[PS3] Killzone 3 Review

[Psykoboy2]

Killzone 3 Review

Title: Killzone 3
Platform: Playstation 3
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Publisher: Sony
ESRB Rating: Mature
MSRP: $59.99 PS3
Editor: Scott "Psykoboy2" Benton

What's Hot: Looks beautiful and has some great sound effects and music. The multiplayer is the easiest I've ever jumped into and had success with; for an FPS.

What's Not: Everything else. The single player is completely throw away except for a moment or two and the story is nothing you'll remember or care about. The multiplayer lacks quite a bit of options and still needs a few more updates.

Look, I’ll just go ahead and get this out of the way now. Killzone 3 feels rushed and incomplete. I realize it’s been 2 years since Killzone 2 and that’s plenty of time to get things right, but this game has issues and I’m only talking about the single player campaign.

Killzone 3 picks up right where Killzone 2 left off. Seriously…it’s taken directly from the end scene of Killzone 2 and just goes with it. The story’s not going to win any awards nor will you care very much as to it’s existence, but I’ll do my best to lay it out for you anyway:

After the events of Killzone 2, Helghan is left in shambles, both physically and politically. Admiral Orlock of the Helghan army is at odds with a military industrialist – the main baddy of Killzone 3 – Jordan Stahl. While neither of the men desires peace of any kind with the ISA, Stahl is more of that “mad with power” type of guy and wants complete and total domination regardless of how he gets it. This part of the story, the infighting and bickering between these two men, was actually the most interesting I found. And I enjoyed every cut scene where I was shown a little more of their tale.

It ultimately comes down to stopping the Helghan army and while trying to do so more plot points are revealed and a greater sense of why you are doing this comes to light.

None of this really matters though since you don’t really care about the story. And that’s mainly because you are pulled out of it so often with a number of issues – most involving the cut scenes. During many of the cut scenes I experienced a number of audio dropouts. I could see mouths moving on the characters but no dialogue was being given. And who knows, during times when I didn’t see characters mouths moving, I did experience very one sided conversations at times and at others only silence with the background effects. Oddly enough, none of these happened with the cut scenes involving the side story of the two main enemies I mentioned earlier, but only with the ISA side of things.

Another issue with the cut scenes was a few continuity inconsistencies. It’s a small mark, but if I’m all bundled up in snow gear during one scene and my regular ISA gear in another, then back to my snow gear in yet another….just keep it consistent, please. Again, it’s a small mark but in the context of the part of the game I am speaking of (trying to stay away from spoilers here), it was kind of glaring.

I experienced a few glitches during gameplay as well. These consisted of a couple of instances of clipping issues in which some of the jetpack baddies would fly through objects. I also experienced the occasional slow down and texture rendering, but only about two or three instances of each and none that were during massively important moments. In other words, it didn’t get me killed.

As for the gameplay, it’s standard FPS fare here and nothing too amazing sticks out in general. The new brutal melee moves are a nice treat when you can pull them off, but instead of getting in a one hit kill, 90% of the time I would just kick the guy, knocking him to the ground, or turn him around – both instances requiring me to shoot him after. There are some great epic moments and fights, but way too few of them. I can only seriously recall one, now that I think about it, and it comes pretty far into the game. Regardless, there isn’t a single section of Killzone 3 that tops the train level of Killzone 2. The weapons are varied but you’ll mainly stick to the default weapon you are given at the beginning of the game or the Helghast version of that same weapon. Although, later in the game, you’ll run across a few fun guns you’ll wish you’d had earlier on.

The single player side of the game will probably take you all of 6 to 7 hours to complete. It’s quick. It actually feels faster than that and could be for some folks. The ending is as rewarding as it needs to be for a story that doesn’t matter. And if you are looking for some epic boss battle here, look elsewhere. All of this goes back to my opening words of this game feeling rushed.

As for feeling incomplete, that’s where the multiplayer steps in. It’s fun, no doubt, and will give the majority of this game its score, but it has its problems as well. The gameplay of the multiplayer feels solid. I’ve actually got nothing bad to say about that. It’s everything around it that gives me frustration.

For starters, the options are lacking. There are 3 game types to choose from. Guerilla Warfare is straight up team deathmatch. There are a set number of kills to reach and whichever team hits that number first wins. Then there’s Warzone. It consists of a series of matches with each round giving you a new team based objective. Finally, you have a new game type called Operations. This game type pretty much just wraps a bit of a story around the match.

That’s it. That’s all you get.

Sadly, I have yet to experience either of the latter two game modes since I could never connect. Either an error of the world being full would come up or I’d get in but the game would hang during the loading screen or it would just freeze altogether forcing a restart of the system.

Another mark against the multiplayer is its lack of matchmaking options. I mean, you can create a clan, and that’s nice, but you can’t sit in a lobby with your clan and talk. The only options you get when selecting the game types are what maps you prefer. Maybe that goes towards the fact that you can just jump in and compete, but once you actually put some time in and start making headway with the rankings, you begin to want a little more choice in your variety. There’s plenty of room for improvement here with patches and updates, but as it stands now, the multiplayer is surviving on its gameplay alone. Which, to me, isn’t really enough to sustain it.

What bit of the multiplayer I did have a chance to play, I enjoyed and ranked up quite nicely, in fact. I didn't think I'd be able to do very well without the help of some team mates and the total lack of communication, but the experience was wonderful and I actually felt like I was doing well and that showed in the end match rankings. Very satisfactory. There are many different classes to choose from and each of them has skills and perks you can unlock along the way.

As for the overall experience, the game looks great and the music and audio (the effects, mind you) are extremely stellar. The surround sound works wonderfully and shook my windows during parts. I can’t comment on the Move controls since I don’t own that peripheral.

