Killzone 2

I wasn't a fan of the original Killzone the game.  I was a fan of the concept, the style, the setting, the atmosphere and the absolute grit and grim Killzone 1 had.  But the game itself suffered from sluggish controls, choppy frame-rate, numerous bugs and glitches (especially online) and felt like a big bag of great ideas with nothing to tie them together.  I knew Guerilla Games' heart was in the right place and they needed a sequel to realize everything and the time to look back on what went wrong.

Killzone 2 is everything Killzone 1 was, but now the big question is where Guerilla Games can go from here.  Because after I beat the incredibly short campaign mode and tired of the bare online multiplayer I didn't have much to replay.  Sure I'll go back and beat the game on it's hardest difficulty as I usually do with games.  But I cannot say that I will look forward to any of the levels because none of them really stuck with me.

I know I am coming off as kind of confusing when you look at my score and my first two paragraphs.  But I just want to say that Killzone 2's campaign is absolutely phenomenal when you play through it first.  The level design is top-notch showing dirt, grit, destructable environments and even though it's firmly on rails you never really notice it.  You run down alleyways lit by lightning-torn skies, seeing Helghan soldiers with their ominous red eyes (I should add the red eyes makes it a hell of a lot easier to spot targets in this dark game). 

The music is great, clashing war themes on the main menu really get you into the mood.  The voice acting is also impressive with Helghan chatter sounding appropriately fitting for the theme.  Visari sounds great in the opening cinematic during his firey speech, all the soldiers sound like their lives depend on this war.  It is just good presentation all around.

As for the story, to be honest I never even finished Killzone 1 and remember nothing of the plot I did see.  It really was a forgettable game yet Killzone 2 eagerly follows KZ1.  For that, I cannot review character or plot development...just what I saw in KZ2.  Well, let's just say it follows the levels pretty well and has some interesting developments.  Though I really cannot write home about it.  It is yet another tale of Space Marines in Space complete with macho banter and yelling.

As for the controls, I am always a fan of FPS games that feel like your character has "weight".  As in, when you turn abruptly there is a little bit of resistance as if your character is physically turning.  He isn't just a floating camera that can turn on a dime.  Killzone 2 nails this well and I think is the sign of an immersive FPS game.  The cover system also works well, as long as you find good cover the game's controls allow you to slip in and out easily.  The team AI, on the other hand, is atrocious.  They will hog the good cover meaning you have to "push" them out to get into position.  They will slowly walk along catwalks blocking you the entire way (even when Helghan are opening fire).  The worst though, is when they get shot they lie on the ground begging you to heal them.  Yet, when you get shot they are unable to heal you (obviously intentional game design...but why give you the ability to heal and not your teammates? it begs the question).

Most of the other complaints I have are pure nitpicks.  For example, why can't you hold two assualt weapons? The game allows you to hold one plus a sidearm.  I can understand giving a sense of desperation to players when they whip out their pistol to off an enemy with a final shot.  But to give the player only 2 pistols and 8 assault weapons is pretty laughable.  It just means I dare not toss away my trusty StA52 because it's powerful and enemies drop all the ammo I need for it.  There's also other balance issues like giving the player an Electricity Gun in the game which insta-kills Helghan but has INFINITE AMMO...seriously.  Yes, you only get this weapon at one part in the game and lose it fast...but it's a long part of the game.

Multiplayer will give you some more bang for your buck.  Like CoD it has a perk and level-up system.  The more points you get in online modes the more you rank up.  When you rank up you get unlocked classes (Medic, Engineer, etc.) and more weapons (Shotguns, LMGs, etc.).  The only real problem I found is there isn't much variety in the long-term.  Aside from getting a new class I didn't find myself really playing MP as much as I have other FPS games.  The MP level design is fine for what it is, there are choke points everyone likes to run into and the maps are rather big.  But unless you get a clan started or join one, there isn't much to see.

In summary, Killzone 2 is a fun game and very much fun to play through.  Taking cover and engaging in shoot-outs is just awesome and Killzone 2's presentation makes it all the more fun.  Think of my criticisms as me saying "Killzone 2 feels like it should have been released a year or two ago".  The bar for FPS games has been raised a little bit over that time and KZ2 comes just shy of that bar.  If you keep that in mind, enjoy the awesome presentation and don't expect a long-term game...it's well worth a buy.

I just hope Killzone 3 has more meat on it's bones, now that Killzone 2 has realized the basic concepts.

+Great presentaion
+Improved controls
+Well designed levels
+Great Sound Design
-Poor team AI
-Lack of weapon variety
-Short Campaign
-Little long-term multiplayer value