Killzone 2 Review
- Posted February 2nd, 2009 at 00:04 EDT by Steven Williamson
- 183 Comments
Review Score
- PSU Review Score
- 9.5
- Avg. user review score:
- 9.3
Summary
Dictionary Definition, 'Epic': Heroic and impressive in quality; surpassing the usual or ordinary; majestic; impressively great; Killzone 2.
We like
- The flowing and aggressive gameplay
- The look and feel of the weapons
- The amazing visuals and outstanding audio
We dislike
- The weak storyline
See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings
‘Epic’ is a word that is loosely banded around the videogame industry. In practically every press release pimping the latest game that comes fluttering into our inbox, we find that very noun used nonchalantly by publishers trying to convince us that its game will be the next big thing. There are very few games that I’d personally describe as epic, only a handful in fact; Oblivion, Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid, God of War and Grand Theft Auto spring to mind. As for first person shooters? Well, not really. Perhaps I could add Call of Duty 4 and Resistance 2 to the list if I was feeling particularly generous, but after a week of playing Killzone 2, I have a new understanding of the word epic, and those two games, as great as they are, don’t quite fit into that category. Killzone 2, however, is as epic a game as I’ve ever played; it's a chaotic, intense, and cinematic experience that blows every other shooter right out of the water. Shout it from the rooftops folks, “Killzone 2 has arrived!” And if it isn’t the system seller that the Sony bigwigs are hoping for, they might as well pack their bags and shut down HQ, because Killzone 2 will simply blow you away!
When you’re sitting in front of your television screen with Killzone 2 blaring in all its HD glory, it’s a sight to truly behold. Guerrilla Games has harnessed the power of the PS3 to produce a magnificent looking game, better than anything ever seen on a console before. The smog of war expands and rises as fights build in ferocity, smoke trails from the tips of steaming shotguns drift dreamily away in the breeze, gusts of wind toss around loose debris as muzzles flash and grenades light up the night sky, and blood trickles down walls where Helghast lay slain as thunder and lightning roar over the bleak landscape. Amidst the chaos, drop-ships busily fly overhead laying down reinforcements as bullets ricochet and spark off metal and concrete surfaces. There’s so much cool stuff to see within every nook and cranny of Killzone 2, and it’s all set against a backdrop of magnificent post-apocalyptic scenery. Every current-gen graphical technique, from motion blur to depth-based color grading, has been used to full effect here, and it has paid off spectacularly.
Killzone 2 is an intensely atmospheric and cinematic experience that grabs you by the throat from the first moment you descend on the Helghan capital, and never slows down as it drags you through intensive battles across its turbulent universe. It’s made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and a tingle rise up and down my spine, and there aren’t many games that have done that. In one scene, where you fight furiously against a squad of RPG-armed Helghast that is nested in a building across the street, you jump on a mounted chain gun and can literally bring the building gradually to its knees as you chip away at the brickwork and then watch it crash to the ground in a cloud of smoke. Visually, it’s just one of the many amazing things that you’ll witness while tackling the hordes of aggressive, intelligent Helghast.
Guns look remarkably realistic as well, with shotguns that shed cartridges each time you shoot, assault rifles that recoil and spark with each trigger press, and flamethrowers that blast out impressive-looking fire and cause equally dramatic damage to any object or person that crosses your path. It doesn’t stop there, either; character animations are equally outstanding. Each time you kill an enemy you can expect to see a unique animation, as they react realistically depending on which part of the anatomy you hit. They also interact with objects in the area, falling off balconies, slumping over cover, or flying in the air and then landing at your feet when you’ve set off a grenade or shot an exploding barrel. Hit a Helghast in the stomach and he’ll buckle over and stagger backwards before slowly dropping to the ground. Aim for his head and you’ll see his helmet get knocked clean off as he staggers from side to side trying to regain his balance. Power up the flamethrower and watch ... (continued on next page)
Comments
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Staticneuron |
Staticneuron- 12:06am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 6
Fantastic. I know I will be getting this game. Keep the hype train going.
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SonyJunkie |
Bender6191- 12:07am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 9
I am way to tired to read it right now. Will read it tomorrow. Great score though. I can't wait to play it. I saw the word Epic in the first sentance and Killzone 2 so I think this game will be epic. :)
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a_stray_bullet10
- 12:07am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 10
I HAVNT READ THE REVIEW I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO GONNA READ NOW. 9.5. let down.
