Killzone 2 chars, cover system

By Tom Bramwell Published 16 July, 2007

More details on how it works.

Guerrilla Games has revealed a few more details about Killzone 2 in light of the game's impressive unveiling at E3 last week.

Guerrilla, speaking to Newsweek's Level Up blog, revealed that what we saw was the third level of the campaign, as Vektan forces launched from cruisers orbiting Helghan descend to the planet's surface as part of an invasion. The player controls Sev, a veteran of the Legion (special forces), and fans of the first two Killzone games (on PS2 and PSP) will be interested to note that Rico Velsaquez returns for a major role, while Lugar and Evelyn also feature.

Control-wise, there was confirmation that the in-and-out shooting of our demo level was a specific cover system, similar in some senses to Gears of War's. When you approach a surface, you'll have the option of pressing L2 to lock up against it and then lean around using the left analogue stick to fire, while hitting R2 without accompanying analogue movement will blindfire.

Guerrilla also revealed that the key to the game's unique visual approach is an array of post-processing effects that calibrate the game's use of light, shadow and colour. We found it quite mesmerising, and Level Up's comparisons to Call of Duty 4's similar effect are well-founded.

For more on Killzone 2, read the preview we keep linking, or check out the Killzone 2 gamepage for E3 trailers and new screenshots.

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 (57) Latest comment 5 years ago

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

  • RazorObsession #1 5 years ago

    no, the question is, despite graphical beauty, will this game suck big helmets of cheese like the last one?

  • Vandrius #2 5 years ago

    I want a cheese helmet. It would keep me dry when it rains, until I get hungry.

  • Fernando #3 5 years ago

    "no, the question is, despite graphical beauty, will this game suck big helmets of cheese like the last one? "

    so with an improved budget and team you dont think iKillzone 2 will be any better?

    sounds like hate

  • Kenshin001 #4 5 years ago

    One thing I still don't get is why the Helghan are wearing masks on their own planet.

    Also that bit at the end with the opening/closing tower sucked. Who would make a contraption that requires multiple button presses to open when one press would suffice? I hope this is not a premonition of things to come.

    Anyways, this game will be a big system seller and from what I've read has already made up quite a few people's minds.

  • MyPointIs #5 5 years ago

    "so with an improved budget and team you dont think iKillzone 2 will be any better?"

    Maybe, but you can´t deny there´s certain irony in having the whole industry waiting for the sequel of an average game.

    "why the Helghan are wearing masks on their own planet"

    Because otherwise, they would have to model an awful lot of different enemies.

    And @disc; Let go resistance review once and for all. I know you can do it. :)

  • Beano #6 5 years ago

    "why the Helghan are wearing masks on their own planet"

    Same reason as Master Chief is wearing a helmet on his own planet ;)

  • Avaloner #7 5 years ago

    Honestly the Killzone 2 demo is one of the few things that blew me away at E3 this year. It looked visceral and fun. I guess time will tell.

  • lambtron #8 5 years ago

    "so with an improved budget and team you dont think iKillzone 2 will be any better? "

    Oh god - bigger budget and bigger team does not make a better game - are you a Producer by any chance? ;)

    Usually, if anything it makes a worse game...

    Although in this case that's probably impossible ;)

  • Triggerhappytel #9 5 years ago

    Kenshin - "One thing I still don't get is why the Helghan are wearing masks on their own planet."

    They have to wear masks because the atmosphere is harmful to anyone exposed to it for an extended period.


    Although I am trying to remain untainted by marketing or previews, I think KZ2 is looking good, and it will be a lot better than the first game. Sony can't afford this to not be very good.

    I just hope they don't rush it out again to meet the Christmas period. KZ1 would've been much better with an extra six months to iron out flaws.
    Edited by Triggerhappytel at 16/07/07 @ 08:36

  • afghan_jones #10 5 years ago

    I thought the first one was a decent FPS, the PSP game was a lot of fun and the previews for this look pretty ace. Why all the hate?

  • smoothn00dle #11 5 years ago

    Is the Call of Duty 4 live video on Microsoft press conference pre-render? because it doesn't match the feel and detail to rest of Call of Duty4 trailer. A lack of consistency of quality. Do u guy feel that?

  • Pike #12 5 years ago

    I predict a 7 or 8 out of thn score on EG. Solid and pretty, but a tad generic. Looks way too much like your standard linerar WWII FPS.

