Killzone 2 (PlayStation 3)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: 98116
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Description:
- In and out within a month, they said. Their weapons no match for our military might. Predicted moderate to low resistance. Enemy morale at an all-time low. They couldn't have been more wrong. Welcome to Helghan. Two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA are taking the fight to Helghan. Their goal: to capture the Helghast leader, ... Read more
Where to buy
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| RadioShack.com | | In stock | as of 11/27/2009 |
Gamespot editors' review
Killzone 2 (PlayStation 3) price range: $45.00 - $64.99
- Reviewed by: Kevin VanOrd
- Reviewed on: 02/26/2009
- Updated on:05/16/2009
- Released on: 02/27/2009
No one could have suspected that the sequel to 2004's Killzone would be this good. Killzone 2 is a tremendous package, offering an exciting campaign and terrific competitive online play, neither of which create new paradigms for first-person shooters, but rather set new standards in subtle but significant ways. From groundbreaking visuals to well-crafted multiplayer maps, most of Killzone 2's individual elements stand out in a crowded genre, making its meager attempts at storytelling easy to ignore. PlayStation 3 owners looking for a shooter to keep them busy for the rest of 2009 and beyond need look no further: The fierce action will keep you glued to your television screen for some time to come.
What makes Killzone 2's single-player campaign so much fun? First and foremost, the weapons are a lot of fun to shoot, even the standard assault rifles that form the core of your loadout. The M82's effective scope makes zooming in on your target a breeze, yet this rifle is effective at close range as well, establishing itself from the beginning as a formidable firearm. The LS13 shotgun is also powerful and rewarding to fire; though you may only shoot off a foe's helmet with other weapons, you'll watch entire heads explode with a single blast from this close-range powerhouse. The bolt gun is another favorite, skewering enemy soldiers onto surfaces and exploding a short moment later. Though you're traversing a sci-fi setting, your weapons are decidedly modern-day, from the sniper rifle to the vicious flamethrower, with one exception: the lightning gun. This mighty instrument showers enemies with overpowering jolts of electricity, and though it's not available for long, it makes short work of robotic and humanoid foes. Each of these weapons feels just right; fantastic spurts of blood, outstanding animations, exquisitely detailed weapon models, and explosive sound effects fuse seamlessly and give a satisfying sense of impact every time you land a shot.
Although there's a great variety of weaponry, you won't encounter that many different kinds of enemies as you fight your way across the war-torn landscapes of the planet Helghan. As in the original Killzone, your enemies consist largely of Helghast soldiers, yet though this limited selection led to monotony in the past, an assortment of factors in the sequel hold tedium at bay. The action is constantly pushing forward, leading you from one quality scripted event to the next and pitting you against bright AI opponents that have a remarkable grasp of battlefield tactics. These soldiers put up a fight and exhibit authentic behavior as you rain bullets on them. If you set your sights on a soldier peeking from behind cover and fire off a few rounds in that direction, he'll patiently wait until all signs of fire have vanished. Helghast will flank you and shoot blindly from behind cover, and should you toss a grenade in their direction, they'll quickly scatter. You'll normally be fighting alongside a computer-controlled teammate or even entire squads of fellow infantry. Enemy AI is just as concerned with your comrades as it is with you, so you'll never feel as if you have a bull's-eye plastered on your forehead, as is common with many other team-based shooters. As a result, Killzone 2's thrilling large-scale battles unfold dynamically and offer a legitimate challenge while rarely feeling unfair--a frustrating rocket-heavy final battle serving as the only exception.
Some excellent turret sequences and other segments also provide welcome variations on the shooting theme. At one point, you'll climb into a robotic shell and mow down infantry and tanks with machine gun fire and rockets. The way your transparent protective shield exhibits cracks as you take damage and the remarkable fire and smoke effects that light up the screen add to the excitement of the level. In another fun and visually stunning sequence, you'll use an antiaircraft turret to take down squadrons of enemy fighters. Even operating a standard turret is more appealing than you would expect, which is a result of great map design and well-scripted enemy entrances. If you're just using your standard arsenal, missions are diverse and engaging. You'll take aim at tanks (and in one boss fight, a hovering aircraft) using Killzone 2's potent rocket launcher, and you'll fight your way through a besieged air base in which winding corridors and intersecting passages have you battling multiple enemies on multiple levels.
