KILLZONE 2. Woah, it rocks.

[Twilight]

So the reviews have been superb: http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/killzone2


...and I just got done playing the demo. Wow!


The game makes a helluva first impression - it's gob-smackingly gorgeous, and that's the first thing you'll notice. It's by FAR the best looking console shooter (or console game in general) I've ever seen - and it rivals Crysis maxed out on the PC. Not only that, but it [what I saw of it] ran at a rock-solid framerate.

Other impressions: Obviously, it's going to be another FPS about space marines. I don't expect the story to be anything even remotely remarkable or interesting (I could be wrong though).

But it looks like it's going to pull off telling a simple story with beautifully refined presentation and gameplay. The game does the little things right - the animation of your gun as it swaggers back and forth as you're running - the way the light from the washed-out sun flares in your vision as you move around (they're the best looking lense flares I've ever seen), etc. etc.

The game also has a really well implemented cover mechanic. It really works just like Gears of War, but from first person. It nicely slows down the pace of gameplay and prevents you from running in with guns blazing (you'll be dead in a second if you do ... the game is challenging, and it doesn't take long for you to die - your character is no bullet sponge).

The demo is short, but it makes a helluva impression. I can't wait for the release (Feb. 22).


The demo is available now on PSN for all EU peeps - and now in the US for only those who pre-ordered the game from Gametop (as I did).

(AHEM - ... there is a way to get the demo from PSN even if you didn't pre-order .... )


The game is PS3 exclusive. Xboxers: don't feel bad - the Halo Wars demo is out today too!

 

[Brikar99]

I preordered it at Gamestop, but the girl at the store made no mention of a demo? Either way, I'm really excited for this game. I thought the first "Killzone" would have been really great if not for all the technical problems.

 

[Aragorn]

How can there be so much hype and anticipation for a sequel when the original tanked?

 

[trekkerguy]

I wouldn't feel bad at all. I've got Gears of War 2.
Buddy of mine has a PS3. Seen it... not impressed.

How can there be so much hype and anticipation for a sequel when the original tanked?

What... where? Seriously, I've seen a poster. One poster.
There's been no hype outside what Sony convinces itself of.

 

[Brikar99]

Or if you pay attention to gaming sites and blogs, where it's been EVERYWHERE. For years.

 

[Aragorn]

I think we have a poster who would be wetting himself if it were a 360 exclusive.

 

[trekkerguy]

Or if you pay attention to gaming sites and blogs, where it's been EVERYWHERE. For years.

Really? Hmm, well I hope all 8 PS3 owners enjoy it then.

I think we have a poster who would be wetting himself if it were a 360 exclusive.

No not really. I've had the opportunity to play the demo, and their other
"Killer apps" Little Big Planet and the Call of Duty knockoff with Aliens.

Meh.

Jolan Tru.

 

[firehawk12]

It's a game that looks good but plays fairly average. Maybe I just need to be in the mood, but shooters need to do something new to get my attention.

Having a level where you basically escort a dude and then protect him against a wave of enemies as he "hacks a door" is pretty old hat.

 

[unimatrix7]

What... where? Seriously, I've seen a poster. One poster.
There's been no hype outside what Sony convinces itself of.

People who know more than you seem to think there is plenty of hype.

Let's take a look.

In the opening line of their review, IGN asked " Is it possible for the hype of a game to completely fuel both its designers and its fans eagerly awaiting its release?" 1UP's review was even more to the point: "Expectations on Killzone 2 had reached ridiculous proportions; here's one of those cases where the game actually lived up to them."

And this is all before we reach back to E3 2005 and that trailer which caused a shitstorm of its very own.

There are more examples, but I don't feel like spending too much time finding easily available information purely for the benefit of ignorant people.

 

[trekkerguy]

What... where? Seriously, I've seen a poster. One poster.
There's been no hype outside what Sony convinces itself of.

People who know more than you seem to think there is plenty of hype.

Let's take a look.

In the opening line of their review, IGN asked " Is it possible for the hype of a game to completely fuel both its designers and its fans eagerly awaiting its release?" 1UP's review was even more to the point: "Expectations on Killzone 2 had reached ridiculous proportions; here's one of those cases where the game actually lived up to them."

And this is all before we reach back to E3 2005 and that trailer which caused a shitstorm of its very own.

Point is: I don't think trekkerguy from TrekBBS is an adequately sized sample for measuring hype.

Well all that "hype" certainly hasn't hit the public where it counts.

I'll ask someone in the Gamestop I frequent and worked at if they've
heard of Killzone 2 and more than likely they'll ask me if it's the next
Jason Statham film.