However, I did play the entire single player campaign in 3D. If you have the ability and don’t have issues viewing 3D images then by all means give it a go. I enjoyed the whole 3D experience aside from some ghosting seen during a few cut scenes. It mainly provides depth but some of the “reach out through your TV” moments did occur and those should be easy to spot playing in 3D or not, actually. In fact, the main menu is a good example of that.

Score: 3 out of 5 CoGs


Scott says, "Let Killzone 2 end where it did and forget the single player portion of this one. Get it for the multiplayer and hope for many an update to really bring that part of the game up to its full potential."

[menage]

Expected as much, not getting this even if it's budget.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

If you have not played Warzone, you have not really experienced Killzone's MP. It's a shame about your connection issues, but Warzone is what the MP is designed around.

For those unaware, Warzone is a mode where the game puts you on a map (2 teams) and randomly throws 1 of the 7 game types at you for a brief period (4-5 minutes). After a game type is over, a new game type is selected and you just keep rolling until all 7 modes have been played (assassination attack/defend, capture and hold, capture the flag variant, search and destroy attack/defend, and team deathmatch) and the team with the most wins out of 7 is the overall winner.

It keeps things moving around the map constantly and really requires team play which is why I like it so much, and bums me out that more games haven't copied it.

I also think that the single player is a fun romp that has a poor story. I don't think the story detracts from the game however. Killzone's AI remains very good and is fun to fight against.

EDIT: Operations mode in MP is basically an objective mode on the bigger maps that requires teams to work together to open more areas of the map while the other team tries to prevent that. Kind of like a smaller rush mode.

[Dukefrukem]

You have a 3DTV Setup?

[carnage11]

This on a huge screen in 3D with the Sharpshooter, sounds like A LOT of fun. I really hope someday it all gets affordable enough to where I can afford it. Or rather I get rich enough to afford it all. I look forward to the future of gaming.

[digitalErich]

Warzone sounds like a simplified version of Section 8's MP. I know that was a love it or hate it game, but you have to admit the design of the MP meta-gameplay was really slick. I'm glad another game is picking up on it.

I haven't played the first two games, but was thinking about picking this one up, espeically if Move really makes a difference. Anyone here played this with Move, yet?

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by TheEpicOfTyler

If you have not played Warzone, you have not really experienced Killzone's MP. It's a shame about your connection issues, but Warzone is what the MP is designed around.

Well, I am by no means done with the multiplayer. It's actually fun to play, but I tried a number of times to connect to the other two game modes without any luck.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Dukefrukem

You have a 3DTV Setup?

That I do.

[Dukefrukem]

What kind of technology is that?

[Psykoboy2]

Mits 75 inch LaserVue DLP

[Wilkz07]

you forgot to add in your review "Skip this and play Bulletstorm".

i didn't like KZ2 becuase it kept constant 'loading' text popup when you'd go into a new area and took away from the feel of a fluid game. skipping KZ3

[Vanthar]

It's a shame you couldn't put more time in Warzone. It's probably my favorite gametype in any multiplayer shooter.

Otherwise I agree with the review, though I would probably go 4/5 because I am willing to look past bad single player campaigns in these games since they end up being about 5% of my playtime.

[OldJadedGamer]

How about the new fixed controls?

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Originally Posted by Wilkz07

you forgot to add in your review "Skip this and play Bulletstorm".

i didn't like KZ2 becuase it kept constant 'loading' text popup when you'd go into a new area and took away from the feel of a fluid game. skipping KZ3

You're recommending people skip Killzone 3 because of something that's in Killzone 2? Without having played Killzone 3?

Logical.

[fitbabits]

It's not all bad, Killzone fans - the official PlayStation magazine awarded Killzone 3 a perfect 10 and a Gold Award. I read the review while on the potty earlier and the review and setting sat rather nicely together.

Here is the summary paragraph:

Originally Posted by PlayStation the Official Magazine

Considering the exceptional level of scrutiny, polish, and care evident in every aspect of Killzone 3's gameplay and presentation, it's easy to see that Guerilla Games and its franchise are at the top of their game. The blade shines brightly and with a razor's edge; the time for killing is here.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Vanthar

Otherwise I agree with the review, though I would probably go 4/5 because I am willing to look past bad single player campaigns in these games since they end up being about 5% of my playtime.

The multi is the backbone of this game....and probably a lot of other essential body parts as well. The single player would be like...the tonsils. And likely the score would have gone up a half point to a point had I connected to those other game modes and gotten some time with them. Maybe I'll revisit this after another patch or two and give it another go.

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

How about the new fixed controls?

I don't remember Killzone 2 enough to tell you how new or fixed the controls are. They work, and I got used to them, but I can remember wanting a different layout at the start. However, they didn't provide me the option I wanted (and I can't remember exactly what that was), so I made due with what was there and got comfortable with them rather quickly.

[TrackZero]

Originally Posted by fitbabits

It's not all bad, Killzone fans - the official PlayStation magazine awarded Killzone 3 a perfect 10 and a Gold Award. I read the review while on the potty earlier and the review and setting sat rather nicely together.

Here is the summary paragraph:

Heh, *insert sarcasm here*. Oh OPM, you'd never steer us wrong....

[Phades]

Sorry.... I can't get past the 75 inch DLP.. Just....... why?!?!?

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Phades

Sorry.... I can't get past the 75 inch DLP.. Just....... why?!?!?

What do you game on?

[Phades]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

What do you game on?

58 inch Plasma. I'm just giving you crap because I remember listening to them giving you crap on the podcast..... and I'm jealous.