10.4.2011

So, two short years after the release of Killzone 2 comes Guerrilla Games follow up Killzone 3. However, does it shine as brightly as it's prequel or is this an overrated bookend to the franchise?Killzone 3 picks up immediately after the end of Killzone 2. (Spoilers for KZ2). Having just shot Helghan Autarch Scholar Visari, Rico along with Sev and led by Captain Narville attempts to enact a desperate exit strategy from Helghan. However, things go awry, Sev and Rico are seperated and the ISA are stranded on Helghan for 6 months in an increasingly hopeless fight to survive.At the same time two feuding Helghans, General Orlock (played by Ray Winstone) and Chairman Jorhan Stahl (played by Malcolm McDowell)compete in increasingly underhand tactics to gain complete Autarcratic control over the Helghan senate and the Helghast army.The story, despite how interesting it may sound on the surface, is by far the game's weakest element. The protagonists Tomas 'Sev' Sevchenko and Rico Valasquez have never really been characters you could empathise with or support as they are either lacking any personality or defining character traits (Sev) or so annoying and horrible that you just want to shoot them and never have to interact with them again (Rico). Combine this with a story that is poorly plotted and paced and there isn't much hope for an interesting outcome.In fact, it's long been said that the Helghast are a far more interesting and even likeable race. And I would have to agree. The only really enjoyable story elements can be found when the game (sparingly) decides to focus on the feuding Helghans. Malcolm McDowell and Ray Winstone give it everything, hamming it up brilliantly. McDowell in particular imbues Stahl with a real menace and increasing insanity, and it makes his scenes great fun to watch.It may seem strange to focus so heavily on the story in a franchise which has never really delivered compelling narratives. However, Guerrilla in their promotion for the game went to great lengths to play up the story elements. However, like KZ2, KZ3 fails to deliver. In fact, there has been very little evolution over the franchise, as the Helghast are still stuck as the clear bad guys, the Space Nazis, who are unquestionably evil. I was hoping for some moral ambiguity, some sense of emotional conflict within the ISA due to the fact that the reason the Helghast despise them so much is because of the underhand and brutal way the ISA treated them in the first 'Intersolar War'. However, none of that is explored, and it is a great shame.However, despite the poor story, gameplay wise Killzone has never been better. The sense of weight and movement from KZ2 has been fine tuned, stripping out a lot of the inertia and leaving the game with a great feeling of weight but not sluggishness. Firefights are intense, with a great visceral kickback and feeling of satisfaction with every shot you make and hit you land. The cover system has been greatly improved, as you can now actually stick to cover (with the alternate control scheme). In short, if you've remotely liked Killzone in the past, then you will here as well, and if you didn't, well maybe enough has been tweaked to pique your interest.The Campaign lasts about 7 or 8 hours on normal difficulty, and is just a non-stop thrill ride. The only real complaint I can level at it is that there are far too many on rails sections lumped in at the end of the game, as if Guerrilla had no idea how to finish and just threw everything at it in a vague hope it would work. Apart from that and the poor story, the game is stellar. The visuals are out of this world, making KZ3 by far the prettiest console game I have ever played. (Discretion, I haven't played Crysis 2 yet). It's just jaw dropping how beautiful and realistic everything looks. Also, KZ2 was often accused of a lack of variety in environments, with a very limited colour palette. That is not the case in the sequel. Sure, you've got the industrial cities and factories, but also beautiful Pandoraesque forests and jungles, beautifully bleak winter environments etc. Huge steps have obviously been taken to ensure environmental variety, and those steps have paid off. Also, as before, sound design is outstanding. Guns sound realistic and fearsome, the voice acting is of a high standard, and the music is hugely rousing and bombastic. Everything you could want in a no holds barred war themed shooter is here.All of this, and I haven't even mentioned the multiplayer. Things have been tweaked and revised slightly in this iteration. All 5 classes are now unlocked from the start, and using points gained in game, you can chose how you want your classes to develop, unlocking what you want. This means the guns and class specific perks etc that take your fancy can be unlocked at your whim. Each class has a distinct use and advantage on the battlefield, and all are fun to use. Engineers for example can at first repair ammo crates and turrets, but can later build their own turrets and kit them with rockets. And medics can at first revive people, but can later revive themselves when they are mortally wounded and can summon bots to protect them. All this is made all the more satisfying because every positive action you take in game rewards you with points. Killing, healing, reparing etc all net you points and it's a very satisfying experience to gain rewards not just from the killing, but playing as a useful support character as well.Warzone is still the meat of the multiplayer experience, with cycling objectives between capture and hold, bodycount, assassination etc ensuring things never grow dull. However, straight up Team Deathmatch (called Guerrilla Warfare) has been introduced for those who want a slightly quicker multiplayer experience, as has a mode called Operations in which the ISA are tasked with taking objectives and the Helghast tasked with defending them. Top players in each individual game are represented in cutscenes, as a nice bonus for those who play well.Multiplayer is deep, addictive, and will keep a large community keep coming back for more. The only complaint I have is that there are quite a paltry number of maps, with only 8 for Warzone, the meat of the multiplayer experience, meaning the experience can grow repetitive. However, despite this, multiplayer is fantastic, and deserves your attention.So, to wrap up, Killzone 3 is great. Like it's prequel, it misses out on greatness by a hairs breadth. The story keeps promising but failing to deliver, and as a fan of the franchise it ensures that it's enough of a flaw for me to want better. The gameplay however is great. Slightly faster, more bombastic and over the top than KZ2, with a highly replayable story mode and fantastic multiplayer, KZ3 should be in every 18 plus aged PS3 owners collection. I just hope, that if there is a Killzone 4, the story can finally hit the notes and bring the depth i've desired for so long.(Don't have access to Move, a 3D TV, and didn't play co-op so those features are not covered.)

