Arguably the best FPS exclusive on the PS3 (sorry Insomniac), Killzone 2 had a hell of a lot to live up to upon its release back in February 2009. Not only did it need to fulfil the prophecy of being a AAA FPS so many PS3 fans clamoured for, but there was that infamous double-edged target-render trailer Guerrilla released back in E3 2007. Simultaneously damning and blessing the title in one breath, what amounted to a declaration of graphical intent roused up an insane amount of anticipation among PlayStation fans, while also representing an almost impossible goal; a stick naysayers would so gladly beat over the head of both the developer and fans of the game for not living up to the hyperbole.
Amazingly, the actual Killzone 2 stands up quite favourably against the designer’s grandiose vision for the title, a testament to the creative genius and technical acumen over at Guerilla Games. Even now, Killzone 2 fares incredibly well against competing titles released over a year later. But that was Killzone 2. Looking forward, and what Killzone 3 promises is the prospect of how the Dutch masterminds have faired with even more time and knowledge of Sony’s powerhouse system.
We’ve already witnessed first hand just what is in store for everyone come the end of February, and we believe that those who immerse themselves into the lumbering, weighted soldier or Helghast in Killzone 3 will be more than happy with what Guerrilla have produced in their third Holiday on Helghan offering. In other words, you won’t really be surprised, insomuch as the graphical fidelity and gameplay depth in Killzone 2 was also something that you expected and dutifully relished. This should not be viewed as a critique, as Killzone 3 is awesome. We’ve played it so you can rest assured that you will not be disappointed. We’re confident that it is exactly what you’re expecting, a riveting experience that delivers the chaotic, blitzkrieg hell of war at a pace and intensity that will literally leave you shaken.
Guerrilla have also listened to their fans and detractors (and, yes, there are those who really didn’t take to Killzone 2’s relatively sluggish controls and jingoistic overtones) and injected some pep in the control system, while also adding in more than a few modes that fans have been begging for since Killzone 2 arrived. Split-screen offline multiplayer and online co-op will feature, sure to sate the throng of Killzone zealots who’ve lamented their omission the first (technically the second) time around.
It’s not all good news (for some) it seems, as Killzone 2’s Custom Games multiplayer modus operandi has been dropped in favour of the more standard Matchmaking norm. As mentioned in the Q&A forum on www.killzone.com:
We have chosen for Matchmaking for a couple of reasons: to reduce the large amount of exploits, to make sure players are put in better competitive matches and to make it easier for people to find games. As we have noticed Matchmaking is not working properly yet. We are working hard to fix that, but it doesn’t mean the choice is not valid. Custom games created unreadable lists with a plethora of different games, but very often not the game that a player is trying to find. Yes, we have taken away some of the freedom, but we’ve replaced it with a much easier, user friendly system.
Not happy about this decision? Sign the petition. To us, we’re not that bothered by the change. We’re pretty confident Guerrilla know what they’re doing, and if they say their version of Matchmaking is better than the customised games of yore, the empiricist in us just goes: “Okay, prove it to us. We’re open to the idea.” If it doesn’t, well, we’ll be the first to mention it.
Throw in Move and 3D support (whether you want it or not), not to mention jet-packs and an overhauled multiplayer system that looks to balance some of its predecessor’s shortcomings, and February 2011’s return to Helghan with Sev, the despicable Rico and those pesky orange-eyed bastards, looks like the ultimate Valentine’s Day killer. S/he won’t mind, it’s a made-up holiday anyway.
And finally, and in a vain attempt to preempt the expected backlash of why Killzone 3 is not numbers one, two and three on our list of Top 100 2011 games, please read this paragraph before voicing your dissent. If we’re being honest, we really don’t feel the need to justify why a game has appeared where it has on this list, though we do appreciate some people might genuinely be curious. For those people (and not the ones who will invariably call upon the Fail Gods to curse us for our ineptitude), please recall that this list is based on anticipation. It is also a list that is based on the democratic principle that everyone’s vote that was cast enjoyed equal weight. Ask yourself: do you know someone who doesn’t care that much for Killzone 2? Chances are you do. Chances are you’ve probably talked to him or her in our very own forum.
