26.9.2013

I'm not usually inclined to review games on here as I feel there's an abundance of professional and customer reviews out there on the internet already. However when it comes to Killzone Mercenary I almost certainly had to make an exception.Make no mistake this game is a triumph for the Vita. Like many others I love the Vita as a piece of hardward but I feel it is crying out for a bigger library of quality games. With that said I unquestionably picked up Killzone Mercenary when I saw it had favourable reviews as I wanted to have a reason to turn my Vita on again after hours and hours whiled away playing Persona 4 Golden.I expected an ok-good game where I'd get my money's worth and maybe justify owning my Vita a little more.What I got was a full blown AAA shooter I could take anywhere that didn't feel stripped down or gimmicky or 'made for a portable system' with all the sacrifices that usually entails. The controls, gameplay, graphics and presentation are all what you would generally expect from a home console shooter. Sure there are the obligatory touch based actions most Vita games feel the need to throw in and online multiplayer has an 8 player cap per match but these are very small things in an otherwise great game.The single player campaign is varied and fun and whilst it lacks length at only 9 missions, it has plenty of replay value by encouraging you to replay each mission in a different style using pre-set loadouts with accompanying challenges focusing arond stealth, precision or demolition. The gameplay here is what is most compelling and makes you want to keep playing as the controls are tight and the action is kept at a brisk and entertaining pace. Oh and did I mention this game looks good? Well it does and then some. The frame rate occasionally takes a hit for all the flashy effects going on but this seriously is up there with Uncharted for best Vita graphics.The online multiplayer as stated has an 8 player limit per match and game types include free-for-all, team deathmatch and the Killzone series' staple multiple round, objective based mode (in this instance known as Warzone). Persistent ranking, unlockable weapons and customisible classes all make an appearance here giving the online portion of the game a very familiar and well rounded feel. Again I was surprised at how well this translated over to a portable device, especially with all the features that are present and the only concern I would have is that even now not long after launch it is occasionally difficult to find a full (or even half full) game, so time will only tell how well this stands up as players inevitably drop off.All things considered though this game certainly is a triumph for the Vita as not only is it the system's first great shooter, it's also one of the best games for the Vita full stop and delivers an experience you'd expect from your PS3 or Xbox 360, not your little handheld!Oh and a final note for any experienced FPS gamers out there (particularly PC). You'll definitely want to bump the aiming sensitivity up a lot, on the default settings it's a tad sluggish!

30.10.2013

Killzone over its previous 3 installments has become a series known for somewhat colourless, bleak backgrounds and visuals. Although this was something to emphasize the mood of the previous games, I am very glad that in this particular installment the visuals are substantially more vibrant. In fact, the visuals for this game are stunning.This particular title really demonstrates the capabilities of the Vita in the first person genre to a much higher standard than the resistance and call of duty titles to release on it. The visuals are sharp, vibrant and enticing, and makes the entire game far more engrossing than it may otherwise have been. The controls are sharper than in previous titles as well,with the character feeling far less sluggish than in Killzone 3. To also accommodate for much more precise aim, the player can angle the Vita system slightly and, through using the motion control, make the tiny corrections that may be a nuisance on the analogue sticks. The audio in this game is also good, the best experience coming when wearing a decent set of headphones. There is constant sound in the background, making you feel like part of a far more active world. The gameplay itself is deeper than I had expected, with Intel to collect, interrogations, hostages to rescue, and an optional piece of technology to aid you. This can be for example a stealth drone, a missile attack or a lightning drone. These can all help you to pass by unnoticed, or to charge through the enemy all guns blazing. This leads me onto the next point. The game rewards you with points for your actions, a headshot kill being more rewarding than a standard, double kills, triple kills, all earning you more points than simply shooting the enemy in the stomach. This, on top of the game awarding you for clearing stages without being detected, encourages the player to confront situations in a variety of different ways, to maximize the profit for the level.Everything about this title revolves around the idea of being a hired gun, earning as much for completing your mission as you can. You are awarded points both on and offline, and the best thing is its one pool of points. The points you earn offline you can then take with you into online play, meaning that even after touching online for the first time, you will have a sizable wallet to sink into the experience. You are awarded Valor cards for your feats, which are effectively a regular deck of playing cards, working from 2 up through to the ace of each suite.The multiplayer portion of this game again is also incredibly satisfying, feeling far more in depth than I had expected possible from a handheld experience.Being able to jump from online to offline play and continuing to rack up my points on the fly, as well as earning a range of medals, collecting valor cards and gathering intel make this a game that the player can continue to come back to, and an addition to the Vita's library that all owners of the system should strongly consider investing in.

