Killzone 2, the highly anticipated sequel to a PlayStation 2 first-person shooter, is a well-polished, finely-tuned game that distinguishes itself from other entries into the crowded FPS genre by its spectacular visuals, its gripping single-player campaign, and its innovative online component. In other words, Killzone 2 is all that the original Killzone was meant to be, and more.
Just War Theory
Killzone 2's storyline is fairly straightforward – after their defeat at the hands of the player in the first game, the fascistic Helghast are forced from Vekta, the planet they invaded during the events of the original Killzone, and pushed back to their homeworld of Helghan.
As the tables turn and the Vektans mount their own invasion with the hope of toppling the government of Helghast dictator Visari, players find themselves in the combat boots of a Vektan soldier at the spearhead of the incursion. There is little plot development beyond this basic premise, but the universe itself does feature an extensive backstory that can be found on Killzone.com.
The World Of Tomorrow
As a flagship Playstation 3 title, Killzone 2 was expected to push the limits of the system, but its visual splendors owe as much to artistic refinement as they do to technological prowess – the bleak, desolate landscape of Helghan is imbued with ample character that sets it apart from alien planets seen in other games – an eclectic mix of architectural styles and a thoroughly utilitarian, pragmatic vision of futuristic technology make Helghan one of the more interesting game settings in recent years. Artistic touches such as a film grain filter, over-saturated lighting, and heavy lens flair further enhance the cohesion of the visual experience.
Killzone 2's sound design is weaker by comparison – the militaristic musical themes often feel flat and uninspired, while main characters sound generic and forgettable. The Helghast themselves, with their gravelly gas mask-muffled voices, are by far the most memorable element of the soundtrack.
Gun Porn
The game's single-player levels are well-designed, fast-paced, and replete with intense scripted encounters that keep the action hot all throughout the length of the campaign. Set pieces such as an assault on a heavily-defended anti-aircraft platform and a close-quarters gun battle on a speeding train make for some nerve-wracking moments and give the campaign an added shot of adrenaline.
Some levels also feature vehicle or mounted turret sequences as a way of mixing up the action. These sequences, including a heated tank battle in one of the game's early levels, and a late-game trek through the Helghan wasteland at the controls of a bipedal combat mech, provide a nice diversion from the core shooting gameplay and are as polished as the rest of the package.
Killzone 2's campaign makes heavy use of some familiar mechanics – like many other recent shooters, Killzone 2 relies on a cover system to let the player weather hails of enemy bullets by crouching behind conveniently placed waist-high objects. Additionally, the player is often assisted by computer-controlled squadmates whose help can be a great boon when facing tough odds.
The game's controls take some time to get accustomed to – they have a weightier, more ponderous feel than the lightning-quick interfaces of other shooters, which gives combat a more deliberate, tactical character. Thanks to the control scheme, firefights in close quarters can be particularly unforgiving, as turning and leveling weapons is more difficult than in other shooters.
The game's arsenal is composed primarily of assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, machineguns, and other staples of the FPS genre. All these firearms look and sound as weapons ought to – mean, practical, and brutal, though not devoid of a certain austere elegance that makes real guns so attractive. Every one has its niche and each is a pleasure to use, putting Killzone's collection of killing machines a cut above those in similar games.
Killzone 2's artificial intelligence is often impressive – armed with a variety of devastating weapons, the menacing Helghast stormtroopers put up a stiff resistance as they launch unyielding assaults, doggedly defend their positions, and counterattack viciously to retake lost ground. The player's comrades, on the other hand, perform unevenly, fighting well in some encounters and botching others utterly.
Enemy Mine
In addition to the campaign, Killzone 2 ships with a full-featured multiplayer component. The online multiplayer, which supports up to 32 players simultaneously, features some innovative concepts and clever variations on traditional first-person shooter gametypes.
Killzone 2's solitary multiplayer game mode, dubbed “Warzone”, sets itself apart from other similar offerings by combining multiple gametypes into a single package – Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Domination and Assassination can all be found within the Warzone framework. Once a game mode is announced, players scramble to meet victory conditions, but when one team scores, conditions are re-set without the customary map switch or team respawn. AI bots are also available for practice or solitary entertainment.
The game relies on an experience system to dole out rewards to the player – gained through achieving battlefield objectives and killing opponents, experience goes towards increasing the player's rank, and with every new rank unlocked, players acquire new weapons and classes. The ability to combine any two classes together adds versatility to this system.
There are relatively few multiplayer maps available, but they are all well-designed, both visually and in gameplay terms – integrating segments of levels encountered in the campaign, they combine visual appeal with solid balancing and are bound to provide many hours of entertainment. Some minor balancing issues, such as problematic automated turret placement, can be the cause of frustration, but they are not enough to ruin the experience.
Visari's Dream
The first Killzone was a major disappointment, and while the PSP spin-off offered hope, many remained skeptical of developer Guerrilla Games' ability to fashion a truly stellar sequel. The release of Killzone 2 put those doubts to rest – combining excellent visuals, a polished single-player campaign, and robust multiplayer, Killzone 2 is one of the best first-person shooters around.
Anton Polouektov - I was born on the cusp of a new era in what is now the Russian Federation shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union and, perhaps due ...
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