L.A. Times: Killzone 2 Review

L.A. Times: When it is finally released on Feb. 27, will Killzone 2 be that great, once-in-a-lifetime game everyone is expecting it to be? Sadly, the answer is no.

Don't get us wrong. K2 is still an amazing war game that belongs alongside the other big boys in the future war category, such as the Resistance and Gears of War franchises. It is technologically flawless and a sight to behold.

Unfortunately, it's really not much different from the rest of the aforementioned titles that came out last holiday season, save for the frustratingly different default control setup (which can be changed to a more standard setup without much trouble). Fight the bad guys, drive 'em back, blah, blah, blah. We've played this a thousand times before.

Though Killzone 2 does look better than most, it ultimately fails to live up to the insanely high expectations that had been created for it -- and that's a shame.

[Zeus Lee]

What expectations are those,please list them one by one.

Because the only fvcking expectation I KNOW is the one to do with the games graphics.And it absolutely blows every other console game away in this respect.

[Muppetmeat]

What did this reviewer expect from a FPS? Shooting. That's what it is. Quit faulting the game for not giving you a back massage, walking your dog, or the winning lotto numbers in advance.

Either it's a good FPS, or it's not a good FPS, what else is there?

What else do you want from it? Make your breakfast, get your slippers, and clean the house?

It's not trying to be anything other than a FPS, so stop rating it against the Hubble Space Telescope.

[CaseyRyback_CPO]

And when you cant, you'll understand the BS that goes around the PS3's graphical capabilities. Lots of people saying its wrong, but no one can say otherwise.

People just don't want to give Sony Credit for anything. Its an FPS. No fps has seperated itself from Counter Strike and its 2009. Its the burden of Sony to bring innovation to the table, everyone knows this. Thats why no one ever questions Microsoft for it.

[Lifendz]

PS3 games, however, have to redefine the wheel. And there's no double standard?

[eagle21]

just scared little lime green hearts will break if he admits it.

A/A.

[Consoldtobots]

yet another moronic journalist who thinks he knows gaming. People should really listen to what the developer from Bethesda had to say about this subject. ITS NOT IN THE SUBJECT BUT THE EXECUTION. That being said Killzone 2 is THE DEFINING SHOOTER OF THIS OR ANY PREVIOUS GENERATION. I can guarantee that over the next 20 years we will see many new shooters, remakes etc. because the technology keeps improving and giving us new levels of immersion. Imagine playing the original Doom in Killzone 2 quality graphics and physics? I would pay for that and so would many others.

[sumguy81]

you can't go around saying this is the best game ever and ground breaking and revolutionary, and whatever other buzz words you have used to describe this game for the past 2 years or so; then when a magazine admits it's pretty but doesn't live up to the hype, you can't just change your tune. for years i've been listening to you ppl build this up to be the greatest video game at all time. even though it looks like exactly what they said. pretty game, nothing special outside of graphics. now you all concede that is what you meant??? come on now! I've never seen an okay game with good graphics hyped this insanely. Crysis didn't get this kind of hype, and it looks better and has more unique elements.

I'll say one thing in your favor though. just when i thought i understood the mentality of ps3 fanboys, they go an mix it up to something even more illogical.

almost makes me wanna buy this game again. if everyone would just admit this will be a good game with good graphics and nothing more, then all of these articles mentioning the excessive hype would never have happened and the game wouldn't have to turn water to wine just to live up to it.

@the guy above me: did you even play the demo? there were dozens of places you could stand during the battle where the enemy would never shoot you. and if you shoot the guys on the turrets at the bridge, they just keep coming (i built up a huge body count and never had to change my aim or dodge any bullets), and your teamates will turn corners and shoot at nothing, or take cover on invisible walls and get shot.
Those flaws don't draw me into the game, they take me out of it. The graphics sucked me in at first cuz the character models looked so nice. but once i realized the game was just a series of very scripted events where the enemies never adapt to your movements, will keep taking cover in places where you've killed other guys just a few seconds before, and will stop coming as soon as you reach the next check point; it was clear to me that this game's single player is nothing more than a better looking call of duty. it isn't revolutionary, it doesn't suck you in just cuz it looks nice, and it has many flaws that so many reviewers seem to overlook despite the fact i noticed them in the first few minutes of experimenting with the demo.

edit: i lost bubbles for calling out the fanboys? god N4G sucks. ps3 fanboys ruin the gaming community.

@lifendz: NO THEY DON'T!!! You ppl need to stop overhyping them for months or years before they are released. you guys create these monsters. you're such hypocrites.

