PS3's exclusive Killzone 2 is the graphically-impressive dark and relentless multiplayer FPS we hoped the long wait for the game would produce.
Sony hopes non-PS3 converts will buy the console on the strength of this alone despite it still being the most expensive of the consoles.
There was internet gossip last week that it's thrown expensive marketing budget to include a Killzone 2 TV commercial in today's much-viewed SuperBowl - supposedly this trailer here:
Sony Pictures is one of the confirmed TV commercial sponsors but we'll have to wait to see if PS3 was really also on the real list. So back to the game.
The story: it builds on the original PS2 title (and PSP's third-person shooter Killzone: Liberation) but takes place two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta. The good guys, the ISA, move the fight to the enemy's home world, Helghan by aiming to capture its Hitler-type leader and stop his threat to mankind.
Your role: This time you don't play as Templar, but as an experienced 30-something fighter called Sev leading the four-man 'Alpha Squad' on the revenge mission. Parts are definite single-player and others are squad based shooters keeping variation and lends to a realistic sense of army combat.
The graphics: While keeping to a 720p resolution, they are as good and detailed as they come so far. In fact, they're breathtakingly good. Despite the impressive lighting effects, it's a pity the dark environment (mainly black, grey or earthy tones) in the original has carried over as it would be good to see the stunning graphics show brighter things like wasteland and scrub, or water in daylight. But the dank and depressing evil planet of the Helghan is meant to be starkly portrayed as a place that only bad guys could possibly stand to live.
Weapons: 15 weapons including rocket launchers, flame thrower, sub-machine guns and grenades - nothing more than what you'd expect just two years after the initial Hig (Helghan) invasion of Earth. Weapon types are heavily distinguished where a shotgun will clear a room and an aimed rifle will blast off a hidden Hig helmet at a good distance.
Missions: There are 10, each with numerous objectives and include heavy battles involving walkers, tanks, mortars, elite shock troopers, mounted guns and a new heavily armoured trooper which halts your progress as your squad attempts to take Visari Square. One handy inclusion is that if you press L2, you can use cover, clinging yourself to the edge of any surface while you prepare to take aim.
Multiplayer: Thankfully, the sequel offers multiplayer options for up to 32 players but sadly no co-op. Among the options are the usual variations on team deathmatch and capture the flag choosing from seven classes as they become unlocked.
Highlights: Polished, awesome chaotic war zone firefights, 'medic' elements and rejuvenation are well-balanced and the superior graphics are the best seen yet, excellent enemy AI, the new cover system, cool stylised six-axis menus and in-game utilisation of six-axis control, 7.1 channel high quality sound, multiplayer and it's darned good fun.
Less impressive: the voice acting gets tired if you overshelter or slow the pace of the game searching for documents, overused foul language and some garbled instructions (subtitles are present), the game borrows heavily from the FPS genre without offering anything startlingly innovative e.g. an aiming system like
. mode - which pauses real-time combat, playtime lasts about ten hours but is replayable.
Verdict: Killzone fans will enjoy taking the fight to the depressing Helghan homeworld and the storyline continuation, PS3 owners will have a very cool FPS to enjoy, especially gaping at the graphics and battling hardout online. It may not be enough to draw other console owners across, like those enjoying the excellent Gears of War 2.
MadGamer verdict: 9 / 10
Visa and Mastercard push back.