by Scottie Watson

Created on: March 03, 2009

Hoorah! Lock and load your PlayStation 3 game system and prepare for battle. The Helghast are back with a vengeance. Developed by Guerilla Games exclusively for the PlayStation 3, Killzone 2 is the third installment in the franchise. It's early in the year but Killzone 2 is one of the most anticipated games of 2009. Most gamers can remember the original Killzone being referred to as the Halo killer. With that type of hype it's no wonder gamers are excited about the release of Killzone 2.

Staying true to the franchise, Killzone 2 is a squad-based first-person shooter and delivers action-packed gameplay. Killzone 2 follows the events from the original Killzone and immerses players in a highly-detailed, ultra-realistic war that pushes the power of the PlayStation 3 with studio-grade sound and visual effects that has to be heard and seen to believe. Killzone 2 picks up two years after the attack on Vekta and takes place on the Helghast's homeland planet of Helghan. Players assume the role of Sev, a member of the special forces unit known as Legion, to lead a group of highly-trained ISA soldiers to destroy the Helghast threat. Players quickly learn they are to secure Pyrrhus, the Capital City, destroy the Helghast and take down their leader, Emperor Visari. Along the way, players will discover that the Helghast have adjusted to the planets hostile conditions and that they have also learned how to harness the powers of the planet.

Players can equip themselves with an arsenal of weapons ranging from the original Killzone classics like the M82-G and the StA-52 LA, to flamethrowers, to shotguns as they navigate through the war-ridden environments. Players will encounter life-like and adaptable artificial intelligence (A.I.) from the enemy as well as fellow soldiers, destructible environments, and stunningly detailed scenery.

Killzone 2 features an extensive single-player campaign, a multi-player mode and a robust online multi-player mode using a customizable badge system that allows players to combine powers. If you have never played the first two installments, don't worry, Killzone 2's storyline does a great job of standing on its own so there's no need to go back to play the first two installments before playing this one. Killzone 2 is one of those games that gamers must play to appreciate so go bust a cap in some Helghast butt. Its an incredible game and a much improved installment in the franchise. I wouldn't be surprise if it gets nominated for game of the year. On a scale of 1-10 (ten being perfect) Killzone 2 gets a 9.5.

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