PS3 Review – Killzone 2
What follows is as much a thank you letter to Guerrilla Games as it is a review.
Thank you for the extremely high levels of production value present at all times in Killzone 2. The attention to detail and the tender love and care given to every single facet of the presentation and gameplay has been something I’ve longed for in a cinematic First-Person Shooter experience since the very first time I played shooter games many years ago as a child.
Thank you for the volumetric effects; you spoil us PS3 owners with such wondrous visual fidelity and you give this game an overwhelmingly organic feel that is greatly appreciated. Never before has a game caused me to fear for my life only because I just plain can’t see what is in front of me. The step up to volumetric effects was a wise step indeed, and the 3D smoke really thickens the atmosphere beyond anything you’ve played before. The smoke doesn’t feel “rendered”, it most assuredly feels real because it lingers and completely cuts off your visibility, just like it would in real life. This allows for some very dramatic close encounters with Helghast soldiers; you’ll be wildly flailing your knife in the air with the hopes of hitting someone because you’re afraid of where they might pop out from.
This infamous image was labeled (and found to actually be) a bullshot way back when...I'm here to report to you that it looks EXACTLY like that in-game, if not better. GG admitted to color-correcting the image ever so slightly, but since late in 07 (when this image arose) they obviously added in-engine color correction to subsequent engine builds.
Thank you for the lighting, Guerrilla. The subtle shift in colors and other more dramatic atmosphere changes between areas are really and truly a treat for the eyes. Your game is lit like a beautiful work of art, and it shows…everywhere; a lone dynamic light above a wooden walkway revealing deep browns and reds of dried blood and paint, or a cold industrial feel of greenish-gray being emitted from light bulbs in a tiled stone-and-steel building. Muzzle flashes cast eerie shadows on these dark and terribly beautiful environs, creating a sense of occupation or presence. The occasional dead soldier is on the ground with dried brownish blood all around him; a single bulb illuminates this, seemingly with the goal to bring the grisly scene to your attention. It’s another reminder that war is hell, and sometimes men are indeed left behind.
Meet the crew...your character is the one front and center ("Sev")
You’ve given us an above-average single player campaign with great soldier-acting (hey, soldiers aren’t Oscar winners, so you won’t see me complaining about hokey one-liners or tired cliches) and monstrous set pieces befitting of a Michael Bay action film. With such a wide variety of landscapes to traverse, there is never a bored moment, and it never really does feel scripted because of the great AI you’ve implanted into the minds of the Helghast. It’s always a challenge no matter what way we approach a situation, and I thank you for that. The enemy react very well, trying to flank me and flush me out, and work together to overwhelm me and create a sense of desperation and panic.
What sounds grace my ears in glorious full surround but the sounds of war, howling wind, screams of fallen foes and the thunderous booming of distanced artillery; in another instance…the low humming of industrial equipment, radio chatter of Helghast patrols, the mighty crashing of lightning as it streaks across the sky, lighting up your proximity with a flash of electrical intensity so bright that it makes you go “wow…”.
The aural quality and presence of Killzone 2 is evidently heard in every action you perform, be it reloading your weapon, firing said weapon, slashing your trusty knife, the crunch of the soil underfoot or the tapping of your boots on cold and hard pavement, the distinct sound of a rusty old Helghast assault rifle being reloaded from behind cover 10 yards away…regardless whether it’s voice, sound effect, music (an orchestral style which hearkens back to Michael Giacchino’s Medal of Honor days), or environmental audio, all of it was created and put to use in such a top-notch way that there is no ignoring the fact that you surely are jacks-of-all-trades, Guerrilla Games.
