Reviewed by: John McCarthy
Format: PS3
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Guerilla

[ratings]

The future-war between rebel human alliance the ISA and the fascistic Helghast continues in this first-person-shooter sequel.  Though it may occupy an awkward space between military combat simulation and science fiction cliché, what Killzone 2 does it does well.  Every penny of the mega-budget is up on screen in the most lavishly presented environments and effects in some time.  The stunningly realised steam-punk art design fuses World War II with distopian sci-fi, lending a frightening air of brutality and desolation to the 18-rated carnage.

The problem with the slick production values is that they far out-strip the ambition of the design, with little to entice the unconverted into the battle-arena.  Fans of tactical action games, however, will be pleased to no end by Killzone 2’s relentless encounters and tactical inclinations; forcing users to think about their environment and situation before running and gunning.

Thanks to good weapon balancing and dualshock feedback, the gunfights – the meat of the meal – are intense, erratic and exciting.  The rinse and repeat nature of the gun-fetishists take on the genre (see also Criterion’s Black) means Guerilla’s standard but sturdy multi-player modes will come in handy after the singleplayer campaign that’s high on set-piece thrills and low on intrigue.

Killzone 2 is the foul-mouthed, bloody-nosed cock of the Playstation 3’s yard, and you’d be a fool not to hand over your lunch money.

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