PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Killzone 2

by Jem Alexander { Jul 22nd 2008 at 10:30AM }

Click for higher resolution

What can be said about Killzone 2? I'm not sure whether people are looking forward to it for its gameplay, or because it's a graphical powerhouse. If the latter, then people are going to be pleased -- this game is the most graphically impressive I have seen. Sure, the levels we've seen so far are very grey, with a hint of green, but this is permeated by the bright orange of the Helghasts' eyes and those glorious, glorious explosions.

What impressed me the most was the attention to detail in the animation and modelling throughout Killzone 2. It's completely cosmetic, but this is the first game where I felt that the gun pointing into the screen belonged to me. That the arm swinging to-and-fro as I run across the battlefield was an extension of my own. When I reload, the animation is so detailed and the attention to weight almost allows you feel how heavy your gun is. All of this, coupled with the graphic style and quality makes Killzone 2 incredibly atmospheric and immersive. Does this add to the gameplay? Of course not. Does it add to the game? Substantially.

Gallery: Killzone 2

It never stops, either. The look, style and feel of the game remains at a consistant quality throughout the level I played. Everything you imagine would be destructible is so and combat is visceral, thanks to a heavy amount of gore and superb animation and sound work. After being ambushed by Helghast, shooting me across a chasm from a delapidated building, I took to a nearby turret and set to work. The building crumbled and broke as I emptied the turret's ammunition into it, until I hit on some hidden explosives. The building erupted into flames; pillars fell and windows shattered and plaster broke away from the walls.

So, Killzone 2 looks incredible and, thanks to that, has some real "oh, wow!" moments. But how long until we become accustomed to the game's good looks? Hopefully a long time, because once you take that away you're left with, to be frank, a fairly run-of-the-mill FPS. Not a bad one; the gameplay's solid, but there's nothing that I've seen to make this stand apart. Not yet, at least. Don't be put off, though. Haze, this is not.

Click for higher resolution

The AI is almost as impressive as the visuals, with enemies working together to move around you to get the best angle of offense. The Helghast never just stand there, taking your bullets (Chimera, I'm looking at you). They're always looking for cover or a way to get behind you. Some SIXAXIS controls also permeate the game. These are probably the best implementation of the SIXAXIS I've seen, allowing you to literally turn valves in a way that really adds to the immersion. Thankfully I was promised that there'd be more than just valves to turn, throughout the full game.

Combat is fine. The cover system works well and, thanks to it being buttonless and semi-intelligent, is never fiddly or frustrating. Vehicles work nicely and overall controls are good. Fine, fine, okay, good, nice. Nothing stands out as "amazing". Is it enough that Killzone 2 is phenomenal looking, with solid, if generic, gameplay? I honestly don't know and it will no doubt vary depending on who you ask. All I know is I had some fun playing it. Did it make me want to come back for more? Sure, if only to see those wonderful explosions.

Tags: e308, hands-on, joystiqfeatures, killzone-2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

reson8er @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:48AM

Solid and generic worked for Halo, I don't see why it can't work for Killzone.

PSRT @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:43AM

Because Halo had a massive hype machine, while Killzone seems to have the exact opposite of that. Everyone wants to rag on it because the first one wasn't all the media made it out to be.

Erik @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:00PM

I think the reason halo did so well was because we had never seen a great console FPS or at least something that wasn't Goldeneye. This could do better, but they would need to go back in time and not release the first one. It was too disappointing.

Swamp Donkey @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:00PM

Actually the first Halo had superb AI for its time and the large scale vehicle battles were dynamic and highly replayable. The multiplayer in Halo was ahead of its time for consoles and most first person shooters still can't stand up to it, let alone that found in Halo 3.
That being said, I can't wait to play Resistance 2 and Killzone 2, and don't see the necessity of always trying to compare everything to Halo. These two upcoming shooters look to offer up some solid single and multiplayer gameplay. Not to mention, Killzone looks better than any console game period.

Zombie Huggles @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:08PM

I agree with Swamp Donkey that there is no need to compare games to Halo. In a way, I think comparisons should be made to Goldeneye, because that's the FPS that really seemed to elevate the genre from straight shooter to deep adventure.

