Metareview -- Killzone 2
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jan 29th 2009 at 5:00PM } 
Whether or not it was a good idea for reviews to hit this early is debatable (we may have to consider a second metareview closer to the late February launch), but at least the first critics appear to have positive things to say about Killzone 2:
- GamePro (100/100): "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."
- IGN (94/100): "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."
- IGN AU (90/100): "End line, Killzone 2 is, by IGN's definition, 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 - but if you've read this far and you're one of the Killzone devout, you probably won't care anyway. You can rest easy knowing it was ultimately worth the wait."
- Eurogamer (90/100): "This is a methodical shooter that makes few concessions to those not already interested in its single-minded approach to cover-based military action. I've compared it to Rainbow Six in the past, but it also calls to mind F.E.A.R, another tough tactical effort that was often misunderstood by those expecting a frag-happy spook hunt. 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."
Curious about Killzone 2? Check out our ridiculously informative FAQ, featuring everything from button layout to release date to Trophies to multiplayer analysis, and more! And if that don't do it for ya? Then proceed directly to our hands-on preview of the single-player campaign.Oh, and stay tuned for our official review coming next week!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Lionbacker steamID: detfan1957 @ Jan 30th 2009 5:12PM
But I thought R2 got good reviews? Lemme check...
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/resistance2
Oh. 87 metascore. I guess you're right. I still like it though...
Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:03PM
Shazbot!
Them's some good numbers... mmm hmmm
Markez (Rubberband Banjo till Death) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:11PM
*NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM*
I know it seems to be pretty immaterial to most at times, but what is the storyline of the game? I'm not familiar with the 1st one. I enjoyed the story in the Darkness a great deal, as well as the two GoW games (yes, I'm serious), so I likes me some FPS with a cool narrative.
Also, shazbot? A curse word from Mork n' Mindy? I just can't figure out if I should vote you up or down for that :P
Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:13PM
No.
No.
I don't... DANCE!!!
Shazbot.
Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:15PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killzone_2#Story
slycooper_rocker [psn:slycooper_rocker] @ Jan 29th 2009 5:20PM
they are great numbers but the fact that ign gave resistance 2 a better score than killzone 2 scares me a bit. i'm still getting it anyways so i shouldn't complain until i play it myself.
Noshino @ Jan 29th 2009 5:34PM
Markez, its actually deeper than many other shooters out there....
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=killzone2&thread.id=46459
that's pretty much all there is too it, although there still so info to be unlocked
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, Ultrastiq Revolutionary) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:35PM
Allow me to summarize *OMG EPIC SPOILERZ MANEUVER*: You are a marine. You are in space. You shoot aliens. THE END
Maverick Saturn @ Jan 29th 2009 5:36PM
Lol, wasn't it MTV or something that gave 50 Cent Blood in the sand a better score then Killzone, I dunno which reviewers to trust, so its best not to trust any of them, lol
Nomi @ Jan 29th 2009 6:14PM
Actually Moptimus, its humans vs humans. Same people, one side just has a bad case of mutation....
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, Ultrastiq Revolutionary) @ Jan 29th 2009 6:36PM
I didn't mean alien as in ET, I meant alien as in foreign, since if I remember correctly, the Helghast are from a totally different planet right?
SuperGayParade @ Jan 29th 2009 6:37PM
TRIBES 2 OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
required @ Jan 29th 2009 6:49PM
They are good numbers.
Thing is, this is not a "metareview" it is a trio review.
Joystiq needs to redo.
The_Punisher @ Jan 29th 2009 9:19PM
@Maverick Saturn
That was MAXIM
Considering i usually agree with the opposite of what MAXIM says, this game is going to be amazing! (It will be anyway)
Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Jan 29th 2009 10:06PM
only ONE person got the Tribes reference? Sheesh
Maverick Saturn @ Jan 29th 2009 11:38PM
Thats it, Maxim :D Cheers!
Vcize @ Jan 30th 2009 10:28AM
Tribes!
Best. Game. Ever.
Professor Lario @ Jan 29th 2009 5:04PM
It will be interesting to see how the first metareview compares to the second...
Brucie_K @ Jan 29th 2009 5:06PM
Exactly the same, is my prediction.
