Killzone 3

By Tom Bramwell Published 16 December, 2010

Helghast but not least.

When it comes to enemies in shooter sequels bigger isn't always better, but it's usually the answer everyone offers. Halo went for the Scarab, Gears gave us a giant worm – even Call of Duty had a Soviet rocket. So to discover Killzone 3 has a massive four-legged robot pocked with artillery and shouldering a huge laser cannon is no surprise – and you'll be amazed to learn it's up to you to step into the Hoxton fin of Sgt. Tomas Sevchenko, and sort it out before it destroys what remains of your ISA invasion force.

After the ice-locked ships and glacier environments shown earlier this year, the latest campaign level we get to play – in single-player and surprisingly sturdy split-screen – offers a more familiar backdrop. Sev, Rico and company are still on Helghan and we pick them up trying to access a space elevator before remaining Helghast forces can use it to launch a surprise counterattack on the ISA homeworld. It's all brown trenches, rubble and metal walkways, and the overhanging skybox is a fetching shade of nuclear beige.

Said stompy robot stands in our way, but there is some debate about how to deal with it. Rico is very keen on riding up to it on Intruders – Killzone's memorable aerial transport ships – and smashing its face in, but boring old Captain Narville is anxious to preserve the body of the small ISA force by pulling back and coming up with a better plan. While you run around trenches shooting snorkel-wearing red-eyed assault troopers and flamethrower enemies in the face, Rico and Narville bicker with one another using highly charged clichιs like, "Don't you ever questions my orders on an open channel."

1

Giant robot? Check.

This gives us a chance to pay attention to the moment to moment gunplay. Killzone 2 had a certain heft to it – partly because of its deliberately cumbersome cover system and partly because of the famously awful controller lag – but Killzone 3 is a considerable improvement without losing any of that distinctiveness. You still grip the left trigger to crouch or seclude yourself in cover, then pop out with the left stick and fire (using iron sights as well if you like) but control is more immediate and precise. If you found the last game a slog, you may want to take another look now your gun actually fires bullets out of it on the same day you press the button.

There's no more deviation from the path than there was last time out, but this is no bad thing – like Call of Duty, Killzone was always good at organising spectacle around you while you trundled up a camouflaged valley of angry men and carnage. Helghast with flamethrowers toast your squad mates, dropships zoom around overhead, and all the while the giant robot – a MAWLR, apparently – is flapping around audibly charging up its main cannon and using it to scorch the scenery around you and your friends.

There's lots of movement from the enemy and as you down Helghast and your tanks push up a hill or ISA troops swarm past you to take up advanced positions, there's a convincing sense that you're pushing the opposing force back rather than simply scrambling between trigger points, as was sometimes the case with the last game. (Narville and Rico are still arguing, by the way – Rico is so cross he's asked fur-coat-wearing token sexpot Jammer to stay on the second Intruder just in case.)

New features like the melee kills fit in very snugly. Should you find yourself face to face with one of the Helghast you're simply prompted to hit L1 – or clutch madly for it, depending on your level of panic – and in response Sev will coolly grab the other guy's head and loudly break his neck, or similar.

Whether close up or off in the distance, Killzone 3 is also an even better-looking game than its celebrated predecessor. There is a cartoonier edge to the visuals, especially character models, and the almost kaleidoscopic impact of Guerrilla Games' various visual filters continues to saturate even the greyest gun metal with flashes of unexpected colour. Facial animation is a bit dodgy in places, but animation overall is excellent and nobody else does smoke and explosions quite like this either.

It's still a very silly game, of course, which is why, as Narville and Rico come to blows over this debate about how to handle the stompy robot, Sev gets fed up with both of them and hatches a brilliant videogame plan: flank it! "That's even worse than his idea," says Rico, before the game sends you off to do it with no apparent sense of self-awareness.

2

The WASP in action.

Fortunately, the MAWLR exposes its delicate cooling vents after firing its main cannon, and they happen to glow red, so while Rico and Jammer doss about off-screen baiting it into firing, you run around a trio of bunkers with a WASP rocket launcher – which fires multiple rockets that swarm the target – waiting for it to expose is vulnerable bits. "It's working! Whatever you did, do it again!" someone shouts as your locked-on rockets advance the scenario.

The MAWLR's a stubborn old goat too, refusing to lie down once its cooling apparatus is destroyed, provoking you to mount an Intruder and zoom around in an on-rails minigun sequence, taking out dozens of small cannons that pop up on cue as you circle dramatically. Eventually it stops coming back for more and crashes to the ground, but not before its death throes manage to leave the fates of a few of the game's principal characters in doubt. Will they all live to argue about military protocol another day?

