Positives
+ Realistic weapon design with somewhat weighted controls.
+ Great level design.
+ Amazing enemy AI in singleplayer.
+ Dark and menacing enemy character designs.
+ Excellent graphics and presentation, arguably only topped by Uncharted 2 on the ps3.
+ Fun multiplayer that involves a class system, objective based gameplay, and dynamic rounds per match (for example, it can go from Bodycount to Search & Destroy to Assassination without switching maps).
+ Built in clan system for multiplayer, allowing you to form clans, arrange official matches with other clans, and bet points on matches.
Negatives
- Weak story in singleplayer.
- Annoying characters in singleplayer.
- Weak allied AI.
- Assault class in multiplayer is somewhat broken, but you have the option to disable different classes/weapons/etc when making a game.
Overall, I'd highly recommend this game, and it's in my top five favorite games for 2009. It has a great story mode and an addictive competitive multiplayer mode. However, if you're looking for cooperative play, this may not be the title for you. In that case, I'd highly recommend the fast and frenetic Left 4 Dead 2, my second favorite shooter of the year.
This game propelled me forward with thunderous excitement from start to finish. Fundamentally similar to other first person shooters like COD4, Black, and Resistance, it may not be the most innovative game in the category but it is absolutely solid. It was a tremendous joy to play; epic in its scale, filled with intricate detail, and highly polished.
Throughout the single-player campaign I destroyed bridges, felled hundreds of enemy soldiers, fought sometimes large and other times lightning fast bosses. While I'd heard that Killzone 2 would be slower and more methodical than the average shooter, I had more trouble getting myself to stop playing than making progress. The game was flexible in its approach to almost every situation. Sometimes I'd snipe enemies from afar, popping their helmets into the air; sometimes I'd rush an enemy and unload a barrage of close quarters fire.
The controls were weighty, never allowing me to jump too quickly from target to target. At first I tried to increase the sensitivity of the joysticks, thinking I'd be able to swivel faster. Because the heft comes more at the end of a motion than throughout the motion, I found that increasing the sensitivity didn't help. I ended up turning the sensitivity back down and simply got used to the experience, which actually felt really good after the initial unfamiliarity passed.
It is the immersive nature of Killzone 2 that makes it really shine. I simply couldn't seem to absorb enough of the detail at any one moment. Over time you feel like you are a part of the world and one with your movements within it. You can feel the grit in the air and the cold metal of your rifle. It was a wonderfully compelling experience that I can't wait to replay.
The story of Killzone 2 was just fine - I have no major complaints. It was good enough that I felt grounded in the situations at hand, and I'll be interested in seeing what happens next. That was enough for me.
I've only spent a couple hours on the multiplayer, which feels strong but not incredible. My only complaint is that the multiplayer requires you to play a good number of rounds before you start to unlock new weapons and other classes, like the medic class and the engineer. While this may train a lot of people to play, I would have preferred to jump into more variety sooner than have to earn it. Still, I have high hopes for the continued multiplayer experience, and even if it were completely absent, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this game purely based on the campaign.
This is the best PS3 game so far, if you like this type of game don't hesitate to get it. Excellent graphics, great online play, very strong single player campaign as well.
"This game is really a kill zone, it is fantastic, the helghans are truly tough and smart warriors."
"I bought this as a gift for my son for christmas. It has been great fun for him."