[gaffyh]

Calm down sumguy81

[lonestarmt]

@ SOMEGUY

Dude your totally lost. Just stop. No "PS3 fanboy" ever said it was going to be the best FPS game ever made or revolutionize gaming or even FPS. Like many other people you totally misunderstand. When sony said that they made the better machine and was able to produce way better graphics department than the 360, the 360 fanboys said yeah right. Called sony and basically said they were frauds and lied to the gaming community. Flopstation and yeah right PS3 is nothing more than a blu-ray player. Killzone 2 was one of those games that obviously is superior graphically than any 360 game so far and was suppose to show that the beginning of the ps3 flexing its muscles that even a 360 fanboy can admit too( even though uncharted is already better in the aspect) Killzone 2 met the expectations of the graphics of that trailer two years ago that everyone said was impossible. Instead you get weird reviews nip picking everything and very few admitting they were wrong, PS3 is capable of better looking games. Then you get people like you can't understand why PS3 fans moan when it gets points knocked off for being what is, a solid FPS with great visuals. When you got GTA4 or halo3 or gears of war 2 that really were guilty of the very same thing killzone 2 is and they are hailed and get great reviews. If those games got the same scores or had the same things said about them, then there would be no complaining. It's an obvious double standard.

@below your right, but did married to solid gameplay its awesome. Also what the F are you talking about late in its cycle? This is PS3 second and half year. You must be confused with another console.

[edgeofblade]

Graphics doesn't make a good game, especially this late in a console cycle.

[na2ru1]

Still think we're BS about the BIAS?

@ above but gears was visually claimed as da dogs bollox

[THE TRUTH]

You lost bubbles because you are saying things that are simply untrue. It was/is not sony fanboys that are hyping up killzone 2. The reaon why killzone 2 has been hyped by the majority of media outlets (which has become both a blessing and a curse) is because GG actually met expectations after they were slammed at E3 showing that target cgi video!

You can't blame gamers for being hyped after GG did almost the impossible which is to meet the standard they laid out for themselves! I do agree PS3 fans have hyped this game to some extent, but can you really blame them? All gamers want out of reviews is an honest unbiased opinion and score based on the game, nothing more nothing less. Basically if you read this review you can take ANY FPS and instert its name into the headline and get the same result.

Killzone 2 is a great FPS period, and GG deserves the praise they get for the job they did considering the kind of pressure they were under. Shouldn't that be rewarded, shouldn't we as gamers get hyped for this? This is the kind of effort and hard work we should be seeing this generation and if we don't support it than why the hell would/should a developer raise the bar?

The fact that you hate or love the PS3 isn't the damn point! The point is we as gamers either want the bar raised with fresh ideas unreal graphics and limitless innovation or we want the same ole same ole..... if we don't support the developers and the games they make that exceed our standards than we can kiss it goodbye! GG did a hell of a job and any media outlet that chooses to not to take the proper time and use professionalism to give an honest and unbiased SHOULD AND WILL be given hell by gamers!

[Kaliumhest]

Killzone 2 is going to be UBER.

[Spydiggity]

i appreciate your attempt at sounding level headed. but you're doing what every sony follower (and i mean that in an almost religious sense) does. you make flamboyant claims for months and months, then just before the game launches you try to go back to sounding level headed. and you are, unfortunately, very wrong. PS3 fanboys are the only idiots in this console "war" that actually threatened to kill themselves because they lost FF as an exclusive. They are the only fanboys that stormed review sites and threatened to boycott these sites because they gave killzone 2 a 90% or better. xplay being a perfect example of that. they gave killzone 2 5/5 and they got so much hate mail anyway.

and those games you mentioned, even they didn't touch the hype of this game. and those games sold millions in their first week.

you can sit there and try to rewrite history all you want. but for those of us who've been there and have been following the "news" we can see it pretty clearly...at least i can. ps3 fanboys are irate, illogical, and hypocritical. they are slaves to a corporation and it doesn't matter what said corporation does or doesn't do (in most cases), they can do no wrong in their eyes. sony could announce they are releasing a carebears exclusive, and there would be hype for 6 months or a year talking about how many bears the ps3 can fit on the screen at once and how 360 couldn't handle that many bears. it's hilarious and pathetic at the same time. and i'd laugh harder if not for the fact that in order to get real gaming news, i have to filter out the hundreds of hype articles written on blogs by ps3 fanboys about how their next average quality game is actually the greatest thing of all time.

[bviperz]

Don't lump Sony fan's all together. Don't think every Sony Fanboy is crazy. You can prefer Sony/MS/Ninetendo and still be level-headed. Seriously. Some of us just enjoy great games, no matter the platform.

