Killzone 2

Looking back at the first sneak peak of Killzone 2, from the infamous E3 trailer where the PlayStation 3 was first unveiled, nobody believed that a game could look that good. Critics, fanboys, and even Xbox Executives all claimed that this was a fabricated trailer that contained no actual gameplay and that no product could ever come close to the beauty or smooth gameplay. While the trailer was ultimately proven to be based on computer generated visuals, the final product would lead you to believe the original trailer was real gameplay.

If you were trying to make a competent First Person Shooter, the most obvious gameplay decision would be to copy the Call of Duty series and imitate it. However, Developer Guerilla decided to do things their way and create a gameplay experience that is unlike anything else out there in the genre. Instead of utilizing fast-paced gun mechanics, Killzone 2 features slower movement and turning speeds that more reflect lifelike motion. This may be a turn-off, at first, by players. However, I am confident that they will soon grow accustomed to, and enjoy, Guerilla's implementation of the gameplay.

Another aspect of the single player experience that is worth noting is that despite it clicking in at around nine hours, the game has a ton of replay value. This is largely due to the multiple difficulty levels and great AI. Also, each level, while linear, can be approached in different ways. This makes the game worth much more than a rental and we haven't even touched on the multiplayer elements yet!

Besides being beautiful and featuring a very engaging single player experience, Killzone 2 also has an engaging multiplayer mode that is arguably the best on the console to date. And like most First Person Shooters that are released post-Call of Duty 4, there is a reward system to encourage players to play often, succeed, and gain the notoriety and rewards that come from doing so. Rewards include playing as different classes, weapons, and the ability to create your own clan. Yes, Killzone 2 strives for such realism that the Developers wanted you to gain experience before you proved worthy enough to start a clan. Gameplay also will expand in the future with DLC coming soon and that will be released in the future.

Overall, Killzone 2 is an amazing First Person Shooter. Although I would love to see a little bit longer single player experience, the game is worth owning in your library and is the first truly great, exclusive, First Person Shooter title on the PlayStation 3. If this is a sign of things to come on the platform, Microsoft, and the Xbox 360, are both in big trouble. As it stands today, no other home console can come close to delivering an experience like Killzone 2. We highly recommend the title.

Real Life Ratings
Killzone 2 is a M Rated title and should be avoided by younger players. This is due in a large part to violence, blood, language, and mature situations that revolve around realistic war depictions. Because of this, be sure the player, or those watching or listening to the player, areready and able to handle these situations. I have said it before and I will say it again. With the space of the Blu-Ray disk and the power of these consoles, why can't an edited experience be included as well? Just taking out the language would be a huge plus in my book.