KILLZONE 2: A Mini Control and Aim Guide

Since the release of the KILLZONE 2 demo the only major concern for many shooter fans has been the games control scheme. KILLZONE 2 posseses an incredible visual and audio experience that definitely separates it from any other shooter.

In fact KILLZONE 2 has been considered an action-packed shooting simulator because the overall movement and feel of the game is truly realistic. Nevertheless some users of the demo have had some concerns and recently a community member from IGN who goes by the name of Nib95 did a great job of breaking down this concern with a mini-control-and-aim-guide along with a nice video of him playing through the demo. Be sure to read the mini-guide before watching the vid. Check it Out!

[itchy18]

one guy said on youtube:

"See? The controls are not doing what I can clearly tell you want them to do. Your adjusting is all over the place to compensate for lousy controls.

A good example is from 1:46 to 1:51"

-it's because Killzone2 doesn't have aiming assist, unlike cod4. That's why you have to adjust your gun before you shoot the enemy just like adjusting a gun to shoot the target in real life. in real life there is no aiming assist. GG wants to make an FPS game as real as possible.

[CaseyRyback_CPO]

The controls for KZ2 are different, and they fit well with the game. As many people have said, if you dont like it... Play COD, simple as that. no TRUE gamer is going to be turned off because they have to learn to not set their sensitivity to 10+.

Kz2 has recoil, so you have to shoot in bursts. No Auto Aim either. n00bs need not to apply.

Thats my guide.

[beavis4play]

KZ2 makes the player think about strategy and making their shots count. sadly, many "gamers" are finding out how unprepared they are for this game..........and they're feeling frustrated.

feb. 27 can't come soon enough.
oh, have a bubble.

[GrandTheftZamboni]

Is there any game that is not on Wii that you can just jump in and play? Even for Surf's Up you need to learn how to perform different rolls etc.

[Bonsai1214]

god forbid you actually need skill to play games, not just have autoaim on.. pc gamers laugh at assisted shooting and games with no recoil.

[PistolPumptMonk]

I dunno... my only major concern has been which class am I gonna be when I'm poppin caps in multiplayer?

:D

[hay]

Wow, if "gamers" are b*tchy about Killzone 2 controls no wonder Ghost in the Shell: SAC (PS2) was received pretty badly.
K2 reminds me the times where games were actually games, not easy walk-through crap that 12 years old can manage to finish without taking a sweat.
If this game has bad controls those woosies didn't play real hardcore games or games with bad controls actually. I guess seeking challenge in games is something that new-age gamers don't know.
I miss those times that you needed some skill to play the game.

[prunchess]

Then go into the control settings on the KZ2 demo, turn up the x and y axis sensitivity and choose "alternate 2". The control system will be just about the same as COD 4 MW. It's as easy as that!

I can't understand the whining about the controls, they're bang on once you make these changes.

[Downtown boogey]

It's just hard to aim accurately due to the acceleration!
My record time on the demo is 4:14 BTW

[pimp614]

You will need a guide with this game. It's hard to control

[beavis4play]

maybe "pong" is a game more suited to your control needs?

[itchy18]

LoL @ beavis. bubble for the laugh! :D

[beavis4play]

i just don't get why some people are so mystified by the KZ controls?

[Max Power]

according too Pimp, he sold his PS3 as soon as he played and deleted the Killzone 2 demo. so i guess he'll never learn how to shoot in that game.

[ar]

Pong is hard core. Never diss pong.

[beast]

Thanks Nibs for such a detail help.

Cant wait for KZ2

[edwineverready]

Strange thing is they voted for Obama. no really the controls are great. i was in the beta and almost nobody complaint about the controls. i think there are also some xbox360 only users complaining to make it seem like a big problem. because all there other attempts to make this game fail did not suck seed.

[wanaraceu]

After watching the video and playing the demo the controls make allot of sense. It is something that takes time to get perfect. You just cant point and shoot.

Think of car games... when i first played Grand Turismo it took a while to get it right. But once i did i loved the game it felt rewarding to play. People who say this game lacks something new are wrong the controls are unlike any other FPS i have played. and when i got the controls right it felt real rewarding.

I think this game is going to be the Grand Turismo of FPS. Thanks for the Shooting tips

[Whoooop]

Only sissy whinning "gamers" are b*tching about KZ2 controls....

Noobs used to "aim for me/gun floating" controls like COD4 and Halo.

KZ2 controls are great. Different with a realism/weigth sense that makes you feel like you're actually behind the screen holding the gun.

;)

[Ashton]

I feel that the shooting mechanism and control are THE best on PS3.

at first i wasn't sure ,it felt different but after getting used to it I think it's done superbly.