[Lifendz]

and I say that because your post was way to long to read. Allow me to say the following:

@lifendz: NO THEY DON'T!!! You ppl need to stop overhyping them for months or years before they are released"

What does a game enthusiast "hyping" a game have to do with a journalist measuring Game A to a different standard than Game B? Halo 3 came out and looked like Halo 2. It did. And yet not one review knocked it down for this. You know why? Because the game was great regardless of the visuals. COD4 had no coop and no review knocked it for it. The same is not true for KZ2.

"you guys create these monsters. you're such hypocrites."

Hypocrites? How, pray tell, are we [who is we anyway] hypocrites? Please share. And as far as creating "monsters," if the gaming media is influenced by the comments of people in message rooms and N4G when it writes its reviews, then the media is not doing its job.

[no-spin]

please "journalists", stick to your area. Do you see Dave Jaffe test driving a new Mercedes Benz and writing a review criticizing the car shortcomings? nope. For some reason the gaming industry gets no respect and any dude in a desk can become a professional gamer capable of reviewing games.
Im a pure gamer, i play games in whatever console, no matter how old they are. Is it really that disappointing to deliver the premier FPS without flying powers and "new" stuff?
Good thing i learned to ignore this amateurs and ride the games myself, is more fun and reliable.

KZ2 demo makes me hungry for this game

[t_tocs]

I'm confused...

The game got an A...which is really freakin' good...but people are still complaining? I'm just as excited about a new PS3 exclusive, especially one this big, as the rest of you...but come on. What else do you want from these journalists. He said it's a great game, just not the second coming of Christ...you can't disagree with him, because he played the review build...and you didn't. Plus, it's his opinion...get your own, on the 27th, just like the rest of us.

[Maxned]

Wait a minute...
After actually reading the review, it seemed like the guy would give it an 8. But then he gives it an A/A

?
Doe anyone else notice this generally negative review?

[Awesomeo3000]

i hate all these reviews that say oh its just like any other fps cause IT IS an fps its not trying to be anything else cant people take things for wat they are it makes no sense

[SupaPlaya]

isn't taking points off for

- No innovation
- Not multiplatform
...
...
...

So this review does have the EDGE over some of the other inconsistent reviews.

[Zeus Lee]

Exactly.

Wait until Modern Warfare 2 is revealed,if it doesn't bring anything new to the table I'm going to personally make it an agenda to call out every single website that won't point it out.

[rhood022]

Do it when Halo: ODST comes out.

It'll be more fun.

[Sheddi]

haha got to remember this.

EDIT: btw I agree.

[sumguy81]

umm guys...hate to break it to you. but there isn't an insanely swelled hype building around halo odst. everyone is fine with an fps being an fps. but the ps3 fanboys made this game (killzone 2) to seem like it was going to change the way we play fps, it was supposed to be revolutionary (according to the hype).

and some fps are revolutionary. like both half-lifes. fps is just the perspective. a game that defines itself by style is what makes it unique and sets it apart. not ramping up polygon counts.

[SupaPlaya]

NOT a multiplatform game get a deduction too.

Perhaps not a full game (ODST - DLC) should get an extra point off :P

/joke

[jmare]

All I can say is: *"Killzone, the Magic Shooter."*

EDIT: Imagine music.

[SupaPlaya]

the magic shooter ~

[jmare]

I think maybe the disagreers didn't get the joke or the sarcasm or maybe both.

EDIT: At least someone gets part of the joke.

EDIT @ supaplaya: It's kind of sad that they don't get it. It almost makes me want to explain it. But I won't. I will do this though:

"Killzone, the magic shooter, on the PS3
People say is sucks, cuz it's not original like Halo 3.
The man from the LA paper, says killzone make fanboys feel good.
But xbots know that's not true, cuz it ain't got no wood." (Penis, that is)

I know it's a little off, but I thought it was funny.

[SupaPlaya]

they probably just don't get it.

[thebudgetgamer]

lol. i guess its better then maxim?

:)

[SupaPlaya]

well at least they are not expecting bikinis...

[cliffbo]

don't get us wrong, GT prologue is a great game with stunningly realistic graphics, but at the end of the day we were left with the feeling that it didn't do anything different from any other driving game. you have four wheels, drive with a steering wheel and race along tracks... disappointing

[grantps3]

killzone 2 > the muppets

killzone 2 FTW

@cliffbo

what do you want a racing game to have? GT is aimed at realism, so there isnt much you can do. All racing games are the same except if they are open world or just tracks. Therefore i dont see why you are dissapointed

[shogun101]

I see your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning today.

[Pennywise]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH = The sound of sarcasm going over his head.

[aggh im on fire]

Halo O.D.S.T is open world so its different from the other halo's in that respect.
As for Killzone, i agree with the people here. It seems as though there judging it on the hype and not on the game itself. And being overly critical as a result.

