SCEA and Guerrilla have a nice new year’s treat in store for first-person shooter gamers who also happen to own the PlayStation 3 console system. One of the more anticipated titles of 2009 is merely months from release and Killzone 2 (slated to hit store shelves in February) is easily a strong visceral treat that will keep gamers on their toes.
SCEA sent along a preview of the game, and right from the opening level, it is apparent this is a full-throttle shooter that will leave gamers little time to relax. Now don’t expect this game to release on any other platform but the PS3. Why? Because it will be coming out on a Blu-Ray disc, which is the only storage device capable of holding this massive game. And massive even seems like a bit of an understatement.
There are eight maps, a robust multiplayer element, and customization features that will enable players to define not only the role they play in the conflict, but how that role plays out.In many regards, Killzone 2 trots the well-tread path of other shooters. You start out with a weapon, are thrust into the heart of the conflict – the opening level takes place in what appears to be a water-side factory complex – with your shooting skill and wits to sustain you. There are objectives, and – in the single-player campaign – NPC teammates that will help ease you along the path you need to take. The NPCs in this game are not dumb. The enemy will use cover, will lean out to shoot, and seem to coordinate attacks.
You start out with a weapon that will run out of ammo. You need to scrounge up new weaponry from the enemies you take out. Yep, pretty standard there, but weapons, and how they are used depend largely on the class of the character you are. There are seven different classes: rifleman, scout (can stealth), medic, engineer (can set up automated turrets), tactician (can set up spawn points in multiplayer), saboteur and assault (ready to get up close with the enemy).
The game takes place on Helghan in the battle between the ISA (the side you are on) and the Helghast. This is a fast and furious battle on the enemy’s home planet. Expect atmospheric conditions to come into play.
One of the more compelling elements of this game is the visuals. Not only does the dynamic lighting and environmental texturing produce some truly tasty bits of eye candy, but the animation of the characters in the game is truly impressive. It’s always nice to shoot an enemy from a high platform, and then watch the body fall – with full-on rag-doll physics – bouncing off protruding bits of the structure upon which he was originally stationed. Playing out in high-definition, the game also features full screen anti-aliasing, motion blur, internal lens reflections, and depth-based color grading. In short, this is one of the more visceral FPS experiences yet to hit the PS3.
The sound is just as impressive. The game supports 7.1 surround sound with location specific audio. That means if you hear a noise off to the right, chances are there is something either worth investigating or avoiding.
Killzone 2 is positioning itself to not only be a dandy FPS, and ample reason to welcome the new year, but to immerse players into a world that is vibrant and feels alive.
SCEA sent along a preview of the game, and right from the opening level, it is apparent this is a full-throttle shooter that will leave gamers little time to relax. Now don’t expect this game to release on any other platform but the PS3. Why? Because it will be coming out on a Blu-Ray disc, which is the only storage device capable of holding this massive game. And massive even seems like a bit of an understatement.
There are eight maps, a robust multiplayer element, and customization features that will enable players to define not only the role they play in the conflict, but how that role plays out.In many regards, Killzone 2 trots the well-tread path of other shooters. You start out with a weapon, are thrust into the heart of the conflict – the opening level takes place in what appears to be a water-side factory complex – with your shooting skill and wits to sustain you. There are objectives, and – in the single-player campaign – NPC teammates that will help ease you along the path you need to take. The NPCs in this game are not dumb. The enemy will use cover, will lean out to shoot, and seem to coordinate attacks.
You start out with a weapon that will run out of ammo. You need to scrounge up new weaponry from the enemies you take out. Yep, pretty standard there, but weapons, and how they are used depend largely on the class of the character you are. There are seven different classes: rifleman, scout (can stealth), medic, engineer (can set up automated turrets), tactician (can set up spawn points in multiplayer), saboteur and assault (ready to get up close with the enemy).
The game takes place on Helghan in the battle between the ISA (the side you are on) and the Helghast. This is a fast and furious battle on the enemy’s home planet. Expect atmospheric conditions to come into play.
One of the more compelling elements of this game is the visuals. Not only does the dynamic lighting and environmental texturing produce some truly tasty bits of eye candy, but the animation of the characters in the game is truly impressive. It’s always nice to shoot an enemy from a high platform, and then watch the body fall – with full-on rag-doll physics – bouncing off protruding bits of the structure upon which he was originally stationed. Playing out in high-definition, the game also features full screen anti-aliasing, motion blur, internal lens reflections, and depth-based color grading. In short, this is one of the more visceral FPS experiences yet to hit the PS3.
The sound is just as impressive. The game supports 7.1 surround sound with location specific audio. That means if you hear a noise off to the right, chances are there is something either worth investigating or avoiding.
Killzone 2 is positioning itself to not only be a dandy FPS, and ample reason to welcome the new year, but to immerse players into a world that is vibrant and feels alive.
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