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 Killzone
3 (Playstation 3)
The much-anticipated Killzone 3 delivers the FPS action players have come
to expect from Guerilla's highly-polished series. It once again takes
place on the forbidding planet of Heighan, home of an evil race of aliens.
The objective this time is to eliminate as many of them as possible while
demolishing their ability to invade Earth. There are a few new twists this
time around, with the ability to control tanks, fight new Heighast foes
and some expansive levels the highlights of the gameplay. The game also
breaks new ground with its support of the Move controller and its 3D
effects. Look inside and find out why Killzone 3 is a fairly solid solo
game that features exciting set-pieces, decent multiplayer support and viscerally
exciting gameplay. |
Killzone 3 is the latest FPS title in the
long-running series from SCEA and Guerilla Games and brings with it much
lower expectations. The last Killzone was weighed down by hype, but this
edition seems to have flown in a bit under-the-radar this time around.
However, there are a number of impressive features that make the game
stand out from the pack. You can tell that the developers have put a lot
of work into refining the gameplay in the way that it borrows from other
titles while still retaining much of what made the first two games so
appealing. You'll see elements of Call of Duty, Gears of War and other
shooters, but this is still very much its own game. As in the previous
games, players are once again battling the evil Heighast, who have been
bruised by the events in their last epic battle. As a member of the SEE
forces from Earth, you mission is to wipe them out while trying to escape
the enemy planet. Killzone 3's missions unfold in some fairly epic
environments and the action unfolds at a breakneck pace. The game is
relentless in the sheer number and intensity of enemies it throws at you.
As in many recent shooting games, the main character can take damage, and
the screen fills with blood. Instead of having to search for medkits,
players merely need to stay out of the line of fire for a few moments and
they'll regenerate health automatically. If they come under very heavy
fire, and fall down, they can be revived by a nearby ally if they're close
enough. This makes it difficult to actually die during the game, but there
are plenty of save points that make progression consistent. Killzone 3 is
surprisingly accessible from this standpoint, and players new to the
series will probably find it very easy to get into, even if they've only
played more mainstream FPS titles in the past.
The single-player campaign mode offers a
good mix between standard ground combat operations and more interesting
vehicular missions. Standard combat consists of moving through levels,
finding cover and aiming at enemies. Players have a decent selection of
weapons to choose from in KZ3 including machine guns, assault rifles,
grenades, sniper weapons and the usual selection of grenades. Learning to
fire from cover involves ducking behind objects and peeking out to fire at
opponents. The game's structure in these sections is fairly
straight-forward and most players should have little trouble mastering its
controls. The Heighast are a fairly aggressive foe and will stop at
nothing to impede your progress. They usually attack in large numbers and
their sophisticated AI means they're skilled at taking cover and flanking,
so you need to be on your guard. Most of the Heighast you face early on
should be familiar to players, but there are some new foes in the game as
well. The most dangerous of these are the new genetically enhanced ones,
who charge right at the player, take much less damage and inflict a
vicious stabbing move at close range that's difficult to defend. Its
definitely a twist to the previous games' style and a bit of an unexpected
move that makes combat much more personal this time around. You'll also
encounter a number of other environmental obstacles throughout the game,
which include massive ships that fire on your team and massive mechs that
crush anything in their way. Later stages bring other challenges, such as
sniper missions, stealth modes and other innovative sections. The game's
single player campaign is quite impressive in terms of its pacing and
style which makes it a satisfying experience that delivers the intense
action Killzone has created consistently.
From a technical standpoint, Killzone 3
excels in most areas. The play mechanics are quite polished and feel quite
smooth. There's a small learning curve when switching between the standard
weapons and more sophisticated ones like the sniper rifles, but most
players shouldn't have much trouble with the interface. Using the standard
controller is probably going to be the default choice for most games, and
the game's commands are mapped effectively for the standard controller.