You'll have to wait until February to find out. Another hour of gameplay still leaves us with lots of questions to answer (like where is Sev getting all this hair gel?) but while the campaign appears to be offering few real surprises at this stage, it's doing so in spectacular fashion. Thanks to a few nips and tucks this is now a very playable blockbuster first-person shooter as well as a rather dashing one.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (63) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • theiceman #1 1 year ago

    February can't come soon enough. So bored now of Black-opS,this will make a refreshing change. WooHaw.
    PS 1st!!!

  • FogHeart #2 1 year ago

    I'm still apprehensive about the dialogue, as KZ2 dialogue was about as cliched as space marine dialogue can get. Shouty, dumb, full of 'ain't it cool to say' military jargon.

    But the game, oh the game! When the guns finally did start firing when you pressed the trigger, such a nice thumping clunking in your hands, such a brash clackety smack in your ears. The enemies, flanking and seeking cover and absolutely refusing to play whack a mole for you. The engine, the wind blowing through gaps and stirring up dust devils and flapping ragged flags and making the world so utterly alive unlike any game I've seen, that look flat and fixed in comparison.

    And to finally play a Ps3 FPS without twin sticking. I can't wait...

    ...but I might still hit mute whenever Rico talks....

  • NotSoSlim #3 1 year ago

    Where can I pre order the helghast edition?

    Cannot wait for this
    Edited by NotSoSlim at 16/12/10 @ 17:22

  • chris_ace #4 1 year ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • Zephro #5 1 year ago

    Not terribly excited by this, but I don't buy Call of Duty games these days either. I doubt I'm the demographic, but the dialogue in 2 was just so cringe worthy I had to turn it off to go play Noone Lives Forever.

  • king26 #6 1 year ago

    Loved Killzone2, the only other console shooter in the same league is Battlefield Bad Company 2.
    Day one purchase for me

  • HisDudness #7 1 year ago

    Yeah it's been awhile since I have been excited about a game release, and I usually never buy on release day, but having loved 2, this is the only FPS I'm interested in next year (and it's a crowded year!).

  • RodHull #8 1 year ago

    If Killzone 3 is as great a leap over Killzone 2 as that was over the tedious original instalment, then this will end up being the greatest game ever made. However, from the many "hands-on" sessions I've read it looks likely to end up being an above average shooter with the added fun of Move and 3D thrown in, nothing more, nothing less.

    Although the giant robot does look rather nifty.

  • Zaiz #9 1 year ago

    I thought that was a mangled radio control tower in the first shot, but now its a robot? o_o?

    A robot with shoot the vents functi-...Goddammit, KZ3.

  • theonlyix #10 1 year ago

    Looks to be a solid shooter for those who are unfortunate enough not to be blessed with a Halo/Gears of war playing console....
    Not picking it up at launch, ill try the demo if there will be one.
    The other two games really wasnt any good, controls where crap and story & enemies where so - so.

    But like i said, for people with only ps3 , looks like a solid shooter, but as always - try before buy

  • karooo #11 1 year ago

    SOMEBODY HOLD ME.

  • king26 #12 1 year ago

    theonlyix- Ive always thought halo was a childrens shooter, Uncharted 1/2 pisses over Gears. I changed the killzone 2 controls to a more familiar layout and the AI was excellent!! The only shooter that compares is BFBC 2! take ur xbot fanboyism of a Killzone story and grow a pair!!
    Edited by king26 at 16/12/10 @ 18:02

  • Geordiemp #13 1 year ago

    @theOnlyx I have a 360 and Gears is poor, if I want to play 3rd person shooter I play uncharted seige mode.

    Halo 3 is good, ODST was boring (never finished it), not got reach yet, but poor poor fanboy.

    Still playing cyberton on 360 though, but party chat bugs me as if I play not in a party, every one else is in one and nobody speaks to each other online / or others dont bother with mics..

    Grow up child.
    Edited by Geordiemp at 16/12/10 @ 17:58

  • Widge #14 1 year ago

    I feel fortunate NOT to own a console that plays Gears Of War, Mr onlyixixix.

  • Lince #15 1 year ago

    silly game my arse !!!

  • CaptainQuint #16 1 year ago

    More of the same, but more refined then.

    Hmm. I was hoping for more, tbh.

  • I\'mListening #17 1 year ago

    Loved 1, loved 2, now give me 3!

    Holy shit, I've just seen that four legged robot in an in game gameplay vid over on N4G. That thing is f'ing massive. It looks awesome!
    Edited by I\'mListening at 16/12/10 @ 18:37

  • BritishBlue1 #18 1 year ago

    Not a fan of the main campaign in Killzone 2, full of shouty americans being shouty. I was hoping for the Helghast to win in the end, they have nicer uniforms.
    The real gem was multiplayer, it's brutal and amazingly atmospheric and the ever changing objectives have you all over the map.