Also, I used to ask a lot of people, "What's your obsession with halo? The story is weak, and the level design is boring and repetitive, what is here that blows you away?" They answered, the multiplayer. Maybe they're right...but then again, most Halo fans I knew were essentially introduced to hardcore gaming through Halo, so maybe they were "young."

StevenRafael @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:46PM

I'll admit it. Halo is my favorite shooter at the moment, and it has been for a long time. I haven't been so fond of a shooter since the olden days of Quake 2.

For me, it's all about accessibility. I have more friends that play Halo 3 than I have friends playing any other shooter. And I'm just the kind of guy that prefers sitting in the same room as my team over chatting via headsets.

The storyline wasn't all that great, but the gameplay was varied enough to keep it entertaining.

I'll be honest, and I'll admit that I didn't even get past the third stage of the original Killzone, where as I've beaten Halo 3, Gears of War, and Resistance atleast three to five times each, just because the experience was worth sharing with different friends.

I don't think graphical supremacy will do much to give this game longetivity in my book if split screen isn't incorporated.

Klipinator @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:09AM

Killzone is going to be amazing

steve @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:06AM

Oh no, there has to be more to this, Guerrilla dont let us down!

Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 22nd 2008 5:10PM

Well that's where the seemingly deep online multiplayer comes in.

I don't think anybody is going to buy this game for the single-player anyways.

SaMav @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:08AM

I've been looking forward to this game more than I have been for Resistance 2.

linton @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:08AM

well killzone one kept me going back for almost a year and then a further 2years of at least once every couple of weeks on and offline, so this should be even more of a pull for me, and i cant wait

will @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:10AM

i mean it's still about 9 months off, so there's still a lot of time for it to develop. right? ....right?

frankym @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:11AM

Multiplayer is the most compelling part of this game yet it was not mentioned.

Greg @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:42AM

You are a lucky bastard !!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this game !!!

HanzoTheRazor @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:19AM

@reson8er, U are exactly right, solid tried and true works for Halo and nothing more. The only 1st person shooter in my books that was "revolutionary" is Deus-Ex, due to it's rpg leveling up, choose your own adventure story and many endings. KZ2 though looks to take everything that is good from all shooters and mix them all up with some new features, amazing visuals, awesome physics, superb effects, great settings and a good story to boot. The real special features of KZ2 though are in the unique multiplayer games and character customization. Can't wait for this puppy!

reson8er @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:29AM

I agree with you, as well.

But lets also point out somthing PS3Fanboy missed out on.

ATMOSPHERE.

KZ(1) did that amazingly well, and if you can put me in a shooter that recreates a warlike atmosphere as well as Killzone 2 then I'll say you have a winner (CoD4).

Without even playing this game, I can tell you the atmosphere and Sound will be off the charts. Not many (if any) games ever attain this level of immersion in a shoot everything motif.

I'm a little surprised PS3Fanboy didn't touch upon this HUGE point.

Glen @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:40AM

Why are people passing off this cover system as just "meh?" I think it's fantastic that there's going to be a first person cover system that looks to work well.

I'm not going to argue that Killzone 2, as is stands, is anything more than a good-looking solid shooter (not to mention the intriguing multiplayer component), just that I think it's going to get way too much crap for being just that if that's what it ends up being.

I mean, after all, what expectations did that E3 2005 trailer give all of us that wasn't based on graphics alone? Has Sony or Guerilla marketed it as some revolutionary FPS? No, just one that shows off the PS3 hardware.

So let's just keep the hype train grounded in the graphics department where it started.

Patricio Fernandez @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:44AM

Let's be honest- all FPS out there not matter what name they have play exactly the same. Even our beloved Resistance is a standard FPS in terms of gameplay. However you have developers that either try to make the game different (Mirror's Edge if it can be considered a shooter) and those that try to make the game an experience. Both Resistance and Killzone are about the experience- it is about the scope of the battles, the surprises, the massive battles and what you can do in them.

I love both Resistance and the original Killzone because, while the gameplay was just more FPS, they were not sequels. They were not Quake 20 or Doom 325. These games had their own stories and universes, with their own characters and plot twists. I had a blast with both games and to this day I play both games and I look forward to both R2 and K2. Yes, these will be sequels but I am intrigued by their plots and the scope they are taking.

