User Review : Killzone 2

Ups

• Console leading graphics{Exciting gameplay{Great cutscenes

Downs

• Some online features are very annoying to use and hinder gameplay{Not enough online maps{Campaign too short

Killzone 2 Gamer Review

Like every other PS3 owner, Killzone 2 got me very excited in the days, weeks, even years up until its release. But in the end was that angst worth it?

After the playing through the single player twice in one day, (once on medium and once on the hardest level), and having since spent my fair share of time on the multiplayer, I’m left feeling a little let down.

Not to the degree that Far Cry 2 let me down. That game was probably the biggest flop in gaming history. Hell, the things they pushed hard as selling points turned out to be the worst parts. The fire sucked, in other words. You would set fire to a tree, and after a minute, the leaves would disappear, but the fire would stay where they had once been. And the open world just meant that it took for ever to get around. But anyway, back to Killzone.

A lot of the things that let me down with Killzone weren't game killers, but there were so many of them, that combined, they added up into something worth mentioning.

First of all, the graphics were supposed to be the best we'd ever seen. And they were, except for the particle effects such as fire, which lacked in detail, and also, if you've played Crysis, you'll know what I mean when I say they aren’t the best ever, only best ever on console.

The single player was too short, too linear, and even too hard. Although I and many others steamed through the game in less than 7 hours, the final mission had very spaced out save points, making it extremely hard to get through to the next save point.

The online has been hailed by many as the best seen in recent years. This simply is not the case. Don’t get me wrong, the online was certainly fun, but there are just as certainly many issues with it. Kill lag plagues the game, as does grenade spamming, and the respawn menu. In Resistance 2, if you'd like to respawn you wait 5 seconds, press X and you respawn, and only if you wish to change kit will you be asked to. In Killzone 2, if you'd like to respawn without re-selecting your kit, then too bad. You have to wait your 10 seconds (too long in such a fast paced game), press X several times, wait for the sluggish controls to wake up, select your kit, change menu screen, and click respawn. Just one question, WHY?

This is not to say the game is bad, the nuclear explosion towards the end was one of the greatest moments I’ve experienced in any game. Both online and single-player are very fun games, and there is enough there to play the campaign at least twice. Graphics and Audio is console leading, and the six-axis controlled sniper-rifle is a joy to use once you get the hang of it.

In summing up, its well worth buying this title if you own a PS3 already, but it isn't worth buying the console just to play this game. I sincerely hope they make a Killzone 3 and 4 even, I just hope they fix the issues with the current multiplayer first.

Score

8.0

Graphics

Difficulty and the lack of anything original bring this down a little, as does respawn issues with multiplayer which prevent you quickly rejoining the battle.

9.5

Sound

This score is for console games only, if it were on computer and up against stiffer competition, probably only an 8 to 9. No scenes really make you stop and stare, but in a dark environment, that will always be the case.

10.0

Gameplay

Everything sounds great, explosions, gun noises, contact with the ground under-foot and character vocals are all superb.

9.0

Fun Factor

I lost interest in online pretty quickly, but it'll still give you a couple of weeks of solid play first.

7.5

Online

I'm glad they're are no vehicle maps, but several issues and lack of variation in maps brings it down a bit.

Overall

8.5

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Nice review. It's refreshing to see an actual Ps3 owner giving this game an honest review without the typical fanboy OMG PERFECT 10 score.

[lokimendivil]

that game sucks

[Lifendz]

WTF. High scores where it counts but you give an 8.5 overall? You might want to look into working for Edge magazine.

[Tachyon_Nova]

As a gamer, and this is just me, the most important part of a game is the online, because this is where you will spend the majority of your time. The game doesn't suck, its a very good game, but it isn't as good as every other PS3 owner and more makes out.

[TheColbertinator]

Hahahahaha

Coming from a Halo fan?

Anyway I would give Killzone 2 an 8.8

[KingJM]

i would give the same score, just for different reasons. I mean I absolutely loved it for a month, but then it hit me that it was incredibly frustrating online and not very fun. Still, its probably the best game in terms of technicality, just they forgot to make it fun

[Tachyon_Nova]

I think the game was fun for a while, but it didn't give me long term satisfaction in terms of online. It is way to annoying, and way too slow (to load)

[Spike47]

If you go on metacritic and look at that 92/100, you would know there is nothing "average" about that.

To me, Halo 3 was a letdown, Gears of War 1 was way better than Halo 3, heck even bioshock was more entertaining.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

The game is rated 91. And for your information, Halo 3 averaged 94. :)

No need to lie kid.

[Tachyon_Nova]

Can't comment as i havent played any of those games for long enough to have a solid opinion of then.

[keysy420]

good review but some of your issue don't really seem like issues to me like you complain about spawn camping but i think its a good strategy. spawn camping usually get you killed (atleast when im playing) but the thing that i do agree with is the bullet lag. That's my main concern, their also could be a bigger diversity in boards,still is doesn't need it. i hear a lot of people saying the game needs this and the game needs that. The game is fine take it for what it is a great shooter, it has a good concept and has good game play. its not futuristic with guns and stuff but its still sc-fi. The game isn't a perfect 10 few are, but the best games in history aren't either. i'm not calling Killzone the best far from it. but when it comes to best first person shooters. It's in the running and will be talked about for years to come. I'm not saying this is a system seller but if your not playing it your missing out. What will sell systems for ps3 is what sold system for them the first time. All their studios and their huge library.

lastly ill say this this game was not over hyped compared to halo halo sucked and i love halo 2 but H3 was killed off by cod4 Killzone 2 can take you away from cod halo cant.

[keysy420]

hey and for all you guys who complain about those things online. you can customize your games. i honestly hate to play 32 player map unless its a huge map. you get killed before you move the best if 7-12 on 7 -12 those are the best games its more tactical and alot funner