Well I personally think that ZOE 1 was the best ARCADE style ZOE game ever. And ZOE 2 is the greatest RPG style ZOE game ever. They're both excelent, but in their own way.
ZOE 1 aimed for the most badass arcade mecha action possible. ZOE 2 aimed for a stronger cinematic approach, therefore we find the game so easy that we end up playing an interactive CGI movie.

w00t, couldn't have said it better myself
you're right, ZOE1 is more of a beat'em up and ZOE 2 is a beat'em up with RPG elements (more than ZOE1 that is)

Going off topic for a moment, which way would you rather have any new ZOE games? Arcade style or RPG/cinematic?

My preference leans more to the cinematic/RPG side.
But I like ZOE2 better than the first because it just felt like a major step forward.
After having played 2 I barely touched ZOE nemore

For me,i like ZOE 2 better,the combat is more fast paced,especially with the melee.
And graphics doesnt really matter if the gameplay is awesome.I still go to the arcade to play virtual on and daytona USA even though it is 1992 graphics!
But the graphic in ZOE 2 is really good,the cel shaded graphic makes it soothing to the eye even after so many years after the game came out.
And i love beyond the bounds so much,i listen to it when i am playing any other mech games.
The soundtrack is awesome and the sound effect is really well done too.
I liked the story and characters.Dingo,ken and the new leo are seriously cool.
The voice acting was great to me,i dont get why so many people hated the voice acting.

It's not that we hate it, It's because people find it funny. In some situations...

I Like it.