Most levels take their cue from the usual first-person shooter formulas, and though it takes place in the spacefaring future, Killzone 2 feels more akin to a modern-day FPS by way of its standard weapons and mostly humanoid enemies. It's an interesting blend of two disparate sensibilities that works far better than in the original, and it's further ripened by gameplay touches that feel authentic within that framework. Movement and turning speeds have a real feeling of weight, which is appropriate considering the heavy armor burdening you. This can make the controls feel somewhat sluggish at first, given that you take a moment to gather momentum. It doesn't take long to get accustomed to this sense of overall bulkiness, though, and it's consistently delivered across multiple mechanics. For example, when you jump, the way that you bend into the leap and cushion the landing with another slight crouch feels surprisingly realistic. That weight also informs movement in and out of cover. Killzone 2's cover system is solid, and it never removes you from a first-person viewpoint. Though some objects can obscure your view if you try to take potshots from behind them, sticking to cover and leaning out from behind walls is generally effective and intuitive.
Whether you go for a pop-and-shoot approach or just gun your way through, the mission design keeps you constantly moving from one objective to the next. The quick pace is one of Killzone 2's finest facets; battles don't wear on too long, and they aren't so brief as to be anticlimactic. Like many other shooters, mission objectives often involve turning a crank or pushing a button. In Killzone 2, this may mean rotating the controller to simulate the onscreen activity. These moments feel unnecessary and ironically disrupt the sense of immersion, but as tacked-on as they are, the actions are too brief to be especially annoying. You'll also use your gamepad's motion sensitivity to stabilize the sniper rifle, though the implementation here is subtle and therefore relatively harmless.
It's a real pity that there is so little context for the exceptional action. If you're familiar with the original Killzone, you'll at least have an idea why the ISA (International Strategic Alliance) is attacking the Helghast homeworld; if not, it's clear that as Thomas Sevchenko, you are on the side of the good guys--just not clear why they are the good guys. The dialogue is rudimentary (a discussion regarding sandwiches jumps immediately to mind), the characters forgettable, and the plot serves purely as a thin framework to move you from one environment to the next. Yet the cutscenes are top-notch, and unlike their counterparts in fellow PS3 shooter Haze, there's nothing intrinsically offensive or wearisome about the fist-pumping grunts at the core of the story. The story isn't deep or involving--it's just there, neither enhancing nor diminishing Killzone 2's action.
User reviews
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An Engaging Next Gen FPS
Pros: Amazing graphics and presentation. Levels are highly detailed from the dust flying around to the clouds moving in the sky... it's a looker. Great sound, each weapon has a very distinct sound and feel to it. Character has weight, realistic feel to it.
Cons: Campaign short. No Co Op
Summary: After spending about 5 minutes to get used to the controls and weight of the character I found Killzone to be the best shooter I've played to date. The ...
Summary: After spending about 5 minutes to get used to the controls and weight of the character I found Killzone to be the best shooter I've played to date. The realism, the immersion into battle is second to none. You feel as if you're engaged in a battle of epic proportions. I read complaints about controls being slow or delayed but to me it adds to the immersion of the game. The character has weight to it like a real human. This is evident when you jump. You have a gun in your hand and the developers are trying to make it feel as real as possible by adding inertia from the weight of it. It's not Halo or RFOM, which I would say have more of an arcade feeling to them whith exagerrated speed and jumping. You're not going to run into a room commando style and jump left or right to avoid bullets. You have to approach the AI in Killzone tactically. They will hide, flank, take cover and throw grenades to flush you out. Which makes each enemy kill very rewarding in the campaign. At times the AI can be good enough that you feel you'er playing multiplayer. WHen i first got the game I will admit I sneered at the control scheme and feel of it. After a few minutes I couldn't put it down and enjoyed the realism of the weight. The lighting and details are second to none for a console game. This game looks better than Resistance 2, Halo 3, Gears 2, Uncharted and COD4 & 5... and that's one heck of a list. The only game I've played on a console that comes close graphically in my opinion is MGS4. My advice to anyone who enjoys a good action shooter should give this game a try. It does not disappoint. It will give you a warm fuzzy about the possibilities of the games to come.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Game
by ryan3883 on March 8, 2009
Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing now that they fixed any control problems
Summary: best first person shooter on the market
Summary: best first person shooter on the market
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very poor controls.
by robbyrocketz on February 27, 2009
Pros: Graphics are stunning.
