I’ll start by letting you in on a little secret: I didn’t really enjoy Killzone 2. If I had reviewed it myself I think I would have pointed out that it was a beautiful game which was filled with tense set pieces and a gritty realism that is often missing from shooters. I would have joined in with the praise being heaped on it everywhere else, not because I’m a hypocrite but because I can see how and why it’s a good game. I just didn’t really enjoy it personally. That’s so often my job when I’m reviewing games: see how they achieve success or failure and comment on that, rather than on my own personal tastes.
going into the game cold
I was still looking forward to Killzone 3 though, its release is an event on the gaming calendar and seeing so many other people getting excited always raises my interest levels. Except for a very brief run through the demo with the default Move controls, I was basically going into the game cold. Killzone 3’s hype machine was only barely on the periphery of my gaming radar because I was caught up with other titles and other tasks.
Now my promo disc is here and I found myself with a couple of hours to spare over the weekend. I slipped the disc in and booted up the game as I settled back into a chair and prepared to form a very poorly reasoned and totally enjoyable opinion. And now, because I’m feeling a little self indulgent, I’m going to share that opinion with you.
one of the most engaging, enveloping games
This game is the most beautiful, visceral, encapsulating visual spectacle I’ve ever had the good fortune to play. Sure, the facial animations and character models might not be as finely tuned as Uncharted 2’s. I have experienced one or two frame rate stutters when there’s a lot going on. It’s not perfect. What game is? I’ll tell you something though, Killzone 3 is one of the most engaging, enveloping games I’ve played in a long time.
The background textures, physical world and – for want of a better expression – set design, are all stunning. Skin textures are breathtaking on the craggy-faced Helghan war council and, even though eyes and hair remain slight stumbling blocks, the characters are fantastically real in their posture and motion. It really is one of the most beautifully distressed, inhabited and detailed video games I’ve ever seen.
The sound, too, is almost flawless. There is a constant hum of industrial life around the opening levels and when you move from the harsh, urban war zone to a slightly more peaceful setting the background hum becomes an organic, living bed of noise that the more traditional game sounds can lie on. The incidental voice work in the Helghast is a little stilted at times, although cutscenes and main characters are all very good so far. Sev is a particularly believable protagonist and his voice and scripting lends an everyman quality which is always a huge benefit in a leading character.
compelling, engaging and interesting
I will stress that I’m only in the early stages and I certainly wouldn’t offer my own embryonic opinions as equals to those of Alex who has finished and reviewed the entire game but from what I’ve seen so far, the criticisms of the narrative I have read around the web are entirely unfounded. There will have to be gaping holes and terrible twists in the exposition later on to negate the stellar storytelling that I’ve witnessed so far. Certainly, it’s not wholly original, borrowing concepts from many sci-fi and military contemporaries, but it is compelling, engaging and interesting.
Everything in Killzone 3 is faster than its predecessor. Much has been made of the speedier controls and I am entirely in support of those changes. Not that Killzone 2 was any less enjoyable for its weightier motion, I just feel that a little more speed in your turn and aim controls can make things seem a touch more exciting and responsive. It’s not just the controls that are faster either, everything seems a little more sprightly. Enemies rush you a little quicker, AI squad mates are faster to come to your support and the dynamic elements of the scenery are all briskly tripping along without a superfluous frame of animation to be seen.
the best FPS I’ve played since Half Life 2
My early experience with Killzone 3 has been one of wonder, awe and unconfounded love. I went in to it expecting the same heavy, over-the-top cheese-fest that was Killzone 2 and I found something that had tuned every element of its previous success to become a precise and enriched experience that I am now desperate to get back to. My knee jerk reaction, as someone who was not so keen to worship at the altar of its predecessor, is that this is by some margin the best first person shooter I’ve played since Half Life 2. That’s really the highest praise I could heap upon it.
gazzagb
Didn’t enjoy KZ2 although I did put quite a few hours into both the SP and MP. I played the MP Closed Beta last year and thought that they hadn’t changed much at all – or only for the worse. I can’t see how Killstreaks and Perks will exactly fit into the gameplay, I mean, it’s so much slowerpaced than COD and other FPS’s, so I just cant see it working.
I played the SP in 3D at the PS Access Event in London, and, while it was good, I think I was more impressed by the 3D, not the game. The SP is still alot like KZ2. Everything is grey, there’s no variety or nice visuals to admire. And the Objectives seemed to be exactly the same, all it was was pushing through Helghast.
Both the Acess and Beta experiences have totally put me off KZ3 – I hated KZ2, but was going to give the KZ series another shot.
Juelz345
You should really rent the game. Almosyt everything you’re saying is in some way wrong or inaccurate.
“I can’t see how Killstreaks and Perks will exactly fit into the gameplay” – No killstreaks
“it’s so much slowerpaced than COD and other FPS’s” – Not anymore, the game and controls are much faster now.
“Everything is grey, there’s no variety or nice visuals to admire” – Can’t express how wrong that is. I’m still early in the game and have been through at least three diff variety types all with amazing visuals.
