Killzone 2 UK Review

M|ch · 02-03-2009

UK, February 2, 2009 - Welcome to the end of the world. That's not the tagline from Killzone 2, rather the after-effect this reviewer believes might be the general consensus of forum-baiting fanboys who've already decided that Killzone 2 is the greatest game on the planet without actually playing it. So let's get this straight from the start – Killzone 2 is a fantastic game. It's outstanding in fact, and arguably the best first-person shooter on PlayStation 3. It isn't, however, the greatest game ever made, and I'll explain why later.

What Killzone 2 definitely is is a comprehensive single- and multiplayer package, with both elements given equal care and attention by developers Guerrilla. Indeed, the solid gameplay foundation on which the game is built has almost been overshadowed by the praise heaped on Killzone's eye-popping graphics – no surprise really, because it's one of the most visually impressive games on any machine, not just PS3. But Killzone 2 is much more than a glorified tech demo, it's a benchmark against which all FPSes will be judged, not only in terms of presentation but also because it delivers a superb action experience from beginning to end.

http://uk.media.ps3.ign.com/media/74...75/vids_1.html

Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the single-player campaign. The opening assault on Helghan, as you plummet through wispy clouds and land on the war-torn planet amidst a hail of gunfire, sets the tempo for Killzone 2 perfectly. It's a tutorial level of sorts, but one that doesn't take prisoners. No sooner have you learnt to duck and fire than the Helghast let rip, tearing you a new hole unless you pick up the basics quickly. Rushing the enemy will almost certainly result in your premature death while hanging back and taking them on from afar can often compromise your position as the cunning Helghast work together to outflank you. Progress is therefore a balance of eliminating your nearest threat before leapfrogging to the next suitable cover. In this respect Killzone 2 flows somewhere between Gears of War 2 and Call of Duty, because like CoD you're encouraged to push forward to stem the arrival of new enemies, but you'll need to use cover effectively, a la Gears, to make it through in one piece.

Speaking of cover, ducking behind a burned-out vehicle or low brick wall doesn't provide you with a bullet-proof shelter as it does in Epic's shooter. Killzone is far less forgiving, with enemy bullets able to pierce flimsy wooden structures and the like. Similarly, the guys from Alpha squad are bloody great hunks of muscle so ducking behind a narrow pillar for cover is rather futile. Instead you must pick your cover with care otherwise your backside will be riddled with holes.

This level of relentless intensity remains constant throughout the entire single-player campaign which, without wanting to include any major spoilers, takes in an explosive bridge assault, countless bloody skirmishes through tight corridors and a brilliant mech battle against heavy tanks. Impressive stuff indeed, but compared to Gears of War 2 and indeed Call of Duty 4, Killzone 2 feels a little one-dimensional. The set-pieces, while spectacular, aren't of the same epic proportions as they are in Gears 2 and while we wouldn't expect Alpha squad to ride into battle on the back of a giant war beast, giving the player control of more vehicles and throwing up a greater variety of environments would've been a welcome touch. There's certainly no shortage of vehicles in the game and you do get to drive a tank and pilot a mech, but these moments are few and far between. Likewise, there's not as much variation in the gameplay as Call of Duty 4 – no memorable sniper sections that provide a change of pace in the gameplay to break up the non-stop running and gunning. Admittedly, levelling such criticisms could easily be construed as nit-picking when Killzone 2 gets so much else spot on, but a change of tempo would've been welcome at certain points in the game.

As it stands, Killzone 2 is best described as a full-on assault on your senses, from the ferocity of the gameplay to the chest-rattling Dolby 7.1 sound (you really do need to play it through surround sound to get the most from the game) plus, of course, the superb presentation. Let's not mix words here; Killzone 2 is as much of a joy to watch as it is to play, because technically it visuals are peerless and also because so much attention to detail has been lavished on almost every aspect of the game. The lighting, gritty textures and dynamic effects pull together to create one of the most believable, viciously hostile environments we've had the pleasure of fighting in. It doesn't just look like you've been dropped into the middle of a war zone, it feels like it too, with the landscape scarred from the ongoing fighting and every bullet fired and grenade thrown leaving its mark. Sound, too, has been used to great effect, with the thud of mortar fire providing a suitably ominous background while the crack of gunfire and the resulting screams of downed enemies proving enough to satiate the blood lust of even the most gung-ho shooter fan.

It's the enemy AI that impresses the most though and is certainly one element of the game separates it from its rivals. In most other shooters it's easy to predict where an enemy will pop up, so progress is often a case of biding your time and taking the shot when they come out of cover. In Killzone 2 the Helghast are much tougher to predict, using cover much more cleverly and moving around to ensure you have to fight for every kill. For example, if they think you have a bead on their position they crawl behind cover to a safer spot where they'll pop up and fire. Similarly, lob a grenade into a group of enemies and they'll run out into the open, thinking it's better to risk taking a bullet than almost certainly dying when the grenade explodes in their face.

