Welcome to the next generation of WeView. While we’ve covered cross generations titles in WeView before, this is our first foray into truly next generation games, and we’re starting with one of the PS4’s launch exclusives.
So, Killzone Shadow Fall then. It stepped away from the narrative set up in the previous Killzone games and focused on a new world, years later, where Helghast and ISA live side-by-side, separated by a wall.
While the campaign had a rocky start, the pace soon picked up, exploring everywhere from empty space vessels to destroyed worlds. It might not have been the greatest story, even from the Killzone universe, but it brought some interesting issues – as the series always seems to manage – into play, which Aran covered in his Matter of Perspective article.
I reviewed the game, and focused on the incredible set-pieces throughout, as well as the excellent visuals which formed the new setting. This was backed up by solid shooting mechanics, though let down by not exploring the issues that the setting created so wonderfully. I said in my review:
Killzone Shadow Fall is an extremely solid shooter. You won’t be getting the best story here – but it’s decent, particularly if you like the Universe – and it doesn’t bravely explore social issues as much as it could’ve in the single player campaign. It’s a campaign which starts off with inconsistent, open area sections that really miss the mark, but quite literally brings it all together as the game progresses to create something that’s genuinely fun.
So, a good single player campaign, which was achieved with great shooting mechanics. It also had good multiplayer section, though one which had unwelcome changes to the ranking system. I continued:
The multiplayer brings those solid shooting mechanics and blends it with something that’s very familiar for Killzone fans. It perhaps evolves in the wrong directions and some design choices are very strange and might even hinder your experience, but the amount of customisation and fun on offer here is paramount, and the game succeeds in that regard.
There you have it, both of these sections made a great game but one which could have been better in certain areas, so in the end it got an 8/10. If you’re interested in reading more about the multiplayer, then make sure to read our top ten tips.
The real question here is what did you think – did the game do the PS4’s launch line-up justice, where Knack couldn’t and with Driveclub delayed? Let us know in the comments below. Leave a paragraph or two with your thoughts, then follow that up with a Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Rent It or Avoid It rating. If you get your comment in by Sunday, we might even include it in next week’s Verdict round-up.
Foxhound_Solid
Graphically impeccable. Campaign is fun but not as tight and well designed as two and three. Online is real fun too.
As a fps series Killzone is my fave, it’s the most rad game online too (2 and 3 both still better) so if you’re a fan of the universe jump on board.
tonycawley
There seem to be a few people struggling with the difference between but it and bargain bin it, which to be fair I understand. At this stage, when the game can now be found cheap in most shops, should buy it be an option? Who knows.
Anyway I played through and completed the sp campaign. Really poor start, most of the issues I hear have been patched but for the first couple of open-world type levels I didn’t know where I was meant to be going as the objective marker was too transparent and the wrong colour.
After that the campaign picks up and by the end it was enjoyable.
Pretty much the same can be said for the multi player. It’s quite tough to get to grips with at first but if you stick with it you’ll find a very deep, tactical and enjoyable experience.
I’m going to vote bargain bin it, it would have been a buy it but who would pay full price for a game that is now cheap in most places anyway (even game)!?
So, bargain bin it
Scythegpd
I’ve always found Killzone a quandary. Whilst other popular shooter franchises seem able to release games every year or 2 which, since the late 00’s haven’t done anything particularly groundbreaking, have had poor sp campaigns and with average graphics, yet they receive universal praise and score highly. Yet every KZ iteration seems to be expected to redefine the multiplayer genre whilst having an exceptional SP and gets penalized if it doesn’t. It’s always struck me that this series seems to get held to a much higher standard than the other mainstream shooters.
That aside, Shadow Fall is slow to get into but gets better as you progress, if you can get past the opening pieces it becomes a reasonable story and finally moves beyond the “oorah ISA” focus of prior games. Some good changes in pace, mixing stealth at times which I found entertaining. Best looking next-gen game and definitely the showpiece to use when someone asks “does next-gen” really look any better than PS3/360?”. Some good ideas, like your convertible primary weapon (always having both an automatic rifle and a sniper was a godsend), the OWL was a saving grace on the hardest difficulty as well (less needed on the easier ones). Multiplayer solid, but still not as good as KZ2
At this stage there’s no excuse for not bargain binning it if you have even a passing interest in shooters.
Mick939
I really really did not enjoy this game, i enjoyed the killzone trilogy, but this really left a bitter taste. I didnt find it exciting nor the narrative engrossing. The visuals were great but even then there was a good chunk of time in depressing grey/brown boxes.
I gave up on it about halfway through the campaign, the online was fun but found battlefield its superior, although its next gen its not really a must have title when there are a few other fps titles on ps4 which do the job much better. Its a shame Resistance 3 sales were poor as i always felt it was the superior playstation shooter, plus did things a little different warranting its existence.
Im sorry to say id only bargain bin this if you’re hard up for something to play.
Roynaldo
It’s pretty. Il give it that but that’s about all I can give it as a real strong point, the rest is average at best and at times hugely frustrating, especially navigating levels.
The story is decent but nothing that truly grips me. A massive waste or £50 that I only ran through once and find it difficult to run through again or spend significant time in its mp.
Rent it.
MrJimmy
I’ve played every KZ and SF is my favourite, the SP is a bit iffy but the MP is just fantastic. I bought BF4 at launch and haven’t really touched it, this does me fine. I can be extra sneaky to make up for my old man reactions, mostly. It can be a frustrating game, and can flip from top to bottom player in two rounds with disturbing regularity.. BUY IT