effects. Prior to the game's release, a Japanese demo was packaged with an issue of Dengeki PlayStation magazine in January 2003. The game was released in Japan in both a regular edition and a limited edition. A variety of weapons, enemies, and boss battles have been added to the game. The "Special Edition" PAL and NTSC-J versions of the game featured a variety of additions and extras to the game, including new VR Training options, added scenarios, more difficulties, a music video featuring a remixed "Beyond the Bounds" theme, improved anti-aliasing and graphical optimizations, and new Orbital Frames for Versus Mode, among other improvements to the game. This version was released in Japan as Anubis Zone of Enders Special Edition on January 15, 2004 alongside a CD soundtrack. Music The soundtrack to Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner was released on March 19, 2003 on the album ANUBIS Zone of the Enders Original Soundtrack by Konami Music Entertainment. The album was composed by the same artists as the previous album, Norihiko Hibino, Maki Kirioka, Akihiro Honda, Toshiyuki Kakuta and Shuichi Kobori. It was also released in Europe around the same date the European version was released. The game's theme song, "Beyond the Bounds," was composed by Maki Kirioka and performed by Maki Kimura. In creating the song Kirioka discussed with Murata the idea of creating an upbeat song to fit the story. While not feeling sure about being able to sing it, Kirioka felt she could do it after meeting singer Maki Kimura. A CD single was distributed in Tokyo Game Show 2002. A remix of the song, titled "Beyond the Bounds (Mitsuto Suzuki 020203 Mix feat.Sana)" also included on the soundtrack, is played during a music video extra in the PAL and NTSC-J "Special Edition" versions of the game, and appears on Pop'n Music 8. Non-English parts of the lyrics of "Beyond the Bounds" were influenced by the Finnish language. Reception The game received positive reviews from game sites earning an 82 out of 100 in Metacritic. Video game publications noted it had several improvements over the original Zone of the Enders with GameSpot calling it "what the original Zone of the Enders should have been." This was due to the faster combat, the increase of Jehuty's abilities and the variety of the enemy number. A reviewer from Electronic Gaming Monthly called it "the best game I've played