Cons: Graphics are stunning at the cost of very poor controls.
Summary: Anyone want to buy my copy?
Summary: Anyone want to buy my copy?
3 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
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THE 2009 FPS for the PS3!
by RRosal on February 27, 2009
Pros: Intelligent AI, well-rounded assortment of weapons, and great visuals. The opening intro which shows the detail of the Helghan Emperor's face is a sight in high defintion.
Cons: Storyline was well written, but not thoroughly engaging enough.
Summary: The Playstation 3 exclusive FPS has finally arrived and it doesn't disappoint. The single player campaign is engaging, and while short, it does a great job of keeping the ...
Summary: The Playstation 3 exclusive FPS has finally arrived and it doesn't disappoint. The single player campaign is engaging, and while short, it does a great job of keeping the player interested. The multiplayer aspect is excellent, with a good amount of players able to participate in an engagement and the variety of classes brings a good balance to teamplay. The graphics are beautiful, enough said. While Killzone 2 doesn't bring anything really nice to a genre that's already filled with the Halo's and Call of Duty's, it doesn't resort to cheap gimmicks to bring a good action-packed game for Playstation 3 owners who have been itching for an excellent FPS to finally make its mark (sorry Resistance 2 fans, myself included). One thing's for sure, the "other console" won't be getting as many envious looks from PS3 owners because of its Halo franchise anymore.
2 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Best PS3 game ever. by far
by timalan42 on March 1, 2009
Pros: Graphics, game play, enemy AI, controls, SOUND, comrades arent useless, captivating gameplay
Cons: short load times are annoying but minor, nothing else really
Summary: Wow. just wow this game is incredible. Some other people may complain about the controls, but obviously they are on something because there are 4 different control schemes that fit ...
Summary: Wow. just wow this game is incredible. Some other people may complain about the controls, but obviously they are on something because there are 4 different control schemes that fit almost everyone. Others complain about the slightly delayed movement. (at least compared to COD's whiplash) to me this only adds to the realism, i mean no soldier carrying 75 pounds of gear and armor is going to have blazing reflexes.
Other than that if you are looking for a serious Halo competitor on the ps3 and if you are looking to see the true power of the ps3 get this game!1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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SLOOOOWWWW
by Trimmer78 on March 1, 2009
Pros: Very pretty - feel like a body shot hurts the bad guy - verticle elements in levels are nice
Cons: Slow... like remedial english slow. Plot, script, voice acting who needs it - this smoke effect has 800 billion more pixels than any other shooter
Summary: You, the gunsight, enemies everything moves at 3/4 speed - six axis wheel turns are so stupid it'll make you groan - Bosses?? can we stop this in ...
Summary: You, the gunsight, enemies everything moves at 3/4 speed - six axis wheel turns are so stupid it'll make you groan - Bosses?? can we stop this in war games - I'm looking at you all Sony exclusive shooters (you too Gears of War). It can work into a game like Bioshock (although try to have more than one ehhh?), but it feels stupid in a war game.
Also, there is a sequence that involves a tank that is pretty fun but you only get an area the size of a basketball court to move in. I'm pretty dissappointed in the single player. I'll have to see if MP brings up the score, but I like a solid campaign in my $60 game. This one doesn't have it.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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OK but nothing special
by kenmil01 on November 8, 2009
Pros: Good graphics.
Reasonable length of time to complete.
Good variation of locationsCons: You can only carry one weapon !
At the hardest level, you might as well not have a weapon, because they are mostly ineffectual against enemies.
Poor selection of weapons - with the exception of the electric gun.Summary: This game is far from anything special, and has a "Gears of War" feel to it, without ever coming close to the slickness of that game. The inability to carry ...
Summary: This game is far from anything special, and has a "Gears of War" feel to it, without ever coming close to the slickness of that game. The inability to carry more than one weapon is extremely frustrating, and is hard to understand in the this day of FPS games. I wouldn't recommend this as a must have, but it's ok if you find it for sale cheap.