K1 fell victim to the hype around it. Remember, it was called the "Halo killer" for Sony. Because of this it was treated more harshly. But in all honesty, it played great, had great graphics (for the PS2, thought the characters still look great compared to some next gen games out there) great sound and animation, and a very solid multiplayer.

So let's not criticize it for being an average FPS. 99% of FPS out there are the same. It is more about the experience and the fun you have with it, and K2 looks like it will be incredible in those aspects.

frankym @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:44AM

Killzone 2 is generating massive amounts of buzz among the gaming press. Multiplayer is where this game will stretch its legs. Cannot wait.

James @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:45AM

This is exactly why I haven't been too excited for Killzone. The first game was borderline horrible and I didn't even complete it. The 3rd person PSP game, though, was really really good. I was hoping Killzone 2 would be more like the PSP game in quality, but it doesn't look it.

That said, I would classify Resistance as the benchmark here. There was a lot of Resistance that was tried and true, but the large scale battles really set it apart. COD4 was a great game, but I hate those games where enemies constantly spawn over and over until you take an objective. If this game manages to pull me in like Resistance, then it will be good enough for me.

Dan Rabot @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:33AM

Uh the standout part? - The Multiplayer!

This game is gonna rock! KZ1 and Lberation were both awesome, this is gonna be the next COD4 - but for PS3 owners only. You can keep your Halo X360 fanboys.

grimlock26 @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:09PM

nope, totally taking your killzone too, unless it's like Haze then you can keep it.

will @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:48PM

good luck grimlock, seeing as how this is developed by SCEA... it would be like Sony nabbing GeOW2, a MS property.

grimlock26 @ Jul 22nd 2008 2:08PM

ahh, but i own both systems. Shazam. i can be a halo fanboy and killzone fanboy all in one package.

Vincent @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:00PM

Killzone 2 always strikes me as pretty generic. Plus they never mentioned whether it'll have co-op or not.
Resistance 2 ftw!

Gervin @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:53AM

Anyone else getting tired of the same FPS over and over again?

bkalasin @ Jul 22nd 2008 3:01PM

Yep. LBP anyone?

Brute @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:01PM

My god this game looks good, and the multiplayer seems to be great (i love the design on the Helghast "Scout" class). This will be PS3:s Halo 3, only Killzone 2 looks much better than Halo 3 (both in gameplay and graphics/physics/animations).

thinkofmeasmra @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:35PM

please do not ever call one of our good games "halo 3" for this is not no super slow mo - generic guys in purple and green suites- jumping around in low grav like its UT 1999. That game is so poor i dont even know why its worthy of mention over here....oh wait, its not.

So that said, can everyone shut up about Halo as how its nothing but faggots in queer suites, jumping in low grav (even when your on earth looking maps) while living out the same plot the original Space Invaders had. nuff said.

As for killzone2, I think the real candy is in the multiplayer. It has the best components of COD4 and Battlefield which are my 2 favourite shooters. How could you possibly go wrong/get bored?

Brute @ Jul 25th 2008 4:42PM

Dude, I wasn't saying "Killzone 2 = Halo 3", since Halo 3 is one of the most popular games on Xbox 360, I said this will be PS3:s Halo 3. I totally agree with you though on "faggots in queer suites" part though.

^^

Dwag @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:05PM

@Gervin
Already asked that question and they all seem to not care, not 1 bit.

Anyways wished it came out this but R2 will have to suffice until then after this R2 ain't getting no play.

I must say i'm getting tired of the FPSs though :(

rastadator @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:31PM

Well, I finished Killzone 1 single player campaign and I must to say that I enjoyed it pretty much. It had several technical glitches here and there, but the gameplay was solid and the story interesting. The lack of boss battles, imho, was the weakest point in K1. Now for K2, on the technical side, is obvious Guerrilla have done an amazing job, it is imposible to complain about. Now gameplay-wise K2 is already showing some innovation, for example the first person cover system which is totally different than Rainbow Six's. And if K2 gains that boss battles, nowhere to be seen in K1, this game will be awesome.

turkeybaster @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:43PM

If Killzone 2 can have large-scale battles with rampant destruction, crazy physics, and kick-ass AI, then I see no reason why this game can't be on par with the likes of Halo.