    CoD in space.
    Edited by Pike at 16/07/07 @ 08:59

  • Steroyd #13 5 years ago

    Jeez first Resistance is WWII shooter with aliens now Killzone is COD in space.
    What the hell is Halo, Unreal Tournament rainbow coloured?

    If the Helghan's world atmosphere was what turned Humans into Helghast in the first place why aren't the ISA the ones with the masks?

    Jeez I feel like one of those Star Trek freaks asking the actors the technical specs of the warp drive. :/

  • Raziel #14 5 years ago

    I recall Halgast Officers in the first game didn't wear gasmask on the ISA planet. Neither did the half Helgast guy on your team, though that may have been since he was only Half Helgast.

    I'd have to guess they arn't just gasmask, but also like combat visors or stuff like that.

    Kinda explains why they wear them on their own planet, standard soldier gear.
    Guess it doesnt explain why the ISA can breathe the air fine. Maybe its fine as long as it isnt years.

  • zuljin #15 5 years ago

    @Steroyd
    [link url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_field
    ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warp_field
    [/link]

    You were asking right?

  • sanctusmortis #16 5 years ago

    So far, it is all sounding like a CoD/GoW hybrid. And there lies the issue it faces; there are plenty of big, well made FPS games about at the minute, just not on PS3. It might be good, but better than GoW/R6:V/CoD4/Halo 3/Haze? That's a lot to live up to.

  • Pike #17 5 years ago

    Well, I haven't played R6: V, but isn't it supposed to be a solid squad based shooter with a decent cover system? Seems like a valid comparison.
    Edited by Pike at 16/07/07 @ 10:04

  • lambtron #18 5 years ago

    I think ultimately it will turn out well. They've devoted a lot of time to it (which is the most important resource in game dev, not budget or team size). Well you do need to have competent people for sure but I'm kind of taking that as a given :). The real question is will it match up to games like Halo and Goldeneye?

    There are plenty of Fanboys/halo haters that will say yes regardless of how good it is. But will it sway over those who don't have a vested interest?

  • Steroyd #19 5 years ago

    @Zujin

    The f***? o_O

    /numbers make Steroyd's head explode

    Maybe, but you can´t deny there´s certain irony in having the whole industry waiting for the sequel of an average game.

    1. Shooting based game
    2. Hype
    3. ...
    4. Profit

    No other genre gets away with that... maybe GTA, but that practically defined it's own genre so to speak.

    What brought Killzone 1 down mostly was the lack of polish (I say it now like I said it in 2005), and with the amount of money Sony's pouring into Killzone 2, that's definitely not going to happen this time.

  • dirigiblebill #20 5 years ago

    A cover system and blindfire controls are welcome enough if well-utilised, but I'd like to see KZ2 ship with something at least partially unique- some memorable little touch like the 'war-reporter' running cam in Gears. At the mo it looks technically and aesthetically superb but rather derivative gameplay-wise.

  • space_ace #21 5 years ago

    > Velsaquez

    velasquez?

  • Steroyd #22 5 years ago

    Well the cover system and the blindfire is all in the first person perspective, if that's anything to go by.

  • Pike #23 5 years ago

    If the cover system in first person works it will be a nice addition to the genre. However compared to what games like BF: Bad Company, Crysis, Bioshock and Mirrors Edge set out to do that on it's own is just a minor tweak, not a genre revolution.
    Edited by Pike at 16/07/07 @ 10:58

  • Steroyd #24 5 years ago

    True, but you never know Killzone might have bosses like Killzone Liberation, there was already a hint of that, the Helghast with the chain gun and you had to hit the fuel pack on his back, which is only achieved by either flanking him, or hiting his visor so he turns away giving you an opportunity to hit his weak spot for massive damage... sorry.

    And then there's the Helghast controlling the weather mechanic, it might set it's self apart like the FPS's you mentioned... except maybe BF i thought the only thing going for it was destructible levels which Killzone looks to do to.

    I admire that Killzone's Blindfire actually does what it says on the tin instead of cheating by going in the third person perspective.
    Edited by Steroyd at 16/07/07 @ 11:17

  • Jas315 #25 5 years ago

    I have a feeling once KZ2 flaunts it's first person cover system, other developers would find the interest of borrowing... err I mean, stealing it for their own games =]

  • penhalion #26 5 years ago

    "and Level Up's comparisons to Call of Duty 4's similar effect are well-founded."

    Er try everyone on these forums pointed out that it looks similar, though not better than COD4 long before the level up comparison.

    Seems the average gamer has more of an eye for reality than the gaming press does.

