As the gaming world waits with bated breath for any sliver of information on the elusive Hideo Kojimas Enders Project, the third instalment in the Japanese super developers giant brawling robot dust em up, Konami has cleverly taken the original Zone Of The Enders as well as its 2003 sequel, slotted them onto a single disc and given them a high definition makeover.
Naturally, the first question on everyones lips is do they still hold up against the likes of this generations ludicrously polished heavy hitters? In short yes. Part third-person shooter and part brawler; Enders is Kojimas ode to Anime classics Gundam and Evangelion with a simple setup youre dropkicked into the cockpit of Jehuty, a bipedal Orbital Frame mech and tasked with freeing your futuristic metropolis from the clutches of marauding evil robots.
While the narrative is typically bonkers, Enders gameplay still holds up even by todays standards. Yes, the robot clobbering can get repetitive but Kojimas deft touch with game mechanic application ensures theyre still as fast-paced and smooth as they were when both games first appeared. Of the two, 2nd Runner is arguably the one that deserves most of your thumb time. Its much prettier to look at and definitely more fun to play thanks to a swathe of bombastic aerial battles. With trophies, extras and a swish HD touch-up, Zone Of The Enders HD Collection contains two stellar excuses to venture back in time on your console this holiday season.