"A must have for a Network Adapter owner, decent single player"

Welcome to Killzone, the futuristic, but not too far into the future, first person shooter. You're sent with a team of elite operatives to stop the Helghast. They are from the planet Helghan, which soon changed and modified their bodies. They are a genetically modified version of the human race, better, stronger, and now, you must stop them from taking over the planet and ruling mankind. They come by the thousands, are you up to the challenge?

Graphics:8/10

The game has a dark, gritty, brutal feel, similar to that of the film "Saving Private Ryan". You feel as though you're really in an authentic, war-torn world, smoke hovering overhead, rundown cities galore. The character models and textures are also very beautiful and creepy. The Helghast have masks with glowing red/orange eyes, and uniforms gritty enough to go with it. The Rebels side are normal, straightforward soldiers, with different armor then that of today's modern army, but just a little more advanced looking. There are some graphical issues I encountered when it came to the game loading textures on character faces from low to high, when moving closer to them. The game saves memory and loading by lessening the texture on a character far away, but the graphical detail on a character closer to you is much higher. There is a hitch in load time when it comes to switching that. Otherwise, thats the only problem I have encountered. Very unique atmosphere

Sound:7/10

The game, having a dark atmosphere, has a war torn, gunfire echoing soundtrack, to give the effect of battles going on in the distance, this gives levels even more atmosphere. The sound effects on guns are decent, nothing that of spectacular, but....decent, thats all I can say. Voice acting is nicely achieved though. Authentic, professional sounding voice acting was recorded for this game. Everything from cries of pain, to commands being shouted out, you feel like you're really with a team of real soldiers. I did encounter several moments of characters repeating the same exact thing over and over, but its not that hard to overcome that.

Control:10/10

They couldn't be better for a First Person shooter. You can use the default controls (which are very easy to learn), edit any button so you have a control scheme of your liking, edit the sensitivity of the right analog stick (which you use to aim), and so much more, its probably one of the best features about the game. Customizing controls to your liking. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the controls, some of the best I've ever experienced in a game.

Fun Factor:8/10

The game is exciting, fun, enjoyable to the casual or hardcore First Person shooter fan. The best part about this game is probably Online Multiplayer, and its the #1 reason why you should own it too. Online Multiplayer (which requires a network adapter to access), is so exciting, so much fun, that it's hard to put down at times. Its one of the best experiences I've had all year, out of any game I have played (this means, any big release you can think of from 2004). There's Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and many more modes of play which are equally exciting. The game contains many weapons, over 20 if I am not mistaken, all with unique uses, machine guns, assault guns, rockets, snipers, you name it. Online mode also keeps track of your kills, deaths etc. Its one of the best online experiences I've had for the PS2 all year. I won't mention much about Single Player, because I wish not to spoil the story, but I will say this much about it. You fight the Helghast in interesting, gritty, linear levels, but if you're planning on getting this game, make sure its for the online portion for the most part. You cannot pass this up if you're looking for a good online PS2 game.

Rent or Buy?
After reading the reviews from various game website such as Gamespot, etc, I was shocked at the score. I rented it and tried it for myself and ended up loving it. And the scores might be due (and Im not pointing fingers, Im just saying), due to the Halo killer hype. I won't say any more than that, but, please, form your own opinions. You don't have to listen to this review but, at least try it before you let someone else tell you its bad or good. I enjoyed it enough to go buy it. You make the decision.

Killzone being one of the best game available for the PS2 currently, is something you CANNOT pass up if you're looking for a good time online. Give it a shot, see if you like it

I give Killzone an 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/04