Once the beautiful cut scene ends and you are thrown into the deep end of this fierce battle against the Helghast it plays similar to most modern top-notch First Person Shooters but with the little differences that FPS games have been needing for a long time, such as intelligent enemy A.I., a first person cover system and realistic animations such as the many different animations that occur when a Helghan soldier is gunned down and falls to the ground dead. In fact the many small differences, which we as gamers have been craving, are what really separates this game from previous shooters, the only disappointing similarity is the lame jokes and corny dialogue.
The chaotic environment really leaves you with a feeling of participation in this war as wherever you look there are different actions taking place whether it be dying team mates, explosions, shrapnel flying past your face or collapsing buildings...and believe me that list is by no means exhaustive. The A.I. on both sides is for once very intelligent; your teammates will take cover in strategic positions and fend for themselves, which sometimes leaves you feeling as if you’re playing a co-op game with other humans. The intelligence of the enemy A.I. really shines through as the fearless Helghast constantly advance towards you implementing complex and coordinated flanking manoeuvres with their team mates, they will also attempt to distract you with grenade blasts to cover their swift approaches onto your teams position.
There are 5 weapons that you can find and use during the course of the demo each as deadly as the last and each with their own strengths and weaknesses in different types of combat. The 2 assault rifles are the M82-G which is the standard rifle for all ISA infantrymen, the M82-G looks to be modelled off the M4 assault rifle but with a bullpup design. The standard assault rifle for the Helghan forces is the STA-52 LAR, there are also the M4 Revolver which is the standard ISA side arm and the Helghast STA 14 which closely resembles the M14 semi-automatic rifle. Last but not least is the M80, an ISA rocket launcher with devastating effects on any man or structure on the receiving end of its rocket propelled round.
Killzone will become most certainly a game to be remembered, taking a huge step up and demolishing most boundaries set by previous FPS games and showing the true power and potential of the Playstation 3. The retail version of the game hits stores in Europe and North America on the 27th of February 2009, expect a full review/feature later this month as we think this is a game all gamers should play, it's that good.