More adventurous gamers may want to try using the Move controller, which
brings motion control to the battlefield. Its not a necessary feature, but
it should add to the game's sense of immersion, especially with the
navigation controller accessory. By most standards, the FPS gameplay is
solid and engaging, with challenging enemies and interesting level maps.
However, the game throws a few curves at players as well. One of the more
impressive aspects of the game is that it allows you to control and
command a variety of vehicles such as tanks and mechs as you progress
through the missions. Controlling these is quite simple and you shouldn't
have much trouble, though you need to be on completely aware, since
enemies fire on you from all directions. These mini-games are well-spaced
in the game, and while they provide a respite from the main ground
battles, they don't overstay their welcome or hurt the game's overall
momentum. Kiilzone 3's campaign mode is well-executed and delivers an
exciting, visceral solo gaming experience. As you'd expect, it's a bit
narrow in scope with a linear narrative that doesn't offer many branching
options. In order to extend its life, Guerilla has implemented an
impressive multiplayer suite that includes several unique modes and
functions.
 One
of the more interesting aspects of online play is the fact that your
character can be upgraded and earn new skills during matches. You begin at
the bottom rung, but can add additional abilities such as speed and
accuracy by winning matches. Players can also choose different specialties
and teams for their online character. When it comes to gameplay, we found
the online mode offered just as much detail as the solo game, with some
incredibly challenging maps and missions that do an excellent job in
bringing the solo game to life online. As you'd expect, there are several
types of online modes. The most basic of Killzone 3's online modes is
Guerilla Warfare, where the objective is to kill as many opposing forces
as you can. It's basically a deathmatch mode and is nicely done. Players
can also compete in the Warzone, which implements several types of
missions. These include Assassination, where you have to take out a
specific target, Search and Destroy, where you have to obliterate a
certain objective and the traditional flag mode, where you have to take
over and hold onto certain areas. Playing through the various online modes
has advantages, which can help you in the solo game, with increased skills
you learn in this mode allowing you to make quick work of AI opponents.
Overall, it's a great addition to the game that definitely adds to its
replay value.
As mentioned earlier, the game displays
a high-degree of polish in its overall presentation. There are huge
massive set-pieces on the aline world of Heighan, ranging from burned-out
cities overrun by squalor and destruction, surreal jungles filled with
deadly fauna and plants, and desolate frozen sections. This gives the game
a very polished look throughout, with an impressive scale that brings the
huge massive battle between two huge forces to life in vivid fashion. The
game runs at a consistently smooth frame rate throughout and there is
little in the way of slowdown, despite the sheer intensity of action on
the screen. Like the previous titles in the series, Guerilla has
definitely pushed the PS3's hardware to its limits. Killzone 3's backstory
is fairly interesting in the way that it unfolds from different
perspectives, allowing you to see the war from both sides of the battle.
These cinematic sequences do an excellent job in helping to immerse the
player into the action. Killzone 3 is definitely one of the best looking
titles on the PS3 in standard HD mode, but the title also supports 3D
televisions and functions. Unfortunately, we weren't able to test this
mode ourselves, but the game definitely looks great in 2D.
It would be easy to dismiss Killzone 3
as just another FPS title, but the game delivers an exciting and
impressive experience that makes it worthwhile. Its epic scale and intense
battles make it a viscerally exciting title that brings players right in
the middle of an incredible battle between two races. The backstory is
somewhat interesting and it helps to keep players motivated. The game's
mechanics and controls are superb using the standard controller, and some
of the battles can be quite intense. It's single player campaign, while a
little bit linear definitely offers a surprisingly interesting experience
with its standard missions combining with vehicular sequences to offer
plenty of variety. Killzone 3 borrows elements from other FPS titles,
through its cover system and regenerative health, along with its extended
cut-scenes which give it cinematic flair. The solid gameplay is definitely
exciting with an engaging single-player campaign complimented by a robust
online mode that brings many modes along with character enhancements.
While it may not revolutionize the FPS genre, Killzone 3 is a
highly-polished, engaging shooter that offers a solid gameplay experience
that most gamers won't want to miss.
-
Michael Palisano
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