6.3.2011

Just to add to the positive reviews, I found this game to be a good escape for a couple of hours. I don't have Move or 3D, so i'm unable to comment on those.I'll keep it short.Negatives first:- Aside from McDowell (who is THE highlight of the game for me) and Winstone, the voice acting is rediculous. Guerilla have improved Rico's character, making him less of a hate figure and have removed Natko (present only on Co-Op campaign) completely, but some of the dialogue would have been best unsaid.- On second hardest difficulty, I finished it in 6 hours. Fun 6 hours, though.- I wanted story resolution and I didn't get it. When will it end?- This one is probably my fault, but I have played KZ2 SO much,there was nothing that new offered in this one. There are lots of minor improvements, though.- After spending about a year on Bad Company 2, I now know what a brilliant multiplayer shooter feels like. I really got into KZ2, but when BC2 came along, that was it. The reason I stopped playing KZ2 online is present in this one. I prefer Battlefield.- It takes itself REALLY seriously. Even Metal Gear has its lighter moments, but this is bleak and humourless to say the least.- There is no human interest. I know there are millions of Helghan civilians on Helghan, but where are they? Any interaction with the civilians would have given us a little more insight into the Helghan frame of mind.- Just when you think you are in cover, you are proven wrong, but this does make the game very challenging at times. A definite plus.Positives- McDowell and Winstone are brilliant diversions. Their cutscenes are a welcome change of pace to the bonkers action going on.- Less effing and blinding.- This game is unbelievable to look at, and I have a sweet PC. This game will be repeat played on Elite difficulty, just like the first one, because it has incredible environments and satisfying, solid gameplay you want to go back to. Definitely an improvement over KZ2.- This is a thrillride of a game. If it were a film, it would be directed by Micheal Bay. If it were an album, it would have been made by Linkin Park. I don't especially like either of those two, but you just get swept up in the bonkers action going on like in Transformers. The fact I lost a whole day playing it and not once got bored is a testament to how well the devs have designed each level.- There were moments where I was speechless. Gobsmacked, even. The PS3 has a habbit of handing out these moments quite liberally like in GoW3 and Uncharted 2. If you want the full fat PS3 exclusive treatment, go for this.- I have played it through twice and I am looking forward to playthrough number 3. It's a tough, challenging game.- If you liked KZ2 multiplayer, this should provide a good continuation.In summary, this is one of those quick fix, guilty pleasure, oorah marine games like Gears of War 2, and like Gears 2, I really enjoyed it. Few games do this sort of thing better. This is a good solid game, no question, but it still lacks something. The village level in Uncharted 2 was remarkeable in the way it introduced a human element to the game. Same as in HL2 when you travel through the appartment building right at the beginning. Even Gears 2 had an emotional storyline running through it, even humour ("I got your back like a buttcrack!" said Dizzy). This game is JUST shooting. If you are comortable with that, then go for it. If you like shooters, go for it. If you go in with modreate to light expectations, you should be pleasantly surprised. But if you go in expecting a deep, meaningfull, emotional experience like Mass Effect 2, you should think twice about buying this. 8 out of 10.

