Killzone 2: First Look

The first of our many looks at Guerilla's Killzone 2. It's good, right? Has to be...

Published 16/01/2009 at 13:30.
By Alex C [nofi].

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Games like Killzone 2 only come around once or twice a generation; not just in terms of surrounding hype and rabid interest, but also in measuring up to the huge expectation levels of gamers hungry for that special something that will re-ignite their love of videogames. Killzone 2, then, is the PS3′s crowning glory, and after 2 years of false starts, almost-greats and goalpost pings, Sony have a winner on their hands – come February 27th the only thing people will be talking about is the PlayStation 3 and how it’s playing host to the best first person shooter ever created.

Visually it’s off the chart – there’s no other way to say it. If you thought Gears of War 2 looked good then be prepared to cast aside Fenix and his friends because it doesn’t hold a candle to what Guerilla Games have managed to wrangle out of the PS3 – not only does it look just as good as the pre-rendered E3 footage from 2005 but often surpasses it in terms of animation and an incredible attention to detail to every single aspect of the on-screen action. The way the game relays a real sense of movement and motion is a sight to behold, but the wonderful physics, lighting and environmental effects make the game seem alive like no other.

We’re not going to spoil the storyline here, but it’s probably no surprise to anyone reading this to learn that the game takes place on the Helghast planet of Helgan, a war-torn, fractured world filled with desperation and decay. The Helghast are no longer dumb cannon fodder, but enemies with a motive and history, using cover and flanking intelligently to get at you; and because you’re now on their soil the war plays out somewhat differently as the plot progresses. Much of the time you’ll be in the company of team mates: smart, computer controlled AI that react, move and think like humans and although it’s the player that must ultimately forward the action your squad is more than capable of helping out when the going gets tough.

Of course, as those in the multiplayer beta will know, Killzone 2 isn’t just about the single player – Guerilla have packed in a fully class-based multi mode online battler too with each class offering a distinct but neatly divided set of attributes and abilities. Naturally we’ll reserve full judgement on the multiplayer until the game is released but rest assured that clan support is fully integrated, you can bet on the outcome of matches and some of the game types are astonishingly clever – one inparticular, once you’ve seen it, makes you wonder how it’s not been in every FPS ever created.

So yes, this is just TSA’s first toe dipping into the wonder of Killzone 2, and believe us when we say we’ve got lots more coming soon, but from what we’ve seen this is going to be that game this generation – the one everybody with a PS3 will buy, and the one everyone without one has to buy a PS3 for. Breathtaking visuals, great single player and a comprehensive multiplayer section make everything before it seem like a trial run. Sure, it’s building upon the best bits of every other shooter made, but combined into one killer experience.

Stay tuned…

Comments

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djhsecondnature | 16/01/2009 13:35
Kicking It
1562 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

Damn you and you’re ability to excite me even more! About Killzone that is…nothing else…
- andytorr | 16/01/2009 13:39
  Member
  1961 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
  
  Are you still holding back from watching all the goodies we have in the Killzone section? haha, you’re a stonger man than me dj.
  - djhsecondnature | 16/01/2009 13:40
    Kicking It
    1562 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    I don’t want anything to be spoiled for it. I’m so excited, it’s ridiculous.
  - andytorr | 16/01/2009 13:51
    Member
    1961 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    I don’t have enough strength within me to stop my hand pressing the buttons
  - Paragonknight | 16/01/2009 16:56
    Member
    3 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
    
    I just watch the videos for the hell of it. I doubt it’s going to ruin my experience of the game when I play it for myself.
Radboud | 16/01/2009 13:38
Member
1299 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008

Now, that is some hyping up my expectations :P

Nicely written there nofi!
Severn2j | 16/01/2009 13:40
Member
2019 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008

Do want!
Divine | 16/01/2009 13:49
Member
956 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

I demand more of these posts, each one getting more excitable than the last, until reaching an orgasmic crescendo on 27th Feb.
RocketSOL | 16/01/2009 13:50
Member
553 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008

cant wait for this! im not bothering waiting to see if a special edition comes out, ive already pre-ordered the standard version so that i can get on day one.
- TctclMvPhase | 16/01/2009 15:01
  Member
  818 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
  
  I dont believe you have to wait anymore. If I recall Guerilla confirmed a few days ago that there would be no CE…so you may preorder away.
GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 13:54
Member
874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008

Oh yes, Killzone 2 has now officially started on TSA. Thankyou God!!!!
- nofi | 16/01/2009 13:55
  Wants a custom tag.
  5421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
  
  Don’t worry, there’s much more to come… ;-)
  - GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 13:56
    Member
    874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    Stop saying that, aaarrrgghhh!!!!!!!!
  - Pixl1983 | 16/01/2009 14:40
    Member
    520 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    Mr 1 star is back. Can we maim him yet?
  - GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 14:44
    Member
    874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    I’ll counter strike with a load of 5′s
  - nofi | 16/01/2009 14:45
    Wants a custom tag.
    5421 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    I’ve got him. Another one banned.
  - GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 14:48
    Member
    874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    Really! Bloody hell I like it :)
  - Mike | 16/01/2009 21:02
    Member
    1381 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
    
    Shit! You’ve rumbled my secondary account…
  - Paragonknight | 16/01/2009 16:29
    Member
    3 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
    
    What’s with these Mr. 1 stars?
  - seedaripper1973 | 16/01/2009 16:44
    Member
    2332 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    who was the masked man..im intrigued….?
  - andytorr | 16/01/2009 14:43
    Member
    1961 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    Please tell me you don’t have the game nofi. Jealousy is kicking in…
  - GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 14:45
    Member
    874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
    
    All round his tonight then!
  - djhsecondnature | 16/01/2009 15:29
    Kicking It
    1562 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
    
    TSA meet up at nofi’s then.
  - yogh_wayne | 16/01/2009 21:10
    Member
    3144 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
    
    Cool. Chill the beer nofi, we’ll bring the pizza :)
wolfehound22 | 16/01/2009 13:57
Member
4 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008

man I am so hyped for this game
gazo69 | 16/01/2009 14:05
Member
1374 TSA Points | Member since: Forever

That read has just got me feeling all better, thanks nofi, i have never wanted a game as much as i want this!
hannes_truce | 16/01/2009 14:07
Member
3417 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008

I’m so close to climax right now, can’t believe i have to hold it in till the 27th feb. aaarrrrrrrrrrgggg!!! :-D
GamerRiley | 16/01/2009 14:10
Member
874 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008

Just go back to the front page and look at the picture nofi has put with the headline. It show basically just a glowing eye that looks friggin awesome. But just from that picture you know in an instant what the game is. It’s an advertisers dream!
- yogh_wayne | 16/01/2009 21:12
  Member
  3144 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
  
  Yeah, it looks awesome!