They're equally effective at dishing out punishment too. Standing back is no guarantee to survival as even the basic Helghast grunt is a crack shot, plus groups of enemies work as a team to outflank you wherever possible. They'll blind fire, throw grenades and when all else fails, charge in and attempt to knock you down with the butts of their rifles. It really is refreshing to face an enemy that feels like it thinks about every move rather than standing on the spot and sucking up everything you throw at it.

t's a shame then that your fellow Alpha squad members aren't quite so smart. All too often we were joined in battle by a fellow ISA grunt, only for them to stupidly run out into the midst of crossfire and slump to the deck after being riddled with bullets. It's certainly not a game-breaking oversight - downed teammates miraculously heal at the end of each level - but it can be frustrating when you have to rush out and save your buddies, risking your own hide in the process.

Killzone 2's AI really shines in the multiplayer too, which is bolstered by the inclusion of bots that act surprisingly like real-life opponents. Whether you're facing them or fighting with them, the bots really do add to the multiplayer experience and guarantee you'll never be battling in half-full servers. More importantly, they'll provide the kind of back-up you'd expect from human buddies because they actually work as a team and act depending on the unit class they're playing as. As such, engineers tend to hang around important multiplayer objectives, setting up gun turrets to bolster defences. Likewise, tacticians call in air support to areas where there's a concentration of hostiles and scouts will noticeably hang back and snipe from afar, while basic troops will get stuck in.

While the bots deserve praise they're still no match for teaming up with a bunch of mates who regularly play together, and that's another area Guerrilla has worked hard on with the inclusion of clans and a ranking system that rewards players on how much they put into the game. Since more advanced unit classes are only unlocked the more you play there's a genuine reason to invest hours into the multiplayer, rather than simply earning bragging rights or to creep up online leaderboards, although these too are incorporated into the game. The simple fact is you'll only unlock all the classes by playing the game, but at the same time Guerrilla has ensured it hasn't alienated more casual players by making the basic rifleman a blast to play with too.

Killzone 2 is an impressive game then. It offers an intense single-player campaign that weighs in at around the eight-hour mark, it's wonderfully intense from start to finish and serves up a substantial multiplayer game that is likely to keep servers busy for months to come. However, it's not without its faults, some of which have already been highlighted – the clumsy team-mate AI and the single-pace gameplay – but there are other shortcomings too. The lack of co-op is a disappointment for one and its inclusion would've certainly added a couple of extra points to the overall score. The dialogue and voice-acting is hackneyed at times too, and more so than other shooters. Take Gears of War 2 – it was gloriously over the top, often ridiculous at times, but in a Hollywood blockbuster kind of way. Killzone 2 is just bit more, well, generic. Not massively, but enough for you to notice. Closing Comments
For a developer whose previous games have been little more than average, Killzone 2 is a landmark achievement. Guerrilla has pushed the boundaries of what we’ve seen on PlayStation 3 by creating an all-action shooter that’s far closer to the original E3 teaser trailer than we could ever have imagined. It’s not perfect, sure, but it’s arguably the best FPS on PlayStation 3 and one that is, in this reviewer’s opinion at least, superior to Resistance 2. It also hints at what the developer is capable of achieving next time round and, bearing in mind what Epic achieved with Gears 2 over the original, we cannot wait to see what Guerrilla does with the next game in the series. For now, if you own a PS3, Killzone 2 is a must-have. And if you don’t own Sony’s machine, maybe it’s time to bite the bullet to make sure you don’t miss out on what is truly an outstanding game.
IGN UK Ratings for Killzone 2 (PS3)
Rating Description

out of 10 click here for ratings guide

9 Presentation
The 3D menus take a little getting used to, but everything else functions smoothly and looks superb, much like the rest of the game. 10 Graphics
Killzone 2 is a visual tour de force and sets a new benchmark in what PlayStation 3 - and action games as a whole - are capable of. 9 Sound
Although the dialgoue is often by-the-numbers, the overall assault on your ears is nothing short of spectacular, especially through a decent surround sound system. 9 Gameplay
Occasionally rubbish buddy AI lets down what is otherwise a first-class shooter experience, with some of the best enemy AI in the business. 9 Lasting Appeal
Killzone 2's sizeable multiplayer offering is bursting with depth and variation. Shame there's no campaign co-op though. 9.2
Outstanding OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

