REVIEW: Killzone 2
March 7, 2009 by Craig J Gallagher
Filed under Reviews, Screenshots, featured, |
Developer: Guerilla Games | Publisher: Sony | Format: PS3
Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher
In years to come Killzone 2 will be remembered as a major event in the history of next gen releases. It all began with the unveiling of the trailer back in 2005 and was the first evidence that the PS3 could be superior to the competition.
Nearly 4 years later we finally have Killzone 2 in our greedy little mitts and can decide for ourselves just how it shapes up. First impressions leaves one with their lower jaw resting firmly between their feet. Believe the hype, Killzone 2 really is all that.
The first thing that strike you is just how visually impressive it all is. The game stretches the machines capabilities further than any other title to date. It really does take your breath away. The level design is simply astounding. Watch as the ground around you trembles and buildings crumble under the onslaught. Random dust clouds and presence of smoke from various burning items all offer hazardous realistic environmental features.
One of the most inventive and obvious devices the game employs is to make the old red versus blues a lot more interesting. The Helghast forces all have glowing orange eye pieces while the ISA soldiers have a nice blue glow. That such a simple device can make such a difference makes you wonder why all games don’t employ it.
The real stars of the game aren’t the ISA forces you find yourself fighting for but the Helghast who could very well go down in history as the greatest gaming bad guys. They are ferocious, unrelenting and much like the Nazi’s employ propaganda leading to a truly realistic villain.
While the gameplay offers nothing new of note, well bar the nuisance of having to turn the Sixaxis controller to set bombs and turn stuff. The combat is fast, furious and absolutely frightening. The AI is decent and the fact that injured enemy soldiers will limp when shot offers up the possibilities of some brutal melee violence.
When it comes down to it Killzone 2 is one of the greatest shooters ever released on any console and will be seen in years to come as a true classic. If you own a PS3 there is absolutely no excuse not to own it, even if you have to pimp yourself out in order to do so.
Zeouterlimits on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 8:40 am
“While the gameplay offers nothing new of note, well bar the nuisance”
“Killzone 2 is one of the greatest shooters ever released”
You don’t think that’s kind of in-consistent?
My personal 2 cents:
I rented it, finished in 6 hours (terribly frustrating boss at the end) and think I’ve had my fill. It’s certainly a really pretty and very cinematic game, but I didn’t see anything else that was note-worthy in it.
fl0wer came out at the same time and I played it during the same weekend, and I think it’s far far better than Killzone.
Emrah on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 8:48 am
@Zeouterlimits:
I am sorry that killzone 2 can’t make everyone happy, but why the rush? Also, why not try multiplayer?
Also, you cannot compare flower to killzone 2, it is like comparing applepie to pork chops. They are both very different things. Now you can compare pork chops to lamb ribs.. Oh well.
Craig J Gallagher on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 11:30 am
To Zerolimits, a game like any medium does not have to offer something new in order to be great. If it can successfully take what has goen before and improve upon that then it can innovate weithout having to offer a whole new gaming experience.
Killzone 2 does exactly that, it takes what is good about FPS’s and makes it seem fresh.
Your comparision to fl0wer is completely flawed as both games are entirely different genres. It’s like saying that The Godfather is better than 300.
Zeouterlimits on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 5:40 pm
“It’s like saying that The Godfather is better than 300.”
I see little problem with that as long as your point is that they are in different genres.
They are both mature movies, one hailed a deep, cinematic, piece of literature, the other hailed as a great mix of C.G. & live-action action movie. I think it’s fair to say that The Godfather is a ‘better’ movie. Using the story of showing our culture to a foreign, alien intelligence one is much more likely to include “The Godfather” than “300″ in a set our greatest films.
So I disagree that my comparison is flawed. I measured my enjoyment, how much fun I had (and yes I’m a big shooter fan).
@Emrah
I did try the multiplayer and actually think it’s quite good, very nicely paced with the ever changing goals. But there’s no local or system link. At all. As someone who loves to sit around with friends this is a big no-no for me.
Craig J Gallagher on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 5:53 pm
When judging a game you have to look at it in regards to the genre it inhabits. When discussing a title such as Killzone 2 you would not use Gran Turismo for example as a comparision. They are completely diffent games and the genres which they occupy must be taken into account.
I used 300 and The Godfather as comparisions as while both films are equally enjoyable they are completely different animals. It’s like when an adult reviewer unfairly slates a film aimed at children. You have to adress each game or film on it’s own merits based upon how well it fits in it’s genre.
Zeouterlimits on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 6:13 pm
“It’s like when an adult reviewer unfairly slates a film aimed at children.”
Perhaps I’m mis-understanding but that to me sounds like you’re proving my point, that you can compare things irrelevant of its genre (or who the target audience is).
But I don’t think we need to argue about this anymore, we’re obviously entitled to our own of looking at it.
Putting my perspective simply: I enjoyed fl0wer more than I did Killzone. I’d rather replay fl0wer than I would Killzone.
Thanks for the discussion Craig, it was nice to hear another perspective on how one can or can’t evaluate and compare things.
Craig J Gallagher on Sun, 8th Mar 2009 6:17 pm
My point about adults reviewing kids films as they are not aimed at them. Much like Killzone 2 is not aimed at the same audience as fl0wer.
It was nice discussing the game with you but I think you’re unfaily judging ti based on a quick play. Stick it on hard and see how much more satisfying it is.
darkofsky on Mon, 9th Mar 2009 9:11 am
@ zerolimits.
think you may have completely missed the point of the review. Killzone 2 is a great game and the review sums it up perfetly.
Why are’nt you guys linked on metacritic?