Killzone 3 gets the job done

The story pushes on with little or no emotional resonance only to empty into some of the most immersive environments and visceral gameplay on the market. Killzone has always been about producing technically superior FPS action and KZ3 is no exception. The same precision you found in the last game is featured here – solid controls, challenging enemies, airtight physics – all with jaw-dropping graphics backing it up.

And never has battle-scarred scenery looked so beautiful. The new game takes you through a number of different environments, including a jungle and snowy landscape, as well as the usual war-torn urban settings KZ is known for. It also lets you play around with some cool gadgets like large mechanical exo-suits and jet packs.

While KZ3 carries on the series’ technical legacy, there are some changes. Killzone 2 was a FPS aficionado’s shooter – full of grinding firefights and a relentlessly brutal and cunning enemy AI – where KZ3 has a broader appeal to it. Let’s not call it dumbed down, because it isn’t, not totally, but the game’s harder edges are softened, controls are less heavy feeling, the colour palette brightened and the set pieces are blown up to a mega scale. You’re going to get more bang but may have to increase the difficulty level you’re used to if you want a challenge.

While the tale behind Killzone is never as weighty or emotionally resonant as Guerilla wants it to be, it’s enough to get the job done and the stellar action carries the day anyway. Besides, most of the FPS genre’s other games aren’t offering much more in that department either.

Once again Killzone vaults into the lead for FPS supremacy. Throw in the robust multiplayer options, as well as Move support – with the Sharp Shooter peripheral – and 3D capability and this is a definite must-buy for any serious PS3 gamer.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Killzone 3 is available for the PlayStation 3.

 - By Ben Carrozza

Guerilla Games/Sony Computer Entertainment