The multiplayer looks and feels almost exactly like single player, with only a tiny reduction in certain effects and the controls are sped up a bit
Building on your already popular multiplayer from your first effort, Killzone, your new system of ranks and upgrades is one sure to be cherished by any modern FPS fan. Any long-time player of the genre now expects there to be not just quality of actual gameplay, but depth as well. Killzone 2’s multiplayer component (replete with bots that function very well, mind you) is poised to put great numbers up on the board, and I believe it will be chock full of active clans and eager players. There are eight (!) beautifully rendered maps and several modes available (ranging from deathmatch to capture the flag types, and others) and all of these modes are playable within one map load (which eliminated going back to the lobby), and this clearly shows your intention, Guerrilla, of keeping the players together throughout their multiplayer experiences. I’m positive you will be thanked for that.
One final statement remains to be said. Your latest game is the very definition of redemption, Guerrilla. You have taken any issues you had with the first Killzone and totally turned them around, in fact making them your strengths. That is the perfect example of a fantastic developer, one that learns from past experience, applies knowledge gained and strives to listen to the community and their fans and give them what they want. Thanks for such an atmospheric, enjoyable, memorable, visceral, frantic and just plain fun shooter, Guerrilla Games. You and Killzone 2 really deserve any and all praise.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Intense multiplayer that frequently changes. Production quality sets a new bar for all games, not just consoles games. |
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67 Responses to “PS3 Review – Killzone 2”
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February 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 AM
fine review!
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:57 AM
Yes! Thanks the gaming gods that it has actually lived up to the hype! Only 5 more days!
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 AM
nice read.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:33 AM
I didn’t read the review… Sorry but I already know that I want the game more than just about any other… I don’t need to hype myself up ANY more than I already am. I mean they let people review the game almost a month before release… I mean is that not the definition of confident? Matt Hazard hasn’t even lifted the embargo yet…
By the way, why doesn’t PSLS have a Podcast yet? I wasn’t hyped up by this game until I heard all the gushing from the PS Nation Podcast. They aren’t paid by Sony or anyone really. Mark and Glenn just fell in love with the game. Mark isn’t even an FPS fan and he really got into it much more than he though he would.
Just 4 more days. luckily my day off is Friday. ^_^
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 AM
A podcast is an undertaking that requires coordination of wildly varying schedules. It’s just not feasible currently. It’s still being considered though, so don’t worry. We haven’t discounted it altogether.
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:46 AM
Also podcast discussion belongs in our forums
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:36 AM
Fine review, can’t wait to pick this game up and give it a go. I just hope I can adjust the sensitivity to my liking in the full version. (didn’t find my sweet spot on the demo)
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:35 AM
GREAT REVIEW! GREAT READ! I cant wait!
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Simply amazing. I cannot wait until Friday. I am going to call off work. LOL
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 AM
BANNED
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 AM
nice review, thanks, Ill be in the second wave of amazon orders when it arrives. I’m glad Guerilla pulled this off, I’d much rather read happy than sad.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Waaah! Ski trip in Idaho starting the 27th. Won’t be in able to buy game until March 6th. I’ll be thinking of you guys! LOL
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Wow! So jealous. Nice review, John!
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:23 AM
So glad to hear multiplayer controls are “sped up a bit” – that was one thing I couldn’t stand in Killzone PS2 online. Your player felt so HEAVY and slow it slightly detracted from the gameplay.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I’m with you on the demo, I wish I could tweak the ACCELERATION and not just the SENSITIVITY.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 AM
i will see you biches on the battlefield
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 AM
yeah you will, it’ll be me t-baggin you
hahahha j/k
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 AM
agree, and the statement about the multiplayer being “sped up a bit” is good news.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Great review, Linux. Wish I could have been the one playing it a week early!
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Excellent read. This is why I still pick up magazines: for thought provoking and emotionally stirring content. I doubt you wrote this and thought about what you were writing as you were writing it. The words had a very natural flow that smells of meticulous thinking and planning to make sure the end result was more than just a blog posting but an exercise in poetry. More like a work of art than just some words splattered on the page (web or paper).
