___________   ____________  ____________
|           | |           | |            |
|________   / |  _______  | |  __________|
/  /  | |       | | | |
/  /   | |       | | | |______
/  /    | |       | | |  ______|
/  /     | |       | | | |
/  /      | |       | | | |
/  /       | |       | | | |
/  /______  | |_______| | | |__________
|          | |           | |            |
|__________| |___________| |____________|
___________________________________
|Author:            Martin G.       |
|E-mail:  martingtorres@hotmail.com |
|Version:           0.1 (first)     |
|Date:              October 2001    |
|Type:              General FAQ     |
-----------------------------------
|                 |
---------------------------|LEGAL INFORMATION|----------------------------------
|                 |
This FAQ is Copyright 2001 Martin G. This FAQ can only be used for personal
purposes. Any other activities such as copying, editing... must be asked to the
author. Any information obtained from this FAQ must clearly display the source
of the information and, again, with permission of the author.
_____________________________
| Credit:
| Thanks to Kao Megura (kmegura@yahoo.com) for
| helping me with the Copyright notice.
--------------------------------------------------
This FAQ should be in www.neoseeker.com. If it isn't,
please e-mail me telling where did you find it.
|                             |
--------------------|1. A FEW WORDS ABOUT THIS FAQ|-----------------------------
|                             |
Hello everybody.
In case you were wondering: no, this is not a Walkthrough. I have called it
General FAQ, and it should be enough. Here you'll find useful information about
enemies, sub-weapons and certain strategies on how to be, if not the best, at
least a capable frame runner.
I have put all the things that don't affect directly to the game just after the
ones that do, so that you don't waste time when you don't want to.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please, read all my FAQ. I say it because only reading the
entire document you will get the complete idea. I mean, repeating is boring to
me. I don't say the same thing twice. So, if you only read a part of anything,
you could be missing more useful information.
The contents of this FAQ are those:
1. A FEW WORDS ABOUT THIS FAQ
This is the section you are reading right now. An introduction to the Zone Of
Enders General FAQ.
2. STARTING THE GAME: YOU
In this section are listed all the movements and actions of Jehuty. How to
use them and when.
3. IMPROVING: THE SUB-WEAPONS
A complete list of the available sub-weapons, where to find them etc.
4. FIGHTING: THE ENEMIES
Here I describe the 3 types of enemies.
5. CONTACT: E-MAIL POLICY
A brief message to those who want to e-mail me. You are all free to do so.
6. OPINION: REVIEW OF ZOE
I am the author of this FAQ, and as such I can write a review if I want!
7. A PIECE OF ADVICE: GENERAL TIPS
This whole FAQ was made to improve your skills, but here are the short tips
we like.
|                         |
---------------------|2. STARTING THE GAME: YOU|--------------------------------
|                         |
Here are all the movements of Jehuty. They are all easy to use and useful.
I think the names aren't important. But if you are those of ones who like to
shout "Dash!Dash!Burst!Hahahaha!" while playing, let me say that the names
displayed here are those used by ADA in the game, so they are the very real
ones.
| NORMAL SHOOT |
------------
This is when you press [SQUARE] at any time. Jehuty will shoot three energy
balls which will go in the direction indicated by the red aim.
It is nothing as superb as it could be in real life, but can be very helpful
when approaching an enemy from far away. Most likely the enemy will turn on
its shield, but, well, it can't shoot at you while in that position. I also
found that the Mummyheads tend to fail miserably on protecting against this
attack. So, use it when long enough. Also the one way to destroy the porters.
Shoot an enemy when going towards him, so that he's hurt or covered
(inactive!), but be very careful: my experience says that 80% of the damage made
to the surroundings are made by YOU, I mean, Jehuty. I repeat, be very careful.
Don't shoot in the rescue missions: ONLY USE PHYSICAL ATTACKS.
Now, you can believe what I am going to say or not. But, I have tried it several
times and works.
Listen now: this is probably the most effective, the best attack against bosses.
Now, stop laughing, please, I'm serious. This attack is FAST, and, more
important, CAN BE DONE WHILE MOVING. Try to fly around Tempest, for example,
shooting him. You won't be hurt and his energy bar will decrease fast. Note that
if you try this with Neith you'll end up in a thousand pieces.
| NORMAL SLASH |
--------------
That happens when you press [SQUARE] while in close position, near the enemy
(the lock-on is red). You will attack it with your sword. Yes, it's very cool.
Pressing it 4 times will lead to a combo.
