Killzone

"Currently the best FPS on the PS2!"

After watching this game for a year, becoming hyped up about it, when the reviews hit, I was shattered. I was worried they might be right after I spend my $50 and find out for myself. Well, I got the game myself, and am loving every second I play it! Here's my review:

Graphics: 9/10
Ever play Metal Gear Solid 2: SoL, and ever wish that there was a FPS with those kind of graphics. Well, now there it. For being a PS2 game, the texture quality is amazing! The Killzone engine uses a different technique in which, rather than a few high quality textures that the PS2 would struggle to render, Killzone produces multiple low quality textures layered on top of each other, which the PS2 renders fine. The end result is superb graphics. Unfortunately, due to the sophistication of the engine, a few minor glitches such as textures randomly appearing and disappearing happen. It's rare, but it happens.

Sound: 10/10
First sounds you hear when you load up Killzone is the epic orchestral score of the beginning intro. Killzone does not use electric synthesizers, and instead uses a live orchestra, which are composed of very skillful musicians, and some expert recording specialists. Then you come to the main menu. Go ahead and turn it up, and just relax, the music is awesome. There is none in the game, but there is in the cut-scenes. I actually look forward to the cut-scenes mainly to hear the music, and I really hope a soundtrack will come out for this game.

The weapon and effects sounds are excellent, and recorded perfectly. You can feel the power in the guns with each weapon you fire. The walking sounds, ladder sounds, etc. are all perfect. This game, by far has the best effects, and sounds to go along with it. Acting is pretty good too, and the cries of your enemies even make you feel sorry for them sometimes. The sounds during a firefight, when you listen to both sides, make you realize what war you're really fighting. You can hear your enemies as they fight you shouting encouragement to each other, and sometimes they even get pissed when you kill their teammates. *Note to parents: not for kids.*

Controls: 10/10
The default controls are similar to other FPS and are very good. You can fully customize every button, along with the sensitivity.

Gameplay - Single-Player: 8/10
The game correctly portrays a real war and simulates it very well. The first person animations are all perfect. They make it feel like you're actually that person, instead of someone you control. All the animations, going from climbing ladders to reloading, simulate what it would be like if there was a camera attached to your face. When you throw a grenade, you'll head tilts. This leads to a degree of disorientation, but soon you'll be able to throw grenades like a pro. Only problems I can see are, when you shoot someone in the head they scream, which is unrealistic, and the ragdoll physics. My theory is that because there are multiple textures, the ragdoll is confused as to which to clip the character to, which explains the weird death animations. Fixing these two problems will make this area a 10/10.

The AI in the game is underestimated. Most reviews have stated that it plain out "sucks." This is very far from the truth. In fact, the only times you see AI problems are when the game's on easy. When you switch to normal, you'll see teamwork, you'll see self-preservation, you'll see it all. A few circumstances occur such as someone standing still when you shoot them. This is usually when you haven't walked past a trigger to activate them yet. Also, what people notice is when you shoot at them, and then duck down for cover, they look away. This is almost always because they have other targets too, such as your teammates. When you go to hard, the AI is so good and realistic it's scary.

Gameplay - Multiplayer: 9/10
Most of the replay value from a game comes from multiplayer, so it's important that it's addictive and fun. The frame rate during multiplayer suffers a little bit with more than 12 players, but it's not bad. There is almost no lag, unless you have a bad connection, because the lag is based on the host's connection rather than Sony's servers. Again, the death animations hurt the game play a little. This is just my opinion, because they really bother me, but maybe it won't for others. Even with these minor flaws, the multiplayer is more addictive than SOCOM II. DNAS ensures there's no cheaters online, and it's revolved around more skill than luck. Most people now are complaining about everyone taking tons of hits. Well, in a few months, you'll die instantaneously, because people will be better. My tip, look out for grenades!

Overall: 9/10
This game, seemed to be right where the hype was, the AI is overlooked, and same with the graphic flaws. The game delivered what they said they would, and it's right where most people wanted it. I recommend this game to any FPS fan!

Rent/Buy? Buy!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/07/04