This generation of consoles might just be most clearly defined as the generation of multitudinous peripherals. We’re expected to keep so much colourful, wondrously shaped plastic packed in and around our consoles these days – from the extra controllers, media remotes, headsets and keypads to the mini guitars, drum sets, microphones and fight sticks. That’s before we even get started on all that superfluous clip-on crap to attach to a Wii Remote.
Sony wanted us to add to this pile by buying into their Move motion control system. We added the wands with the glowing orbs. We even added the wonderfully ergonomic Navigation Controller to the top of our peripheral heap. And then we waited. Sure, there were a few solid titles at launch for Move, Sports Champions, Flight Control and Tumble all stood out. The Move implementation that has been patched in to MAG, Resident Evil 5 and Move – among others – was welcome. But there hasn’t been one big flagship game to use the Move controllers with since then. Killzone 3 might just be that title.
Now, Sony Computer Entertainment and Guerilla Games aren’t silly. They know that the vast majority of people who have an interest in their sci fi shooter will be expecting to play it with a standard DS3. Many of the people lining up to buy Killzone 3 might not even have access to Move at all. So the game is a standard (well, very good) FPS, played with a controller in the traditional way. But there’s Move support and it’s a game-changer.
We tried the game briefly with the Move wand and Navigation Controller before reverting back to the Dual Shock 3 and the familiarity it brought with it. It isn’t easy to get used to the way the look controls work with Move. It’s almost too precise so you might often find that your character is swinging around in circles when you only wanted to have a look. Add the new Sharp Shooter to the equation, though, and it all becomes so much easier.
The simulated sub-machine gun housing for Move and the NavCon really makes a genuine difference to how the game controls. It takes a while to get used to and, for those of us with long arms and broad shoulders, it’s a little uncomfortable when used over long periods of time. It’s made to fit the average arm so that’s understandable. After an hour of learning the new control system we found the Sharp Shooter to have a hugely beneficial effect on our abilities.
As an extremely unscientific test we played the same map and game type in the BotZone with the Sharp Shooter and then with the DS3 (when we would arguably have been more familiar with the map). This was our first two games on this map (Corinth Highway) with Bot Difficulty set to Rookie. With the traditional controller we got 14 kills, 6 deaths and 2 Assists. With the Move controller, NavCon and Sharp Shooter, we got 24 kills, 4 deaths and 5 Assists.
So, is the solidly constructed chunk of red plastic worth your hard earned cash? Only you can decide that and without anything to adequately compare it to we’re certainly not going to put forward any sort of hardware review. No, this little article is simply about how we think that Move, particularly when combined with the Sharp Shooter, has the potential to change the way you play shooters for the better.
Not only is it more immersive and steeped in realism, it seems to yield positive results in the kill/death ratios and, when you’re serious about your shooters, results will be important to some. We recommend that anyone who is able to gives it a try. Let yourself relax into using it for an hour or two and then compare your stats. We’d be really interested to hear what results others have gotten from the different control methods too.
DrNate86
It seems like a bit of an expensive gamble at the moment, some people get on really well with it and some people really regret buying it. Tricky.
baconsarnie
Am tempted by this, but not for £40. Would probably pay a max of £20.
4lf13
I pre-ordered mine from GAME, but it still hasn’t been dispatched. All those months of racking up reward points finally paid off, only for me to still not have it :(
Lordfloyd
Anyone know of any bundle deals for killzone 3 and move anywhere?
gaffers101
Can’t seem to get the hang of playing this with Move – too sensitive
awesomenessx2
Some people have said that the sharpshooter tires you out after a marathon session, but I didn’t think it did. I’m not in great shape, even by gamer standards, and I had a blast. I’m not surprised about the K/D ratio. I feel like I die less than I have in other games in MP and even when I dualshock in MP.
Dange
looks great, not paying £40 for one but it does look decent.
Smallville2106
Yeah I agree. Plus I still need to pick up Move.
stricktmachine
I absolutely love this piece!! Finished the campaign start to end with it, and I truly “experienced” the game. Played the bots, but nothing in multi yet- no guts I guess. The great thing about this gun is that there is another “move” button underneath the trigger which allows for crouching, so you don’t have to reach up and press it on the controller. There is also a “reload” button underneath the clip which makes it as realistic as possible. Yea it takes getting used to but it’s really worth it. I think my settings were 30-30-10. Worked for me. This gun is affordable too for what you’re getting.
SpikeyMikey23
I would love to try that, I dont own move which is why I am interested in the SOCOM pack, they only thing i need to get over now, Is looking stupid and the mrs taking the piss!
Grey_Ghost13
I had to pick my wife off the floor and take her out of the room, she was laughing so much when she caught me playing with it!
Squalje
But what did she think about Move and Sharp Shooter?
Sorry mate.
Grey_Ghost13
She lihed the pump action!
Grey_Ghost13
*liked* damm c*cked that up, I was giggling to much to myself like a little girl as I typed!
JesseDeya
Could have been funnier if you put an extra ‘c’ in there instead of the h :)
Grey_Ghost13
GIANT FACEPALM
Its not my day for typing!
zb100
It works a treat with Dead Space Extraction too, which I made the significant other play after the pub on Saturday night! Oh, how I laughed!