[cryymoar]

i didn't like the default controls, all thanks to call of duty 4 >:[
but i went back to play it again the next day on default and it was easy. i remembered that i enjoyed the controls for Resistance: FoM, and that the new default controls for Killzone 2 were VERY similar to R:FoM, from then on, haven't gone to Alt2+zHold since. Standard 1 FTW! (for me anyway)

[GamerPS360]

That's what I have been saying !! Control on KZ2 is perfect. Couldn't be any better.

[infamousinfolite]

the game felt real like as if i was in the game. Realism FTW

[Kyur4ThePain]

I can't wait to own the control-babies in MP.
*rubs hands together*

[Synex]

I love the controls just the way they are. If you can't deal with having to actually adjust your gun manually then don't play this game, it's that simple.

C'mon Feb 27th!!! I hope my GS does a midnight release. I need to start making my Helghast cardboard costume.

[qshooterp]

My ps3 got Killzowned the other day when I was playing the demo my ps3 got the yellow light of death I guess this game was just too good for my ps3 to handle :) I'm smileing because I'll get it back from Sony before this game comes out so it's all good God only 18 till everyone gets killzowned, man!! I love that word KILLZOWWWNED

[GamerPS360]

sorry for your ps3. I hope you get it before game comes out.

[Peow]

Lol, mine broke on the same day GTAIV released.

Sad part is, after about 3 hours of playing GTAIV, all I could think was, "I waited that long for this?"

So I went outside. It was the worst 15 minutes of my life!!

(For those who don't know, I'm only kidding about it being the worst 15 minutes of my life. :P)

[Max Power]

thats what she said. ;)

[Briyen]

killzone 2 is growing on me. but still not sure if its a day one purchase if my friends dont have it

since its basically about mp now.

and its still kinda standard if you think about it... jsut a realy great standard.

[LiViNgLeGaCY]

Nah, I wouldn't say it's ALL about the multi-player. I mean yes, it's going to be a big part of the game. Arguably the best aspect, but from what I've read it's supposed to have a pretty epic single player as well.

I personally cannot wait for this game any longer...

[skatezero246]

Personally I think killzone 2 is the shooter i've been waiting for. I want to play a fPS were you have to actually think and place your shots, not a FPS were you just run,jump,shoot (halo). I think it's great that GG's added weight to the guns it adds that much more realism. The 27th can't come soon enough! I already have this game reserved and paid for.

[Bathyj]

I love these slow controls. They let you smoothly pan across he screen and line a shot up. And theres nothing like getting a face shot from 50m and knowing you earned it.

I use Standard 2 with zoom being toggled on the R3 button. Its great even if you do have to get used to it.

One small tip, I've never heard anyone mention. If you are in cover and aim the crosshairs fairly close to the target, press zoom and their is a small autoaim snap there. That lets you jump out and release hell. Try it and thank me latter. I take cash or bubbles. ;)

PS
I tried to play the Fear demo after this game. OMG its so twitchy, way to quick. I hate other shooters now. Killzone kills all.

[LiViNgLeGaCY]

That was a very useful tip. Good lookin' out dude. Bubbles.

[Amp]

Enjoy the bubb!

[lukewind]

Any game that needs a guide on how to control has issues. I love realism, but GG went way to far with the controls for KZ2. As soon as I played the demo I canceled my pre-order and put it on my gamefly que. I refuse to put hours into the online of a game that controls so badly.

[Max Power]

with the game, only people with low IQs need a guide to learn to shoot.

[Peow]

I finally played the demo and...

Well, I suck at the game. I'm used to COD4 but KZ2 is really alot more fun once you get used to it. The graphics... the sound... the atmosphere... the AI... the weapons...

All of it, every damn thing about KZ2 is great. Feb 27th can't come soon enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FantasyStar]

When you have so much controversy around basic controls and aiming, you know you ****ed up somewhere. I'm doing just fine here.

[TheGuardianFID]

I had the controls down by my second play through of the Demo!!! In the old days (80s and 90s) most if not all games came with one control scheme and you had to adapt to every single individual game's controls as they were released, it made you a better gamer and it made your skills to adapt to change grow with each passing game!!! Guerilla Games has obviously worked very hard to implement a sound control scheme for their game and has given the players different options, but I'm sure they would appreciate gamers using their standard controls (in my case Standard 2) as oppose to trying to make their game play like COD4!!! Personally I think it's a disservice to them, this is not COD4, if you want to play that game then load it up, but at least have enough respect for the developer's hard work to adapt to what they intended the game to be, its own entity!!! I don't mean to offend anyone by my opinions, I'm just offering a different point of view, I just hope that open minded people such as yourselves can appreciate them!!!

