In a year when seemingly every new release is a sequel, it’s tough to get excited about some upcoming games. Some sequels fail to capture the magic of their predecessors, while others outshine them. Killzone 3, by Guerrilla Games, is a first-person shooter sequel to the smash 2009 hit Killzone 2. Does it rise to meet the challenge? Or does it belong on the bottom of your already towering sequel pile?
Killzone 3 takes place in the immediate aftermath of Killzone 2. Despite the crushing blow dealt to the Helghast, the ISA find themselves losing the war on Helghan. Their retreat is proving more difficult than they imagined, as new weapon technology has made the Helghast army deadlier than before. You assume control of Sev as he fights his way across Helghan, killing every Helghast soldier who gets in his way. The game also features online multiplayer with five classes from which to choose, including Engineer, Tactician and Marksman. Each class has its own unique abilities, and features new abilities and skills that you can add as you rank up.
Picture from Killzone 3 PS3 reviewKillzone 3 features controls similar to the updated controls of Killzone 2. The turning is quick and the weight from the last game is gone. In addition to the traditional controls, Killzone 3 is also Playstation Move compatible (with the navigation controller). The game features a simple calibration process and allows for more customization by letting you alter your character’s turn speed and movement dead zones. The motion controllers can be used by themselves, or they can be inserted into the Sharp Shooter gun attachment. Motion controls can be used in all aspects of the game, including the campaign and multiplayer.
Killzone 3 is visually impressive, and includes a 3D option for compatible TVs. The music and sound effects do a great job of capturing the feeling of the game, greatly enhancing the experience. The motion controls handle extremely well and are incredibly fun to use. Melee kills are more exciting this time around, and the enemy AI keeps the game challenging.
Picture from Killzone 3 PS3 reviewWhile the 3D setting works well, I found that while playing in 3D, the graphics suffered a bit, particularly in the cutscenes. There were a few instances when a sound would repeat over and over again for several minutes. This usually happened after someone yelled something, which would leave me hearing “Go get ‘em, Sev!” on a seemingly infinite loop. The campaign allows for split screen, but you can’t play through the campaign online with a friend. Also, you can’t play in split screen against bots. These strange multiplayer omissions tarnish an otherwise great multiplayer experience.
Killzone 3 is a great sequel and a fantastic shooter. The story could’ve used a little more work, but the battles are intense and the addition of Move support helps make the game a blast to play. Online play is fun, and ranking up the various classes will keep you busy for a long time.
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