I for one can’t say the word Killzone and not gush like a little girl at a Jo Bro concert. I’ve told as many ears that will listen that this game WILL be better than any other FPS on the PS3. Even the mighty CoD4 will take a back seat to this game for at least a little while and hopefully permanently. Although even the mighty Halo had to contend with CoD so it’s okay if that game still sees high online numbers. It is a great game no doubt.
Anyway, congrats on the review. I can’t take Friday off but Friday night it’s me, KZ2 and a case of Red Bull. I intend on playing through the single player campaign at least twice and spend as much time as I can in Warzone to start earning my way to the top of the leaderboards.
Oo-rah.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Sorry, but this post sounds way too biased for a review. It’s well written, and a good read, but more of an impressions piece. There’s just not enough depth or balance for it to be a credible review. I’m sure the game is fantastic, but are you telling me there isn’t a single thing wrong with it? A review should mention the good and the bad, not only the good.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Hey, I wrote what the game made me feel, no more no less. If my very real feelings aren’t credible enough for you, then you are welcome to find another review source.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:05 PM
The only thing I found wrong with the game is that the single player campaign ends.
It’s that good.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:24 PM
So does the multiplayer have regular deathmatch(free4all)? Because i heard it was all team based.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Nope, all team based
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 PM
awww..that sux i mostly play the traditional deathmatch..
i guess tdm will have to do.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Great review, it’s not the I haven’t heard before it, but it’s good to see more people thinking/feeling the same thing. I wonder when will the game come to my country.
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Awesome Review. I recently featured another review on my site by GregHorrorShow that offers some more great perspectives into what should be one of the greatest first person shooters ever.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:24 PM
[...] praising the title. If you missed it, you can check out PSLS’s review of the Killzone 2 right here. Hope to see you all at the live [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 7:15 PM
[...] Killzone 2 Review Written by John What follows is as much a thank you letter to Guerrilla Games as it is a review. [...] [...]
February 25th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
LOL, excellent response….biting fingers in anticipation for this title.
February 25th, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Great review…..this week is going too slow for me. I need this game now!
February 25th, 2009 at 1:12 AM
DM only works well in games setup for it. This is a team game in and out. Because of that only team modes exist.
February 25th, 2009 at 3:33 AM
Wait . . . it ENDS!?!?!?? To hell with it; I’m not buying it!
If anyone couldn’t tell that was sarcasm, close your internet browser and never come to the internet again – you are too stupid to be online.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Im missing out…where’s a DeLorean when I need one
February 25th, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Hey, I live in the Uk, and i preordered my copy of KZ2 from additions direct (littlewoods sub company)& i have received it today, Wednesday the 25th of Feb. 2 days b4 the official release date. Im not complaining, I just thought I would let you know. Whoooo Go Littlewoods!
February 25th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
1 day to go for me whooo cant wait
February 25th, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Wow! That’s crazy!
February 26th, 2009 at 12:33 AM
[...] any luck some these will be available Thursday, especially with the release of Killzone 2 the very next day. .gallery { margin: auto; } .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; [...]
February 26th, 2009 at 7:19 AM
Looks ok but conduit on Wii will own this!
03/03/2009 at 6:22 PM
You are a funny person Crisen!
February 26th, 2009 at 10:03 AM
whet does this comment bring to this post nothing
February 26th, 2009 at 1:13 PM
So I’ll see all ya’ll online friday.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:56 PM
[...] you like Killzone 2 (Really now…)? Want a copy of the BradyGames strategy guide for the game? If so, then simply [...]
February 27th, 2009 at 7:34 AM
i wish i was 17 so i could go and pick it up on my way back from school.. ill go with my mom this evening to buy it
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Thanks Guerrilla Games and Sony for bringing an truly excellent game. Thanks again.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 PM
AWESOME GAME
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Let me thanks again Sony and Guerrilla for an excellent experience. This game is an example for developer to follow, when you put all the effort to create a MASTERPIECE this are the result. Excellent game. Tonight I finished the campaign, now look for the missing trophies and the WARZONE. See you there.