4.2.2016

Having played through the Killzone games on home consoles and enjoyed the blend of visceral and punchy action and the intelligent comment on the nature of war, alliances and the elusive nature of good and evil in certain situations, I was intrigued to see how this rich universe would translate on a portable system.I need not have worried. Without wanting to reveal too much, the game places you in the combat boots of a mercenary who's sent in to deal with various situations (hostage rescue, seek and destroy). Your boss gives you an outline of what's going on and it's clear he's as cynical as a bent politician in a banana republic. You're not fighting for justice or even glory; it's cold,

9.9.2013

Graphics are just incredible, I mean when you first go into the game, you jaw will drop. The graphical detail is more or less high end console quality ( and this on the oled screen is amazing)Gameplay, the most important part is very well done and smooth. The game plays very well, gun combat even with the small sticks is still pretty good and allows for precision aiming. It takes a little getting used to but nothing to bad. All guns have a real beefy feel to them, both when you shoot and when you hit someone.SP: Is pretty short but perfectly tailored for on the go type of game. Missions are pretty short but offer a lot of variety and options ( you can choose how you play and what guns/equipment you use with the in game store,

9.2.2016

To be honest, I actually bought the game digitally, completed it, then bought the physical version.It's a pretty stellar game all things said and I much prefer this to a lot of other FPS's I've played.Story ranges from meh to terrible. Way too hamfisted and the plot could have easily been written by a child. Nothing to write home about.The gameplay however is great. The controls are a lot smoother than you might think and touchscreen is optional if you're not a fan. Sensitivity can obviously be tweaked.The missions are pretty great. A bit by the numbers sometimes (hack three computers and shoot the enemy soldiers who try to stop you)

6.9.2013

This game is a sheer triumph and at this moment in time has no rival to suggest otherwise. Just because there are no rival 'shooters'* on the vita, shouldn't take the glory from this amazing game, because, put simply, this game could easily be rated as a quality shooter on the PS3.*(Both Black Ops Declassified & Resistance BS are, of course, shooters; However, both fall short in virtually every department that they possibly could have and fortunately Killzone Mercenary is now here to pick up the pieces!)The graphics are mind blowing for, lets not forget...A Handheld Device! I have not personally had any trouble with the game freezing or framerate dropping and although I have not finished the game,

13.9.2013

At last the Vita has a AAA killer game that truly shows off what it is capable of.The Vita is an odd thing in many ways, it's a AAA gaming machine in a A- market, it has advanced features that we are only just about to see in the next generation of consoles. The hardware contained in it is only just being matched by the top end of other mobile devices and it now has a very respectable library of games.But what it never has had yet is a game that makes use of the second stick or put the beautiful OLED screen to proper use, or even includes the touch features as more than a gimmick.What Guerrilla Cambridge have wrought with Mercenary is a platform defining game.

