*** Killzone 2 Review Thread ***

[Havok83]

No, I don't. I'm not really all that concerned about it really. I have no real problem waiting for the US demo I just think it's a little silly to wait until the day before the game hits shelves to release a demo. It just seems to make a lot more sense to have it out there for word of mouth earlier in the month

The game has got plenty of hype and buzz surrounding it so word of mouth really isnt an issue for them. Theres always a need for a demo whether its released a month early, the day before or even after. Its made to sell games and I dont think having it will have a significant impact on sales releasing it just before the game is out

 

[Tron Bonne]

I wasn't really talking directly about sales, just seems to me if the game is really good you would want to have a general word of mouth as opposed to just reviews out there for the general public and skeptics.

Why wait later then sooner? The game is gold now and the whole pre-order business shows they will have a working demo up by that time. I just don't see why one would want to hold a demo if they really expect people to be swayed over by it

 

[Havok83]

I wasn't really talking directly about sales, just seems to me if the game is really good you would want to have a general word of mouth as opposed to just reviews out there for the general public and skeptics.

Why wait later then sooner? The game is gold now and the whole pre-order business shows they will have a working demo up by that time. I just don't see why one would want to hold a demo if they really expect people to be swayed over by it

they are waiting bc they have an exclusivity deal with Gamestop. Most publishers nowadays seem to be doing it. Give the company exclusive rights to demos, betas, collectors editions, etc...

I just don't see why one would want to hold a demo if they really expect people to be swayed over by it

But the point is, they WILL be releasing the demo. It just wont be till a day before release. Those who are undecided still get a chance to try it out

 

[Tron Bonne]

they are waiting bc they have an exclusivity deal with Gamestop. Most publishers nowadays seem to be doing it. Give the company exclusive rights to demos, betas, collectors editions, etc...

But the point is, they WILL be releasing the demo. It just wont be till a day before release. Those who are undecided still get a chance to try it out

Yeah I do get what's going on, but my whole point is why? I know the point is that they are releasing a demo, but I see no point to have a demo ready to go and withhold as a pre-order bonus. I mean, seriously. Why make that deal, surely GS didn't pay for a free demo that would be released for free later anyway. And if they did, well their stupid.

 

[Havok83]

Yeah I do get what's going on, but my whole point is why? I know the point is that they are releasing a demo, but I see no point to have a demo ready to go and withhold as a pre-order bonus. I mean, seriously. Why make that deal, surely GS didn't pay for a free demo that would be released for free later anyway. And if they did, well their stupid.

Well it ensures that people preorder with them. Those same preorders will most likely translate into sales. Without the preorder incentive, most people wont even bother preordering and will just get the game wherever. Really not that silly on their end

 

[KALEL114]

1Up gives it an A.
http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3172594

 

[Tron Bonne]

I don't see a demo as much of a to pre-order incentive anything, unless it was an exclusive demo or something, but otherwise, meh. Now to release a demo earlier in the month to everyone like the skeptics and the folks on fences that could end up with more pre-orders.

If a skeptic or fencer sees a demo as a pre-order bonus I have a hard time believing they would go out of their way to run to GS and pre-order just to see the game, especially when a demo will be released for free later anyway. The only incentive that's going to be is mostly going to be for those who were most likely planning to pre-order anyway.

 

[Havok83]

I don't see a demo as much of a to pre-order incentive anything, unless it was an exclusive demo or something, but otherwise, meh. Now to release a demo earlier in the month to everyone like the skeptics and the folks on fences that could end up with more pre-orders.

If a skeptic or fencer sees a demo as a pre-order bonus I have a hard time believing they would go out of their way to run to GS and pre-order just to see the game, especially when a demo will be released for free later anyway. The only incentive that's going to be is mostly going to be for those who were most likely planning to pre-order anyway.

from personal experience, I went and preordered with Gamestop for the Resistance 2 beta and only did so to try out the game. People do it and its proven to work for them, so thats why Gamestop continues to work out these type of deals with publishers

 

[Tron Bonne]

Yeah, but a beta is difference, though. I mean that Beta was exclusive to those who preordered, correct and this is just a regular demo one would find on the PStore regularly? No one else really had an opportunity to get it later without having to put money?

