Killzone 2 has been under the radar since its infamous debut trailer
was seen at E3 2005. Nearly a year and a half before the PS3 was even
out, the game was making enough of an impact to start gathering
immediate attention. Since its predecessor failed to be the
self-proclaimed "Halo killer" it was promised as, Killzone 2 had a lot
to live up to. Four years later, after a snowball effect of hype,
Killzone 2 was released and justified gamers' eager anticipation.
A
quick synopsis of the game for those who haven't played yet: Two years
after the events of the first Killzone, the Interplanetary Strategic
Alliance (ISA) is taking the fight from planet, Vekta, to Helghan, an
industrial nightmare of a warzone and home to the antagonist Helghast.
You take control of Alpha team's Sergent Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko as
you're dropped behind enemy lines to take over Helghan capital city,
Pyyrhus, and find the Helghast's leader, Scolar Visari.
Firstly,
let me say that as far as a single player game, Killzone 2 brings
absolutely nothing new to the table. This is not to say that the game
was bad, but when you really dissect Killzone 2's campaign it was
nothing more than generic war missions amidst a forgettable, almost
unnoticeable, plot. The lukewarm story felt like somewhat of an
afterthought, tacked on to cut scenes and hidden within dialogue that
goes unheard during fire fights. The dramatic events are there, but
didn't really engage me. After getting used to the somewhat awkward
controls (mostly being that they are sluggish and accompanied by slight
aiming difficulties), the single player mode, although nothing fresh,
is still great as far as PlayStation 3 exclusives go. At least worth
the 10 hours I put in to it. I'll definitely play it again, but I can't
say that it will be anytime soon. This is mostly attributed to a
particular point in the final level that had me cursing and screaming
to the point that my fiance almost called an exorcist. Anyone who has
gone up against Colonel Radec and his goons might know what I'm talking
about. But aside from that, the game is entertaining and can be tackled
with relative ease.
One of the main attractions of Killzone 2
is, as most gamers know, is the visuals. Kz2 is a beautiful game. The
characters, gritty and worn from battle, roams the demolished and
shrapnel littered streets. The cities are dense and detailed with
stairways, balconies, insignias and propaganda. Deserts, baron and
windswept, are brushed with oranges and reds. In some parts where you
can actually see the light of day it is magnificent and vast. You'll
even notice small things like the dirt in Sev's fingernails as he holds
weapons. Almost every nook and cranny of Killzone 2 holds so much
detail that it's hard to not go sightseeing and avoid checkpoints to
gawk at every microscopic texture. Guerrilla Games spared no expense
when it came to treating gamers to eye candy.
The audio, while
not quite as impressive as the visuals, is nothing to write off either.
The voice acting sounds natural and compelling, but every once in a
while can sound forced and cheesy. Such is the case with Killzone 2's
most annoying character, Rico Velasquez. The bad boy/renegade/antihero
of the I.S.A. Alpha Team, Rico's level of testosterone and profanity
will most likely get on your nerves. The music of Killzone 2 is where
the games audio really shines. Composed by Joris De Man, the orchestral
bliss of Kz2 hints at influences from Star Wars to The Matrix. It truly
ties the game together making for an even more engaging experience.
More impressive than the audio and visuals of Killzone 2 is the single
most profound part of the entire experience.
The multiplayer of
Killzone 2 demands attention. Offering an extremely robust class based
system that rewards players with badges as you rank, Killzone 2's
multiplayer will keep you coming back for more. Not unlike Team
Fortress 2, Kz2 offers infantry in the way of: Soldier, Medic,
Engineer, Assault and so on. All of the classes must be unlocked as you
rank up in matches, which to some people may feel like a grind, but
isn't too bad once you get in to the swing of things. Each class has
its own strengths and weaknesses. Soldiers have a great selection of
arsenal, but no accessory option. Engineers can plant and repair
turrets, but can only carry shotguns. Badges in Killzone 2 work like
perks do in games like Call of Duty 4. They offer anything from health
boosts to super speed but, unlike CoD4, can only be used one at a time.
Every player will, inevitably, find which class best suits them, and
after unlocking badges, you can tailor fit a character to your needs.
Another interesting point about the multiplayer is the methods of play
there are to chose from. A selection of games includes: Bodycount,
Search and Destroy, Search and Retrieve, Capture and Hold, and
Assassination. These games can be played on their own, or can be set to
switch during an online match after a designated interval of time
expires. Having the modes constantly switching is a great way to keep
the game fresh and keep you on your feet, ready for the next challenge.
If
you separate Killzone 2 in to equal parts, you have two completely
different experiences. On one hand you have a visually stunning, albeit
just a cut above mediocre, first person shooter. It will be fun while
it lasts, but don't expect it to hold a special place in your gaming
heart. On the other hand, you are gifted with a deep, fast-paced,
class-based multiplayer option that should not go unnoticed by any
gamer with a PS3. It is as addicting as it is rewarding.
So the verdict:
If you own a PlayStation 3 and like playing games online, there is no reason to pass on Killzone 2. BUY THIS GAME.
However, if you are just looking for a good PS3 exclusive to pass some time and want something good to look at... Rent it.