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Aquaman22 |
aquaman22- 12:09am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 12
First! I love the way the graphics look. IGN gave it a 9.4, I think they are a bit too harsh and picky on the game. It's like they WANT to find something wrong with the damn game. I find it hard to believe that this game does not have the best damn graphics in the business. I know COD4 was incredible, but I really think that this game has surpassed those graphics and kick that games butt. Demo comes out Thursday! PSN: AquaMan22 look it me lets do it!! 360 has a tough year ahead! hahaha!
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XxSoldier9xX |
Elite_Soldier9- 12:12am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 16
This is a long review but this actually exites me Nice review!!!
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Ocelot1987 |
METSTM- 12:13am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 17
9.5 huh? Another unbelieveable PS3 exclusive right here. Too bad the story is supposably weak but it is expected in a shooter game. Shooters really shine in their multi player so I hope this game delivers like COD did. Any game over a 9 is a must buy!
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Brooklynbks4
- 12:17am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 18
Should have got a 10 still reading tho game of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Girugamesh |
Shidousha- 12:17am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 19
I don't believe that they meant that the story was actually weak, it's just that the rest of the game outshined it and caused the story to not seem as good as it really is.
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that1guy |
Go2Guy- 12:21am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 21
nice review, i really wish they could've added co-op but well see it one day they add a patch for it...you never know. looks like its going to be some interesting battles being that they took the time to actually make a halfway smart computer enemy :-)
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adeebo |
adeebo22- 12:29am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 26
Epicccccc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have preordered this game from gamestop so i can get the demo as soon as possible ( first time i ever preorder a video game) so how are they going to send me the code so i can download the game? am i going to get an email with the code???? or are they going to send me a message pr the promotion code to my PS3 when i Log in online??? hope someone could answer my questions :)
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blu-fighter
- 12:34am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 27
I do not like FPS, but the screen shots and videos and the crazy hype that this game is getting is enough to get me to at least download the demo and try it out for myself.
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Fijiandoce |
Fijiandoce- 12:44am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 31
awsome reveiw. who ever wrote it deserves a pat on the back. i like how u purposely went into soo much detail :) u've made me want the game even more. lol
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style_paniro |
Style20- 12:46am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 33
Nice, thursday after i work i will be playing. I hope they have a online on it as well
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RatchetPlaystation2K9
- 12:49am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 35
Im simply amazed by the impressions of this game. Omg Feb is here im getting the demo this week
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adeebo |
adeebo22- 12:57am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 38
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have preordered this game from gamestop so i can get the demo as soon as possible ( first time i ever preorder a video game) so how are they going to send me the code so i can download the game? am i going to get an email with the code???? or are they going to send me a message pr the promotion code to my PS3 when i Log in online??? hope someone could answer my questions :)
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Rauland |
PPp_Killer- 1:00am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 39
@ 24 ย
err... it comes out in the 26 of feb in Australia even check yourselfย http://nz.playstation.com/news/2009/killzone2releasedate.jhtml and woo!!! im going to be playing Killzone 2 two days early than the Americans hahaha just add me on the 25/26th to see Killzone 2 under my PSN ID :P
ย
PPp_Killer
Killzone 2
ยanyway great review, this game is a must buy for any PS3 owner
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Guitarrasdeamor |
Guitarrassdeamor- 1:05am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 41
Interesting. I'll be waiting to see if the story is in fact weak though.
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xxIvErx
- 1:10am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 43
@adeebo
When I pre-ordered the game they gave me a card that you have to scratch off the code to download the demo, well at least that's how it was at my local Gamestop. Did they give you anything regarding the demo or mention anything about a demo when you preorderd? But if you pre-ordered online I wouldn't know how that works. Maybe the promotion was over when you preordered.
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Whoa Its Wes |
Und3rneaththeGUN- 1:10am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 44
The game sounds rather impressive, can't wait to get my hands on the game and finally write my review for it.
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bungledude
- 1:11am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 45
adeebo22,call Gamestop and ask them for the code.They should have given it to you when you pre-ordered.I can't wait to try the demo this week.Been waiting for this game like so many others.The hype for this game is so immense,don't expect 10 out of 10.I know it will be though.
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Best in the biz
- 1:12am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 47
This game has me excited. I have been waiting for it for so long now. Looks like a fair review.
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adeebo |
adeebo22- 1:17am GMT - February 2nd, 2009
- 48
@43, 45
i have preordered the game online, well it said before i order it, ( preorder killzone 2 and get the demo i think) but when i finished my preorder( which was like almost a month ago) i didnt get anything, i thought they would send me the promotion code to my email.
i think its better idea to call them and see whats ganna happen :(
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