 

[Soapy]

If it makes more people want to preorder through them then it doesn't seem very stupid to me. (From a business perspective of course.) As for the release of the demo, exclusivity deals aside, does it really matter if it comes out a day before release? Would the demo be better if it came out a week or a month before release? Would you want the game more?

I think this attitude stems from the assumption that everyone needs to buy the game on day one. Which of course they don't.

I agree that not having a demo out sooner is a mistake. I would think that Sony would want to hype the **** out of Killzone 2 because they NEED a shining example of why you should want a PS3, and this game seems to be it.

 

[Tron Bonne]

If it makes more people want to preorder through them then it doesn't seem very stupid to me. (From a business perspective of course.) As for the release of the demo, exclusivity deals aside, does it really matter if it comes out a day before release? Would the demo be better if it came out a week or a month before release? Would you want the game more?

I think this attitude stems from the assumption that everyone needs to buy the game on day one. Which of course they don't.

I agree that not having a demo out sooner is a mistake. I would think that Sony would want to hype the **** out of Killzone 2 because they NEED a shining example of why you should want a PS3, and this game seems to be it.

No, that has nothing to do with it if you've been following me and Havok. It's not a point of releasing, but just a point of withholding for so long from the general public. It's more a common sense thing over anything else. I know it won't stop people from potentially buying it at any point, but the idea is why withhold something like for so long.

And I've already told my views on why I find it highly doubtful that this move with get anymore new preorders

 

[KALEL114]

Seb Downie, the QA manager at Guerilla Games explains the four difficulties in Killzone 2, over at the SCEA forums;

The difficulty system is not based on enemy counts, but more on damage modifiers and health. The health of you, your buddies and the various enemy types and the damage that all of you deal out. As the difficulty goes up, your ability to Run ‘n Gun goes down. You’ll be spending more and more time ducking from cover and recharging. It becomes a lot more tactical and needs a bit more brainpower as you go up. The lower difficulty settings is more for folks who like to storm into rooms, guns blazing. Do that on the harder difficulties and you’ll get more than a black eye.

Recruit

Let your girlfriend play this one, or your mom. Anyone caught playing this for any other reason than seeing if he can get through it blind-folded needs a open-handed slap.

Trooper

If you are new to FPSs, or haven’t played one since Doom, then you might want to start here. Will provide a challenge in places.

Veteran

Now we’re talking. This is your first playthrough. Hop to it soldier.

Elite

(unlocked by completing the game once on any difficulty)

We up the anty a bit and remove your HUD and crosshair. Try that on for size, but don’t come crying to me if the big bad men with the orange goggles take you out back for a proper slapping.

 

[Soapy]

Elite sounds great. Sounds like the "hardcore" multiplayer modes in Call of Duty 4, which I love.

 

[The Guardian]

"ALL OF YOU HOMO SAPIENS AND YOUR GUNS!!!"

D

 

[Spidey17]

Seb Downie, the QA manager at Guerilla Games explains the four difficulties in Killzone 2, over at the SCEA forums;

The difficulty system is not based on enemy counts, but more on damage modifiers and health. The health of you, your buddies and the various enemy types and the damage that all of you deal out. As the difficulty goes up, your ability to Run ‘n Gun goes down. You’ll be spending more and more time ducking from cover and recharging. It becomes a lot more tactical and needs a bit more brainpower as you go up. The lower difficulty settings is more for folks who like to storm into rooms, guns blazing. Do that on the harder difficulties and you’ll get more than a black eye.

Recruit

Let your girlfriend play this one, or your mom. Anyone caught playing this for any other reason than seeing if he can get through it blind-folded needs a open-handed slap.

