PlayExclusive: Killzone 2

Console: PS3
Genre: FPS
Players: 1 (online : 2-32)
Rating: Mature 18+



Story
In this sequel to the original PS2 FPS Killzone, the Vektans have driven the Helgast off their home planet, and started the invasion on planet Helghan. Will the newly appointed Sergeant Sev be able to lead his squad to victory on this hostile.


As far as story goes, Killzone 2's is hardly anything worth writing about. All story events mostly involve instructions to move to this location, blow up this objective, capture this area, and everything else that every new FPS these days write in.


While it's not at all inspiring at first, towards the end of the game, it may just make players realize just how small their role in the never-ending war really is.


Graphics & Sound
It is no exaggeration when I say that Killzone 2, is the most graphically impressive release for the PS3 to date, next to Metal Gear Solid 4. The graphics, though mostly following shades of brown, grey, or steel, are undoubtedly beautiful.


With nice touches like concrete blasting off pillars, smooth lighting effects and heads exploding from well placed headshots, Killzone 2 brings a nice level of realism to the table.


Gameplay
With solid gameplay, very realistic feeling and sounding weapons, Killzone 2 is no slouch in this department either. Following traditional FPS gameplay, Killzone 2 mixes things up by adding the ability to latch on to cover and look over it when needed to give more realism, and also to give players a better chance of survival against enemy fire.


The many weapons you'll find have all been stripped of the secondary fire function that many had loved in the first Killzone, but with that aside, it's still quite solid, even if it does bear more resemblance to every other FPS out there.


The real crowd pleaser with Killzone 2, among it's other outstanding qualities, is it's well constructed Online Multiplayer. With up to 32 players per map, and 5 game modes, either played singly, or strung together for a huge 7 games (some game modes switch the roles of defender and attacker for both sides) before restarting on a new map, leading for lengthly games with no interruptions.


Following in the footsteps of CoD 4's online mode, players can earn their way through ranks and be rewarded with weapons, and new classes with special abilities making for hours of replay just to see what you'll get next.


Overall
Killzone 2's story suffers the usual “FPS writing”; a short and mostly badly written script, but once again, it's excellent gameplay comes to the rescue. Though not for the noobish, it's online mode is a highly competitive and enjoyable, and with it's well built online clan system players can look forward to a solid buy with countless hours of replay value.


Review by Johar Aston, TheLAG

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Copyright 2009 Johar Aston, TheLAG