Killzone 2 will take some getting used to. Even for veteran FPS players, the controls will feel a bit unwieldy even after a few hours of playing. Giving up on Killzone because of initially frustrating controls would be a bad idea though.
The single player experience is nothing to write home about with the exception of its visuals. The weather effects alone on the alien planet will cause you to pause for a moment in awe. The AI is admirable in that I never noticed the enemies doing anything to take me out of the moment (no one got stuck on a wall or ran into objects). The campaign was enjoyable enough the first time through, but not great enough that I felt like playing through a second time. The real reason to buy Killzone 2 is the competitive multiplayer.
I think a good way to describe the feel of multiplayer in Killzone 2 is a cross between the Halo and Call of Duty series. This sure seems like a great idea considering those are arguably the two best FPS multiplayer experiences out there, but unfortunately Killzone 2 didn't borrow the best part from each of those series. The main similarity to Call of Duty is found in the class system. Everyone begins with the basic soldier as their only option; as experience points are acquired though kills and completing objectives more classes and weapons are unlocked. The classes inlcude the typical sniper, rocket launcher, and shotgunner as well as medics and tacticians (who create spawn points). The two biggest problems with this system though is that the classes are very unbalanced and the top rank can be achieved in a relatively short amound of time. The similarities to Halo can particularly be felt in the amount of damage required to take down an enemy and the way movement isn't very limited when aiming down the sight (unlike Call of Duty). The fact that it takes quite a few bullets to kill someone means two things: 1) Surprise is no longer a huge advantage. Sneaking up behind someone and shooting them in the back does not ensure victory. It's very possible before that player is killed they can either take cover or engage you. 2) Numbers matter more than skill. In both Halo and Call of Duty a skilled player will not have a hard time taking on two opponents at once, but in Killzone 2 it would not be uncommon for two less skilled players to kill an elite player if they engage him together. This means that sticking together is essential in Killzone and lone wolves will find frustration quickly.
Killzone 2 is a great game through and through and should definitely be picked up by any PS3-owning shooter fans, but don't expect the multiplayer to live up to that of the Call of Duty or Halo series. The unbalanced class system, weak feeling weapons, and clunky controls keep Killzone 2 just out of reach or perfection.