[tatsujin]

definitely! gonna try it out in multiplayer see if it works.

[chad22hkd]

I found the controls in this game to be very frustrating. Particularly the part where you have to shoot the space monkeys. I couldn't get the lazer beams to shoot from my eyes in the right direction.

[Figboy]

are the same people who complain about Gran Turismo's controls.

GT is the "driving sim"

so think of Killzone 2 as the "war sim."

having played the beta for 3 weeks, then devoured the demo, i can attest to the fact that the controls in KZ2 are very realistic. it simply ISN'T a twitch, "arcadey" shooter like Halo, COD4, and Resistance 2.

no human being in real life, when burdened with heavy equipment, and heavy weaponry can move as fast as you do in the games i mentioned above.

in the real world, weapons aren't controlled by a keyboard and mouse, and their lighting fast turn radius' and pinpoint accuracy.

people complain about KZ2 not bringing anything new to the table, and being "just another FPS" but from what i've seen, read, and experienced myself FIRST HAND,

Killzone 2 brings this to the FPS table:

1 -unprecedented visual immersion. the graphics exceeded everyone's expectations, even us Playstation 3 fans.

2 -unprecedented character immersion. the weight of your character, their weapons, and the way they move about the world is unlike any other FPS on the market, PC or console alike. the game wouldn't work on a PC mouse and keyboard setup, but it works PERFECTLY for controller pads, and is calibrated to the strengths of controller input. but like i said, the character movement, weapon movements are unlike any FPS out there.

3 -first person cover system is new to the FPS genre, and after using it in the demo, i find myself wishing other FPS games (from Resistance 2 to COD4), had such a system. it takes a bit to get used to, but like most games, once you become accustomed to the gameplay mechanic, it's like breathing. unless you just aren't very good at coming to grips with new gameplay mechanics...

4 -the mix and match badge system is a great evolution of class based multi-player. games like Team Fortress initiated the system. games like COD4 added xp and level gain, and now Killzone 2 is taking those two elements, implementing them into it's genetic makeup, but now giving you the opportunity to cross class like an RPG (ie, D&D with it's multi-classing aspects). this. is. AWESOME. there are apparently 50 different combinations available with the 6 badge types.

this is an evolution of the "standard" FPS conventions (how can they be "standard," when so far, only THREE shooters have implemented such features? Team Fortress 2, COD4, and Resistance 2. am confused? wouldn't it be "standard" if EVERY FPS had done these features to death? guess not in double standard land...), and still new to the FPS genre for console gamers (and PC gamers as far as i know).

but what can you do. the haters have already lost the

"HD DVD will KILL Blu Ray" war
"PS3 will be dead in a year" war
"Killzone 2 won't EVER look like the CGI" war
"PS3 has no games" war
"PSN is SOOOO inferior to LIVE" war
"PS3 is too expensive" war
"All PS3 exclusives are flops" war

so what else can they do but try and take potshots at the titles that are DELIVERING.

EVERYTHING has blemishes when you scrutinize it long enough.

Killzone 2's controls are PERFECT for the type of game it is.

now, if Killzone 2 was trying to be something DIFFERENT - say, a fast paced, twitchy shooter, then yeah, the controls would be a problem. but then again, this is assuming that Guerrilla Games is incompetent, and have no idea how to create the game they want to create. looking at Killzone 2, that is NOT the case.

if you don't like Killzone 2 or the way it controls, fine. but don't try and paint it as a NEGATIVE for the game because YOU PERSONALLY can't get behind the controls.

here's a tidbit: i wasn't too fond of the controls myself when i first got into the beta. i had been playing Resistance 2 for a bit, and it took a good 30 minutes or so to get used to the feel of KZ2's controls. after that, i was in the groove, and when playing the demo last week, it didn't feel awkward to me at all.

so instead of having knee-jerk reactions to the way the game feels, give it a few more goes to see if it will grow on you. if it STILL doesn't, well thems the breaks, and there are PLENTY of other shooters that play JUST LIKE Halo, Call of Duty, and Resistance 2 for you to spend your time on, and just leave the people that actually LIKE the Killzone 2 control setup alone.

[FantasyStar]

I dislike KZ2's aiming mechanics, but I fell in love with GT5P's driving mechanics. Go play Operation Flashpoint if you want a War-sim. KZ2 is anything but.

[Figboy]

because so far, i've not seen any screens, any video, and any information on this title is supposedly the most amazing FPS EVAR!!!

