportunity to get Silent Hill back on track, and have a huge MGS game. But nope.

Just out of curiosity, how was the SH collection in the long run post patch on PS3?

It helped, but is still crappy. Not worth getting, if you have played the old ones. I would recommend just torrenting HD versions of the 2 and 3, for PC. They're much better.

You can see it pre and post patch on YouTube, and comparisons to the old ones. You can make you own decision based on that. But it's considered poor. It's not like how they completely fixed ZOE 2 on PS3.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Metal Gear had to die at some point. And from what I can tell from this game, this finishes Big Boss' story. So, I don't see the need for more of that.

Konami has nothing else, so this is dumb, on their part.

Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven remains pretty major in large parts of the world.

You can't be disappointed with ZOE. I mean, sure, the first game is a bit slow-paced compared to the second game, but the second game is where everything really shines...

The framerate of 2 (in the first PS2 version; I only played Special Edition briefly) goes abysmally south and the grab-spin-throw sequence is absurdly exploitable. Not all is bad, I enjoyed some of the bossfights, but as a whole 1 is more of a complete game than tech demo. Omega Boost and even the first Gundam vs game released for PS2 may be more essential implementations of such game engines, but 1 is pretty respectable still.

I don't know how much Kojima had to do with Ghost Babel (not that I've played it yet), but I keep playing the first Boktai outside and it holds up.

[xxx1993]

Metal Gear had to die at some point. And from what I can tell from this game, this finishes Big Boss' story. So, I don't see the need for more of that.

Konami has nothing else, so this is dumb, on their part.

Pro Evolution Soccer/Winning Eleven remains pretty major in large parts of the world.

You can't be disappointed with ZOE. I mean, sure, the first game is a bit slow-paced compared to the second game, but the second game is where everything really shines...

The framerate of 2 (in the first PS2 version; I only played Special Edition briefly) goes abysmally south and the grab-spin-throw sequence is absurdly exploitable. Not all is bad, I enjoyed some of the bossfights, but as a whole 1 is more of a complete game than tech demo. Omega Boost and even the first Gundam vs game released for PS2 may be more essential implementations of such game engines, but 1 is pretty respectable still.

I don't know how much Kojima had to do with Ghost Babel (not that I've played it yet), but I keep playing the first Boktai outside and it holds up.

Either way, I still like ZOE2 for being far more fast-paced and action-packed than the original, and also because it ties up loose ends with the main villain, Nohman.

[Jonathan Ingram]

Just out of curiosity, how was the SH collection in the long run post patch on PS3?

Still abysmal, of course. Its problems are fundamental and can't be addressed by means of a simple patch. The HD collection is based on the incomplete version of the source code and this is pretty much where all of its problems stem from. The entire engine needs to be rebuilt from scratch for it to be up to par with the PS2 and PC versions.

[apatheticTurd]

ZOE1 is a better game in story, setting, characterization, pacing

I guess it's a good thing I dropped ZOE 2 early, then. The pacing in the first ZOE is atrocious.

[evil_ash_xero]

I've never heard of anyone, other this one instance, that said ZOE 1 was better, or nearly as good as 2.

[Pretas]

I've never heard of anyone, other this one instance, that said ZOE 1 was better, or nearly as good as 2.

Sorry for not following the hivemind, lol. But you misunderstand. Despite its faults, ZOE1 is a very concise, consistent, and tightly focused game. ZOE2 is all over the place in setting, tone and mechanics, and lacks a clear direction to its proceedings for most of the game.

That doesn't mean ZOE1 is better. The sequel's combat engine is greatly improved, with more interesting, varied and challenging foes (at least in the Special Edition revision, which added enemy squad mechanics and AI improvements). The graphics are much more detailed and stylish. But I never felt anywhere near as engaged in the game's events as I did in ZOE1.

If ZOE1 is Original Gundam, than ZOE2 is Zeta - a major technical improvement by all accounts, but unfocused and lacking a certain spirit or charm that its predecessor was known for.

[Obiwanshinobi]

In ZOE2, once you grab an enemy, you're practically invincible for as long as you mash on the button. That throws quite a bit of finesse through the window. 1 did swordfighting better as well (one vs one encounters are something of a challenge, while in 2 the abundance of popcorn tries hard to repent of good-for-nothing A.I.)
You get to destroy more stuff per minute in 2, but majority of it is just corn-popping. More tasking for thumb muscles, not so much for reflexes.
That being said, I'm effectively comparing medium (default) difficulty setting of 2 with above default difficulty setting of 1 since that was how I'd played them.

[Satan]

Subjective taste etc.

Precisely, hence my "I'm just some cunt off the Internet" post.

[Zaarock]

In ZOE2, once you grab an enemy, you're practically invincible for as long as you mash on the button. That throws quite a bit of finesse through the window. 1 did swordfighting better as well (one vs one encounters are something of a challenge, while in 2 the abundance of popcorn tries hard to repent of good-for-nothing A.I.)
You get to destroy more stuff per minute in 2, but majority of it is just corn-popping. More tasking for thumb muscles, not so much for reflexes.
That being said, I'm effectively comparing medium (default) difficulty setting of 2 with above difficult of 1 since that was how I'd played them.

It's similar on higher difficulties too. In ZOE1 at highest difficulty maximum AI-level enemies are almost boss fights, and the swordfighting is very intense. The grab in ZOE2 is pretty overpowered for crowd control & the combat never felt as rewarding to me. With all the arena/survival modes and such added to ZOE2 special edition it could've been very fun if the combat was a little better.

