Zone of Enders #1 isn't bad. The gameplay is fun, but that's really the only positive I can say. It's fun to play.

The story is almost nonexistent.
The voice acting is pretty bad.
The mission structure is obtuse, and if it wasn't for me using a guide, I don't think I'd have been able to beat this game.

I'm excited to try the 2nd game because ZoE 1 is fun and just needs some improvements to make it good.

The story is certainly captivating with a reminisce of Evangelion, so if you liked it, this game is for you. Gameplaywise this was released in the PS2 so the controls are kind of wanky, you get used to them easily but is definitely not the same as how we play modern games. The mechas are easy to control but yet the movements, special abilities and weapons are pretty basic which can make it feel too easy to play sometimes.
As for the level design you mainly fight in the air so you can't really contemplate the cities and scenarios unless you're not fighting so it's kind of a gray area for me, because I can't say is good or bad, is just ok, the maps are ok, I feel like the levels should be more detailed to actually get the full experience to drive a mecha, but it's an old game so I understand the hardware limitations.
Lastly for the Audio, the SFX are great and I can't say the music is bad I just don't think the techno style is for me, and it felt repetitive.

This game is not a must, although is a good game, but definitely try it if you're are interested in a mecha game.

I'll continue with the 2nd game hopefully before the year ends, and I will focus on new games for now.

I remember playing this when I was a young teen, it seemed like the coolest thing ever. This replay has dulled some of the shine but it still goes hard.

The music is unmatched, the main theme is unforgettable even after all these years. The mech anime story is unreal, localisation is hilariously bad and the voice acting is really ropey, but given that script I don't blame them.

I still think ZoE has some special features to it that The Second Runner lacks, such as the ring world level selection map and the open exploration type gameplay which I found really immersive.

The Second Runner has an undeniable cool factor and a much more cinematic feel to it, with the anime cutscenes feeling a lot more dramatic.

Definitely play it, watch the opening trailer thing (though it's got spoilers all over the place, it's still amazing... reminds me of how good The Phantom Pain trailer was) all the anime cutscenes. It's fantastic.