From Helghan with Hate - Short review of Killzone 2

Killzone 2 has been a fervently anticipated game when it was unveiled at E3 four years ago. The game was hyped to such a point that it was perceived it wouldn’t live up to its high expectations. Four years later and an average score of 9 out of 10, Killzone 2 has delivered a ferocious masterpiece of a FPS.

No magnum opus comes without its flaws and Killzone 2 is no exception, although in the grander scheme these issues are negligible. The controller configuration is slightly awkward and does require some compromise. The AI can at times be anything but ‘Intelligent’. In heated fire fights the NPC’s occasionally get in your line of sight as well as constantly being in need of a medic. Some of the voice acting is weak which doesn’t add depth to its on screen character, the only exceptions being Brian Cox and Sean Pertwee as Emperor Visari and Genreal Radec.

However what Killzone 2 does get right amidst its beautiful graphics, excellent sound and jaw dropping set pieces, is an unrivalled FPS experience. Despite not bringing anything new to this genre, it does set the benchmark which future FPS games should aspire to. The game takes place on a war torn planet known as Helghan. The graphics beautifully capture the gritty essence of the brutality that unfolds on the screen. The washed out colours may seem bland and dull to some but this further highlights and portrays Helghan’s battle-damaged environment.

The orchestral score of Killzone 2 creates the atmosphere of the game whilst the 7.1 digital surround sound enhances it. Distant skirmishes can be heard in the rear speakers creating a feeling that you are a small part of something much bigger. All of the weapons have a realistic sound when fired and being fired upon which encourages you to take cover in the frantic fire fights.

The storyline is not compelling but it’s also not unconvincing. The narrative can be rewarding if you pay attention to it. On the contrary you could completely ignore it and just play the game. Whichever way you look at it, you’re not detracted from the gameplay elements. Killzone 2 has replay value thanks to the various difficulties, the trophies system and the hidden intel files. The multiplayer further adds to the games longevity which is welcomed by most FPS genre fans.

Killzone 2 delivers on all fronts and achieves what most games cannot, living up to and surpassing all expectations. You will not be disappointed with this game.

The Game of Greed: Game Content and Expansion Packs

How often do you re-visit a game that you have completed many times before? How frequently do you wish for a sequel to your favourite game?

In today’s games market you no longer have to wait years for a possible sequel or tirelessly replay a game over and over again. Game developers can now deliver game expansions to existing titles through the Xbox Live and the Playstation Store Network. Depending on the popularity of a title, certain games can be extended by additional levels and new storylines.

This is certainly a step towards the right direction; however it does come with its flaws. Game developers now have a tendency to churn out games at an alarming rate whilst relying on delivering patches and fixes via the network after its release. The games are made public in a hurry and have a lot of bugs and glitches which will require patches and fixes. Another problem with this approach is how much value for money consumers actually get. You pay around £50 for a game that you can finish under 10 hours. A few months later the developers release new levels, suits, and weapons etc for the game that you need to pay for.

My question is, shouldn’t these have been included in the game in the first place?

I can fully understand when developers like Bioware (Mass Effect, 50+ hours of gameplay) release new levels to intensify the longevity of their game. Not only do you get value for money but you can also enjoy newer levels and storylines. Contradictory to this approach, there are games that are very short in duration. After being released, new content that should have been included in the final product go live on the network and are available for purchase at around £10 on top of the original £40/50 already paid.

I find this not only disgraceful on the developer’s part but also inconsiderate towards gamers. I appreciate that creating games is a business but a line has to be drawn; otherwise consumers will be paying for games that last no longer than 6-7 hours. I do believe in quality over quantity but there needs to be a balance. I also think that gamers need to get value for money when they are paying around £4.00 for a suit that does nothing other than aesthetically look good.

Games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band are releasing new songs EVERY week for around £3.00 a song which is quiet steep when compared to iTunes store of £0.99p per song. If a game is built on this model, where you can purchase new content on a weekly basis, then at least make it more affordable. I strongly believe in supporting films and games that I like but when the costs are a little too vast, it makes me wonder whether my support is even needed.