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Thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment NZ and Guerilla Games, we have two "making of" videos for Killzone 2.
We've mirrored both of these over at GP Downloads - see for yourself how the development teams tackled this hugely anticipated title.
It seems like an eternity ago that the original Killzone gave those chaps in Redmond something to worry about.
Initially audaciously hyped (phrases such as "Halo Killer" were thrown about with reckless abandon), it was nowhere near as good as we expected it would be, and despite an immersive war setting and arguably some of the best audio in any game, period, it failed to crush the lumbering Bungie/Microsoft beast, even if it did amass a fervent fan base.
Never ones to shy away from a challenge, developers Guerrilla Games have fired up the hype machine again for the PS3-exclusive February 2009 release of Killzone 2.
Developed by Guerilla Games, Killzone 2 is the highly anticipated first-person shooter created exclusively for the PS3 system.
Following events and action from the original Killzone for the PlayStation 2, Killzone 2 brings players into a highly detailed “theater of war” that truly leverages the processing power of the PS3.
Throughout the campaign, players will encounter lifelike and adaptable artificial intelligence (A.I.) from enemies as well as fellow soldiers, destructible environments, and detailed scenery. Additionally, players will be tasked with utilizing a host of new weapons and vehicles in the war to stop the Helghast.
Guerrilla Games and Sony Computer Entertainment have released a new Killzone 2 trailer, showcasing this action shooter currently under development and expected to be released in February 2009 exclusively for the PlayStation 3.
Head over to GP Downloads and check it out (20MB).
The original Killzone was said to possibly be the first Halo killer. It wasn’t. Since then many games have attempted to be given that same mantel and failed. Well, until Call of Duty 4, that is.
I bring this up because while Killzone 2 is not even trying to be a Halo killer (just a kick ass game in its own right) I couldn't help but get a familiar feeling like I was playing the next Call of Duty game. The difference being this is based in the future on another planet fighting an alien race in the destroyed rubble of their own world; meaning it reeked with the extra flavour of awesome!
Considering the demo I played was only pre-alpha code – the game is not scheduled for release until February '09 – it was very impressively polished. Killzone 2 looks gorgeous. Most of the textures looked great and the characters all had an impressive amount of detail to them and their animations. The death animations were particularly impressive, as the enemy's bodies would flap and fall based on where my bullets were hitting them (everywhere!).
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Throughout the campaign, players will encounter lifelike and adaptable artificial intelligence (A.I.) from enemies as well as fellow soldiers, destructible environments, and stunningly detailed scenery. Additionally, players will be tasked with utilizing a host of new weapons and vehicles in the war to stop the Helghast. Featuring an extensive single-player campaign and thrilling multi-player mode, Killzone 2 delivers a host of new gameplay elements and an intense storyline that will once again drive gamers to join the ranks of the ISA and fight the Helghast…this time on the enemy’s home planet.
Two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA is taking the fight to the enemy’s home world of Helghan. The ISA goal is direct: capture the Helghast leader, Emperor Visari, and bring the Helghast war machine to a halt. Assuming the role of Sev, a battle-hardened veteran and a member of the special forces unit known as the Legion, players will lead a group of highly trained soldiers on a mission to take out the Helghast threat. For Sev and his squad, the invasion of Helghan is just the beginning. Tasked with securing Pyrrhus, the Capital City, the team quickly discovers that the Helghast are a formidable enemy on their home planet. Not only have they adjusted to the planet’s hostile conditions, they have also harnessed a source of power they can now use against the ISA. Sev discovers his squad isn’t just fighting enemy forces - their fiercest opponent may be the planet itself.
Features:
- Experience realistic, highly atmospheric environments that respond dynamically to the violent conditions on the planet Helghan.
- Witness the devastating effects of Helghan’s climate as it forces you and your enemies to adapt to new tactics.
- Control an arsenal of new and unique weapons and vehicles, in addition to trusty Killzone classics like the M82-G and the StA-52 LA.
- Face off against fearsome enemies who have learned to wield the hostility of Helghan itself against their opponents.
- Between Killzone 2’s unique visual style, the power of PS3, the use of EDGE tools, and the proprietary technology developed by Guerrilla, the game promises to impress players with its benchmark visuals, smooth character animation, detailed, effect-laden environments, and realtime cutscenes.
- Experience a beautifully lit world brought to life by deferred rendering technology. Multiple shadows casting light sources bring out the highly detailed environments and character animations.
- With true next-gen audio the player is further immersed in the world, supporting 7.1 surround and location-specific audio with wave tracing. Players will not only notice the difference between indoor and outdoor but also experience sound and music that are dynamic and contextual.
- Studio grade special effects will provide unprecedented visual fidelity. With full screen anti-aliasing, motion blur, internal lens reflections, and depth-based color grading, players will experience a picture that is sharp, smooth, and full of detail.