Killzone 2 is hitting my PS3 the week of February 27th (my local game store should hopefully get it on Monday, the 23rd - THEY say).

i've SEEN screens. i've seen videos. i've been in the multi-player beta, and i've played the single player demo.

so far, Killzone 2 is one of the most immersive FPS titles i've EVER played, and i've played them all, from Doom, to Half Life, to FEAR, to COD, to Halo, and i've never felt more in the shoes of the character of i'm playing as than in KZ2.

and don't get me started on the visuals.

while i'm not completely dismissing Operation Flashpoint 2, i have absolutely NO reason to get hyped about it in any way, shape, or form, whereas Killzone 2 is something tangible, something that i have PLAYED, and a game i highly enjoyed playing, in beta AND demo form.

hyping up OF2 just comes off as a desperate tactic to try and deflate some of Killzone 2's momentum. for me, however, that won't happen anytime soon.

i'm pretty burned out on the FPS genre, and Killzone 2 will be my last hurrah before i retire the genre and move onto my FAVORITE genres; RPG, and Action/Adventure.

[CyberCam]

You hit the nail right on the head in both your posts and I agree 100% with you!

One thing though there are screenshots & tech videos of the actual gameplay (Youtube search it) & it actaully looks stunning. Also, apparently the time frame for it's release is slated for around June '09 to Sept. '09. The only downfall is that the multiplayer will have very minimal amount of players aloud at one time (for PS3/360 that is, PC will get a larger amount of players able to play at one time).

And, even though you don't need it, bubbles for you my friend.

[Figboy]

thanks for the info!

i'll look into it on Youtube asap, so i can see what the fuss is about.

like i said, i'm burned out on the FPS genre, and if it wasn't for Killzone's excellent quality -and the fact that over the past month or so i've beaten Killzone 1, and Killzone: Liberation, and have become invested in the story, i would be done with the FPS genre for a nice long while, at least a year.

to digress, Killzone 1 and Liberation; such underrated games, ESPECIALLY the first one. not a jaw-dropping FPS, but highly enjoyable, and different. the only real bad side to the game was it's atrocious checkpoint system, if you could call it that. but the firefights were ahead of their time - that is to say, more skewed towards realism than the "Halo generation," wanted at the time. the hate for Killzone 1 is completely unjustified. but then again, i was playing it on my PS3, and didn't encounter ANY framerate issues or slow down like many a reviewer complained about. plenty of background pop in, but that didn't detract from the overall gameplay experience.

SPOILERS: the swamp and forest levels were also very, VERY impressive visually, but i don't even think reviewers back then bothered to make it that far. sometimes i don't think they even BEAT these games before they review them.

once again, thanks for the info on OF2, and bubbles back at you!

EDIT- i just watched a handful of OF2 videos, and it looks good, but no different than any other realistic FPS out there, ie, COD4. that's not a knock against it, i just prefer Killzone 2's sci fi setting more. there's nothing wrong with a real world setting, it's just been done to death. what's appealing about games like Resistance 2, Halo, Half Life 2, etc, is that the environments they portray are not what we normally experience in a day to day basis, and that makes it interesting to me.

HOWEVER, if, say, they took a realistic, modern day setting, and instead of putting us in the shoes of a trained soldier, but the gun in the hand of "John Everyman," and set him up against extraordinary circumstances (an invasion on his homeland by another country), that would be appealing to me.

i guess i'm just getting burned out on the "rag tag group of bad ass soldiers take on insurmountable odds," and think a more "Uncharted" like approach to the main characters would open up avenues for interesting character growth, so we can get past this "meathead with guns" phase we've been in for a long time.

you can argue Half Life takes this route, but Gordon Freeman doesn't say a WORD. i'm a sucker for story and narrative in my games (which is why i think Uncharted is one of the best games i've played this generation), and i don't think story and FPS action don't have to be mutually exclusive anymore. i think this is where Battlefield: Bad Company was pointed in the right direction in terms of character.

the characters still move like they're being controlled with a mouse and keyboard, which kind of dilutes the realistic look of the world. these guys are moving so fast it borders on super human. this is where i think Killzone 2 really sets itself apart in the immersion area. developers think simply adding head bob to movement makes it realistic, but that's not it at all.

anyway, i'll keep my eye on Operation Flashpoint 2, but i'm still not sold on it. the technology is looking sound, but just like with Killzone 2, i'll have to see how it PLAYS before i truly get interested it.

[Oner]

Sorry Fig, but I have to disagree with you on this one man. I absolutely love GT (just look at the attached pictures to see how much) and whole heartedly believe there is nothing wrong with the changes that Polyphony have done/made in GT over the years to improve the realism. But there is one thing that is for sure....I am one of the people who is having no end of trouble with the input issue.