This is the basic attack of Z.O.E. If your only goal is winning, you can rely on
this single attack. Mash Square from the beginning to the end and you'll
probably win. But, it wouldn't be so fun, would it?
If they attack you in the moment you are pressing [SQUARE], you'll block the
attack (if it is physical). As said above, you can win just pressing [SQUARE]
since you block too. Most enemies (not upper levels) don't fight well in close
distance. Also the best technique to beat Neith and Zombie Neith.
| DASH |
-----
You will dash when pressing [R2] while moving. Jehuty will fly faster.
When there are no enemies and you don't feel like wasting time, use this. You
will go faster, and that's it!
| DASH SHOT |
-----------
A shoot while dashing ([R2] while moving, then [SQUARE]). Six lasers are shot
directly towards the enemy.
This attack is quite accurate and effective. The lasers will hit the enemy 9 out
of 10 times. If they are normal enemies, they will turn their shield on, but
bosses can do nothing! This is very important, because while in boss battles you
NEED to be dashing from one side to another.
When in normal combat, use this to attack far enemies before approaching them.
Good to prevent the Mummyheads to use their deadliest attack (I won't go into
details here, there is a full section later).
| DASH SLASH |
------------
It is the same as the dash shot, but in close range situation (the lock-on is
red). Jehuty slashes the enemy.
This attack isn't so useful, although it's effective. It is a good way of
starting a battle, or "pausing" it (a Cyclops seems to never get tired of
hitting you; use the dash slash to stop it and attack him yourself!) A bit
stronger than normal slash.
| BURST SHOT |
------------
[R2]+[SQUARE]. Jehuty turns its energy on a ball and throws it. The ball is
thrown when [SQUARE] is left, not before.
Ultra powerful. Ultra slow. Never try this when surrounded by enemies. By the
time the giant energy ball is shot, every enemy in front of you will be on the
other side of the colony. You can hold [SQUARE] until you see the enemy stops,
and then release it so that there is a higher chance of success. This attack is
very useful against bosses: one of them takes out an incredibly long section of
their energy bar. But well, you have to find time to stop, create the ball,
shoot it... And we all know that the bosses won't wait for you... Also a very
effective way of destroying several porters in one row when tired of moving the
aim.
Remember it is unblockable!
| BURST SLASH |
-------------
[R2]+[SQUARE] when in close combat position (the lock-on is red).
As the one above, a wonderful but slow attack. You can destroy low-level frames
with a single one of those. It has two negative points: speed and accuracy. I
have spoken about the first. What I mean with accuracy is that you won't always
hit your aim with this attack. Why? Because your sword is shorter than the short
range. So be sure to be near the enemy before trying this.
As the Burst Shot, this is completely unblockable.
| GUARD |
-------
[R1]. A shield protects frontal side of Jehuty.
Well, a shield is a good thing. This one is effective at the 100% against ALL
but two things: enemy burst attacks, and enemy grab & throws. A very good point
is that you can move while blocking: more useful than what you think when
approaching a furious enemy. There is no point on using this while in close
combat. As mentioned on the normal shot, pressing [SQUARE] in battle will have
the same effect.
| GRAB AND THROW |
----------------
[CIRCLE] when in close combat position (the lock-on is red). Jehuty takes enemy
under submission and when [CIRCLE] is released it will hit the enemy away.
This is the one attack I find equally cool and effective. Once you grab the
enemy, he has nothing to do. You can take your time to aim where do you want
that annoying Raptor to land. Throwing the enemy against a solid structure like
buildings, walls, the ground... will double the damage taken. Please don't
forget that the OTHER enemies can attack you if they want so. Also, do NOT try
to grab and throw if your enemy is more "aggressive" than usual. The enemy MUST
be inactive in order to be grabbed: it can easily avoid the attack and attack
you itself.
A good technique when surrounded by enemies is to grab one ([CIRCLE] when in
close-combat position), change your lock-on to another one ([L2]) and then throw
the enemy (release [CIRCLE]). If you do this, you will throw your enemy against
the other one, causing a LOT of damage to BOTH. If this is not cool...
|                             |
--------------------|3. IMPROVING: THE SUB-WEAPONS|-----------------------------
|                             |
The sub-weapons are used pressing [CIRCLE] while in long range, or anytime, out
of battle. In order to obtain them, follow these steps: get the passcode (pass-
weapon name), use it to get a driver in a local server (weapon name.drvr) and
find ammo.