Adam · 02-14-2009

I played the demo a few hours ago, It very fun and violent

**TAREK®** · 02-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

I played the demo a few hours ago, It very fun and violent

ana bemsheh 3a 7akeh Adam is heik

I am buying it

02-03-2009	#1
M\|ch Registered Member Last Online: 12-19-2011 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,476 Thanks: 66 Thanked 884 Times in 516 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 25 Times in 18 Posts	Killzone 2 UK Review UK, February 2, 2009 - Welcome to the end of the world. That's not the tagline from Killzone 2, rather the after-effect this reviewer believes might be the general consensus of forum-baiting fanboys who've already decided that Killzone 2 is the greatest game on the planet without actually playing it. So let's get this straight from the start – Killzone 2 is a fantastic game. It's outstanding in fact, and arguably the best first-person shooter on PlayStation 3. It isn't, however, the greatest game ever made, and I'll explain why later. What Killzone 2 definitely is is a comprehensive single- and multiplayer package, with both elements given equal care and attention by developers Guerrilla. Indeed, the solid gameplay foundation on which the game is built has almost been overshadowed by the praise heaped on Killzone's eye-popping graphics – no surprise really, because it's one of the most visually impressive games on any machine, not just PS3. But Killzone 2 is much more than a glorified tech demo, it's a benchmark against which all FPSes will be judged, not only in terms of presentation but also because it delivers a superb action experience from beginning to end. http://uk.media.ps3.ign.com/media/74...75/vids_1.html Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the single-player campaign. The opening assault on Helghan, as you plummet through wispy clouds and land on the war-torn planet amidst a hail of gunfire, sets the tempo for Killzone 2 perfectly. It's a tutorial level of sorts, but one that doesn't take prisoners. No sooner have you learnt to duck and fire than the Helghast let rip, tearing you a new hole unless you pick up the basics quickly. Rushing the enemy will almost certainly result in your premature death while hanging back and taking them on from afar can often compromise your position as the cunning Helghast work together to outflank you. Progress is therefore a balance of eliminating your nearest threat before leapfrogging to the next suitable cover. In this respect Killzone 2 flows somewhere between Gears of War 2 and Call of Duty, because like CoD you're encouraged to push forward to stem the arrival of new enemies, but you'll need to use cover effectively, a la Gears, to make it through in one piece. Speaking of cover, ducking behind a burned-out vehicle or low brick wall doesn't provide you with a bullet-proof shelter as it does in Epic's shooter. Killzone is far less forgiving, with enemy bullets able to pierce flimsy wooden structures and the like. Similarly, the guys from Alpha squad are bloody great hunks of muscle so ducking behind a narrow pillar for cover is rather futile. Instead you must pick your cover with care otherwise your backside will be riddled with holes. This level of relentless intensity remains constant throughout the entire single-player campaign which, without wanting to include any major spoilers, takes in an explosive bridge assault, countless bloody skirmishes through tight corridors and a brilliant mech battle against heavy tanks. Impressive stuff indeed, but compared to Gears of War 2 and indeed Call of Duty 4, Killzone 2 feels a little one-dimensional. The set-pieces, while spectacular, aren't of the same epic proportions as they are in Gears 2 and while we wouldn't expect Alpha squad to ride into battle on the back of a giant war beast, giving the player control of more vehicles and throwing up a greater variety of environments would've been a welcome touch. There's certainly no shortage of vehicles in the game and you do get to drive a tank and pilot a mech, but these moments are few and far between. Likewise, there's not as much variation in the gameplay as Call of Duty 4 – no memorable sniper sections that provide a change of pace in the gameplay to break up the non-stop running and gunning. Admittedly, levelling such criticisms could easily be construed as nit-picking when Killzone 2 gets so much else spot on, but a change of tempo would've been welcome at certain points in the game. As it stands, Killzone 2 is best described as a full-on assault on your senses, from the ferocity of the gameplay to the chest-rattling Dolby 7.1 sound (you really do need to play it through surround sound to get the most from the game) plus, of course, the superb presentation. Let's not mix words here; Killzone 2 is as much of a joy to watch as it is to play, because technically it visuals are peerless and also because so much attention to detail has been lavished on almost every aspect of the game. The lighting, gritty textures and dynamic effects pull together to create one of the most believable, viciously hostile environments we've had the pleasure of fighting in. It doesn't just look like you've been dropped into the middle of a war zone, it feels like it too, with the landscape scarred from the ongoing fighting and every bullet fired and grenade thrown leaving its mark. Sound, too, has been used to great effect, with the thud of mortar fire providing a suitably ominous background while the crack of gunfire and the resulting screams of downed enemies proving enough to satiate the blood lust of even the most gung-ho shooter fan. It's the enemy AI that impresses the most though and is certainly one element of the game separates it from its rivals. In most other shooters it's easy to predict where an enemy will pop up, so progress is often a case of biding your time and taking the shot when they come out of cover. In Killzone 2 the