Sympathy for the Helghast: Killzone's villain is too good

Jim Sterling writes: Regular readers will know by now that I'm quite a big fan of the Killzone series. Its focus on dirty, hard science fiction and heavy controls makes for a shooter unlike its peers in the big-budget market, while its multiplayer is as close to my personally perfect vision of class-based combat as I may ever get.

One thing stands out to me above all else, however -- Killzone's villains. I've always had an affinity for the villains in any given story, but the Helghast immediately struck a chord with me. Visually, they make for remarkably imposing opponents, with their militant black attire and harsh, angular gas masks housing eerie, glowing red eyes. Their cultural history is fascinating, steeped as it is in betrayal, anger, and fierce racial pride. For my money, the Helghast are among the most richly detailed antagonists in videogames today.

[majiebeast]

The Design of the Helghast soldiers is just too good if only they put half that effort into the ISA.

I still want Killzone 4 to have 2 campaigns, i want to be a Helghast again since Hakha i loved the multiple character approach in 1. Plus Rico wasnt a complete ass in Killzone 1 but just a dude with a giant minigun.

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[rezzah]

2 campaigns is a good idea.

[knowyourstuff]

Perhaps not 2 campaigns, but a back and forth to switch up the pacing would keep it from feeling stale and too samey as you run through the campaign. Hakha should return, or at least the same idea where you can play as a Helghast insider who takes them out from the inside, helping out the ISA.

[Nicaragua]

Jimbo has it spot on in this article. The Helghast look cool, talk like badasses, and have all the best equipment.

The ISA dress like plebs, talk like douchebags, and fly around in spaceships that look like a kitchen stool having sex with a phonebox.

Helghast ftw ! Cant wait for Killzone Mercenary

[MrDead]

It’s like Star Wars, who wanted to be a standard rebel grunt when you could be a Stormtrooper?

The Helgast are one of the most iconic bad guys in gaming history and like the Stormtrooper they are cool and we love them.

[mayberry]

The article's writer is spot on. I loved the concept of the Helghast from the beginning too! I dont mind playing as the ISA, but would definitely love more back story about the Helghast from GG!

[MrDead]

I would like them to wrap up this story arc with KZ4 and start the series again where you play from the Helgast point of view.

[P_Bomb]

I'd love to play a game from the Helghast POV. There's room for a great charachter arc and gameplay there, only touched upon briefly in playable charachters like Hakka. The bad guys have always been the real stars here.

[Dark_Overlord]

The Helghast aren't the bad guys ;)

[Run_bare]

The Helghast is very iconic in their persona and behaviour, there is some humanity and desperation to their actions.

I want to play as Helghast and kick ISA arse :), they should do 2 campaigns in the next game.

[DigitalRaptor]

Helghast are the stars of Killzone and any fan knows this.

I agree with Jim about the "focus on dirty, hard science fiction and heavy controls" - that's where the appeal lies for me. The intrigue and mystery of Helghan history and the interplanetary war that wages between forces is what keeps me wanting more too. I'd love to see a more politically engaging story and something that delves deeper into this rich history for Killzone 4.