Here is a list of all the sub-weapons, their effect and where to find the proper
passcodes and drivers.
Note: I don't say where to find ammo because it is EVERYWHERE. Close your eyes a
couple of minutes and you will find all your weapons plenty. There is a little
trouble with the Decoy; in this case I say where to find ammo.
| JAVELIN |
---------
A kind of javelin-spear-etc. which is thrown towards the enemy.
You should like this one, it is your very first sub-weapon. Sometimes it hits
the enemy straight away. Most of times the enemy will be too far or protected,
but note that the javelin is unblockable.
Use it as much as you want, there are lots of Javelins and you won't need them.
Raptors use these very often.
A very good way of having the Javelin hit your enemy is to throwing it JUST
after finishing a slash combo. When you hit your enemy the 4th time, he will fly
backwards unprotected until the lock-on is green. This is your chance: throw a
Javelin in the exact moment you finish your combo, and it will hit your enemy
95% of times. Normally he doesn't have time even to protect himself...
Both pass_javelin and javelin.drvr are in town.1
| PHALANX |
---------
Lots of energy balls are shot; the stronger [CIRCLE] is pressed, the faster they
are shot.
This weapon is very cool, but not so effective. More or less, 1 out of 50 energy
balls will hit the enemy: they tend to fly away when far. And when you get close
enough to fire the Phalanx accurately, the game changes to close-combat position
and you can't use it.
Mummyheads use this.
Both pass_phalanx and phalanx.drvr can be found in town.2
| SNIPER |
--------
A weapon that shoots physical bullets at long distance.
You have to get this weapon in order to destroy the shaft generator. Aim
carefully with the right joystick, and shoot. As easy as this.
Most of people think that this is all you can do with the sniper. Well, you
aren't going to kill a boss with a head shot, not even hurt a Lv. 1 Raptor, but
there is one thing you can do with your "primitive" sniper. I have found that
this gun is very accurate when shooting Porters. You will still have to aim, but
less than with the normal shots. "The sniper aims for you", we could say.
The Sniper is got after destroying the porters in town.2
| GEYSER |
--------
A group of mines that stick to any surface and then shoot a laser.
This one is my favorite. Not the most useful, but certainly the coolest. This
weapon is just wonderful in very narrow spaces. That is, the EPS tunnels. They
will stick to ANY wall or floor, or angled surface. A very important quality of
the Geyser: the mines itself hurt. I mean: if you throw them against a house,
the laser will be shot in the very opposite direction, but the house will be
destroyed anyway (I don't know, maybe the mines get VERY hot...)
Raptors use these.
Both pass_geyser and geyser.drvr are found in city.1, after destroying the shaft
generator.
| HALBERD |
---------
Shoots a long and strong laser. Shot when [CIRCLE] is pressed, stopped when
released.
I don't use this very often. It is very powerful and avoids ANYTHING to approach
you, even with shield, but it is slow using and fast wasting. For the simple
purpose of destroying a Raptor you can waste a very high quantity of Halberd. Be
very careful when using, because moving the halberd is veeery slow, and the
enemies can just move behind you and attack. Warning: if they do so, you WON'T
face them at time unless you turn off your halberd.
Note: the game says that "a halberd is effective against someone using a
halberd". I haven't tried, but I don't think this is the best way of dealing
with a Mummyhead...
Mummyheads use this (oh, they DO...)
Pass_halberd is found destroying the porters of EPS.1, and halberd.drvr is got
in the local server of that area.
| GAUNTLET |
----------
Shoots a highly powerful physical object.
Once you've known the gauntlet, nothing will be the same again. This is a real
sub-weapon: one that can be as good as the normal weapons. It IS the most
powerful weapon in the game (all gamers in the world agree with that, don't
we?). Please, go and try the gauntlet on a boss. You won't do it now? Then let
me explain; listen carefully. IT DOES AS MUCH DAMAGE AS A BURST ATTACK, OR EVEN
MORE. I know it doesn't look very powerful (it's a white line after all), but it
is.
Pass_gauntlet is found after destroying the EPS.2 stealth porters, and
gauntlet.drvr in EPS.2.
| COMET |
-------
This is a big energy ball that floats towards the enemy and hurts it. It is
powerful enough, but that "floats towards the enemy" means "starts floating
towards the enemy the first three seconds". After that time, the comet goes away
for some reason and never comes. So, you must be sure you ARE going to hit the
enemy when shooting the comet. The wonderful technique mentioned on the Javelin
works good here too. The shorter the comet is shot, the higher the chance of
success.
pass_comet is got after destroying the porters in city.2 and comet.drvr in the
local server of that area.
| DECOY |
-------
Oh, there's much to say about this sub-weapon. First, let's describe it.