[Hallucinate]

its open world? an FPS in a open world? that didnt work out to well with farcry IMO anyways

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Worked out with Crysis though.

That game ROCKS!

[Cajun Chicken]

Guy gives an A for Onechanbara...

[aggh im on fire]

Well Stalker was open world and that was good, and farcry2 was generally very well received. O.D.S.T may well be rubbish though.. i like you will have to wait and see.
Back on subject... I have my Killzone copy on order and after playing the demo im sure i won't be dissapointed.

[ExPresident]

Doesn't the L.A. Times reporting on a video game pretty much = any other news paper reporting on it? Seriously ;/

[NegativeCreep427]

Nevermind the fact that they gave Killzone 2 a perfect score.

With complaints of the anti-COD4 controls, these people just labeled themselves as rookies/noobs.

I have been gaming since I was about 5 years old, and I play COD4 online regularly. It only took me just ONE PLAYTHROUGH with the KZ2 demo to become comfortable with its control scheme.

[themyk]

I plan On useing default for the Sp And since there's. No no cover in Mp I plan on useing alt2. I can Adapt.I'm a gamer.

[mxdan]

I hate to say it, but reviewers would probably give it a higher score if it were multiplatform. I hate the inconsistent standards these days.

Can't we just review games on their own merits?

Not on previous trailers and hype?

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

+ 'THAT' ;-P 'KillZone 2' Demo Lived up to my insanely high expectations!!! ;-P

[DJ]

"Grade: A (The same high level as its predecessors, but little else)"

Wait, all six paragraphs of nasty criticism equals an A? What the hell does LA Times grade on? The Backwards Alphabet?

[ukilnme]

The game has received yet another good review and people still want to cry about it.

"People just don't want to give Sony Credit for anything."

Cry me a river. After you all are done crying feel free to come get your tails whooped on release day.

[NS]

In the end they gave it an A.

[callahan09]

Well, gee, that's a high score.
I just wish all the reviews would come in and the score would settle and the game would come out so I can PLAY IT! Oh well... at least Noby Noby Boy comes out tomorrow... for 5 bucks, I hope it distracts me for the next week or so (although from the look of gameplay videos it may take longer than that to figure out what you're even supposed to be doing!)

[Kouppa]

Shouldn't they be reporting more serious stuff.....leave the videogame reviews to people who know what they are doing.

[N2NOther]

Did you seriously just say that? Did you read what you typed before you submitted it? You just basically said that The LA Times should be reporting serious issues while frivolous stuff like gaming should be left to experts on less serious stuff. Wow...

Not to mention that they have the friggin' game an A. I don't know what school you attend but everyone I've ever been to, that's the highest grade you can get that actually counts towards your GPA. No, A+ doesn't really count towards anything because it's just a way for instructors to show that the thought the work was exemplary.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

What's up with these magazines and websites saying, "It's definitely the best looking shooter on the PS3."

NO FRICKIN' DUH!!! It's the best looking console game ever made...and the second best looking game overall. (Putting Crysis & Crysis: Warhead together)

How can they keep saying it's the best looking PS3 shooter when it's obviously the best looking game on consoles...by a LONG shot?

[SprSynJn]

I think it is because some people don't actually think it is. Some people still think Uncharted is the best looking game on the PS3, where others think Metal Gear Solid 4 took that spot. It's all a matter of opinion. Now as far as FPS's, I would imagine this takes the cake over all the competition, but I have not played all the games that could compete with it. I sure has hell know it looks better than the Call of Duty and Halo series, I mean just by the demo you can tell that.

[n to the b]

no need 4 damage control SDF. no 1 trusts LA Times for games reviews anyway, right? ...well I sure don't for 1.

what is that anyway? a lot of hard talk but it looks like they gave it their highest score anyways...

[Graphics Whore]

So apparently anyone who speaks common sense is fanboy now aday's.

I should make up a word for ignorant/dumb people like yourself that relates to the console war.

[Gamer_Z]

i think its better not to have any expectations for a game this way when you play a game like KZ2 you will blow your load

[Sharpshell]

because i obviously can't remeber what other fps had a similar cover system because clearly there must have been many for KZ2 reviews to justify saying there is no innovation in the game...

[DJ]

PSU for example has been caught doing this. And I seem to remember GameDaily getting caught as well.

[Sharpshell]

Like didn't play it at all, or didn't finish it? Thats amazing but not surprising. Sigh... I kind of wish their were reviews out they whci hput all the interjecture aside and jsut focused on what matters: fun?

[SupaPlaya]

of having to be reminded of the 2005 target render.