  • Steroyd #27 5 years ago

    Crysis?

    I understand the Bioshock love but... Crysis? o_O

  • JediMasterMalik #28 5 years ago

    Yes, they didn't mention that the whole game is First person, not even for cover do you go into third. It's proper Blind fire. I look forward to seeing more of this.

  • The-Bodybuilder #29 5 years ago

    >"What brought Killzone 1 down mostly was the lack of polish"

    Not the Generic AI? Or basic A-2-B level design? Or simple missions?
    Not any of those?

  • Pike #30 5 years ago

    Crysis looks fantastic, not only in regards to graphics. What sets it apart is mostly the open ended approach that sets it apart from it's competition. That is also what looks special about the coming BF game. Massive open levels with fully destructible scenery, unlike KZ 2, that only has some cosmetic destructability, by the looks of it.
    Edited by Pike at 16/07/07 @ 11:54

  • TONYgr #31 5 years ago

    can you jump in killzone 2?

  • Steroyd #32 5 years ago

    The Ai in Killzone was wierd, in the SP campaign it was crap, but it was much better in the open maps as MP bots for some reason.
    And the A-2-B level design didn't stop many "other" games did it, infact Timesplitters my most fave FPS game was A-2-B so it doesn't bother me.

    And which trailer did you watch the trailer I saw, one of the helghasts cover being shot to crap (and the helghast seemed to flinch from that to), unless you mean scripted physics like Crysis seemed to be.

    Anyway you need to be careful, there's a difference between open ended (ala Metroid Prime) and open environments (ala Halo), it's hard to judge Killzone in that regard because it was in the middle of city, not much room for maneuverability even if the level was open.

    Ah hell don't know why I'm defending Killzone, even if it is just graphics it'll sell very well nonetheless.

  • Steroyd #33 5 years ago

    No you can't jump in Killzone 2 you can vault over stuff, but not jump like Unreal Tournament.

  • Skeletor #34 5 years ago

    Killzone 2 is a visually very impressive but it's still a straightforward rollercoaster like COD. Bioshock is probably the most original of these three but at its heart also a rather sophisticated corridor shooter with RPG elements.
    Crysis on the other hand is at the moment the only game that delivers a truely open environment and therefore a seriously deep and tactical gameplay. While games like HL2 or Resistance just pretend to offer a vast world, only Crysis (and to a certain degree Stalker) truely deliver. Imho creating an open and organic environment like the one in Crysis is way more difficult than coming up with the next claustrophobic man-made hell scenario.

  • Pike #35 5 years ago

    I don't know what he means by scripted physics, however the impression I got from the trailers in regards to destructible environments was that there is some destructability, like the crumbling pillars, but in other instances , like when firing grenades at a wall, nothing happened to the scenery. This to me suggests that the developers are intending to use destructible cover in certain places, like Kane & Lynch does. However it won't allow the player to completely chose their own path through a level, like in BF: Bad company.

    Speaking of which. It seems, at leas judging by this preview in Edge that it takes a similar approach to Crysis.
    Edited by Pike at 16/07/07 @ 12:34

  • Steroyd #36 5 years ago

    I dunno i seen a clip where the guy threw a grenade at a shack and it blew up/collapsed weird.

  • Pike #37 5 years ago

    I was refering to Killzone, not Crysis, in regards to destructability. Should have been clearer there.

    The destructability in Crysis seems to go beyond anything else I've seen so far.

  • kangarootoo #38 5 years ago

    Cover mechanic sounds similar to Rainbow Six: Vigas (as I think someone already mentioned). I always use that comparison when talking about Gears of War, as the cover controls in RB6 totally put Gears to shame.

  • zuljin #39 5 years ago

    @Xiphos
    "when you compare it to Turok on the PS3 (just for the sake of comparing graphics and the way they both function as a FPS), I don't see why Sony/Phil are making a noise about it"

    You're comparing 2 games that aren't out yet. (same goes for people throwing in Crysis).

    Truth is, you never know what you end up with till you're playing it. I do like the feel of KZ2, even though I generally prefer more open fps shooters.

  • Jas315 #40 5 years ago

    @headbog: "All I saw was a good looking preview - but nothing stand-out amazing.

    It looked too close to Gears, Call of Duty, Resistence, and about a billion other FPSs."

    I never understood why some people are so ignorant of the title "Pre-Alpha".

    Pre-Pre-Alpha at that.