  • drumbaby #19 1 year ago

    Oh yes, KZ3. I was starting to get depressed about the long wait for Uncharted 3, but I'd forgotten about this little beauty. Huzzah!

  • gani.slimshady #20 1 year ago

    What about 3D? U dint say anything about it

  • GamesConnoisseur #21 1 year ago

    Uncharted is the best 3rd person shooter/adventure game around sure, but come on, Gears is really great fun to play and people who said its stink are entitled to their opinion but its intriguing that they cant find great examples of the oodles of gameplay fun to be had with it!

    For me its the next best example of 3rd person shooter and ITS broke ground for cover based shooter which are widely emulated now and arguably which one is your favourite.

    I m equally looking forward to both KZ3 and Gears 3 in 2011 as I m confident both will provide me with hours of enjoyment, formerly now that GG woken up about the control latency and comes up truimph.

  • carlosdfn #22 1 year ago

    The game looks amazing, it's gonna give uncharted 3 a run for its money, unbelievable. To think that they managed to improve killzone 2's visuals so much and the game even supports split-screen!

  • morriss #23 1 year ago

    "but while the campaign appears to be offering few real surprises at this stage, it's doing so in spectacular fashion."

    Style over substance again, I see.

  • Geordiemp #24 1 year ago

    Gamesconnossuer

    I found gears 2 to be sluggish, try playing cybertron, thats a good 3rd person faster game (more like UT with variety)...

  • coolbritannia #25 1 year ago

    The PS3's best shooter, which makes it about 5th in the list of current console shooter series.

  • king26 #26 1 year ago

    Morriss you clearly have some vendeta against ps3, go back to halo and chillout on the fanboyism fo tonight ok

  • king26 #27 1 year ago

    and based on quality not sales what 4 shooters are better?

  • GamesConnoisseur #28 1 year ago

    I did try Cybertron, but didnt really takes to it, I thought it was a bit standard and generic, too many of the levels melts into each other and enemies wasnt really interesting enough.

    BUT that is not to say its not a good game, its just that I couldnt find in my mean heart to love it enough! Some of you however instead found Gears wanting and enjoyed other 3rd person shooter more.

    Like I said, to each his own.

  • SteveHolt #29 1 year ago

    @king26: L4D and EDF 2017 are way better, I don't know (and don't care about) the other 2. ;)
    Edited by SteveHolt at 16/12/10 @ 20:23

  • Ryze #30 1 year ago

    I want a new game for my Nintendo Move. This shall be it, I expect.

    Roll on Feb.

  • coolbritannia #31 1 year ago

    Better shooter series, Halo, Gears, Bad Company, COD and Rainbow Six

  • handsonhips101 #32 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia

    The PS3's best shooter, which makes it about 5th in the list of current console shooter series

    Dude, I love your trolling, but you listed cod, bad coy and rainbow 6, which are also on the ps3.


    Personally looking forward to it.

  • Lunastra78 #33 1 year ago

    I just hit the "ignore" button on coolbritannia and Scotty269. Should have done it long ago and I suggest everyone else do the same. Let the trolls shout at the wall.

  • JBlokeUK #34 1 year ago

    @handsonhips101

    He does it daily. He clearly hates everything Playstation yet feels the need to comment on things that will not interest him. Best to use the 'ignore poster' feature, means I don't have to see his constant drivel.

    Probably never played Killzone in his life.

    My wife has hinted at getting this for me on Valentines day. I'll gladly take it :D
    Edited by JBlokeUK at 16/12/10 @ 22:18

  • UncleLou #35 1 year ago

    Picked up KZ2 cheap a while back, not expecting much, but ended up really loving it. Like the first FEAR, it's a game that is all about the (fantastic) AI, one of the best I've seen in an FPS.

  • coolbritannia #36 1 year ago

    yes i'm more than aware they're on the ps3, they're still better than killzone, and therefore in my list, before it.

  • Dave52 #37 1 year ago

    theonlyix: "for people with only ps3 , looks like a solid shooter"

    Oh fuck off you patronising twat. Jealousy is such an ugly emotion.

    For everyone else - this looks amazing and is shaping up to be a worthy follow on from KZ2.

    EDIT: Hey CoolB - 5th in the list...? What, after all those hard-core Kinect dance games...?
    Edited by Dave52 at 16/12/10 @ 22:29

  • prettyboytim #38 1 year ago

    MAWLR - is that some new web service?

    Also - am I the only one who never noticed controller lag on Killzone 2?

