Killzone 2: Making War Fun?

RATING: 8 / 10
PLATFORM: PS3
GENRE: FPS
PURCHASE RECOMMENDATION: Buy

War is not pretty or fun.....well unless your playing a video game then it is both. Killzone 2 was highlighted as the game that would prove that the PS3 is a juggernaut of raw video game power. However Killzone 2 was not a launch title so the Ps3 had to hide in the corner as the Xbox 360's Master Chief owned the fps console world. After a long wait Killzone 2 has meet all expectation of creating a truly realistic feeling fps game. Killzone 2 treats war serious and is meant for serious fps players. The graphics are simply amazing as the environments of the helghast home world make you feel like your actually on this alien planet. Killzone 2 gameplay really shines with an intelligent AI that will retreat, charge and flank you based on the combat situation. The AI makes the game feel like real war as you constantly have to struggle to gain ground and advantage positions. The levels layout though very linear makes up with combat on multiple angels. Enemies are rarely directly in front of you, you must attack enemies from above and below all while trying to not get flanked. Also many of the level wrap back and forth in a snake like way giving you lots of choices when it come to where you want the combat to take place. Killzone 2 however does fall in a bit to the now all to familiar cover and shoot gameplay. All to often can you just duck under or behind a piece of metal that protects you from all attacks. Killzone 2 story though very epic does not match with the players feelings about your comrades. The story from beginning to end feels like a classic chaotic "war is madness" movie (in particular bridge over the river Kwai) yet when tragedy hits your comrades you really don't feel attach to them. The story needs to build more on the inter character relationships if they really wanted the player to feel the pain of loosing a comrade. Killzone overall does what all games should strive to do and that is provide an entertaining and fun experience.