Killzone 3

The best first person best shooter experience on the PS3

BACKSTORY

Hype and expectation have always followed the Killzone series. When the first game was in development way back on the PlayStation 2 it was touted as the platforms “Halo Killer”. It was released in 2005 and poorly received by critics who found the game shot for more than the PlayStation 2 could provide giving way to its technical issues such as a stuttering frame rate and muddy graphics. Despite this the game turned out to be a hit selling extremely well and proving to be a refreshing experience in the overcrowded shooter market that was full of World War 2 games and Halo rip offs. The games developer Guerilla put their efforts into creating one of the most technically proficient shooters for the games sequel, something that would really show off the power of Sony’s new platform the PlayStation 3. An amazing pre-rendered trailer for Killzone 2 was debuted to the public, the trailer mirrored gameplay and many expected the game to look just as stunning. When the game was finally released, the public found that while the game didn’t look as good as its trailer it truly was gorgeous and to this day stands as one of the platforms best looking games.

Killzone 2 packed a fun campaign and an expansive and addicting multiplayer, however it did have some serious flaws; the control scheme was odd and somewhat loose, the environment were same and all featured a muddy tone that was devoid of color and the story was just no good. Guerilla has now released the third game in the killzone saga looking to improve upon the last games shortcomings as well as provide a fresh experience.

THE STORY

Killzone 3 picks up right where the last game left off, you will be playing as Sergeant Sevchenko a hardboiled soldier and member of the ISA’s alpha team. The ISA’s war with the Helghast rages on in their home world of Helghan, and what once seemed like a decisive victory has now become a long drawn out war of attrition. There are some new bad guys voiced by Ray Winstone and NAME who provide particularly devious and interesting roles as the Helghans new contenders for the role of dictator. They are featured heavily in cut scenes, which provide an interesting view into the Helghasts own internal power struggle. I found this story element to be particularly strong as it gives the Helghast a real sense of personality and humanity whereas in past games they’ve just been these Naziesque exploding heads at the end of your riflescope. I have been wanting to see this conflict from the perspective of the Helghans since the first game so I was a little disappointed to be playing as Sev again. My disappointment was furthered when I found that character development for Sev and all the ‘good guys’ was shallow. The plot while stronger than the excuse for a story that was Killzone 2, feels weaker than the first games plot, which I still believe to be the best of the series. Its diverse set of main characters provide for a strong albeit a little clichéd plot.