Killzone 2 has been one of the most anticipated games in the PS3's future for years. It was announced years ago, even before the PS3 was released. After all that anticipation, [Sony] delivered a solid shooter.
While the graphics are great, Killzone 2's gameplay is pretty average, and sometimes just plain aggravating. This is especially apparent with moment when Sixaxis controls are required, which make turning a simple pipe valve into an aggravating ordeal.
When it comes to actual combat, take cover or die in the game's larger areas. At that point, there are two main play styles: either pick off enemies at a distance (which can take forever), or pull out a knife, rush the enemies and hope for the best. Because the knife is a one-hit kill, the latter option works surprisingly often, but it comes with a high mortality rate.
If players opt to be cautious, the campaign mode can last several days, while rush-stabbing the enemies will probably finish it in a dedicated afternoon. That is assuming whatever AI teammate is accompanying the player at the time can manage to stay alive.
Most of the time, the teammate will also do his job and be a good soldier. Other times, he will run off on his own and be long dead before the player notices. Not to worry, a quick electric zap from the player's healing gun will patch him right up.
Online, a teammate's death is a different story. Only a medic that is quick on the draw can bring him back. While there is no online, or even offline, co-op mode, online play is a lot of fun. Players form teams of either human or helghast and fight in different scenarios. Players effectively take less damage before dying, but the short respawn times make up for it.
What really makes online play interesting, though, is the class system. Players can unlock new classes with specific abilities through gameplay, then mix and match those abilities to make a unique character. Classes range from medic to saboteur, and the combinations can be deadly.
While Killzone 2 is not perfect, it has some exceptionally fun moments. The environments are beautiful, the enemies are seriously cool, but the online play is where the game really shines. If gamers want a solid, but not overly fantastic shooter, Killzone 2 is worth it.
(Originally written for and published with Tiger Weekly newspaper in Baton Rouge, LA)
(Original print date: March 11, 2009)
While the graphics are great, Killzone 2's gameplay is pretty average, and sometimes just plain aggravating. This is especially apparent with moment when Sixaxis controls are required, which make turning a simple pipe valve into an aggravating ordeal.
When it comes to actual combat, take cover or die in the game's larger areas. At that point, there are two main play styles: either pick off enemies at a distance (which can take forever), or pull out a knife, rush the enemies and hope for the best. Because the knife is a one-hit kill, the latter option works surprisingly often, but it comes with a high mortality rate.
If players opt to be cautious, the campaign mode can last several days, while rush-stabbing the enemies will probably finish it in a dedicated afternoon. That is assuming whatever AI teammate is accompanying the player at the time can manage to stay alive.
Most of the time, the teammate will also do his job and be a good soldier. Other times, he will run off on his own and be long dead before the player notices. Not to worry, a quick electric zap from the player's healing gun will patch him right up.
Online, a teammate's death is a different story. Only a medic that is quick on the draw can bring him back. While there is no online, or even offline, co-op mode, online play is a lot of fun. Players form teams of either human or helghast and fight in different scenarios. Players effectively take less damage before dying, but the short respawn times make up for it.
What really makes online play interesting, though, is the class system. Players can unlock new classes with specific abilities through gameplay, then mix and match those abilities to make a unique character. Classes range from medic to saboteur, and the combinations can be deadly.
While Killzone 2 is not perfect, it has some exceptionally fun moments. The environments are beautiful, the enemies are seriously cool, but the online play is where the game really shines. If gamers want a solid, but not overly fantastic shooter, Killzone 2 is worth it.
(Originally written for and published with Tiger Weekly newspaper in Baton Rouge, LA)
(Original print date: March 11, 2009)
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