I've actually worked in this industry selling these games and consoles.
The "hype" for this game is merely a masturbatory movement by those
on the inside and by Sony themselves to appease a need for relevance.
It's brightest moment was when people got pissed off they showed
pre-rendered CGI cutscenes instead of actual gameplay of it like they
thought... in 2005.

The consuming Gamer is looking forward to Fear 2 or Wii Fit.
That's what the reservations and endless phones calls are coming in for.

 

[BigFoot]

Just a bit more info on the hype surrounding K2. 1.1 million copies of the game have been PRE-ordered in Europe alone.

 

[unimatrix7]

Just a bit more info on the hype surrounding K2. 1.1 million copies of the game have been PRE-ordered in Europe alone.

That is rather a lot.

Well all that "hype" certainly hasn't hit the public where it counts.

Which wasn't your argument.

So first there is no hype, then you say the hype hasn't reached the public. But now it seems like it has, so...

indeed.

 

[trekkerguy]

Just a bit more info on the hype surrounding K2. 1.1 million copies of the game have been PRE-ordered in Europe alone.

That is rather a lot.

Well all that "hype" certainly hasn't hit the public where it counts.

indeed.

Yes, indeed. I seriously doubt any of those are people who weren't already
planning on getting the game and are part of the hardcore PS3 audience.

And if the "hype" hasn't hit the public... it's not "hype" it's as I said,
in-crowd masturbatory actions.

And considering I have yet to be wrong with anything to do with this
generation of Video Game Consoles... I really couldn't careless what
the so called "Experts" think.

 

[unimatrix7]

Yes, indeed. I seriously doubt any of those are people who weren't already
planning on getting the game and are part of the hardcore PS3 audience.

...

And considering I have yet to be wrong with anything to do with this
generation of Video Game Consoles... I really couldn't careless what
the so called "Experts" think.

Umm, yeah. This is generally how pre-orders work. Nobody walks in to a gamestore thinks 'gee, I own a 360 but if there's a game called Killzone 2 for the PS3, I goshdarn think I'm gonna preorder it!'

If this is the kind of penetrating insight you have to offer on the industry, it's hardly a wonder that you haven't been wrong yet

 

[trekkerguy]

Yes, indeed. I seriously doubt any of those are people who weren't already
planning on getting the game and are part of the hardcore PS3 audience.

...

And considering I have yet to be wrong with anything to do with this
generation of Video Game Consoles... I really couldn't careless what
the so called "Experts" think.

Umm, yeah. This is generally how pre-orders work. Nobody walks in to a gamestore thinks 'gee, I own a 360 but if there's a game called Killzone 2 for the PS3, I goshdarn think I'm gonna preorder it!'

If this is the kind of insight you have to offer on the industry, it's hardly a wonder that you haven't been wrong yet

Hype generaly influences people who would not normaly consider getting
something, to do so because of the amount of interest and "hype" surrounding it.
Something that makes people go; "Wow, maybe I'd get a PS3 so I can play that..."

Final Fantasy would be an example, with all the hype for that game I
probably would have gotten a PS3 just to play XIII, aside from the fact
the PS3 doesn't hold enough of a market for it to remain exclusive and I
get it on my console now.

Even the Call of Duty knockoff they put out had some "hype" going for it.
Killzone 2 has no "hype". Just a bunch of fanboys circle jerking.

But I hope they enjoy it, they need something.

 

[unimatrix7]

So, I've just been asking myself if this conversation is really worth my time or yours and the answer, unsurprisingly, is no. For the record, I know what hype is. And if I didn't, there's always dictionary.com.

On the subject of Killzone 2 (that was what this thread was about once upon a time), I played the demo this morning. I didn't like the controls - it felt stiff and wooden, and aiming just felt like too much of an effort because of it. It was visually quite lovely, but I just can't get used to the controls. Also, the cover system was just weird. I'm not much of a shooter fan anyway, and add in the fact that the thing is actually quite difficult and...I guess I'm going to have to look elsewhere for my next online multiplayer funfest. Fat Princess, you better not suck and lots of people had better buy you.

 

[trekkerguy]

So, I've just been asking myself if this conversation is really worth my time or yours and the answer, unsurprisingly, is no.

Good show, good show.

 

[gh4chiefs]

I'll ask someone in the Gamestop I frequent and worked at if they've
heard of Killzone 2 and more than likely they'll ask me if it's the next
Jason Statham film.

If they do, then you need to find a different video game store. Seriously. Because if they really did that, they're clueless. I don't know whether this game will be good or not, but if video game retailers aren't knowledgeable about it, and the "hype", then they need to get out of the business.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Amazing looking game, but the controls feel very spongy, i will have to tinker with them when i get more time.....

 

[firehawk12]

Yeah, you've got to amp the sensitivity up. I have no idea why they had it so low.