[lonestarmt]

haha this article is so funny. It really shows the double standard for ps3 game reviews. Yeah it was fun to play, had the best graphics I have ever seen, and cool levels, but end of the day all you really did was shoot stuff? WTH.... No crap its a FPS. You could say the same as a whole for the genre. Also you can't compare this to gears of war. Thats a third person shooter. You can compare uncharted to gears better than killzone. From this point on every FPS better evolve the genre or get scolded, but we know thats not going to happen.

[Awesomeo3000]

i understand they gave it an A but they still bashed it the whole way through it doesnt make sense all u do is shoot stuff its a fps if ur not shooting then wat the hell is the point of the game as long as the graphics are sick the controlls are nice and the ai is smart then its a great game to me

[Sharpshell]

and that has been the standard for kz2 reviews (except the edge one)i.e. g4tv's 5 out of 5. They feel obligated to give it a good score based on...everything, but can't resist bashing it, i think partly because it was very hyped, partly because its on the ps3, partly becasue lets face it: this is kind of a bad time to release an fps. I know i am kind of burnt out on fps's right now although I am still getting it. (i mean --->Resistance 2, Farcry, Fallout 3, L4D, COD5, jebus!)

BUT most importantly let us not forget that this is KILLZONE, the game that reviewers felt so great bashing on the ps2 when it failed hype, adn the same game that reviewers "cought" sony lying about. Now that the game lives up to the hype and meets the graphical standard that was "teh impossible" they have got to be a little POed. These people make their living being "right" about videogames. Have you ever listened to sports announcers talk about the patriots? FoxTV talk about Obama? NPR talk about Wallstreet? same story different subject.

[BGDad]

SERIOUSLY I WANT TO KNOW THIS... IF KILLZONE 2 ISNT GREATS LETS HERE WHAT THEY THINK IS BETTER! Idiots.

[PoSTedUP]

GTA: san andreas and midnight club LA.. XD

[BGDad]

WTF ever... Seriously you all are flat out stupid... Just dumb as bricks...

[NegativeCreep427]

Nothing on the PS3 can be that good!

Their eyes deceive them!!!

LOL! They are just idiots that do not want to believe the truth.

[crazyclown]

wow, contradicting a la max. They bash it but give it an A, makes no sense!

[BGDad]

Dont ever do another game review!

So its the best looking game then falls short because you shoot blah blah blah...

Well your paper is the same negative garbage it always is and has been blah blah blah.

[redsquad]

Well in my view, the "insanely high expectations" that the game would be 'GOOD' have been met. The "insanely high expectations" that the game would be 'DIFFERENT' the reviewer seems to be aluding to simply weren't there in the first place.

Still, 'A' is nice!

[PureGamer]

I have the game its about a high 8 low 9 for me. Waiting for the servers to be put up hurry up sony :D

[N2NOther]

Sony had better not put up servers until the game releases. ANY game with a ranking system that unlocks items and skills that give advantages over other players should never be live before the rest of the people who have to adhere to their local retails following the LAW about street dates. And if they did put them up, they should ban the account of anyone playing before the game releases officially and legally.

[Traveler]

This game innovates just as much as any other shooter in modern times and more than most.

It is an engaging and finely honed shooting experience that offers a couple genuine innovations (FP cover system, multiplayer modes), all presented with the highest graphical fidelity that has ever been seen in a console shooter. What more were people really expecting?

[ASTAROTH]

Ive already knows that KILLZONE 2 is all of that...I know...but there are people who have a PS3 that doesnt even know about its existance and some dont even want to buy it, or dont care. COME ON SONY!!! Are you planing to survive this gen thanks to us the loyalists who bougth your games no matter if its good ( LBP, Uncharted, etc)or bad like LAIR?.
I havent seen any kind of promoting activity for this game. The most important game for the PS3 this year and only a week until its launch SONY is sleeping!!! I visited a Gamestop and the only thing they were promoting with posters, cardboards, special offers etc where SF4 and FKN HALO WARS!!. These two games are going to sell trough the roof thanks to good advertisement, because to me even SF4 is overrated! Not as good as SF3 3rd strke and SSF2HD. That is thanks to good advertisement that SONY lacks in the most basic ways. NOT EVEN A FKN HELGAST POSTER IN GAMESTOP!!! AND THEY WANT THIS TO TRASCEND THE LOYALS?? I love the PS3, its my favorite console this gen thanks to ironically all the SONY exclusives, which I believe them alone make the PS3 better than the 360; but Sony is really failing in the advertisement dept. They are letteing the PS3 sink and all these extremely good and underrated PS3 exclusives pass unadvertised. WHAT A SHAME SONY!!! WHAT A SHAME!!!
I know the company its not in a situation of throwing money in advertisement like MS but common if you dont advertise you dont sell, and if you dont sell you dont have a revenue in the product...lets see how well the amazing and underrated KILLZONE 2 sells...

