Killzone 2 is a first-person shooter for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the third installment in the Killzone series that began on the PlayStation 2 with Killzone and continued on the PlayStation Portable with Killzone: Liberation. The game was first announced at E3 2005, with a tech demo on display, while the first gameplay footage was shown two years later at E3 2007. Killzone 2 was released worldwide late February 2009.

Plot

Story

Killzone 2 follows the events of Killzone and Killzone: Liberation, and will take place entirely on the planet Helghan, the home-world of the Helghast, who invaded an Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) colony. Two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA has launched an assault on the enemy's home world of Helghan. The ISA goal is to capture the Helghast leader, Emperor Scolar Visari, and bring the Helghast war machine to a halt. Players assume the role of Sergeant Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko, a battle-hardened veteran of the special forces unit known as "The Legion", who go on a mission to take out the Helghast threat.

During the invasion of Helghan, Sev's unit is deployed behind enemy lines to assist the main invasion force. Tasked with securing the enemy capital of Pyrrhus, the team quickly discovers that the Helghast are a more formidable enemy on their home planet. Not only have they adjusted to Helghan's hostile conditions, they have also harnessed a source of power they can now use against the ISA - the very planet on which they live. A barren, unforgiving world, Helghan provides a ready defense with thick, acidic air, dust clouds, and violent surgical lightning storms. Sev discovers his squad is not just fighting enemy forces ? their fiercest opponent may be the planet itself.

Characters

• Sergeant Tomas Sevchenko is the main character of Killzone 2, and part of the ISA Special Forces Alpha Team. He is a withdrawn and unusually contemplative man. At age 25 he's already been in several successful campaigns, but they've also exacted a toll on him. He's an imperfect soldier in a perfect army.
  
• Corporal Dante Garza is a member of the ISA Special Forces Alpha Team. Smart-mouthed and young, Garza is still a loyal and trusty soldier who has earned his elite status.
  
• Sergeant Rico Velasquez is a veteran of the ISA. He is a human tank who prefers to shoot first and ask questions later, if at all. He's all attitude but despite this he has a good heart. Rico prefers an up-front fight and is a character of extremes; he can get agitated very quickly and doesn't hold back on anything. During the orbital defense platform crisis, Rico was left stranded by a brutal Helghast attack and consequently befriended Templar, Luger and Hakha. Later, he became embedded with Alpha Team to spearhead the invasion on Helghanfs capital, Pyrrhus.
  
• Corporal Shawn Natko is the demolitions expert for the ISA Special Forces Alpha Team.
  
• Emperor Scolar Visari is the leader of Helghast forces and ruler of Helghan planet. He is responsible for the re-militarization of the Helghan troops after their defeat following the First Helghan War. He has succeeded in launching an invasion of one of ISA colonial planets, Vekta, to avenge what he sees as the abandonment and abuse of the Helghast. He is voiced by Brian Cox. Brian Cox has appeared on numerous Hollywood blockbuster movies such as Troy, The Bourne Identity and Red Eye.

Gameplay

Campaign

With Killzone 2, Guerrilla Games aims to provide the player with an immersive and cinematic gameplay experience that is grounded in reality with what they call "Hollywood Realism". The game is presented almost entirely from a first person perspective, aside from vehicular combat. Killzone 2 features a "lean and peek" cover system which allows the player to take cover behind an object and then pop out to fire at enemies. The "lean and peek" mechanic stays in first person view at all times. It has also been announced that Sev is able to pilot vehicles, such as tanks. Many classic weapons and vehicles from previous Killzone installments will be returning, such as the M82-G and the StA-52 LAR. The Sixaxis motion control feature will also be utilized in performing certain actions such as turning a valve, arming an explosive charge and sniping.

Multiplayer

"Warzone", the title of the multiplayer component of Killzone 2 has been developed by Guerrilla Games in conjunction with the game's single-player campaign. The multiplayer gameplay is class-based, meaning the player can choose a class of character which is specialized for a specific role to better suit the player's needs in battle. There will be 16 classes in total, in which the player can mix and match two according to their playing style, and can switch abilities upon death. It has been verified that there will be the option to use BOTS in multiplayer battles and a rumored Co-op patch is said to be available after release.

Warzone plays out through dynamic matches whereby multiple game types are played in a single round. The game ships with five different game types including Assassination, Search & Retrieve, Search & Destroy, Bodycount and Capture & Hold. Up to 32 players can connect online, and group into squads of up to four players. Furthermore, two squads can group together as a faction of eight players. Killzone 2 also offers a clan system, which allows clans of up to 64 players to compete for "Valor Points", an in-game currency that clans can use to bet on tournaments.