25.2.2011

A short review.after playign the beta , i was very impressed. I played killzone 2 , and was left with some issues.Such as a multiplayer with not much depth , and not that fun. I was hoping that they would improve this in their next game. And they have done a marvelous job. The player movment takes getting use to , but its relaisitc and much adds much more depth to the gameplay. I love the reloading , and iron site views and meeles have not fallen short to impress. The meele system is a few steps ahead of their competitors, and animations and sound effects are superb.GRAPHICSmouth dropping, astonishing, the game is beutiful , my lcd tv does this no justice , try this in HD on a plasma.Still aweseome.One of the best looking, visually epic games there is.5/5GAMEPLAYmovement takes getting use to but after a while it will come natural. Once youve tucked in , its all good. The meele system is fantastic , so far ive had no problems with it. The game itself must really be played, i dont think any of my words do it justice.The feeling of the game is different , somethign we need in a world where one FPS must look and feel like the other one[COD series]but their is a learining curve, and this game really needs to be given time.4.5/5SOUNDbrilliant , the atmosphere in this game is superb at the least. The spooky sounds in the map , the intense alarm bells. And the action , spacecrafts, gunships. You are literally taken to another world. I mark the sound on this game as being a milestone ahead of other FPS ive played , that includes Resisitance which also has great sound.But the atmoshpere is one thing that seems to step ahead of everything.5/5I was disapointed at some critic reviews saying that the story and campaign was weak, However i disagree at one of them. The stroy may not be what some expected, but the single player campaign is fantastic, its the FPS action that you want, and you will enjoy it.I expected it to have some errors, but the campaign action is just what youd expect from an action packed game.It wont bore you , as most fps have this A to B type of cliche, and becomes repetitive. But KZ3 will keep most satisfied.The multiplayerif you didnt like killzone 2.... give this a try it might change your mind, it doesant take that long to kill an oppenent , and the respawn is fast , not 10 secs. SO your always involved in the action , this had made a huge difference i beleive. FPS usually want a nice flowing game, which this certainly has. All modes team deathmatch [gurila warfare[] and operations where it is like a storyMP, works wonders. The multiplayer should be praised, as being fresh , new innovative, espeiaclly with jet packs and exoskelton.Its an EPIC game at EPCI proportions. The multiplayer is a step up and has really improved on the faults of KZ2. Thanks to the new great maps , the game is looking solid. This really blows killzone 2 out of the water for multiplayer.IF your COD fan then you may have heard about the movment and MP, which need to get use to . But in my honest opinion as a COD player .Killzone 3 beats it in most departments. we shoudlnt compare the games , becasue they are totally different which is great, but most people seem to worry about which ones better. I personally think that KILLZONE 3 is the best FPS game out their right now.

2.3.2011

So Sony's exclusive first person shooter returns for another go on the PS3. Have the developers improved upon the previous title or is this just another simple shooter.Going into the plot, you're not going to get much here. While it definitely continues the story reasonably well, it's not a story you can take too seriously. You continue your journey through the game as `Sev' battling the `Helgast', which this time around, you have taken the war to `Helgan' the enemy's home planet. The `Helgast' seem to be at a lost after the death of `Visari', and look to others for guidance. Now the performances by the voice actor's especially `Malcolm McDowell' as `Stahl' is where this game shines,

28.2.2011

At the moment the First Person Shooter(fps) market is a crowded place with a lot of games to choose from, whether it be the Call Of Duty Series, battlefield series, the x-box exclusive Halo, and throw into the mix Bulletstorm and the upcoming Crysis 2 and you have a lot of quality games to chose from, so the big question is can Killzone 3 add anything different to make it stand out from the crowd? Well the answer would be yes!Following on from the brilliant Killzone 2, Killzone 3 has made improvements from that game. From graphics to sound to game play its all improved on in this Playstation 3 exclusive. If you have played Killzone 2 you will know how it finished and the story more or less continues from there.

1.3.2011

Although the single player campaign picks up from where Killzone 2 ended, you do not need to have finished KZ2 to enjoy this game. The story is based around the political ramifications of the assassination of the Helghast leader Scolar Visari, and the subsequent power struggle between two prominent Helghans - Admiral Orlock, and an arms manufacturer named Jorhan Stahl; both brilliantly showcased through the voice acting of Ray Winstone and Malcolm McDowell.You play through the perspective of the same ISA protagonists of the previous game, who are now part of a mass retreat after the botched invasion of Helghan (Killzone 2).The gameplay is fast paced, action packed,

27.2.2011

third installment of sony's killzone franchise.story 10/10.i dont want to give away much but from start to finish you'll feel completely in the action. basicly you're stranded on an enemy planet(helgan) and your part of a military group(ISA)., **spoiler**the game story tends to be fighting for survival,trying to escape the planet and also trying to stop an invasion of your home planet.**spoiler**gameplay 10/10.guns physics is topnotch.the way how the character moves,the sound of the guns is just brilliant, there is also a variety of weapons to use during the process of the story.graphics 11/10(trust me its beautifull).now this is a game that shows off what next gen graphics should look like.