High 9's and perfect 10's.
BananaBoat @ Jan 29th 2009 5:12PM
There is a lot of animosity left over from the fake CGI trailer and the first game being mediocre. I'd expect that to weigh on some reviewers minds. a 90 average seems plausible, with the ceiling somewhere around 96ish. Not that metacritic scores should matter, but whatever.
Whatever the score, I haven't played anything on my PS3 since Valkyria Chronicles, so I'll be checking out KZ2 regardless.
Professor Lario @ Jan 29th 2009 5:16PM
I agree Brucie - it looks great, but will the exclusive reviewers rate the game similarly as the rest of the world? I am not so sure.
Brucie_K @ Jan 29th 2009 5:19PM
Sony has clearly put its eyes on this game. It's more than likely going to be a system-seller.
Haggard @ Jan 29th 2009 5:23PM
Plenty of games have misleading CG trailers.
jarhead906 @ Jan 29th 2009 5:27PM
@ BananaBoat, Haggard:
How was the 2005 trailer 'fake'? The trailer was meant to show some very early concept ideas for Killzone 2 and also to boost the hype train for the PS3's capabilities (unknown at the time).
I don't believe anyone outright said that the trailer shown was 'in-game'. If you couldn't tell that the footage was pure CG then, well, I'm sorry.
Sir Buzz Killington( The Artist formerly known as Jakka) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:33PM
Except that the problem was Sony was mis/quoted to be saying that the trailer was real in-game footage.
You may obviously realize that the sky isn't purple just because I'm telling you it is, but that doesn't make me any less of a liar.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 29th 2009 5:35PM
jarhead906 Nop it was pretty much to gain attention but that doesn't matters anymore because it roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooxxxxxxxxx.
343 Guilty Fart @ Jan 29th 2009 5:41PM
Well, the second metareview won't come until after KZ2 gets pulled at the last second due to some offensive something-or-other, then it'll actually release late March, and then you'll get your next metareview.
AkaMagi @ Jan 29th 2009 5:42PM
Jarhead
You're wrong. Jack Tretton did indeed claim that the KZ2 E3 2005 trailer was realtime. Or more specifically he said "That's real gameplay everyone is seeing out there"
You can even hear him say it yoursel if you scroll all the way to the bottom and select the "G4TV E3 2005 Jack Tretton" interview.
http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/748/748475/vids_1.html
Haggard @ Jan 29th 2009 5:54PM
"Real battles that actually took place in Ancient Japan"
...
"So here's a giant enemy crab"
Sora @ Jan 29th 2009 6:01PM
"It's more than likely going to be a system-seller."
Considering that this was said about LBP and MGS4 as well, and, even though this game looks much better than those two, I'd have to see it to believe it.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 29th 2009 6:10PM
@Sora........LBP IS a System seller in countries where it is Bundled that way.......
and MGS4 damn sure WAS/IS a system Seller it moved over a Million Units Globally.........
eNrique @ Jan 30th 2009 12:26AM
"the first game being mediocre. I'd expect that to weigh on some reviewers minds"
So are implying that the game should receive lower scores because the 1st one was mediocre???
Well...
"It's more than likely going to be a system-seller."
"Considering that this was said about LBP and MGS4 as well, and, even though this game looks much better than those two, I'd have to see it to believe it."
You know, MGS4 was ACTUALLY system seller.
Just saying
rNilla @ Jan 29th 2009 5:05PM
Looking forward to this. It's crazy that reviews are out nearly a full month before the game is released.
ill trooper @ Jan 29th 2009 5:09PM
It's been a long time coming but maybe the time will serve the game well - more PS3s out there now, more people looking for another big game to play as Gears and CoD:WaW lose that 'new-car' smell.
Looking forward to this one...
Duke @ Jan 29th 2009 5:09PM
Now, here you go, for those who were saying there was no reason to get excited for this game and it was all a bunch of baseless hype - you seem to be proven wrong. How the heck can anyone not be excited to get this game? Wait, don't answer that!
WRE @ Jan 29th 2009 5:13PM
I am totally excited for this game, but we all know what's going to happen in about 4 months, don't we? Just look at GTAIV if you don't know what I'm talking about.