[jmare]

Take a deep breath, calm down, and drink something... laced with ritalin.

[mc-fine]

breeds anti-hype. Thats just the way it is when it comes to game reviews.

[molsen81]

We must all understand that because this game is made exclusively Sony people will find something to complain about. I think many people in the gaming industry view this gen as payback for Sony's overconfident attitude last gen. This reviewer gives the game an A out of A and still wants to complain? I'm tired of these stupid reviews. I'm ready for the damn game.

[Figboy]

until it stops getting slapped with the "been there, done that" label?

here's a list of what i think it brings to the FPS genre for consoles:

1) unparalleled graphics and animation. hands down, this is the best looking FPS on consoles. PERIOD. hell, technically, it's the best looking GAME ever (i'm talking about technology wise. art design is a totally different thing, although the art design in KZ2 is fantastic).

2) Unique badge system. what other FPS on the market lets you cross class? if you wanted to mix the Sniper class with the Medic badge, you can. a Engineer/Saboteur? you can. how many other FPS titles let you do that?

3) Valor system - for those that don't know, the Valor system is like a currency that allows teams to earn and bet valor on matches, with the winner getting the pot. i don't know many FPS titles with this feature.

4) more subtle, but it's very realistic control feel. EVERY console FPS game has been trying to mimic the fast-paced, twitchy nature of a mouse and keyboard setup. Killzone 2 realizes that it's simply not possible to get that level of fast paced accuracy on a controller, and has instead opted to work within that limitation, but create controls that feel more immersive than any FPS i've ever played (and i've played almost all of them from DOOM to Half Life 2 and more).

5) first person cover system. i didn't think this was an important feature until i played the demo and got to feel it for myself. i have to say, it's REALLY hard to go back to FPS titles that DON'T have this cover system, because it's such a simple, intuitive, and yet ultimately effective in enhancing the gameplay experience. like i said, it's a subtle addition, but it WORKS. innovation doesn't always have to be these huge changes to gameplay. Resident Evil 4 only moved the camera behind the character. it retained the same tank controls the series was known for, but that simple change in camera perspective made all the difference in the world.

but apparently, that's not enough. apparently Killzone 2, and every game exclusive to the PS3 has to reinvent the way we play games. isn't that what NINTENDO boasted they were going to do with the Wii? why isn't anyone calling THEM on it?

the double standards in the way PS3 games are viewed compared to the competition is ridiculous now.

an FPS is an FPS. very few come forward and push the genre forward.

games like Quake and DOOM pushed the genre for their respective generations, Medal of Honor and Goldeneye pushed the genre when they were released. Halo pushed the genre forward when it was released. COD4 pushed the genre forward when it was released, and Killzone 2 is pushing the genre forward with features simply not in other FPS titles. sure, we've seen XP systems, Class systems, 32 player online matches, cover systems, etc, in other games, but ALL of them? rolled into ONE GAME?

hell, we've seen things like in game recording and map editors, but that doesn't make Forge any less inventive and awesome for Halo 3 (it is, arguably, the titles saving grace, in my opinion), and more FPS titles in the future would be wise to consider such features.

the same applies to what Killzone 2 is doing.

to expect the FPS genre to somehow offer gameplay never yet seen, when the very NATURE of ALL FPS titles is to point your gun at something and shoot it is silly. i've never seen these complaints labeled at classics like Half Life 2 and COD4, but they are thrown at Killzone 2 every chance the writers get.

it's like complaining about RPGs having turn based battle systems. it's practically written into the DNA of the genre, and if you change that DNA, you don't have an RPG, or an FPS, or an action/adventure game, or a puzzle game anymore. it's a silly complaint.

truly bad and generic FPS titles are thus:

Turok
Blacksite Area 51
Frontlines: Fuel of War
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
HAZE
Conflict: Denied Ops
Legendary

THOSE GAMES are truly generic and bland FPS games.

Killzone 2, and Resistance 2 (two of the most criticized FPS titles, despite their quality), are simply NOT in the same league as those above games, in the same way that Gears of War 1 and 2 aren't in the same league of the numerous 3PS games that try and capitalize on the genre (ie, Dark Sector, 50 Cent 2: Blood in the Sand, etc).

the haters need to accept that Killzone 2 is a fantastic FPS that does things no other FPS has done on consoles so far.

i don't like Halo 3 at ALL, but i would never try and pretend that things like Forge aren't as awesome as they are, just out of spite for the series and or console that it's on.

[N2NOther]

Wow. All that work for that post to refute to a review that gave the game a perfect score.