12.4.2012

Iv'e had this game since launch day,and still play it on a regular basis.I'm just going to review the multyplayer,as thats all I really enjoy now.The gun selection is pretty good,it;s not massive,but just enough to wage war with.The maps are a selection of large and medium,and flow very well.I don't play guerilla warfare,it's just Team deathmatch and thats call of duty's department.Operations is your classic attack and defend scenario,and is good fun.You can even feature in a cutscene.I usually appear in the cutscenes on my knees getting a pistol whipping!!.For me Warzone is the best multyplayer mode.The gameplay is constantly changeing.If you work as a team it's even more rewarding.One mode

27.11.2011

I've just completed this game on normal. Took me about 9 hours.No doubt it's a great game. I loved the first 6 hours. Brilliant game play and highly addictive. Lots of variety as well which was a pleasant surprise.My only gripe with this game in general and particularly towards the end is the low number of bad guys.The game starts by making a big deal about the thousands and thousands of enemy soldiers and weaponry but you never really have to fight them.True there are plenty of enemies dotted around the place to keep you busy but rarely in groups of more than 10 and never in large waves like you might expect if you were shooting-up the capital city of a planet.

23.5.2011

I have recently played Dead Space 2 as well. So I thought it might be useful for some readers to have a brief overview of the relative strong and weak points of these games, as they are both first person shooters in a sci fi setting. Let me first say that I found both games excellent -- for me, they are both 5* games. But, as they say, the devil is in the detail:Graphics:Amazing in both cases, but I think Killzone comes ahead: the thing I liked the most about Killzone was the variety in scenery. Different colors, different locations, different outlook, throughout the game. A visually stunning game. Indeed, I had found KZ2 a little bit boring in that respect (for many locations, it was just same ol'

29.3.2011

Not really a fan of shoot em ups but after playin the demo i was hooked and got this game as soon as it was out.I've never played the previous games in the series and i'm not sure you need to as the intor sums up whats happened before and then you are thrown right into it picking up from where it finished.The stroy line is really simple and the fmv is great along with the voices - a steller cast of great British actors - Bob Hoskins, Malcolm Macdowal and many more.As for game play well as I said before I'm not a fan of shoot em ups but Killzone 3 has changed that for me. It's really easy to pick up and use with a great range of weapons at your disposal as you progress through the games and if

25.4.2011

Pros:- Like the second, the graphics are phenomenal, but this time actually better, the visuals still have the style of killzone 2 but now have a wider selection of environments each with their own visual style.- hate it or love it killzone 2 had delayed controls but this time with killzone 3 the controls are far more responsive so this allows multiplayer to be so much more fun.- Despite the poor story the single player has amazing set pieces such as gunning down a huge helghast station driving tanks and mechs etc.- jetpacks - they are so much fun especially in multiplayer.- Guerillas approach to multiplayer this time is an incredible improvement from killzone 2,

13.5.2011

Played both campaign and multiplayer.The single player campaign is quite interesting and varied, the plot is nothing extraordinary but it is on par with many hollywood sci-fi/action blockbusters. It is also full of visually stunning moments (both cinematics and actual gameplay parts). Acting is very good too. I've also enjoyed playing co-op with a friend, there are just a couple of minor problems :- the second player is forced to play as a random soldier following the protagonist- the game gets buggy when playing certain sections (namely the ones where you drive a mech) in co-op.Multiplayer is quite good, classes are well differentiated and balanced and i really loved the "guerrilla warfare" mode where you keep playing the same map but objectives change every 5 minutes,

8.5.2011

The critics have laid into this game quite a lot, and as a big fan of Killzone 2 I was reluctant to believe them. When I picked up this game I unfortunately found myself agreeing with them.The single player is visually stunning and does a great job of breaking up the standard firefights with big set-pieces or unusual mission variants. However, the story (while not as ridiculously 'sweary') is pretty boring and there are no real 'boss' fights. By the end I was actually hoping it would finish, rather than begging for more. The length is perfectly fine and seemed a lot longer than some of its counterparts.Thank goodness for the multiplayer! It is simply brilliant.

27.3.2011

I can't say much more than has already been said before, but this is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous game and such a well crafted one to boot. Although I miss the heft and weight of the Killzone 2 controls, Killzone 3 have them quicker and more responsive, which is certainly no bad thing. The single player is good and solid, though punctuated by fade-outs and cut scenes which helped move the story along but made the gaming segments feel shorter as a consequence. The multiplayer on the other hand is an absolute joy. Hit detection is spot on, there's none of the lag which plagued Killzone 2 and there is Clan service! I haven't been thrown off a game once, there have been no glitches,

Killzone 3 (PS3) - Reviews

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