I never felt that the ZOE games had as much depth or lasting appeal as series like Armored Core and Virtual-On but would still play the hell out of a third game.

[Bananamatic]

In ZOE2, once you grab an enemy, you're practically invincible for as long as you mash on the button. That throws quite a bit of finesse through the window. 1 did swordfighting better as well (one vs one encounters are something of a challenge, while in 2 the abundance of popcorn tries hard to repent of good-for-nothing A.I.)
You get to destroy more stuff per minute in 2, but majority of it is just corn-popping. More tasking for thumb muscles, not so much for reflexes.
That being said, I'm effectively comparing medium (default) difficulty setting of 2 with above difficult of 1 since that was how I'd played them.

It's similar on higher difficulties too. In ZOE1 at highest difficulty maximum AI-level enemies are almost boss fights, and the swordfighting is very intense. The grab in ZOE2 is pretty overpowered for crowd control & the combat never felt as rewarding to me. With all the arena/survival modes and such added to ZOE2 special edition it could've been very fun if the combat was a little better.

I never felt that the ZOE games had as much depth or lasting appeal as series like Armored Core and Virtual-On but would still play the hell out of a third game.

Thought ZOE1 on Very Hard was still on the easier side, cleared it in 1 sitting easily and found it a bit boring tbh

Go play ZOE2 on Extreme, it's...extremely hard, died over 300 times before clearing it and saw only one other person on youtube who cleared it, no mentions of that mode anywhere else
Some enemies are pretty damn unfair(Mummyheads especially) but the bosses are a really fun challenge now (new attacks/attack patterns, faster projectiles, etc.) and you really have to use your subweapons and all the mechanics rather than just spamming Homing Missile and grabs all game (if you just try to grab something without a setup, the AI will just melee you down before it hits and even raptors hurt like hell)

[Obiwanshinobi]

I never felt that the ZOE games had as much depth or lasting appeal as series like Armored Core and Virtual-On but would still play the hell out of a third game.

I bought Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon because it was a cheap PS2 Capcom game and I've yet to go wrong with those (PAL version outputs 60 Hz, so the PS2 Capcom English voice acting is the worst of it). Considering when ZOE came along, I think it was the most direct competition, gameplay-wise (not in the arcades of course). Then there is Another Century's Episode series (by From Software) to keep you busy in ZOE3's stead.

[Zaarock]

Go play ZOE2 on Extreme, it's...extremely hard, died over 300 times before clearing it and saw only one other person on youtube who cleared it, no mentions of that mode anywhere else
Some enemies are pretty damn unfair(Mummyheads especially) but the bosses are a really fun challenge now (new attacks/attack patterns, faster projectiles, etc.) and you really have to use your subweapons and all the mechanics rather than just spamming Homing Missile and grabs all game (if you just try to grab something without a setup, the AI will just melee you down before it hits and even raptors hurt like hell)

Will do, sounds fun! I think I only played up to the difficulty below that (very hard?).

Also, Armored Core: Verdict Day (2013) by From Software is excellent.. I never see people talk about it really. It's one of those games that may look bad initially, like EDF but really is quite good. It feels like a fusion of older school and new mecha games, and really nails down the customization aspect (very well balanced, so many things are viable). It's more of a team vs team game rather than a 1v1 fighter though, and pretty online driven. It's much more popular in japan than in the west by a ridiculous margin. Still makes for a fun single player experience though, they added among other things a hardcore mode with increased difficulty and special limitations where you can't reload saves, etc.

[evil_ash_xero]

I've never heard of anyone, other this one instance, that said ZOE 1 was better, or nearly as good as 2.

Sorry for not following the hivemind, lol. But you misunderstand. Despite its faults, ZOE1 is a very concise, consistent, and tightly focused game. ZOE2 is all over the place in setting, tone and mechanics, and lacks a clear direction to its proceedings for most of the game.

That doesn't mean ZOE1 is better. The sequel's combat engine is greatly improved, with more interesting, varied and challenging foes (at least in the Special Edition revision, which added enemy squad mechanics and AI improvements). The graphics are much more detailed and stylish. But I never felt anywhere near as engaged in the game's events as I did in ZOE1.

If ZOE1 is Original Gundam, than ZOE2 is Zeta - a major technical improvement by all accounts, but unfocused and lacking a certain spirit or charm that its predecessor was known for.

I would never endorse a hive mind mentality. But that really is the first I've heard someone say that.
Usually, that the first game is kind of a demo for the second. I've played some of the first one on the collection, and liked the second one a lot better.
It has it's problems (tons of cutscenes), but it's a fun game. I'm really glad they fixed it on the PS3. Looks amazing.

[xxx1993]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9IHeQdgKaU

YouTube user AlphaOmegaSin uploaded a video about his thoughts on Konami and Kojima having a falling out, and I actually agree with almost every word this guy said. When was the last time we saw Gradius? When was the last time we saw Contra?

[Blackbird]

When was the last time we saw Gradius? When was the last time we saw Contra?

Gradius ReBirth came out in 2008, by M2.

Contra Hardcore Uprising came out in 2011, by ArcSys.

Yeah, their arcade games seem to be languishing; they've be a low priority for a while, and they've been licensed out to other developers for even longer.

[Pretas]

Yeah, their arcade games seem to be languishing

Silent Scope: Bone Eater.