24.3.2014

This is the game that the PS Vita really needed. A superb example of how console quality games can work on a handheld. The visuals are stunning for the platform; probably the best looking game on the Vita alongside Uncharted. The campaign is interesting enough to keep to entertained, and the gameplay again is great. The touch controls are not forced on you that much, aside from melee combat, but this is just one simple swipe usually. Whilst not that long, the storyline can be replayed with a different set of objectives to complete, and earning cash to buy new weapons is addictive.The multiplayer on this game is also great, much better than the mess that was Resistance Burning Skies,

25.9.2013

This is the best FPS ever made on a handheld and it's a fully featured Killzone game. So if you are a fan of the earlier Killzone games, you can expect the gunplay to be as good as it is in the console titles. The levels are more open this time and you can approach them in different ways like stealth. Touch features have been implemented pretty well if you ask me, when you do melee attacks, you have to swipe the screen in the directions it tells you and you can counter them in multiplayer. Hacking is done in a touchscreen minigame too and both of these are done well and they spice up the variety of the gameplay.

15.1.2014

Killzone mercenary's is a great game. It has 9 medium size campaign missions,however it took me 4 hours and 10 minutes to complete them. But don't let that stop you from buying it! You earn money/credit by killing enemies, then you can go in blackjack's armory to upgrade armor buy new weaponry. As well the once you have brought a weapon from the armory you can use it in the online multiplayer,which is amazing,however it made me ill-tempered for 2 days when I couldn't kill someone . You have an option of mercenary, warzone and guerrilla. It has fantastic graphics just like a ps3 or xbox 360. On the case of the game it says a minimum of 200MB, but it does have an update which was another 300MB,

7.9.2013

I was extremely excited when I heard about a Killzone game coming to the Vita as that is exactly what the little handheld needed.I have played a few rounds of multi-player (of which I already hammered the beta) and quite a chunk of the campaign. So far I have to say that I am completely happy with the overall package.The multi-player faces 4 against 4 on tight maps, but it never feels like 4 vs. 4, it feels much more wide spanning than this and is full of action.The single player is where I have been having the most fun so far though, as the story is interesting the combat is well polished (granted I'm playing on Recruit, the easiest setting).

27.9.2013

You have to sometimes wonder about some of these games site mag reviewers, on whether they have any real imagination or sense, as this game is tottally stunning and the fact thats is on an hand held is even more amazing, just because sony stated the vita is like having a ps3 in the palm of your hands, didn't mean you had to take that word for word, they were simple stating that you are not gonna get as close to a console experience in your then this and if you have a vita then this is the game you have been waiting for trust me, or otherwise miss out on one of the vitas triumphant moments and crowning glories.

6.9.2013

Killzone mercs is a great shooter for vita, the shooter it really needs. i would of gave it5 stars but the solo mode is only 5 hours long but with a lot of replay value due to its money for every kill system to unlock all weapons. for fans of multiplayer it should last them a lot longer with 3 different modes[death match,team death match and five round objective based warzone] and a total of 8 players with a valor system. the graphics are the best you will see on the vita almost like ps3, Guerilla Cambridge has done quite a feet to push the vita to its max well done. it took me just over 5 hours to finish the solo mode, during my play there was only a few times the frame rate dropped but only for a split second this did not hamper on a great experience.

25.9.2013

Have to say i was not too optimistic when i picked this up having tried previous shooters in vita. have to say for the most part is up toi scratch with most major console shooter. gun is abit unwieldy but i think thats my big hands trying to move thumbsticks. multiplayer is good fun once you get into it, seems a sttep learning curvue of lots of deaths to begin wuth until your tooled up with better weapons and learned how to use the gadgets you can pick up from the battlefield.Minor downer - this is gaming on the go so should be bite sized, so why then cant you save your progress in single player campaign mid level. You have to finish the level before it saves what you have completed.

7.9.2013

This game is better than some games on the 360/PS3.Graphics and gameplay are a joy and the campaign and multiplayer modes hold their own.There are challenges that keep you playing the levels to earn rewards so you can upgrade your gear.I can't get across the fact that this is a true fps on a handheld device enough, dual anologue sticksmake it feel so familiar and fun to play, I haven't thought of anything that it's missing.Blows any other FPS out of the water.The single player story seems well thought out and the levels are a respectable size.I have had a few issues connecting to Multiplayer but I'm sure they'll sort that out over time.Never thougth I'd see the day that such a fine game would

Killzone: Mercenary (PS Vita) - Reviews

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