Trooper

If you are new to FPSs, or haven’t played one since Doom, then you might want to start here. Will provide a challenge in places.

Veteran

Now we’re talking. This is your first playthrough. Hop to it soldier.

Elite

(unlocked by completing the game once on any difficulty)

We up the anty a bit and remove your HUD and crosshair. Try that on for size, but don’t come crying to me if the big bad men with the orange goggles take you out back for a proper slapping.

Wow, that'll truly force me to use the sights. Can't wait to try it. I'd prefer to be able to turn off the HUD and/or crosshairs at any point on any difficulty(a la Bioshock on PS3, but if the survival mode doesn;t allow the arrow, then I will feel sheepish). I prefer to have options, but I like to nitpick. It still looks like it'll rock my socks.

 

[A.J.Rimmer(BSC)]

Its up at 5pm apparently. (Thats UK time I think0)

 

[Dark_Lord]

I read that it's up and it's 1.2GB in size. Going to download it now.

EDIT: DONE! Going to try it out in a couple of mins.

 

[KALEL114]

Wow, that'll truly force me to use the sights. Can't wait to try it. I'd prefer to be able to turn off the HUD and/or crosshairs at any point on any difficulty(a la Bioshock on PS3, but if the survival mode doesn;t allow the arrow, then I will feel sheepish). I prefer to have options, but I like to nitpick. It still looks like it'll rock my socks.

Just dl'ed the Demo and you can turn them off when you want in the options menu.

 

[Dark_Lord]

The demo was way too short. It took me 20mins to install and finish the demo (Just to give you an idea of how short it was). I enjoyed what was there though. The graphics are GOOD and the gameplay seemed good as well. It seemed like a typical FPS. Which isn't a bad thing at all. The cover system they have is interesting.

I would have bought it on day one if it had co-op so I could have played it with my brother, so even though I did like it and will probably buy it, I won't do so yet.

 

[Kud-Dukan]

Just finished playing the demo, so I thought I through my two cents in. It's not revolutionary, it's not the best game ever as some seem to think it is, but damn it's awesome fun. The controls, once you get used to them work well, the AI appears to at least be competent, and the graphics are top notch.

Day 1 purchase for me.

It's been a great day for demos. First Halo Wars on the 360, which is also pretty awesome, and now Killzone 2. t:

 

[Soapy]

Just finished the demo. Indeed it is pretty short. I could probably blow through it in about five minutes on a second playthrough. My reaction to the game is strange. The demo was good, but I didn't find it all that fun. I don't think it's the game's fault, though. I felt like I was fighting with my controller more than I was with the Helghast. I think I would have had a much more positive experience if I could just change my button layout.

 

[Electro UK]

You'll be able to in the final product I'm pretty sure. OPM stated so anyways.

 

[The Guardian]

I'm at 64% and it's been like 4 hours lol, at this rate the final game will be out before the Demo is done BWAHAHAHAHAHA, but I'm a patient man, "GOES ON A KILLING RAMPAGE!!!"

 

[Hush]

I need to get my Demo Now! Stupid Brother is getting Halo Wars!

 

[Fading]

I just tried the demo, and loved it. I agree with an above statement, that KZ2 is nothing revolutionary, but it is still a very good game going from the demo. The graphics of course may very well be the best we've seen on any of the consoles yet. However there's an added realism in the way you use and hold the weapons, you can feel a 'weight' to the weapons. It just makes them seem that much more realistic.

On top of that, the AI is smart, actually constantly seeking cover and shooting without revealing themselves. The physics are also top notch. It's hard to explain, but bodies flew with, again, a realistic weight, and not like the usual ragdoll physics.

As for gripes....I had to turn the sensitivity to full on x and y axis. Otherwise there was a slight noticible hang time when turning. Also wish you could turn down the motion blur a bit. Also the voice actors don't hold a candle to the Uncharted voice actors.

Anyway I loved the demo. It may not be a first day purchase, but I do plan on getting it.