  • Negotiator #39 1 year ago

    KZ 2 was just above average and this one looks a little better, but it ain't no Halo or Half life thats for sure. As for people comparing Gears with Uncharted they are very different games, and if you just compare the shooting part of the games then Gears is the clear winner. The shooting in Uncharted is by far the weakest part of the game, and very sloppy when compared to Gears.

  • dominalien #40 1 year ago

    WTF are you talking about gears and uncharted for?

  • Farzlepot #41 1 year ago

    I bought Killzone 2 alongside my PS3 earlier this year, and genuinely enjoyed it, much to my surprise. So I'm looking out for this one too.

  • JBlokeUK #42 1 year ago

    I'm looking forward to playing this with the Move controller too, some footage I've seen makes it look very responsive.

  • loop7 #43 1 year ago

    Thought Killzone 2 was one of the most turgid games in history so I will be giving this a wide berth.

  • higganos #44 1 year ago

    Where's PS_2010 to tell us to keep playing GT5 until this comes out?

    As if nothing exists outside PS exclusives. Deary me.

  • thedgam #45 1 year ago

    I see much doubt and skepticism from other gamers leading to this game's launch. Questions like "Oh the heavy controls are gone, that's no killzone" "Oh they went sellout and commercialized now" but I think Killzone 3 would be much like Naughty Dog's leap from Uncharted to Uncharted 2. With Sony's recent emphasis on cinematic experiences, Guerrilla Games craftmanship and creativity would be pushed beyond their extent and from what I seeing, It all looks to be going quite well and with the foundation they already laid on Killzone 2 (atmosphere, terrific AI, jaw dropping graphics), you just know that this romp will truly be in the next level of fps gaming. Good Year overall for fps next year, resistance 3, crysis 2, bulletstorm, errrr conduit 2? (joke), rage, bioshock infinite, and what a way to kick it all off with KZ3!

  • djed #46 1 year ago

    Oh look, it's the robot from Timeshift

  • ruslan74 #47 1 year ago

    Not being wooed by 3D or Move support I still await for KZ3, the split screen functionality is a nice (finally!) addition but does it cater for the campaign or online stuff only?

  • Vanmunt #48 1 year ago

    adasa..

    WTF!!!

    Edited by Vanmunt at 17/12/10 @ 09:07

  • 3william56 #49 1 year ago

    Spambot dude. Not a person. Way overdue to get some access control here.

  • tomdominer #50 1 year ago

    STOP with the fucking puns Eurogamer...

  • theonlyix #51 1 year ago

    @dave52 You are indead a sad little person. I own both 360 and PS3 and i look forward to the demo of KZ3, however, you and most people here havent played the really great titles on 360 because of your misguided hate of the best console this generation are missing out on far better gameplay than KZ1 and 2 provided. Uncharted on the other hand, are REALLY good games imho, however, i wouldnt compare them to Gears or halo, more to Alan Wake - and there it would be a tie for me.

  • SteveB #52 1 year ago

    Looking forward to this, Killzone 2 was what tempted me into getting a PS3 and I wasn't disappointed. Best graphics (technically not artistically) this generation in my opinion. It's the 1st game I have played where I didn't realise that the opening cut scene had finished and the actual game had started.

  • _LarZen_ #53 1 year ago

    Helghast Edition already ordered!

  • HenryFitz #54 1 year ago

    Hmm...needs more Brian Cox.

  • Ace-1 #55 1 year ago

    Killzone 3, the most brown and depressing game ever released.

  • HisDudness #56 1 year ago

    Brave predictions...

  • Mashum #57 1 year ago

    Mmmm... an AAA(A) platform exclusive PS3 title, a rare and beautiful thing. I'll certainly get it.

  • Lucodeath #58 1 year ago

    I played kz2 to the end once, felt like I was just shooting the same enemy over an over. The sluggish controls didnt help, if I wanted to move sluggishly I would get off my arse an go out. If you took away the particle effects it was very plain looking but the sound was ace. If the controls are sorted in kz3 than I will happily buy it
    Edited by Lucodeath at 18/12/10 @ 06:06

  • king26 #59 1 year ago

    WHAT!! Alan Wake is awful. This is a PS3 Killzone 3 story!! Go and shoot some water pistols/plasma rifles playing Halo with some kids

  • HokutoNoKen #60 1 year ago

    Wow!!!

    [link url=http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=24976387&postcount=241
    ]http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php...[/link]

    / Ken

  • king26 #61 1 year ago

    SteveHolt-LFD is a lot of fun but isn't anywhere near the quality of KZ3. Like I said only BFBC2 competes

  • Lucodeath #62 1 year ago

    Fun? thats what these games are about. LFD is more pleasing to play.

  • king26 #63 1 year ago

    I never said KZ2 wasnt fun, its eaten up my spare time for over a year,the online is top notch. I also loved L4D the co-op was amazing