In the 22nd century- mankind is freed from gravity. The human race expands into space for new land. Terraformed Mars is now a colony of Earth, and the human race covets Jupiter as well. While new resources and new lands bring light to their future, they also bring along some new trouble. People living in space under Earth's oppression are called "The Enders" -- "people living in outskirt colonies". There seems to be a major gap between Earth-born and Space-born people. They turn hostile at each other as the controllers and the controlled.
Special Edition
The "Special Edition" of The 2nd Runner was released in both Europe and Japan (as ANUBIS: Zone of the Enders Special Edition) after the US release of the regular edition of ZOE2.
This version of the game includes several minor game improvements and a few extras such as the "Beyond the Bounds" music video, expanded EXTRA MISSIONS, and new FMV sequences in the main story mode.
There has been no word on a release in North America, and there probably will not be, so ZOE fans in those territories wanting to play the Special Edition will want to consider importing.1
Unlockable Bonus
There is an unlockable bonus mode within the Extra Missions in The 2nd Runner called ZORADIUS (a spin-off of Konami's Gradius side-scrolling space shooter series). ZORADIUS is essentially a playable Gradius level, except in a full 3D environment.2
