Killzone

Infobox VG
title = Killzone


developer = Guerrilla Games
publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
designer =
version = 2.0
engine =
released =
genre = First-person shooter
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=M|PEGI=16+
platforms = PlayStation 2
media = 1 DVD
requirements =
input = DualShock 2, PlayStation 2 Headset (optional)
resolution = 480i (SDTV)
aspect ratio = 16:9 / 4:3

"Killzone" is a first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 2 game console, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. A sequel, "" was released on the PlayStation Portable and another followup, "Killzone 2" is currently being developed for the PlayStation 3.

"Killzone" received a great deal of hype in June 2003 when video game websites began releasing previews and rumors about the game. Upon release, the game received average reviews, [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/918762.asp?q=killzone Gamerankings.com] page for "Killzone". URL retrieved 8th November 2006.] with frame rate problems, jumpy controls, and glitches. Apart from that it has become a successful video game and has been given given a silver (9/10) rating from most PlayStation2 magazines. [http://au.ps2.ign.com/articles/561/561669p1.html IGN] review of "Killzone". URL retrieved 8th November 2006.]

toryline

The game is set in an era of space colonization where the Helghast Empire has recovered from its defeat in the First Helghan War and launched a blitzkrieg against the outer Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) colony planet Vekta. Vekta's orbital Strategic Defense (SD) platforms failed during the initial assault, allowing the Helghast to land swarms of soldiers onto the surface. This makes it all the more difficult for the outnumbered ISA forces.

In the game, the Helghast are a faction of human descendants who colonized the planet Helghan many generations ago. The planet's harsh environment forced the Helghast to adapt and mutate so much that they can no longer be considered human. They are stronger, faster and more resilient than their human brothers, and possess a burning hatred for humanity. Except for a small number of half-breed Helghast and trained troopers, they require a gas mask and air processing tank that creates air similar to that found on the planet Helghan.

The player takes control of ISA Captain Jan Templar, fighting off the Helghast invasion. Templar and his squad are called back to the base for reassignment, and are promptly sent to find the ISA operative Hakha and the key in his possession. During the course of the game, the player also takes control of several other characters, such as Shadow Marshal Luger (a female special operations assassin), a heavy weapons specialist Sergeant Rico Velasquez (a Helghast-hating grunt from the slums with an itchy trigger finger), and Colonel Hakha, a half-Helghast, half-Human spy.

Battlefields

Battlefields is the multiplayer component of Killzone. Offline, it can be played with one or two players with up to 14 bots. Online, the game has no bots, and up to sixteen players can play simultaneously. There are six modes of play, consisting of deathmatch, team deathmatch, assault, defend and destroy, supply drop and domination. These modes are all playable on eight separate maps, based around areas from the single player campaign.

Online play

Battlefield Mode

The game has online capabilities and up to 16 players can participate in a game. However, there is no centralized online service but local servers, hence no worldwide competition.

The game features 8 maps which are based on maps from the Single Player Campaign. Battlefields features all weapons from the Single Player game, with the exception of the Laser Designator and the knife. Battlefields Offline features 2 player support with up to 14 bots, 6 gamemodes, and two teams (ISA and Helghast) available. The Online version is largely similar except there is no 2-player split screen and no bots.

Online play was well received by many. Shortly after the game was released, players found and began to exploit glitches in both the NA and EU versions of the game. The NA version of the game received two downloadable updates, the latest one patching the game to version 2.0. This eliminated many glitches and thus almost brought an end to the cheating.

Reception

Prior to release, "Killzone" had been hailed as a " killer". However, upon release, "Killzone" received mixed reviews from magazines and websites alike. Reviewers cited technical problems with "Killzone", including inconsistent AI, occasional bugs, frame-rate issues, distracting graphical glitches, repetition of the same voices, short draw distance, and an awkward control system. Critics also complained about the gameplay, with IGN labeling it "underwhelming and mediocre" and "Into Liquid Sky" stating that it "needs more refinement". [http://www.intoliquidsky.net/site/reviews/killzone.html IntoLiquidSky] review of "Killzone". URL retrieved 8 November 2006.] PSM stated that "Killzone" is "Graphically stunning and hits the mark in so many ways, it's baffling; they promised us we'd experience future war, and we have...and come away shaking." [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/killzone?q=killzone PSM] review of "Killzone". URL retrieved 8 November 2006.] In light of these problems, reviewers such as GameSpy commented that "Killzone" was not the "Halo killer" that it had been previously hyped as before its release. [http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/killzone/562748p1.html GameSpy] review of "Killzone". URL retrieved 8 November 2006.] On the positive side, "Killzone" was admired for its sound effects, its soundtrack, and its presentation of a gritty war zone ; it was also credited for its unique hard sci-fi art design.

Failed Comic series

In 2005, the Canadian independent publisher Dreamwave Productions planned to publish "Killzone volume 1" but the project was cancelled due to the company's bankruptcy a few months before the release date.

ee also

* ""
* "Killzone 2"

References

External links

* [http://www.killzone.com Official Killzone WorldWide Website]
* [http://www.killzone.playstation.com/ Official North American Website]
* [http://www.killzoneps2.com/ Official European / Oceanian Website]
*moby game|id=/killzone

;Media links
* [http://www.killzoneps2.com/vektaToday/ Vekta Today: Helghast Invasion Special] (Official 3D gallery of vehicles, weapons, and enemies)