Helghast are much tougher to predict, using cover much more cleverly and moving around to ensure you have to fight for every kill. For example, if they think you have a bead on their position they crawl behind cover to a safer spot where they'll pop up and fire. Similarly, lob a grenade into a group of enemies and they'll run out into the open, thinking it's better to risk taking a bullet than almost certainly dying when the grenade explodes in their face. They're equally effective at dishing out punishment too. Standing back is no guarantee to survival as even the basic Helghast grunt is a crack shot, plus groups of enemies work as a team to outflank you wherever possible. They'll blind fire, throw grenades and when all else fails, charge in and attempt to knock you down with the butts of their rifles. It really is refreshing to face an enemy that feels like it thinks about every move rather than standing on the spot and sucking up everything you throw at it. t's a shame then that your fellow Alpha squad members aren't quite so smart. All too often we were joined in battle by a fellow ISA grunt, only for them to stupidly run out into the midst of crossfire and slump to the deck after being riddled with bullets. It's certainly not a game-breaking oversight - downed teammates miraculously heal at the end of each level - but it can be frustrating when you have to rush out and save your buddies, risking your own hide in the process. Killzone 2's AI really shines in the multiplayer too, which is bolstered by the inclusion of bots that act surprisingly like real-life opponents. Whether you're facing them or fighting with them, the bots really do add to the multiplayer experience and guarantee you'll never be battling in half-full servers. More importantly, they'll provide the kind of back-up you'd expect from human buddies because they actually work as a team and act depending on the unit class they're playing as. As such, engineers tend to hang around important multiplayer objectives, setting up gun turrets to bolster defences. Likewise, tacticians call in air support to areas where there's a concentration of hostiles and scouts will noticeably hang back and snipe from afar, while basic troops will get stuck in. While the bots deserve praise they're still no match for teaming up with a bunch of mates who regularly play together, and that's another area Guerrilla has worked hard on with the inclusion of clans and a ranking system that rewards players on how much they put into the game. Since more advanced unit classes are only unlocked the more you play there's a genuine reason to invest hours into the multiplayer, rather than simply earning bragging rights or to creep up online leaderboards, although these too are incorporated into the game. The simple fact is you'll only unlock all the classes by playing the game, but at the same time Guerrilla has ensured it hasn't alienated more casual players by making the basic rifleman a blast to play with too. Killzone 2 is an impressive game then. It offers an intense single-player campaign that weighs in at around the eight-hour mark, it's wonderfully intense from start to finish and serves up a substantial multiplayer game that is likely to keep servers busy for months to come. However, it's not without its faults, some of which have already been highlighted – the clumsy team-mate AI and the single-pace gameplay – but there are other shortcomings too. The lack of co-op is a disappointment for one and its inclusion would've certainly added a couple of extra points to the overall score. The dialogue and voice-acting is hackneyed at times too, and more so than other shooters. Take Gears of War 2 – it was gloriously over the top, often ridiculous at times, but in a Hollywood blockbuster kind of way. Killzone 2 is just bit more, well, generic. Not massively, but enough for you to notice. Closing Comments For a developer whose previous games have been little more than average, Killzone 2 is a landmark achievement. Guerrilla has pushed the boundaries of what we’ve seen on PlayStation 3 by creating an all-action shooter that’s far closer to the original E3 teaser trailer than we could ever have imagined. It’s not perfect, sure, but it’s arguably the best FPS on PlayStation 3 and one that is, in this reviewer’s opinion at least, superior to Resistance 2. It also hints at what the developer is capable of achieving next time round and, bearing in mind what Epic achieved with Gears 2 over the original, we cannot wait to see what Guerrilla does with the next game in the series. For now, if you own a PS3, Killzone 2 is a must-have. And if you don’t own Sony’s machine, maybe it’s time to bite the bullet to make sure you don’t miss out on what is truly an outstanding game. IGN UK Ratings for Killzone 2 (PS3) Rating Description out of 10 click here for ratings guide 9 Presentation The 3D menus take a little getting used to, but everything else functions smoothly and looks superb, much like the rest of the game. 10 Graphics Killzone 2 is a visual tour de force and sets a new benchmark in what PlayStation 3 - and action games as a whole - are capable of. 9 Sound Although the dialgoue is often by-the-numbers, the overall assault on your ears is nothing short of spectacular, especially through a decent surround sound system. 9 Gameplay Occasionally rubbish buddy AI lets down what is otherwise a first-class shooter experience, with some of the best enemy AI in the business. 9 Lasting Appeal Killzone 2's sizeable multiplayer offering is bursting with depth and variation. Shame there's no campaign co-op though. 9.2 Outstanding OVERALL (out of 10 / not an average)

02-14-2009	#2
Adam Registered Member Last Online: 06-03-2013 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 1,444 Thanked 1,235 Times in 689 Posts Groans: 25 Groaned at 21 Times in 19 Posts	I played the demo a few hours ago, It very fun and violent

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