The decoy creates a holographic muppet of Jehuty that cheats enemy radars. It is
used basically against the boss on the park, but can have other uses. You can
drop one when you are surrounded by enemies and want to escape. All the enemies
will attack the decoy. Now it's as if you were invisible, so escape! It works
even on bosses. Here is that little time for the Mummy!
There are two passcodes for the Decoy: pass_decoy1, in city.1, and pass_decoy2
in town.3. decoy.drvr is in factory.2, inside the hangar. And, you need ammo
now. Destroy the porters of factory.2 and there you have your new decoy.
I suggest you using it, after having so much trouble getting it!
| MUMMY |
-------
A mummy shield covers Jehuty while restoring its health.
This is the most useful sub-weapon, although it can't be called weapon. It
restores life. Simply. I bet you do know how it feels being with the 20% of
health and dozens of enemies between the nearest Metatron and you. "What can I
do that isn't suicide?". Use the mummy. Recovers your health (not so slowly!),
and covers you with a shield like one of those that Mummyheads use. So, it can
be used while in combat (but remember they can hurt your back!). As with the
normal shield, you can move while using.
Mummy is found in those sceneries in which shines a question mark, and ONLY
while it is shining.
|                        |
--------------------|4. FIGHTING: THE ENEMIES|----------------------------------
|                        |
| RAPTOR |
--------
Those are the very easy ones. It doesn't matter in which difficulty mode you are
playing, what level the Raptor has, what level do you have... you will easily
destroy them. They use Javelin a lot, but we do so too, and we know that none of
them will hurt us. Ever. They also use Geyser, but they usually only slow you,
not hurt you. If you play in Vs. mode, you'll see that Raptors can use the
Bounder. But, I have only seen them using it once. Odd...
Raptors tend to approach and fight in short range if they are your enemy. If you
are fighting another one, then they stand far and shoot Javelins at you. They
don't fail so much when doing this... Anyway, let them approach and start the
combat, with all the superb techniques you learnt at the beginning of this FAQ.
Dash Slash, Burst Slash...
| CYCLOPS |
---------
In Very Easy mode, or with low level, they are tougher than Raptors. In the Very
Hard mode or with high levels, they are a great enemy. If you really don't want
to risk yourself, you can stay far away and use dash shot continuously. Because
the Cyclops have NO long-range attack AT ALL. I can't advice this technique,
because you'll end up meeting al the other enemies in the map while running
away, and they will DO have long-range attacks. So, if you haven't got space
enough, you'll have to fight. Close. In Advanced levels, a SINGLE Cyclops can
kill you. And I mean going from the after-metatron entire green energy bar to
zero. They only can punch and throw, but it hurts! I have had to destroy a group
of three Cyclops of Level 5S when mine was 2 in Very Hard mode, and the safest
way seemed to be killing one, going for a metatron, destroying the other, going
for another metatron...
This is the time to use your goodies!
| MUMMYHEADS |
------------
In low levels, they are dangerous. In advanced ones (high level + very hard
difficulty) they are your worst nightmare.
They look easy because they are fat and slow, and because they can only use
long-range attacks. All I can say is Hah!. They really lack close-range attacks,
but please try to approach a Mummyhead using his double-Halberd. The
double-Halberd that is unblockable, incredibly long and energy absorbing. The
one in the EPS tunnels, for example. The only way of surviving is MASHING the
square button, so that he ONLY can 1)die 2)turn the shield on. By the way, a
very effective shield. You can try to grab & throw him while protecting, but
doesn't work always. They also use Phalanx and Comet, but nothing to worry
about. Using the Javelin-Comet strategy is a good way of beating them.
|                         |
------------------------|5. CONTACT: E-MAIL POLICY|-----------------------------
|                         |
Alright. I know I'm NOT perfect enough to make a FAQ on my own. YOU can help.
Maybe I'm wrong with something, or you have incredibly effective techniques and
strategies that always work. I love knowing about other strategies. If you DO
want to share your knowledge, e-mail me. My e-mail is at the very top of this
FAQ. You will receive my gratitude and, of course, a giant credit everywhere.
This is the first step of this FAQ, so I'm not tired yet. I won't put many rules
apart from the most sensible one. You can e-mail me just for fun, but, well, I
see no point on it. Be sure your strategy is original. That is, READ this FAQ.