March 6th, 2009 at 10:48 AM
I would say that as far as single player goes its second to Bioshock. Having said that, this is by far the best online FPS ever for me. I have never enjoyed playing online cometetive. Until I got this game. = )
March 6th, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Awesome review!! I’ll just have no wait, just go too many games right now, that i need to finish before i start buying more game
March 6th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
This by far is the best Playstation game to date! The support for the online functionality is amazing. Now if only other developers would follow suit. *cough* SOCOM *cough*
March 6th, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Well after finishing the campaign and playing some online i must say, yes Guerilla, thank u
March 10th, 2009 at 7:43 PM
gettin this game next week
March 24th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I was going to post something long and witty, but I’m just going to get back to shooting that ATAC down instead.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Great review this game deserves a 5/5.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Great read John. I really enjoyed it. I posted a similar “type out your experience” review over on ps3trophies.org. My “review” has a bit of a twist to it though. It is entitled “Holy $%@! ~ I finished my first FPS!!! ~ A review, kinda. I’m not sure if I am permitted to post it, or a link to it (mods forgive me), but I thought some of the members here might enjoy it. Here is the link; http://www.ps3trophies.org/forum/killzone-2/10603-holy-i-finished-my-first-fps-review-kinda.html
May 30th, 2009 at 10:11 AM
The biggest things i like about that game is that its addictive and you can play your own music tracks in multiplayer. i wish you could in story mode.
July 19th, 2009 at 9:22 AM
[...] Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 are two games that the real triggers both give immediate benefits to. Warhawk, on the other hand, wasn’t as good as an experience when piloting. It’s nice to have the option to take them off when necessary. [...]
August 9th, 2009 at 1:15 PM
[...] PlayStation LifeStyle GameNight, we’ll be playing one of the PS3’s greatest shooters, Killzone 2. So, jump on [shal]Killzone 2[/shal] at 9:30pm EST tonight, and search for the lobby, PSLS. The [...]
August 10th, 2009 at 12:27 AM
[...] those of you that are huge fans of PlayStation Home and Killzone 2 (all five of you out there), you will have to wait a bit longer for the Killzone 2 Home space. It [...]
August 14th, 2009 at 3:54 PM
[...] a recent interview with Game Informer magazine, a Guerilla Games representative talked about Killzone 2, and how the gaming media constantly compares Killzone 2 to other major shooter franchises. [...]
September 8th, 2009 at 1:28 AM
[...] / €29.99. Next up on the list are Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, Resistance 2, and none other than Killzone 2. With an impressive backlog lined up for new on top of heavy-hitters lined up for the remainder of [...]
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 PM
i hated the fact that people complained of the voice acting when it was decent not GREAT.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:20 PM
[...] $49.99 Borderlands – $49.99 WWE: Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010 [Review] Killzone 2 – $49.99 [Review] Prince of Persia – $19.99 [Review] Fight Night Round 4 – $28.99 [Review] Jurassic: The [...]
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:35 PM
[...] – $49.99 [Review] Need for Speed: Shift – $49.99 [Review] Killzone 2 – $49.99 [Review] Prince of Persia – $19.99 [Review] Overlord 2 – $29.92 [Review] BlazBlue: Calamity [...]
December 7th, 2009 at 5:18 AM
[...] – $49.99 [Review] Need for Speed: Shift – $39.99 [Review] Killzone 2 – $44.99 [Review] Overlord 2 – $24.99 [Review] BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger – $49.99 [Review] NCAA [...]
December 19th, 2009 at 12:19 AM
[...] a banner year for gamers as many blockbuster titles were released on to console. Games like Killzone 2, inFamous, Uncharted 2: Among Theives, Batman: Arkham Asylum and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. [...]
December 21st, 2009 at 4:29 AM
[...] 5 late last month, Guerrilla Games decided to do a comparison of the graphics in Killzone 1 to Killzone 2. The results are mind blowing and show the true power of the PlayStation [...]