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    Killzone 2

    Game » consists of 8 releases. Released Feb 27, 2009

    Take the fight to the Helghast in this first person shooter from Guerrilla Games.

    fraggingrights's Killzone 2 (PlayStation 3) review

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    • fraggingrights wrote this review on .
    • 1 out of 1 Giant Bomb users found it helpful.

    Killzone 2

    Killzone 2 has been under the radar since its infamous debut trailer was seen at E3 2005. Nearly a year and a half before the PS3 was even out, the game was making enough of an impact to start gathering immediate attention. Since its predecessor failed to be the self-proclaimed "Halo killer" it was promised as, Killzone 2 had a lot to live up to. Four years later, after a snowball effect of hype, Killzone 2 was released and justified gamers' eager anticipation.


    A quick synopsis of the game for those who haven't played yet: Two years after the events of the first Killzone, the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) is taking the fight from planet, Vekta, to Helghan, an industrial nightmare of a warzone and home to the antagonist Helghast. You take control of Alpha team's Sergent Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko as you're dropped behind enemy lines to take over Helghan capital city, Pyyrhus, and find the Helghast's leader, Scolar Visari.

    Firstly, let me say that as far as a single player game, Killzone 2 brings absolutely nothing new to the table. This is not to say that the game was bad, but when you really dissect Killzone 2's campaign it was nothing more than generic war missions amidst a forgettable, almost unnoticeable, plot. The lukewarm story felt like somewhat of an afterthought, tacked on to cut scenes and hidden within dialogue that goes unheard during fire fights. The dramatic events are there, but didn't really engage me. After getting used to the somewhat awkward controls (mostly being that they are sluggish and accompanied by slight aiming difficulties), the single player mode, although nothing fresh, is still great as far as PlayStation 3 exclusives go. At least worth the 10 hours I put in to it. I'll definitely play it again, but I can't say that it will be anytime soon. This is mostly attributed to a particular point in the final level that had me cursing and screaming to the point that my fiance almost called an exorcist. Anyone who has gone up against Colonel Radec and his goons might know what I'm talking about. But aside from that, the game is entertaining and can be tackled with relative ease.

    One of the main attractions of Killzone 2 is, as most gamers know, is the visuals. Kz2 is a beautiful game. The characters, gritty and worn from battle, roams the demolished and shrapnel littered streets. The cities are dense and detailed with stairways, balconies, insignias and propaganda. Deserts, baron and windswept, are brushed with oranges and reds. In some parts where you can actually see the light of day it is magnificent and vast. You'll even notice small things like the dirt in Sev's fingernails as he holds weapons. Almost every nook and cranny of Killzone 2 holds so much detail that it's hard to not go sightseeing and avoid checkpoints to gawk at every microscopic texture. Guerrilla Games spared no expense when it came to treating gamers to eye candy.

    The audio, while not quite as impressive as the visuals, is nothing to write off either. The voice acting sounds natural and compelling, but every once in a while can sound forced and cheesy. Such is the case with Killzone 2's most annoying character, Rico Velasquez. The bad boy/renegade/antihero of the I.S.A. Alpha Team, Rico's level of testosterone and profanity will most likely get on your nerves. The music of Killzone 2 is where the games audio really shines. Composed by Joris De Man, the orchestral bliss of Kz2 hints at influences from Star Wars to The Matrix. It truly ties the game together making for an even more engaging experience. More impressive than the audio and visuals of Killzone 2 is the single most profound part of the entire experience.

    The multiplayer of Killzone 2 demands attention. Offering an extremely robust class based system that rewards players with badges as you rank, Killzone 2's multiplayer will keep you coming back for more. Not unlike Team Fortress 2, Kz2 offers infantry in the way of: Soldier, Medic, Engineer, Assault and so on. All of the classes must be unlocked as you rank up in matches, which to some people may feel like a grind, but isn't too bad once you get in to the swing of things. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses. Soldiers have a great selection of arsenal, but no accessory option. Engineers can plant and repair turrets, but can only carry shotguns. Badges in Killzone 2 work like perks do in games like Call of Duty 4. They offer anything from health boosts to super speed but, unlike CoD4, can only be used one at a time. Every player will, inevitably, find which class best suits them, and after unlocking badges, you can tailor fit a character to your needs. Another interesting point about the multiplayer is the methods of play there are to chose from. A selection of games includes: Bodycount, Search and Destroy, Search and Retrieve, Capture and Hold, and Assassination. These games can be played on their own, or can be set to switch during an online match after a designated interval of time expires. Having the modes constantly switching is a great way to keep the game fresh and keep you on your feet, ready for the next challenge.

    If you separate Killzone 2 in to equal parts, you have two completely different experiences. On one hand you have a visually stunning, albeit just a cut above mediocre, first person shooter. It will be fun while it lasts, but don't expect it to hold a special place in your gaming heart. On the other hand, you are gifted with a deep, fast-paced, class-based multiplayer option that should not go unnoticed by any gamer with a PS3. It is as addicting as it is rewarding.

    So the verdict:

    If you own a PlayStation 3 and like playing games online, there is no reason to pass on Killzone 2. BUY THIS GAME.

    However, if you are just looking for a good PS3 exclusive to pass some time and want something good to look at... Rent it.

    Other reviews for Killzone 2 (PlayStation 3)

      Dazzling technical display that should have been so much more 0

      Killzone 2 reviewed on PlayStation 3 It is generally considered that to criticise something for what it does not do is fallacious. After all, it deserves to be judged on its own merits in isolation from what it may or may not have been, and to do so could prove a disservice to its creators. Killzone 2 is ostensibly a shooting game and what it does, it does pretty well. The control scheme is adeptly tailored to the two stick set-up, its visuals are gloriously bombastic and the action itself is m...

      15 out of 18 found this review helpful.

      Guerrilla Delivers 0

      Killzone 2 probably has one of the most storied histories of any game in the past decade. In its now legendary E3 2005 premiere trailer it became the poster boy for the potential power of the Playstation 3. For the next four years speculation, and hype, or whether or not it could live up to this promise ran wild. Well, the game has finally arrived and I can honestly say that Killzone 2 has set the bar far above for any shooters to follow it on the PS3.You can't start any serious discussion witho...

      4 out of 4 found this review helpful.

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