[Figboy]

i'm trying to point out that it's ridiculous to complain about an FPS being an FPS.

what makes some FPS titles immune from the "it's just another FPS" label, while others get endlessly harassed for it (namely Killzone 2 and Resistance 2).

here's another example: in Call of Duty 4, there is no co-op. no one dinged the game for not having co-op. Killzone 2 has no co-op, and suddenly reviewers want to harp on the lack of co-op. Far Cry 2 didnt have co-op either. nobody said a word. Resistance 2 had 8 player co-op, but because it wasn't just single player campaign redux, it got harped on.

here's another example: the enemies in Call of Duty 4 look pretty much EXACTLY THE SAME throughout the entire game, with minimal variations. nobody said a thing. Killzone 2 features the Helghast in slight variations of their usual look (although the Snipers and other Helghast look different), and people can't stop complaining about the "repetitive enemies," or battling against robot sentries, a staple of futuristic FPS titles.

another example: Gears of War 1 and 2 has one of the most generic, cliche ridden stories in gaming, and yet it wasn't held against the title, because the game delivers on what MATTERS, the gameplay. Edge devoted an entire PAGE of their 3 page review to harp on how generic the Killzone 2 story was. why the double standard? what makes some games immune to criticism for poor story-telling and characterization, and others not immune? the gameplay of Killzone 2 is it's second most praised feature outside of it's visuals (just like Gears 2), so why does it get constantly nitpicked and scored down for it's story(ie, the Edge review)?

here's one more to go out on: Call of Duty 4's single player campaign is about 5 hours long. nobody complained about it. Killzone 2's single player campaign is about 10+ hours long. people can't stop b*tching about its "short length." if the game was so average and generic, why, then, do they want MORE of it?

i'm not refuting this review, i'm just noting the complaint about it being like every other FPS, while ignoring the things that it does that are UNIQUE to the franchise.

as for the score? like Edge's the score doesn't match the CONTENT of the review.

unlike other people, i actually read the FULL review, and don't put much stock into review scores.

looking at what the LA Times was saying about the game, and looking at it's score, the A/A score doesn't match up. you'd think they'd have given it a C/A based on all the b*tching they did.

i just don't like double standards and hypocrisy, ESPECIALLY in what is supposed to be "objective" analysis reviews.

[N2NOther]

Call of Duty having no co-op wasn't dinged because it was still a new idea. A year ad half later most squad based shooters have it implemented...See how much worse the next COD would score, no matter how good, if they didn't incorporate it.

You need to stop bringing up COD 4 because that game came out nearly 2 years ago. You can't compare reviews from a new game to an old game and expect them to be valid because the times have changed a bit of what people expect. COD World at War plays almost identical to COD 4 and yet it didn't get nearly as much praise because it's very much "been there, done that".

BUT, I'll humor you. COD 4's enemies looking the same is because it's a realistic shooter. Once you add a sci-fi element, people expect a bit more variety...Be it consciously or not, it IS an expectation.

As for the rest of your complaints...Again, why waste the time refuting a review that gave the game a PERFECT SCORE despite it's faults? Why refute the reviews at all. Nothing you say is going to change anyone's mind and nothing they say is going to influence anyone on here. We're HARDCORE gamers if we read a news site about video games and as such, most of the ones with a PS3 are going to get this game.

I'm not sure why anyone really cares about this kind of stuff in the first place, but complaining about review that gave the game an A? That's just counter-productive.

[JuJuRMJ]

Well that's nice, thanks for all this "questionable" opinions, media. Nothing will deter me from sliding this game into my console and enjoying the hell out of it! I'm a gamer and a shooter fan, It's funny that this "media" and so-called gaming journalists were the very 1st to hype Killzone 2 but now that it's closer to release it's being criticized for not bringing forth the return of christ. This game will kick ass and many gamers will enjoy it, in the end the game will be judged by how many enjoyed it and the lasting impression that the game leaves on us gamers. I didn't expect to disassemble my gun and and shine my combat boots, GG never said they were re-inventing the wheel, only making it rounder..I suppose..

[N2NOther]

What I don't get is how everyone complains because a lot of critics have noted that the game doesn't offer anything new. Apparently, it doesn't because a majority of the press is pointing it out. And yet rarely does this fact HURT the game's overall score...I mean the LA TIMES gave the game an A. An A.

That means that despite the fact that it brings nothing new to the table in terms of story and gameplay, it does everything else as good as the best games out there. So yeah, it will be familiar, but it's still awesome.

Why does ANYONE care that the familiarity of the gameplay is being called out?

Do you really think any negative that doesn't hurt the overall score too much is going to prevent ANYONE from picking up the game?

