See here's where the problem lies, Many people have played the first one because it had the famous MGS2 demo included... But after playing it, Many people thought it sucked... and thus, Not getting the second runner.

Some people have no taste :v
I bought ZOE because I wanted ZOE >:/
I didn't care in the slightest that it had the MGS2 demo with it. I'd never even played the first one :v

Of course, as a result of the demo I went and bought MGS and MGS2, but I bought ZOE because it had big, highspeed mechs beating the shit out of one another, which for me, was all I needed to have to have it.

At the time i played ZOE1, I didn't even own it... It was at my cousin's house. he was sorta like you fox, Had a huge collection of anime's and games and stuff.
I don't have much memory of playing alot of ZOE1, But ZOE2 is still in my heart... And i loved those moments me and my bro had playing ZOE2.

Anyway, at that time i didn't know about a MGS2 demo >.>

I had nooooo anime at all when I bought ZOE :v
I think I was still kinda in the mindset that Anime sucks at that time.
But sleek robots, that don't slowly clomp around like the Metal Core games attracted me.
Also, the "cockpit" thing amused, and made complete sense to me at the same time.
I was into anime by the time ZOE2 came out, but yeah.

Hahaha, Cockpit....
Actually, i hate robots and stuff... like gundam and all that crap. But there's a thing in ZOE that amused me, It's just... awesome.

I also wasn't a fan of anime too, back in the day.