    So, it already looks close to GoW?... what will set KZ2 apart from others is we'll finally be able to enjoy great animation, graphical design... with, get ready for it... WITH, longer fucking levels. 2GB Perhaps?

    @kangarootoo: "Cover mechanic sounds similar to Rainbow Six: Vigas (as I think someone already mentioned). I always use that comparison when talking about Gears of War, as the cover controls in RB6 totally put Gears to shame."

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the cover system in RB6 Third person view? I'm pretty sure it was...

    From what I understand, KZ2's cover mechanic is being designed as FPS standard, so it wouldn't actually sound similar at all... yes?
    Edited by Jas315 at 16/07/07 @ 14:06

  • The-Bodybuilder #41 5 years ago

    >"Pre-Pre-Alpha at that."

    There's no such thing as "pre-pre-alpha", you dork.

  • Pike #42 5 years ago

    Pre-pre-alphalol.

    Sony marketing really outdoes itself some times.:D

  • Steroyd #43 5 years ago

    Pre-Pre Alpha was supposed to emphasize how early the Killzone build we saw is.

  • Jas315 #44 5 years ago

    "There's no such thing as "pre-pre-alpha", you dork."

    You idiot.

  • Pike #45 5 years ago

    Oohh!

    Razor wit from the fanboy.

  • JediMasterMalik #46 5 years ago

    @Pike - Those were the developers who said pre pre alpha, not Sony marketting.

  • Pike #47 5 years ago

    I know. It's still just substanceless hype.

  • kangarootoo #48 5 years ago

    @Jas315

    Sure RB6 is 3rd person, but that doesn't mean an identical control system can't exist. For example, "press X to jump" can still be true whether the game is a 2D scroller or a 3D platformer.

    Actually, now I think on it RB6 made you hold the trigger to stay in cover, with releasing the trigger taking you out of cover, and I think it was actually this specific point that made it feel so sharp. A single button press is an event that you have to time and its use can often result in frantic hammering. Holding a button is a continuous state that you discreetly control, which I personally think .

    The article actually says "pressing L2 to lock up against it" rather than holding so I may be wrong (bloody hope not).
    Edited by kangarootoo at 16/07/07 @ 16:58

  • freedumb #49 5 years ago

    But it was still a bit silly going into 3rd person for Rb6's cover sytsem.

  • zuljin #50 5 years ago

    @headbog
    "So why bother showing anything if it's nothing like the finished product is meant to be?"

    That has got to be one of the silliest arguments Ive heard in a long time. How about hype? If this is what it looks like now, imagine later, etc etc...

  • SimonM7 #51 5 years ago

    So Templar and Hakha are out then? I've not played Liberation yet but I thought that was Rico and Templar. Did Templar die in it? :o

    And who the heck is Evelyn?

  • Steroyd #52 5 years ago

    @headbog

    Pre-Alpha means nothing is locked down i.e physics, lighting Ai etc etc and with the amount of money involved I don't blame them taking their time.

    Still for presentation they're going to set the computer on easy last thing they need is for the bastard Ai prolonging a on-stage demonstration needlesly and be incapable of showing the rest of thd level because of it.

  • The-Bodybuilder #53 5 years ago

    >" You idiot."

    Don't you mean "pre-pre-idiot"?
    Edited by The-Bodybuilder at 16/07/07 @ 19:28

  • lambtron #54 5 years ago

    lol. Surely you can't be "pre-pre" something - by definition "pre-pre" is just ... well "pre". Which shows this "pre-pre" malarkey is just exaggerated nonsense.

  • Hughes. #55 5 years ago

    Rico was the most clichéd character of the bunch, strange he's made it through, although he will fit well with the Gears stylings they seem to be going for this time. I'm glad Hakha and Lugar won't be playable as they brought nothing to the gameplay, and dragged it down somewhat.

    Templar wasn't a particularly interesting character, story wise, so a change won't do any harm. He wasn't a dumb testosterone muscle-head either, though, hopefully Sev and his mohawk will be a good grounding point for the story and the player, without either over-compensatory machismo or homo-erotic sillyness.

  • Decap #56 5 years ago

    "Hey guys, check out these games: R6 and Gears of war.. they have like this awesome duck and cover-system. We need to delay our game for about 8 months so we can copy all this in our own game!! Are you with me?!"

    Ok, a bit of sarcasm never killed anyone (on second thought I think it has).
    But anyway we will see. It isnt always bad to copy other games aspects..
    (Not bad but a bit gay perhaps ;)

  • Steroyd #57 5 years ago

    Inspired is a better word. ;)