[JuJuRMJ]

Oh, and why are "some" gamers quick to say that Killzone 2 will not be the greatest FPS ever, or "my favorite FPS of all time"? Question, how did your favorite FPS become your favorite.. You played the game, enjoyed it, were immpressed and absolutely loved it, right? But I bet any of you didn't say beforehand that "this will be my favorite FPS of all time" i.e. Half-life 2, Halo, etc... You had no expectations and let it just come to you, why can't that bode the same for Killzone2? Tell you what, I have my favorite FPS of all time, and when I get Killzone2 and be immersed in it and play the crap out of it, I will not be biased against it in my decision to rate it in my list of faves, if it reaches the top for me of for any, well.

[zaz12]

killzone2 is the best fps this generation so far.
I HAVE PLAYED IT.

[GiantEnemyFlop]

"Unfortunately, it's really not much different from the rest of the aforementioned titles that came out last holiday season"

then why the hell u complain about it while u didn't do the same with those "aforementioned titles ", those reviewers are just dambass.

at least he's man enough to give the game what it deserve, FULL SCORE

[themyk]

I don't know about u guys but I happen to like my first person SHOOTERS to shoot blah blah. Blah

[jaseo]

KZ excels in everything is does as a FPS. Sure, gamers with poor hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity might not appreciate this brilliant FPS, just like gamers that tried playing Fallout 3 as a FPS would not appreciate Fallout 3s brilliance.

but yeah, it would be great if i could be the wind in KZ2 (ala flower), or at least a force that guided bullets around Helghan. this would create great contrast to the fast-paced action. yin yang if you like.

it would play exactly like that ballet of death movie.

[Jaces]

"Fight the bad guys, drive 'em back, blah, blah, blah. We've played this a thousand times before."

LOL!

Seriously? So all the other FPS that came out this previous year were different?

I'm just curious as to why they bring up this subject NOW when there have been numerous games before hand that followed the same path.

odd...

[Chaoticsoulx]

It's a perfect score from the l.a times, what more do you want? seriously?

[OGharryjoysticks]

I don't mind the knock against the game saying it's a been there done that type because I've done those drugs before but I'll do them again too so I'm not some stuck up snob who wants to claim the color of the sky has to change and you all have to get sex changes to be impressed.

As long as the facts are right that the game is the best looking and it gets an A, we're cool.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

but if KZ2 does what it does... WELL! then it will be an enjoyable eyecandy feast to play!. But I've gotta say I have high expectations for this game as it's going to take more than a cover system and amazing graphics to get hooplah out of me!. I want more frantic/brutal action than what the demo provided, and I hope it's all paced well throughout. I give mad props on the physics also, cause I keep replaying the warehouse section just to see what crazy stuff I can get the propain tanks to do!

But KZ2 has been thee MOST watched/anticipated game since that first vid aired in 05... wether Sony said it or not that the vid was going to eventually be "gameplay", that is what got everyones hopes so freaking high from the get go.

So I think it's fair to say peoples expectations are overly way too high for this game, and in the end some people might be left feeling a bland taste in their mouth!

[artsaber]

Bufoons! There is no manufactured hype for this game. Where is the KillFuel from Mountain Dew? Killzone2 Doritos? Posters at Gamestop and other stores? What f*cking imaginary hype are you talking about? Getting KZ2 confused with a game that runs at 630p called Halo3 which flushed millions down the toilet to boost sales when it was actually subpar of almost every review it got. A 630p game praised for its graphics... go figure. Killzone2 is the truth, DEAL WITH IT... and UNLIKE Halo3, it is the real deal! If there is any hype generated by witness account and/or word of mouth it is EARNED and not BOUGHT like Halo3's "hype" was... no goodie bags for reviewers, just the game and a big STFU now because GG met their target!

Now you may proceed putting the gun in your mouth and squeezing the trigger.

[ToeKneeHaze]

You mean its not innovative like Halo 3 who stole most of its attributes from prior FPS gems like QUAKE III / UNREAL etc etc

OH GEEZ

.

[BMS84]

or not?

[she00win99]

i hope metacritic will add this to killzone 2's scores, because i have a feeling variety and gamespot will give killzone 2 a 7

[volcane]

That's pretty much what all shooting games consist of.

[zaz12]

in killzone 2 the intensity of the fight in some parts of the game is extremely high.I have not seen any thing like it before.

[shawnsl65]

hey, i think LA times found EDGE's review and Edge took LA times's review. Now it makes sense.

[Joey Greco RULES]

you wont like what you read here.
b*tches.

[DeathMetal]

No problem it's called crysis,

[Jeppe]

Just one A.. I Guess the full score is L.A. Lots of A's.. Send them more copies.

[MADPIRAHNA]

The guy said some good things, I would like to see his review of Gears2, Resistance2, Halo 3, to see if he was saying it was tired then.