I have already posted my views on this at the Official PS Forums and anyone who knows me will undoubtedly tell you I am a Sony supporter to the fullest and prefer their products over ANYTHING else (again just look at the photos to see). So I will repost what I believe here (even though I know I will get no end of $#@! for it)

"This is not to say KZ2 sucks or is bad in any way, let me make this abundantly clear. As KZ2 looks to be a great title that brings gaming to a new level and looks to define the genre. But there is a problem that is evident and the proof is right there in front of everyone's eyes. It might have to do with the game mechanic of weight or it may not...or it could just be a response time issue that is not at an acceptable rate.

There are multiple issues at hand here that seems to maybe be compounding it further.

#1 - About the weight ~ why does the Handgun & Knife feel and move EXACTLY the same way as a rocket launcher or a fully loaded Rifle?

#2 - Why is there a clear time based delay in the game demo menu when a button press is implemented?

#3 - How is it possible that there have been proper video captures with estimations of input delay showing nearly 1/4 of a second (250 ms or 15/60 of a frame count) when it comes to the aiming and/or firing?

All of these are valid concerns that people including myself are posing. For me it is unrealistic and detracts from the experience as it makes me focus on the re-adjustments thus taking me out of the immersion."

But lastly I have to add that I just finished my 7th or 8th re-download of KZ2 (as suggested on the PS Forums) on my secondary PS3 (20gb) and it seems to have a better response time...so I might not have to cancel my fully paid pre-order just yet. I will probably rent it to see first then if it is acceptable to me I'll pick it up at GS. Which I really want to be able to do as I don't want to miss out on this game.

[Figboy]

interesting. i haven't noticed any delay or control issues while playing the demo.

the game feels very much like it did when i played the beta last year. of course, that was quite a few months ago, so it probably DID change in some way.

it's unfortunate that you aren't enjoying the title as much as you'd like. maybe the full version is tweaked more. i've heard the demo is of an older build (like most demos, actually).

there's nothing wrong with disliking a games control scheme.

i personally think Killzone 2 feels like a breath of fresh air compared to other FPS titles out there.

i hardly used melee attacks, so i didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

overall, i thought the demo was pretty responsive, even with the intentional affects of the weight of the characters and weapons.

i DO think that some people are blowing this out of proportion, but i know you aren't one of them. some people have legitimate complaints about the controls, and others are simply grasping at straws to try and make an excellent game look bad.

i personally can't stand the controls for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on the Wii. there are others that absolutely LOVE it. we are all different, and we all shouldn't be expected to like the same thing.

i just hope that maybe it's more of an issue with the demo, than it is the full game, so you can enjoy this game you've been anticipated for so long.

[Oner]

Whats up Fig (I see you got my PM). If you go to this news thread http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News... you will see another post of mine with videos clearly showing a timing issue.

[peeps]

good read. I've got used to the controls alot more now but the guide has helped me look at things differently since i'm still so used to moveing the analogue stick all the way in 1 direction when turning :p I'm really glad it's the way it is though since it has a learning curve and i'm sure it will make online much more competitive. No offence to COD fans because i used to be a big fan myself, but anyone can go on that game and be good - easy to use weapons, hardly any recoil, large drum mags, kills from ai due to killstreaks, dropping a grenade when you die for a cheap kill, aut-aim. Basically what i'm saying is COD is fun game but everyone who plays it is at a very similar level with some really good players. I believe with the controls and the way kz2 plays the online will have much more varied players and the good players will be easiliy recognised :)

[rev20]

Controls are fine ive blasted my way through the campaign fine now im trophy hunting.

[THE TRUTH]

This is a problem created by the media and "some" of there reviews of the game. - remember on Xplay where one of the host who was doing a preview kept comparing this killzone 2 to CoD4. This comparison (and some pro 360 fans) is what to blame for this.

Personally I would not have this game play anyother way. Enough with this dumbed down video game market FPS aimed at giving "everyone a fair chance". Its time we seperated the the noobs from the vets and that's what killzone 2 will give us. Now if a gamer chooses to blurt crazy slurs in game, he or she better put his bullet where my face is because this game isn't given him the luxury of a handicap!

Time to put up or shut up!

I also like that the control scheme feels new because it basiclly starts all of us on a more even level. Kind of a FPS reset which I'm really exicted about.

[SIX]

This issue is blown out of proportion, and I'm tired of hearing about it.

[PirateThom]

I'm glad Killzone 2 doesn't have noob/auto aim. It means I'm actually the one aiming and killing them.