JerJer @ Jan 29th 2009 5:22PM
I like the numbers but the text....you see the TEXT hints at something far less time tested and long lasting. Like a jolly rancher. DO WANT but whether or not I swallow it, it's going to dissolve in my mouth eventually :(
Anyway, long story short, discrepancies in text and numbers make me wary still
Duke @ Jan 29th 2009 5:47PM
I'm an idiot because YOU think a game that got good scores doesn't deserve them, even though YOU have never played it.
Yeah, you couldn't be the true fucking moron around here.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:50PM
"Just look at GTAIV if you don't know what I'm talking about"
You mean praising the game and then five months later completly condemn it. Nah. Gamers would NEVER do that.
Mein Bratwurst @ Jan 29th 2009 5:53PM
Duke, don't argue with idiots. They just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Sir Buzz Killington( The Artist formerly known as Jakka) @ Jan 29th 2009 5:54PM
It's good to see GTA4 did teach us something about how the industry works. Let us hope that in two months we won't have everybody hating on Killzone 2.
Levi @ Jan 29th 2009 5:56PM
Yes!! SPRINKLES STRIKES AGAIN!!!
deathxrebirth @ Jan 29th 2009 6:07PM
This is why the new Joystiq blows. Idiot comments by FFXIII when it would have gone unnoticed if it was just a ps3fanboy article.
I kind of like the new design, but I much prefer the occasional troll from 360fanboy come in and comment on ps3fanboy rather than every single blog about an exclusive game invites the 360fanboys to throw the age old and TIRED argument of the PS3 having no games.
Is this all for more hits to joystiq? The older system worked much better. Now, once again, there really isn't any reputable places to enjoy and discuss Sony stuff without some idiot chiming in.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jan 29th 2009 6:10PM
I love it after all the months of his baseless trash talking that he gets proven wrong. You just cant' buy entertainment like that.
Duke @ Jan 29th 2009 6:11PM
Good point Mein Bratwurst.
Sprinkles, you are pathetic. Calling people retards - nice. You deserve the low opinion everyone has of you.
FFXIIIAngelVanillenot_inVersus! @ Jan 29th 2009 6:21PM
It's easier to just report his comments because then they disappear.
Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, Ultrastiq Revolutionary) @ Jan 29th 2009 6:24PM
Vanille, am I to believe that you have played AND completed the final version of the game? No? Than explain to me how exactly it fails to deliver
Trev @ Jan 29th 2009 6:26PM
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Lets compare:
Situation A (Reality):
Killzone 2 is a good game.
Situation B (The FFXIIIvespergundamcompanionassassinpremierewtfbbqnoodles theory)
Everyone in the industry is a PS3 fanboy now, saying "oh no, we better lie about this hype-only shit game and give it great review scores to match it's overall amazing previews because we want Sony to win soooooooooooo much." Everyone in the beta was on the take or hunted down by the secret police if they said anything bad. I bet it was those fucking Commies. The filthy reds are corrupting our nation one person at a time. We've got to stop them now, but they've already got control of the media! Good thing they haven't gotten the tinfoil. We can make hats for the resistance out of that. Tin foil and cold, canned beans. It will be a hard life, but we'll live it and when the Sony-Communism Apocalypse is over, we'll emerge and rebuild the world. I'm in love with Katie Holmes! I'm in love with Katie Holmes! I'm in love with Katie Holmes! TWO LINCOLNS FOR EVERY NAPOLEON!
I don't know about the rest of you, but my gut's telling me A.
Xta Large (Formerly Fatass) @ Jan 29th 2009 6:32PM
"The game is still hype. It still has yet to prove ANYTHING other than the fact that it has pretty graphics dumbass."
Then how can you say that it's shit? It has yet to prove that it's a shitty game.
Everyone who's played the game, whether it be the beta or final product, have said that it's damn good. That's our 'proof' - it may not be solid, but it's a fuckload more credible than your whole 'It's hyped up AND on the PS3 so it must be bad!' bullshit.
GTFO
Markez (Rubberband Banjo till Death) @ Jan 29th 2009 6:41PM
@ Trev
*stands, applauds, laughs, weeps*