KILLZONE 3 (PS3)
Sony’s Killzone series has had a hell of a ride since its inception- originally touted by Sony as the ‘Halo killer’ back with the original game’s release in 2004, the first game was universally regarded as a disappointment, and slammed by all critics alike. The players, however, seemed to like it, and the game went on to become one of the Playstation 2’s bestselling games.
In 2006, Sony chose to demonstrate the capabilities of its upcoming Playstation 3 console with a trailer for Killzone 2. The game looked visually stunning, and there were allegations leveled at Sony that they had deceived the public with what was clearly CGI, and not in game as they were claiming. The developers had a task cut out for them, as they had to now create a game that would live up to 2006’s vision of the final game.
When Killzone 2 released, we got an incredibly realistic and well playing shooter, and one that moreover looked as good as Sony had promised. Killzone 2 sold, albeit sluggishly, and its critical and commercial reception all but ensured the inevitable sequel. A sequel which was unveiled in style:
Killzone 3 looks good. There can be no two questions about that. The game looks uber polished, and the graphics looks stunning, especially for a console game. Moreover, Killzone 3 is one of the flagship titles with which Sony is looking at promoting its crusade to promote 3D gaming.
However, this excitement at the visuals is undoubtedly tempered when one considers that much like the second Killzone, this game’s immediate predecessor, this game is likely to be a corridor shooter, with an incredibly guided experience. Moreover, whereas the addition of jetpacks is all well and good, it looks like nothing’s truly being done to differentiate this game from Killzone 2 from a strictly gameplay perspective. From what I understand, whereas this game will conclude the story arc of the series, gameplaywise, it will just build on the foundation laid down by Killzone 2.
That kind of disappoints me, to be honest. Killzone 2 was great and all, but why couldn’t the formula have been mixed up a bit? As it stands now, I’m sure Killzone 3 will be a great game, but I can only longingly think about what more it could have been.
Be as all of that may, it will be one of 2011’s biggest games for sure. Keep an eye out for this one.