Vehicles have been confirmed to be part of the multiplayer experience and are to be patched after the game releases.

Development

At E3 2005, Killzone 2 was debuted with a trailer depicting soldiers landing in a hostile war-zone on Helghan and fighting Helghast forces. Critics in the media argued that the trailer shown at the trade show did not show actual gameplay footage, as its high level of visual detail has been argued to be impossible to render in real-time on the PlayStation 3 and the audio mix of the trailer was slightly delayed. SCEA's Vice President, Jack Tretton, stated that the footage of Killzone 2, that was believed to be pre-rendered, "is real gameplay everybody's seeing out there. Several days later, Phil Harrison, SCEA Europe's Vice President of Development, stated in an interview that all of the footage of PlayStation 3 games at E3 2005 were "running off video" which was "done to PS3 spec".

At the Game Developers Conference in 2007, a Killzone 2 teaser was shown behind closed doors, and was never released to the public. It featured various battles, destructible environments, and lighting effects among others. Killzone 2 was shown to a panel of journalists at a special pre-E3 2007 event in Culver, California, and then the next day to the public at Sony's E3 press conference. An in-game trailer showing real-time gameplay of Killzone 2 was also released, along with several videos of extended gameplay. A number of media outlets since E3, such as the BBC, have referred to Killzone 2 as being "one of the most cinematic and immersive games ever produced on a console." At the Leipzig Games Convention in 2007, Killzone 2 was presented in playable form to the media. It was the same demo level as shown at E3 2007, although journalists were allowed to play it hands-on. At Sony's PlayStation Day 2008, the first level in Killzone 2fs single-player campaign was presented, named "Corinth River".

Beta access was given to a select number of North American and European PlayStation Network subscribers. The beta consisted of three online multiplayer maps; "Blood Gracht" (small), "Radec Academy" (medium) and "Salamun Market" (large), with unlockable ranks and character classes ("badges"). Beta testers had their own statistics and have the ability to enter clan competitions. Beta access was private and thus could not be shared with other PlayStation Network accounts. Also, beta testers are tied with Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. by a non-disclosure agreement; therefore they were not allowed to reveal contents of the beta experience.

A demo card, granting access to a Killzone 2 demo, was also offered to those who pre-ordered the game at GameStop, and will be available for download on February 5, 2009.

Technical Information

The Killzone 2 beta version was displayed in high definition 720p, locked at 30 frames per second.

Michal Valient, a Senior Programmer at Guerrilla Games, presented details of their Killzone 2 game engine at a Developers Conference in July 2007. As with many other titles published by Sony Computer Entertainment, including LittleBigPlanet and inFamous, Killzone 2 uses a deferred rendering engine which enables far greater control over the game's characteristic lighting palette, while maximising processor throughput and limiting shader complexity. Other games to use similar approaches include Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto IV and GSC Game World's Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl. However, this approach does create some additional problems; notably with respect to anti-aliasing and transparencies. The former was solved using a MSAA Quincunx (multisample anti-aliasing) solution, and the latter by the addition of a standard forward rendering path.

Reception

Killzone 2 has met with early critical acclaim. Based on 13 reviews, Killzone 2 currently holds a Metacritic score of 95 and also 96% on Game Rankings. Among early reviews as following:

• 100 Playstation Official Magazine Australia
  I'll say it again: Killzone 2 is the best console first person shooter ever. It will be bested one day, and that is as it should be, but this game has set the proverbial bar so high we reckon it'll be the king for a good long while... Hail to the king, baby. [Feb 2009, p.66]
  
• 100 GamePro
  It took a long time for Killzone 2 to finally come out, but after diving head first into the game, there's no doubt in my mind that it lives up to the hype and is a must-play for FPS fans. [Mar 2009, p.70]
  
• 100 Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
  It's true that Killzone 2 is filled with moments that can handily be described as inspiring awe. Each scene is incredibly well detailed, from the gaps in jerry-rigged cover points letting you sneak in a killing headshot to scarred and scratched textures, the planet feels entirely believable... Without a doubt Killzone fans, action and shooter fans of any stripe will instantly tag this sequel as a powerful contender for best game of 2009. [Feb 2009, p.38]
  
• 100 Eurogamer Portugal
  Killzone 2 is without a doubt the high point for a project in videogaming. Believable, safe, coherent and above all, brilliant in its execution. A must-have for all those who love this art, especially for those in need of breathtaking experiences, where the different senses are laid on the table.
  
