First of all, let me start by saying that Killzone 2 is not the best that Playstation 3 has to offer. I repeat, it is not the best that the PS3 has to offer. Now that's out of the way, let's get down to business.
Intro
So I get the Killzone 2 on this sweet deal amazon.co.uk was offering (free with a PS3) and after two weeks worth of delivery squabbles I finally hold it in my hand. Good cover and solid presentation.
Gameplay
The best feature of Killzone 2 is it's ability to make you feel like you are actually in a war. Team mates are falling dead around you, shrapnel flying about, explosions thundering in the distance and right in front of you. Try going rambo and watch your screen go dark in about five seconds. Every good aspect of the game, from search and destroy missions to survival runs to all or nothing showdowns are well spread out. Not too thinly so you barely know its there but not too much so you grow tired of it. One minute you are shooting down snipers with tanks, then you are riding a mecha-type robot shooting tanks, next you are shooting down ships with air gunships and then you are fighting mano-a-mano with a sadistic colonel with an invisibility suit. F***ing A! The enemy AI is among some of the best I have ever come across as well. On the downside, there are numerous slowdowns often when moving from one mission or environment to another. I know that reloading your gun is supposed to add realism to the game, but you have no idea how many times I have 'died' because it takes too long. As for online gameplay, it has to be said that Killzone 2 is probably as good as it could get for Playstation 3.
Graphics
Quite simply the best playstation 3 has to offer at the moment. Crisp and detailed while maintaining a certain....biological feel about it. Leaves have a brownish tinge to them, shoot dead bodies and watch blood splatter from them while they roll over from impact. It's all very overwhelming. There is an issue I have though. My team mates have a permanent look on their faces. No changes in facial expression and they never seem to face me when talking to me. It kind of ruins things for me.
Plot
Okay, so there is no such thing as Helghast and there is no way that invading a planet that hostile could ever be seen as anything other than a glorious slaughter waiting to happen, but come on guy 'n gals. Its a game, join the fun. The cutscenes are quite convincing and sometimes even stirring. (That rousing speech from Visari gets me everytime). But it works enough to make everything you do make sense and holds together quite nicely.
Summary
Killzone 2 is a great game not without its flaws, the worst being the short single player campaign. However, it is intense and hugely entertaining with guns. Lots of guns. A must-have for every and all PS3 enthusiasts.
Pros
Incredible graphics
Varied and entertaining Gameplay
Highly varied weaponry
Cons
Numerous slowdowns
'Emotionally unattached' team mates
Somewhat short single player campaign
Score
Gameplay - 9
Graphics - 10
Plot - 6
Presentation - 9
OVERALL - 9
