The PS3 has had a tough time in the past years. With great titles coming out on the platform and failing to do much for the console it was a worry that Killzone 2 would be another over hyped experience that is easily forgettable. Let me tell you now that is far from the case.
The
story follows Alpha squad. Your character Sergeant "Sev" Sevchenko, is
accompanied by Rico, Garza and Natko. The more interesting thing about
these characters is that they are not amazing heroes that are sent into
save the world. Instead the game feels like you are part of the ISA and
are just a small part in a much bigger war. So they are sent in along
with the rest of the ISA to conquer Helghan and capture the evil
dictator of the Helghast called Visari. During the invasion the
Helghast develop a new weapon that harnesses the fierce electrical
storms that engulfs Helghan. Visari’s commander Radec also has a plan
but I won’t go into much detail, except by saying that he is a kick ass
character. The story for the most part is pretty basic good verses evil
but the way it makes you feel like a tiny part in the war is something
which most FPS campaigns fail to do. The campaign for this game can be
done between 6-8 hours but that is not a bad thing. It has a lot of
interesting and diverse set pieces which keeps the game interesting and
not just kill, kill, kill. For example you will take control of a Mech
suit, tanks and an anit-air turret. Also the ending leaves it open but
concludes the story well enough for you to be satisfied.There
are your basic array of weapons that you can find throughout the game
like shotguns, grenade launchers, rocket launchers, assault rifles,
sniper rifles etc but the chances are you will always come back to the
standard ISA Assault Rifle. However there are points in the game when
you will be able to take control of much bigger weapons. The best of
these is the lightening gun which shoots out a wave of electricity and
kills everything that touches it. Also it has infinite ammo so this is
really a God Gun.
The
controls for the game are solid granted it does take a while to get
used to them, but once you have they feel tight. The aiming may feel
like you are missing all the time but give it time. The pacing and
difficulty also varies. Sometimes you will be racing through levels
while other times you will have to be taking it more slowly using the
cover mechanics that are in place. Talking about the cover in the game
it is fantastic. Not many FPS’ work cover into the game but Killzone 2
does this brilliantly. Best of all it does not feel like there are just
cover points all 
around
the levels, plus the addition of destructible environments keeps you on
your toes. The six-axis controls are also put to good use. Firstly when
sniping you have to keep your controller steady to keep a steady shot.
Then placing a bomb, you are to twist the controller to plant the
charge, this is also true when turning handles and finally it moves the
3D loading screens.
around
the levels, plus the addition of destructible environments keeps you on
your toes. The six-axis controls are also put to good use. Firstly when
sniping you have to keep your controller steady to keep a steady shot.
Then placing a bomb, you are to twist the controller to plant the
charge, this is also true when turning handles and finally it moves the
3D loading screens.One
of the biggest things about Killzone 2 is its graphics. Now I don’t
have to say much except they are the best on the PS3 to date,
especially the lighting and shadows. Character models look great bar a
couple and textures are high for the most part. The sound also lives up
to the graphics. All gunshots, explosions, tanks, voice acting and
music in the game fit. The screams of comrades falling around you while
explosions and guns fire really gives you a sense of war. Overall the
presentation is without fault except the occasional long loading times
in missions, where sometimes I thought it had frozen.
Shockingly
one of best parts of Killzone 2 is its multiplayer. Now to date the PS3
has not had a good run with the multiplayer side of their games.
Killzone 2 however changes that. There are your five basic game modes
but instead of separating them, they have been all thrown into one
called Warzone. This includes Assassination, Search & Retrieve,
Search & Destroy, Bodycount and Capture & Hold. Throughout the
match you will get about 5 five minutes on each game mode then it will
switch to the next and so on until a team has won five rounds or
whatever the host has set it to be. The ranking system is also quite
clever. It does not give you all the classes at the start instead you
have to work towards them by obviously killing and completing the
relevant objectives. throughout ranking up you will unlock new weapons,
skills and classes. Then each class has two badges to earn, Primary
which gives you the basics of your class and Secondary which gives you
an extra skill which can be swapped to create your own classes in the
game. The multiplayer matches are very team based and because of the
strong ranking system in place everyone seems to work together. There
are eight maps in total and it supports up to 32 players. There is also
a well build clan system in place where you can set up clan matches
etc. All in all the multiplayer delivers the single player experience,
minus the option to take cover and makes it more intense and addictive.The question many of you are probably asking now is, has Killzone 2 lived up to the hype. Simply put yes. This game has built a very fun and intense single player but has actual single hope on the PS3's online side. The presentation of the game has lived up to expectations and all I can say is if you have a PS3 buy this game.