Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The immediate advantage here is choice. Zone of the Enders: HD Collection places the original Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner side by side, so you can start with the first game for the full series route or jump into the second if that is the one you came back for. That sounds basic, but it changes the rhythm of the package: this feels like two distinct sessions waiting for you, not one game padded out with extras.

The first hour is less about a new hook than the simple pleasure of revisiting a pair of games without swapping discs or buying them separately. Once you settle on one entry, the other is still there as a natural follow-up rather than a distant backlog item. That makes the collection more inviting than a bare remaster of either title alone.

The Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance demo is a genuine bonus, especially if you enjoy having a separate taste of another Konami action game on the same disc. Still, treat it as an extra rather than the reason to buy in. The real value is the two Zone of the Enders games; the demo sweetens the deal without changing what this collection is.

Graphics

Both Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner arrive in remastered form. That alone makes this a more convenient version of the pair for anyone who wants both titles gathered in one modernized package.

Story

This is a collection built around two entries from the same series, and the sensible way to approach it is to let the original Zone of the Enders go first if you want the cleanest progression through the package. Starting there gives the set a beginning instead of making it feel like two unrelated selections on a menu.

At the same time, The 2nd Runner is not locked behind homework. Because both games are included, you can follow your curiosity without making another purchase or treating the first title as a barrier. That flexibility is one of the compilation’s quiet strengths.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance sits outside that two-game focus as a playable demo. It is a welcome change of pace, but it should not distract from the fact that Zone of the Enders is the main event from start to finish.

Overall Experience

Zone of the Enders: HD Collection is a good 7.1-level package: useful, generous enough, and most compelling when you already have some affection for the series or want to see both games in one place. Its strongest argument is not novelty. It is convenience with real substance—two remastered games rather than one.

You should give it a chance if a compact series collection sounds better than chasing separate releases. Newcomers can begin with the first game and keep going; returning fans can head directly to the entry they remember. For more on the first game, see the Zone of the Enders game page.

The payoff is straightforward: a single purchase gathers Zone of the Enders and The 2nd Runner, then adds a Metal Gear Rising demo for retail buyers. It is not a collection that needs to oversell itself. If those two games are what you want, this is an easy, sensible way to get them together.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10