What set Halo apart from all the other FPS games was that the battles in the campaign played out so unpredictably because of the AI and the large-scale nature of the fights, something which Killzone 2 looks to have down pat.

Iridium @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:09PM

We've had modern FPS shooters for over 15 years now. The FPS genre in terms of gameplay peaked with Half-Life. Halo was only revolutionary because it brought the PC FPS experience to a console.

You can't make a FPS better in terms of core gameplay. The only thing you can do is add a more immersive experience through atmosphere and story.

Nugent @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:10PM

@Hanzo: Deus Ex wasn't revolutionary, it was a rip-off of System Shock (both of them) with a less interesting villain. It was still a good game, though.

To do really well, KZ2 will also need a good story and level design. Bioshock was ultimately a fairly generic shooter (plasmids were just a fun variation on weapons) but it was the story and design that won it so many awards. Half-life 2 is pretty generic as well, but it has excellent story and design elements. KZ2 will need to deliver a solid single player experience to really do well.

TKC-Muzzer @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:23PM

Remember everyone, they have only shown one level of this game to anyone. There are eleven levels. Surely with FPS, taking everything that is good and making them better is a good thing. Thats what this generation is about, immersing you more with better graphics and sound. If Halo 3 can score 10 out of 10 then this is an eleven.

Extinction @ Jul 22nd 2008 1:37PM

Hey! Haze was far better than ppl give it credit for. Trolls

Topher @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:49PM

I will give this game a chance. But...

After watching some of the gameplay videos posted on various sites, I'm a bit certain the whole experience of Killzone 2 will be damaged by poorly-written and immature in-game dialogue that will destroy its dark atmosphere. There is a need for comic relief in some things, but the sh*t talking soldier routine is beyond cliche.

I'm still waiting for game developers to start bringing their stories and dialogue up to the same level of blockbuster films.

hedpe @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:22PM

why does halo get brought up when the discussion is of killzone 2? port that concept to me, so that i may understand your visions.

thinkofmeasmra @ Jul 23rd 2008 5:40PM

I dont get it either. its rather infuriating as halo 1,2 & 3 were all heeps of shit in my opinion. I will admit i played alot of halo 1 or 2 multiplayer (i cant remember which cuz it was back when i was a little snotnosed teen) but I still think it sucks. I played H3 and instantly felt like the same halo i played as a snotnose. I played it for about 15 minutes and left my buddies house to never return again lol.

Really though, theres no room for halo in this discussion. We are, after all, talking about an impressive game here...

Dwag @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:37PM

@hedpe
Halo:CE brought PC gaming to consoles thus in my opinion kicked off the whole console gaming thing. Everything gets compared to Halo because it kinda started this whole generic FPS phase on consoles.

Halo:CE is a great game but the sequels are only fun online and are pretty generic, which is why I hate sequels unless they actually either take the game to another genre or innovate which KZ2,R2,Halo 3 ain't doing.

So everyone get excited for this game cause frankly if it ends up being another KZ1/Haze where only the hardcore FPS are willing to play don't go looking surprised.

Firenfunk @ Aug 20th 2008 6:23PM

Hmm. Slightly disappointed that aside from visuals the game seems to be just "solid" rather than "great". Still, a lot of time still to go, it is looking fantastic, I'm I'm pleased to hear the AI sounds impressive. However what was really disappointing was the tedious implementation of the SIXAXIS to... turn valves. Yeah, that doesn't sound very exiting to me. The tacked-on SIXAXIS controls to turn things in COD3 were poor, now the same sort of thing here. Why can't the SIXAXIS be used for something genuinely useful? The first thing I thought of when I heard about COD3 using SIXAXIS controls was that they'd use them for something like tilt to lean. The previous CODs had leaning on the PC so why not use the tilt for a natural way to lean? An advantage over just using keys as on PC would be that you could quickly and isnstinctively lean to a greater or lesser extent and control the speed at which you did. Also, going from prone to crouch to standing was a bit clunky in the COD games, how about quickly yanking up or down on the SIXAXIS instead? I think there is a loty of potential for SIXAXIS, that is not being used. Anyone else agree? Who's with me? Tilt as lean! Rawr!