• 99 MEGamers
  Killzone 2fs secret ingredient is the fluidity in gameplay that we have come to enjoy more than its graphical prowess or jaw-dropping visuals. And thatfs what games have always been about... We're surprised to see Killzone 2 blows our expectations out of the water with a memorable SP campaign and a stellar MP component. To put it short, this game makes "Gears of War 2" look like a high school attempt at gaming and that is a HUGE compliment!
  
• 95 Meristation
  Killzone 2 rises from the ashes of the E3 2005 trailer to prove itself as even better; the most outstanding, immersive and technologically advanced first person shooter available for any console on the market. The dark and grim world created by Guerrilla hosts a crude conflict on Helghast soil, divided in 10 acts packed with a variety of situations portrayed with an epic tone. With a polished enemy AI, a huge multiplayer, a well balanced and powerful arsenal, 7.1 sound, great voice acting among some other strong points, few complaints can be made; only the lack of coop and some roughness in the allied AI. The rest is faithful and loyal to the promise Guerrilla made 4 years ago. Mission accomplished.
  
• 95 Gameplayer
  Killzone 2 is a stunning game best suited for FPS aficionados, rabid graphics whores, and all proud Ps3 owners in general. Guerrilla Games have stepped up to the plate and delivered very comparable results to gthat preview videoh that blew our collective minds in 2005. Using Guerrillafs proprietary edeferred rendering enginef Killzone 2 squeezes a lot more juice out of the Ps3 than anything wefve seen thus far.
  
• 95 InsideGamer.nl
  The great graphics, the very smart AI, the mind-blowing physics and the multiplayer mode you can play for months combined make Killzone 2 a true FPS-classic.
  
• 94 IGN
  The single-player experience is a truly enjoyable campaign across the Helghast home world that will test your skills, particularly on the higher difficulty levels, and the game simply looks phenomenal for a console shooter. But perhaps the strongest segment of the game is the extremely deep multiplayer, which gives seven basic classes with which you can create your own customized super-soldier after performing your class-specific duties.
  
• 90 IGN AU
  Outstanding. It is consistent in every respect and is testament to the talents of the developer as well as the power of the PS3 in the hands of a team that knows how to use the hardware - and who have the full support of Sony behind them. In the same stroke, it is not the be all and end all of console shooters, or even shooters on the PS3.
  
• 90 Playstation Official Magazine UK
  Visually it's so far ahead of anything else out there it shatters your expectations...This is a PS3 showing what it's truly capable of and delivering a landmark piece of explosive entertainment you can't afford to miss. [Feb 2009, p.88]
  
• 90 EuroGamer
  Killzone 2 is a taut and muscular game, a shooter that gives back more than you put in, provided you have the intestinal fortitude. It may take its time revealing its true depths and pleasures, but the journey is well worth taking. Between Killzone 2's unforgiving grit and Resistance 2's alien-bursting excess, the PS3 finally has both ends of the shooter spectrum covered in grand style.
  
• 90 Level7.nu
  Technically it's a masterpiece with unparalleled graphics. Online it's only beaten by "Call of Duty Modern Warfare." The campaign is a bit short, but there are some really impressive scenes that I just wished were longer. Overall it's one of the best games in recent years and the most impressive-looking game ever. [Review dated 1/29/09]

Killzone 2: An exclusive multiplayer guide from Guerilla Games


If you want to know the quickest way to rank up, the best way to maximise a class’s potential, or how to dominate each of the eight intricate maps that ships with Killzone 2, who better to ask then Eric Boltjes? As the Senior Online Designer of the game, Eric is the man responsible for creating the epic online component that we’ve been forsaking sleep for since the servers went live a week ago. He knows the inside tips to make your first hours more productive and less frustrating. Towards the end are a few nuggets that we’ve figured out over the last week of getting blown to Helghast and back, but in the meantime, it’s over to Eric!


What are the top 5 unlocks to help a new player rank up and progress the fastest:


1. Corpse Counter Medal. This is relatively easy to get and gives you loads of extra points when playing Bodycount.
2. Retrieval Corps Medal. Increases amount of points gained for returning a Search and Retrieve objective. Can be very lucrative.
3. Assassins League Medal. One kill, many points. Not too hard to get either.
4. Black Belt Medal. Melee kills are very impressive and fun to do. This medal increases your satisfaction by giving you extra points while doing them.
5. Example Soldier Medal. This lets you start with more ammunition when you spawn, enabling you to fight longer and kill more bad guys.