The fact is, we’re really looking forward to Killzone 3. Seriously, as mentioned before, the gap between numbers one and ten on this list is literally fractions of a full rating point. That means the top 10 are incredibly close, with their final ordering decided upon by, in one instance, not the final mark but how many maximum scores it garnered.
The votes for Killzone 3 saw a number of staff members here at TSA cast somewhat indifferent marks for Guerrilla’s big dog, as is their right. Will I name them? No; because that’s not the point. The point is: some people are really not that bothered about Killzone 3. And that’s cool. The game also received a number of full-marks and a rake a 9/10s. Out of the hundreds of games we looked at, anyone that says that a top ten placement for any game isn’t pretty fantastic is a crazy person.
tonycawley
Now we’re talking. Now we’re starting to get into the games i’m interested in. I was only killing radec on difficult away from platinum on 2, played through the whole thing, got to him, then dreaded ylod. Loved it, very high hopes for 3.
uber-BARBIE
hahaha yeah i know where ya coming from. i had ylod whilst in a game of mp on killzone2 twice. the games so beastly it kills ya fat ps3s stone dead.it was unrepairable the 3rd time round so gots meself a slim.
Snebjnr
Cant wait for Killzone 3! it looks awesome!
Hopefully I’ll have some proper internet so I can go kick some online ass…and join in some clan games with the regulars :)
Shakugan
It looks Top 10 is going to be all Shooter games, right??
kivi95
The last Guardian is not a shooter.
BIGAL-1992
I’ll hold fire until I see the rest of the list.
Kovacs
This is me replying to you! :)
Replies to a reply are embedded. Multiple replies to one comment all fall under the same indent.
Kovacs
We’ve seen two of the top 10. One of which is a shooter. That’s 50% (so far). No offence, but that’s some strange logic you have there.
I’d recommend seeing the rest of this list before making wild assumptions. That’s not to say there aren’t shooters left to come. Or Killzone 3 is the highest placing one. I’m just saying, wait until the 31st, then complain about the number of shooters in the list
BIGAL-1992
Ummm, were you referring to me, because I’m confused.
bunimomike
Lee was replying to Shakugan as the comment was a bit crap to be fair.
hennerzcfc
its a ps3 must have
spooferbarnabas
So i platted killzone 2 and sunk over 300 hours into the multiplayer and enjoyed it thoroughly yet i am very hesitant to get hyped over killzone 3.
The beta was pretty bad frankly: the horrible combination of weapons for classes, the unbalanced mechs, the lack of customisation (creating games), shocking balancing issues and the general ‘CODification’ of it all. Really disappointed.
I imagine i’ll still buy it mainly for the sp and the clan system (which appears reduced) but i don’t see myself putting anywhere near as much time into it!
Watchful
Glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like the beta. I thought that pretty much everything about it (apart from the graphics and sound) was worse than KZ2. Instantly dropped from a must-buy to a buy-if-I-am-short-of-games-to-play which means it probably won’t be. The beta was a beastly experience (in the traditional English sense of the word) and hugely disappointing.
Kronik76
That makes three of us!
Awayze
I wonder if COD 8 ie MW3 is on the list.
I can’t think of any game other than ME2, Batman and UC3 that will be in top 10 or deserve to be there.
Kovacs
MW3 was in the 30s. Batman in the teens. Mass Effect 2 (PS3) has also already featured.
Aquastyle
*cough*thelastguardian*cough*
project84music
I’m very much looking forward to KZ3, sure it will have its flaws (is there anything that doesn’t?), maybe it won’t live up to everyone’s expectations – but I’m certainly it will be a fantastic and breathtaking game.
Thanks for another fine article Kovacs, this list has been a fascinating read so far, whilst I think (as others do) that I have a fairly good idea of what games are still to come, I’m looking forward to finding out where they are placed =]
sesameseed
errrmmm… yes, the last guardian… but has journey been on the list yet???
ElGuason
i preordered mine!
Armonster9000
Wow this game is at #9??
I wonder what is coming up next then….