Video Game Review: 'Killzone 2' a blast for first-person shooters

"Killzone 2" is a game that is under a lot of pressure. With Sony falling behind the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii for market share, the PlayStation 3 needs a killer app, a game that is fun, challenging, looks great and has a solid multiplayer draw.

The good news for PS3 owners is that "Killzone 2" delivers in all of those areas.

What they're selling: From Sony - "In and out within a month, they said. Their weapons no match for our military might. Predicted moderate to low resistance. Enemy morale at an all-time low. They couldn't have been more wrong. Welcome to Helghan."

What we're telling: Sounds kind of like the PS3's battle against the Wii.

The nut graph: If you hate the PS3, you probably don't own one. Which is a shame since the console delivers in so many ways and still has the potential to be great. But if there's a knock, it's that there aren't enough outstanding games. That's why "Killzone 2" was under pressure to succeed, especially after gorgeous gameplay clips were shown at E3 two years ago.

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If you're a fan of first-person shooters, this is one of the best. The levels are designed to move you alone and keep the action varied, and the enemy AI is outstanding, working together and moving. On the tougher settings this game is extraordinarily difficult, but not in unfair ways. The AI just gets better and tougher, which is as it should be. Hard-core gamers will have lots to love here.

Most of the time you are working on foot, but there are the obligatory vehicle levels, although these are short, fun and not very distracting. The weapon variety is nice, leaning toward old-school and not too sci-fi.

And "Killzone 2" looks gorgeous. Even though the environments lean toward dark and gritty, the level of detail and lighting effects are top-notch.

The single-player storyline takes about eight to 12 hours to work through, depending on the difficulty level. When you get done with that (or before) there is a beefy multiplayer element. It's not perfect, but it tries to emulate the best multiplayer features of games like "Call of Duty." You can level up and upgrade your character with several classes to pick from. There is definitely potential there.

Reason to smile: Graphics don't always make a game, but "Killzone 2" is beautiful. Over-the-top beautiful.

Reason to growl: There are a couple of moments where you have to use the Sixaxis controller in odd, motion-sensitive ways. It feels forced and odd.

robert.mcginty@jacksonville.com,

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