“And the Objectives seemed to be exactly the same, all it was was pushing through Helghast” – well that’s pretty much all military shooters, replace helghast with Nazi/zombies/soldiers/etc.
Keep in mind that I too had no love for KZ2. I’m just saying, give it a try, i think you’ll be just as surprised as i was.
gazzagb
By ‘perks’ I mean the badges that now come with perks, and there are kill streaks, e.g 5 kills will increase the score you get for the kills.
The visuals that I’ve seen and played were all pretty much the same. All greys and dark colours.
Maybe I will rent it at some point. But my experiences of it and KZ2 do not make me want KZ3 in the slightest.
KeRaSh
I feel the same way about KZ2 but, as with KZ2, will give this a shot when I can pick it up for a bargain.
TSBonyman
Great praise indeed, although i’ve only skimmed the article quickly due to that nuisance called work. back for a better read later.
TSBonyman
Thanks for your thoughts Peter , you’ve succeeded in ramping up my anticipation of playing KZ3!
I also found KZ2 difficult to get into at first so i put it aside for a few months. When i went back to try it again i found the patched control mappings, especially not having to use R3 for zooming which made a huge difference for me and before i knew it i had completed the game, if only by the skin of my teeth. It seemed at the end of many of the later levels i would be just about to die but somehow managed to take out the last few enemies or grab some health … i still get palpitations thinking about it .. ;)
threelions_66
Just got in from work, got my copy waiting for me but the missus is watching old episodes of ER so can’t get on it…..damn you George Clooney
cleric20
Nice thoughts – so good to hear someone not cowed by the Xbox lovin misillusion that KZ 3 isn’t all that… I’ve been playing through working towards my review which will hit after the weekend of multiplaying against the masses!
Got a Helghast edition on it’s way to go alongside my humble preview disc.
See you online!
Juelz345
I was wondering where the “eff xbox players” comments were. Had to be one somewhere. The internet never disappointments.
But what do you say to the PS3 only players that don’t like KZ3? Let me guess, they’re just “dumb heads”.
JesseDeya
It didn’t seem to me he was saying “eff xbox players”, in fact it looks like a pretty valid observation. You can’t deny that many Xbox players (and I’m one of them) prefer Halo and automatically dismiss KZ without a second thought. It’s pure naivety unfortunately and they are missing out on a great title.
That doesn’t make them dumb, it just makes them unfortunate.
sfgdfds
got my copy last night – hopefully I will get a chance to play soon!
deadwelsh
Just played the Single player demo, gotta say i was amazed and it has really made me consider picking it up on release day
BigCheese
I was bored of Killzone 2 after a couple of hours and never did complete the SP. Multi-player just felt generic and samey too so I couldn’t have spent more than 5 hours in total in game before I was too bored to continue. Something about the K3 Beta stood out to me though, so I’m certainly interested in this.
Dexter17
I really enjoyed Killzone 2 but for some reason the reviews for Killzone 3 have really put me off. I want something innovative and new from my gaming experience, and another ten hours running and blowing stuff up just doesn’t do it for me any more.
Juelz345
As someone who didn’t like KZ2, i highly recommend KZ3. But if you’re looking for something “different”, you might want to check out Bulletstorm. Unfortunately (for you), running and blowing stuff up is pretty much what every FPS (and most shooters in general) is going to be.
jonny_bolton
If you want innovative and new don’t buy an FPS. It’s a market that is incredibly stagnant and is looking like staying that way for some time.
Juelz345
Couldn’t agree more. I really didn’t enjoy KZ2. I thought the campaign was uninspired and forgettable, both in gameplay and story. And I borderline hated the multiplayer.
I went into the beta expecting to quickly dismiss it and was pleasantly surprised, so much so that i jumped on amazon and pre-ordered it.
After reading all the reviews and receiving the game I went into the campaign expecting it to…well, suck. And even though i’m only on the 4th stage/chapter/act or whatever you want to call it…I love it. Obviously the controls feel better (imo) but i knew that form the beta, but the story and way it’s being told along with the varied environments and mission types are just awesome. By no means ground breaking, but thoroughly enjoyable.
I usually play single player games on PS3 and Online games on 360, but i’m glad to say that KZ3 will be me main source of online shootery for the foreseeable future.
And the 3D looks beautiful as well. I plan on spending some more time in the Bot mode playing with the Move to see how well that works, but for now i’m still playing with the DS3.
money_man
I was very impressed with the Move on the demo. Started off wondering how I was supposed to crouch. Halfway through I was thinking the controls would be great with the Sharpshooter. By the end of the demo, it was screw the Sharpshooter, I can play the whole game like this. Much more accurate than the DS3. Now I’m hoping that R3 will have Move support.
jonny_bolton
I bought the Sharpshooter and it’s a sexy bit of kit. I’m struggling with it though. I’m not finding it very intuitive moving and looking around. Hopefully it’s something I’ll get used to, otherwise it’s been a complete waste of money.
Dange
Really good read and it has me even more hyped for the game now.