In 50 words or less, tell our readers how to maximise the ability of each class
to rain pure terror and pain upon the battlefield.


1. Assault - Boost is your best friend. Save it for when you need it the most. Remember, boost also instantly starts your health regeneration, so using it in a fire fight not only allows you to dodge bullets, it also makes you feel better. A definite edge over your opponent.
2. Medic - Throw a couple of medkits at the area you are going to defend, even when you do not need them yet. This lets you pick them up as you fight, so you can concentrate on aiming and living longer during the fight.
3. Engineer - Repairing is easier than killing, so try and focus on this. Run around the level, locate enemy ammunition boxes and emplaced weapons, destroy them and repair them for your team. You help your team out, with the added bonus of scoring points.
4. Saboteur - Proximity mines are best placed around mission objectives; on top of a Search and Retrieve return location of the enemy; around a Capture and Hold area; on the Search and Destroy locations. Players are usually so pre-occupied with doing the missions, they forget to check for mines.
5. Scout - Spot and Mark as much as possible. The ability is quick and recharges quickly too, so why not use it? It helps you detect targets from really far away, relays them to your friends and helps you snipe them. Win, win, win!
6. Tactician - The best place to throw a Spawn Grenade is not right next to an objective but in a room next to it. This prevents spawn camping as well as giving your team mates a breather before they have to start shooting.


What are “Eric’s Top Five Tips for Not Becoming a Hunk of Bleeding Meat” when playing KZ2?


1. Think before you spawn; check the spawn camera and make sure you don't spawn in the middle of a rocket-fest.
2. Create squads in the pre-game lobby; squads give you an enormous edge over your opponent and creating them as early as possible is key.
3. Stay mortally wounded when you are the Assassination target as long as possible; you can still win the mission when you are in this state!
4. Reload as much as possible; if you have a few seconds, reload! It might save your life...
5. Achieving mission objectives gives more points than killing enemies, especially if you win the round. It should be your focus at all times! (Yes, we’ve bolded this one, as 98.7% of online players are currently forgetting this fact)


We love your maps Eric (even if we keep ending up as nothing more
than a red smear underneath a pile of garbage). We’re running out of space though – give us a one sentence tip on each map to convert us mere mortals into gods amongst Killzone men.


1. Phyrrus Rise - Sniper heaven - pick the scout, a nice spot and snipe away.
2. Salamun Market - Best stay off the main street. The alleyways provide much more cover and concealment.
3. Helghan Industries - High ground is your friend. Get to the higher floors and rain down the pain!
4. Visari Hammer - He who controls the central courtyard, controls the level. Try and keep a presence here at all times.
5. Radec Academy - The courtyard might be fun to frag in, strategically it isn't that important. Focus on the library and the classroom!
6. Tharsis Depot - Same as Helghan Industries; high ground is your best bet!
7. Blood Gracht - Placing a spawn point on the higher walkways in the middle area gives you access to everything really quickly.
8. Corinth Crossing - If you control the highest layer of the bridge, you can control the whole map! Place a spawn point there!


So there you have Eric’s top tips, but what about ours?
Here are our top 5 tips for new players, based on getting our butts kicked for the last week.


1. Slow down. This is not COD4. You will die quickly and messily if you run straight towards the nearest bang-bang noises. Take your time, and slowly approach from a different angle than the front line. The bad guys will never notice as you pick them off from the side. Explore the maps – there are plenty of side paths to help you get through that turret-infested chokepoint.
2. The best class for racking up kills is the basic Assault, armed with a light machine gun or shotty. This is especially true for close quarters combat, when you’re fighting so close you can small the helg-burgers on the breath of those red, beady-eyed bastards.
3. Buy a headset, but turn your mic sensitivity down. It’s amazing how few people have PS3 headsets, and those that do have them set up incorrectly. A single 4-man squad operating with clear voice comms can be the decisive factor in a 32-man battle.
4. Learn the controls. Stop whinging about how they suck, and spend some time practicing them. You’ll soon realise that they’re awesome, challenging, and change up the entire pace of the game, actually making it easier for smart noobies to survive. They make the game a little bit less about how much of an ADHD Twitch freak you are, and more about whether you plan out your strategies like an AK-wielding Kasparov.
5. Look up and down. Killzone 2 brings a verticality to multiplayer that we haven’t seen since...well, since forever. The maps are multi-tiered beasties that demand you to keep your eyes pointed skyward, lest a nasty scout take pot shots at you from above.

Source: http://games.on.net/article/5133/Killzone_..._Guerilla_Games

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