If you e-mail me with a superb technique and I don't credit you, well, that
technique MAY already be in the FAQ. If I seem to have no idea of your brilliant
discover, tell me.
You can send me your opinion about the game, this FAQ, or about anything you
want. If I find it interesting, I will add it to the Opinion section.
Please, don't write me to complain about the ASCII art or the lack of it. I know
that the "ZOE" at the beginning of the FAQ isn't going to win any award. I have
seen those in other ZOE FAQs and I understand they are more beautiful, but, I
still need more practice and that "ZOE" isn't that important.
I didn't write a Walkthrough, but I finished the game under any difficulty
several times and there is a high chance that I could help you if you are in
trouble. Try.
I will understand you in English, in Spanish, in French and I think I could
understand something in Italian. If you don't know any of the above, don't write
me or search for a translator.
Anything you do, thank you.
|                            |
--------------------|6. OPINION: MY REVIEW OF ZOE|------------------------------
|                            |
First of all: don't worry, you can read this review. It won't take long. I have
read the other reviews that can be found anywhere and I think they are good.
I like to say that ZOE is the half of a perfect game. That is: if they had done
the double of all, it would be perfect. A longer game, please!
The graphics are great. There isn't much different lighting but the explosions,
but I have tried to put Jehuty above one of the lights that move over the sky,
and DOES illuminate Jehuty! I can be looking for hours to the different wings,
movements, etc of the robot.
The sounds are very real too, and the songs are very cool (although I never pay
much attention; the only in-game music I noticed was the alarm-like one in the
first encounter with Neith).
The gameplay is just astonishing. You can do whatever you want. We hardly ever
see a REAL 3D game, in which you can move in three directions. Luckily, Jehuty
can fly up, down, can shoot, can skate, can use sub-weapons...
The story is great too. I know that wouldn't win any Oscar if it was a movie,
but note that the story fits PERFECTLY, I mean P-E-R-F-E-C-T-L-Y with the game.
We are used to the kind of game that displayed a FMV, then a level of the game,
then another FMV... In ZOE, the game and the story match... perfectly, as I said
earlier. And, you feel as if the characters were real (who can forget Viola
CRYING??), even if you almost never see their face (note that we only see
Elena's face once, even when ADA can display the image!).
And so, what does Zone Of The Enders lack? We all know the answer: MORE, MORE,
MORE! Everything is perfect, but we want more! It's addictive!
All right, I finished. See how easy was?
|                                  |
---------------|7. A PIECE OF ADVICE: GENERAL TIPS|-----------------------------
|                                  |
Here are some brief tips that may help you while your ZOE experience. Anyway,
none of them will save your life (at least, not ALL of it). Read the whole FAQ
for the important things.
| GENERAL TIPS |
--------------
·Look at the map. Continuously. You will see the enemies, the objects, the
survivors... For heaven's sake, it PAUSES the game! It is worth the trouble!
·Use the "Mission" option in the Main menu. It is useful when you forget what
you were doing. Plus, the blue text displays very useful information about many
aspects of the game.
·Take ALL the sub-weapons, but NOT the Metatron. The sub-weapons seem limitless,
the Metatron not.
·USE the sub-weapons you get. I just CAN'T get to arrive to the final levels
with little ammo, it is impossible to run out of it if it isn't intentionally.
·Explore. Antilia is big, and has loads of things.
| TIPS FOR EASY MODES |
---------------------
·Be aggressive. Destroy all the enemy squads. Even if ADA tells you not to,
destroy every single enemy you see right from the start. Only stop if you are
plenty of experience and/or ammo, or if you are bored of fighting.
·Try to be the best. In Easy modes, you can forget about serious thing and try
to have all A ratings, or destroying all the buildings and survivors to get the
extra ending...
| TIPS FOR HARD MODES |
---------------------
·Be cautious. Avoid any battle with enemies that have more than the half of your
levels. I know you'll end the game (if you do) in Lv 4, but going around
fighting everything is too risky.
·Be patient. Fighting bosses can take out time, since you must avoid all of
their attacks (remember that two or three of them are deadly?). Some other
times, a Cyclops is too powerful and you are forced to use only long-range
attacks.
·Remember that the game doesn't end if a survivor dies, but it does if YOU die.
So, don't risk yourself in the SOS missions.
·"Restrict to your duties". Really, the Very Hard mode isn't the best one to
view different endings, trying new techniques and so.
(c)2001 Martin G.