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Extremely pleasing, fun to play, and easy to learn.
by Bearrie on October 8, 2009
Pros: Very realistic, opposed to a lot of FPS's out. Very fun and quite addicting. Single player campaign is very well put together. Online, personally, is where the action is.
Cons: Turning is a little bit slow, but you can increase your x-y axis spin, so it's not too bad. After playing other FPS's, it seems harder than it really is, but it's easy to get use to. Online levels take a minute to get accustomed to.
Summary: Killzone 2 is one of the best FPS's I've played. Compared to Call of Duty, it seems hard, but once a person gets used to the differences, it'...
Summary: Killzone 2 is one of the best FPS's I've played. Compared to Call of Duty, it seems hard, but once a person gets used to the differences, it's a very addicting game to put down. Very minimal flaws. It's probably been the most fun I've had since going through the ranks on CoD : World at War. The realisticness brings the game to life. The visuals are top notch. I have already recommended this game to everyone I know with a Playstation 3, and will continue to do so. A+ game.
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Good but not great.
by BillyBudd on August 22, 2009
Pros: Large online maps, offline bots.
Cons: Visuals are overrated, unnecessary strong language to the point of childish.
Summary: Its a good FPS, but really doesn't bring anthing new to the table. Dark visuals seem bland.
Summary: Its a good FPS, but really doesn't bring anthing new to the table. Dark visuals seem bland.
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Best next gen shooter since HALO 3
by connorjv2 on July 8, 2009
Pros: Best Graphics/Lighting ever put on a game thus far
Solid Campaign
Immersive Online PlayCons: No co-op campaign
Summary: This is easily the best shooter I've played in recent memory. It's Campaign is difficult enough to keep you trying different strategies, yet fun enough to keep you ...
Summary: This is easily the best shooter I've played in recent memory. It's Campaign is difficult enough to keep you trying different strategies, yet fun enough to keep you coming back. The online play is probably the best part of the game. Clan and Universe set-up is great. Rankings and Advancements are flat-out the most detailed I've ever played. All in all it is an amazing achievement in gaming and an awesome game to own!
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: 98116
- Description: In and out within a month, they said. Their weapons no match for our military might. Predicted moderate to low resistance. Enemy morale at an all-time low. They couldn't have been more wrong. Welcome to Helghan. Two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA are taking the fight to Helghan. Their goal: to capture the Helghast leader, Emperor Visari, and bring the Helghast war machine to a halt. You assume the role of Sev, a battle-hardened veteran and a member of the special forces unit known as the Legion. For Sev and his squad, the invasion of Helghan is just beginning. Tasked with securing Pyrrhus, the Capital City, they quickly discover that the Helghast are a formidable enemy on their home planet. Not only have they adjusted to the planet's hostile conditions, they have also harnessed a source of power they can now use against the ISA. Sev and his squad aren't just fighting the enemy forces - their fiercest opponent is the planet itself. Between Killzone's unique visual style, the power of Playstation 3, the use of EDGE tools and the proprietary technology developed by Guerrilla, the game promises to impress players with its benchmark visuals, smooth character animation, detailed, effect-laden environments and realtime cutscenes. The Deferred rendering technology will present a world that is beautifully lit, with ambient occlusion and multiple shadow casting light sources bringing out the highly detailed environments and character animations. With true next-gen audio the player is even further immersed in the world, supporting 7.1 surround and audio occlusion with wave tracing. The player will not only notice the difference between indoor and outdoor but also experience sound and music that are dynamic and contextual. Studio grade special effects will provide unprecedented visual fidelity. With full screen anti-aliasing, motion blur, internal lens reflections and depth based color grading the picture will be sharp, smooth and full of depth.
Product Basic Spec
- Platform Playstation 3
- ESRB rating Mature - Blood and gore, Strong language, Intense violence
- Genre Action
- Elements Action - first person shooter
- Context Science-fiction
- Number of players 1 Player
- Connectivity Online
Game
- Developer Guerrilla
- ESRB Mature
- ESRB descriptors Blood and gore, Strong language, Intense violence
- Max number of players 32
Manufacturer info
- Sony
- Manufacturer profile
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- Website: http://www.sonystyle.com
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
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