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[Grand Theft Scratchy]

Dutch developer Guerrilla Games released Killzone for the PlayStation 2 on November 2nd, 2004 which was 15 years ago! My first experience with the game was playing the demo back when they still came packaged in video game magazines.




Killzone was one of the more interesting shooters, even if it was a little rough around the edges. The graphics and sound design were really good for Sony's console at the time. I think the Official PlayStation Magazine and other video game magazines would refer to it as a "Halo killer" but that's a tall order, one that might be better ascribed to Killzone 2 for the PlayStation 3 in some areas.

Looking to the future, I'm curious if this is an IP Sony might resurrect for the PlayStation 5, whether in time for the next-gen console's launch by Holiday 2020 or a couple years from now. Not that the industry is in dire need of another shooter with high production values but there is always potential to take the story in a new direction such as one where you finally play as a Helghast. Or will they focus on a sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn? What do you think?

 

[Radical Dreamer]

My first game on PS2. It was average but it laid groundwork for masterpiece sequel imo. Love playing MP in KZ2. Guerilla would be fools to not remaster it and release on PS5 imo.

 

[Potato Chip PRO]

I first read about Killzone on a gaming Magazine.. The front cover had the 3 exclusive shooters from the big 3.. Microsoft's Halo 2, Nintendo Metroid Prime 2 and Sony's new IP Killzone. Good times

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I first read about Killzone on a gaming Magazine.. The front cover had the 3 exclusive shooters from the big 3.. Microsoft's Halo 2, Nintendo Metroid Prime 2 and Sony's new IP Killzone. Good times

I had this one too! GamePro, haha.

 

[Potato Chip PRO]

Yes!!!!! This one!!!!!!!! Best looking cover in my opinion. Caught my attention from a mile away when entering a convenient store.

 

[rabbity-thing]

I love me some original Killzone. Its heavy, slow, and meaty gameplay has no current-gen rival. I can see why a lot of people aren't fans, but this game just clicks with me.

The bare bones PS3 Remaster was pretty great too.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Killzone is such a rough gem. I love the lore and setting, but they always botch it when it comes to the actual single-player campaigns, turning it into a cheesy action movie.

I wish they explored the Helghan side more. It's painfully obvious there's "another side to the story", but it ramrods the "ISA goodguys, Helghast bad guys" plot down your throat so hard with highly-caricatured villains, it almost passes as propaganda

 

[TedBundysNips]

Hope we get a reboot for Playstation 5! Killzone 2 multiplayer was brilliant.

 

[Bathtub Fart]

I drooled over this game as a kid. Looked so incredible and honestly it still looks really cool. Was wanting to play it emulated sometime. Ended up with Halo on Xbox (can't complain there!), but I always wanted this so bad. Too bad they abandoned the gritty look. Thought it was a good identity for the game as they pulled it off well.

 

[Breakage]

 

[Spukc]

killzone means kill the sun in dutchland language

 

[stranno]

The bare bones PS3 Remaster was pretty great too.

Not really, imo. It barely fixed the performance problems of the game (the sniper rifle still struggles like hell) and barely updated any asset of the game, aside the new loading screens.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

They should release a double pack of Killzone and Killzone: Liberation. They never did re-release the latter.

 

[kingwingin]

"No! Not Johnson! He was just a boy!"

 

[brap]

This isn't retro

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I miss Killzone and Resistance

 

[Digity]

Loved this back in the day. We'll definitely see another entry in the series.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

This isn't retro

Sure it is. IbizaPocholo uses the tag when the thread is a retrospective. That and 15 years is plenty of time.

 

[brap]

Sure it is. IbizaPocholo uses the tag when the thread is a retrospective. That and 15 years is plenty of time.

shut the fuck up it hasnt been that long ps2 isnt retro

 

[Bolivar687]

Horrible game.

Sequel is a classic.

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

I played the demo and didn't like it, it's ambitions were obviously outstripping what was really feasible on the PS2.

 

[Psykodad]

KZ1 was amazing. Period. Loved the Helghast shotgun.

I was playing KZ1 MP when my baby-momma threw a positive pregnancy test in my lap. That was something to remember. Lol

 

[GymWolf]

best thing by far in this game is the intro.

 

[Dane]

I've played the demo for like two minutes and dropped it, can't even recall why. Liked Killzone Liberation demo though.

Sometimes i'm interested to play this franchise with more care, maybe one day.

 

[alabtrosMyster]

This isn't retro

Are you like 100.years old?

 

[brap]

Are you like 100.years old?

I'm just old I guess. PS2 era doesn't feel retro to me.

 

[thelastword]

I had this one too! GamePro, haha.

Who's still standing amongst these three though? KZ2 remains the best shooter of the PS3 gen followed closely or matched by Resistance 3...….Dang, I miss those games at the height of their excellence......Hopefully we get Killzone 2......A Helghast perspective nextgen....

Spoiler

Bring Back Radec…..

 

[alabtrosMyster]

I'm just old I guess. PS2 era doesn't feel retro to me.

I'm old too, the 32-bit machines are where I think we start consider using the word retro - because games were fundamentally different to what they are now, and they could not have been made to be mechanically modern simply by changing the control scheme.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

I'm just old I guess. PS2 era doesn't feel retro to me.

Well, I remember during the PS2 era that the Genesis and Nintendo NES were considered retro. That's a difference of 15 to 20 years between those consoles' 8-bits and the PS2's 128-bits.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

Who's still standing amongst these three though?

Technically, Halo and Metroid are still standing since they continue to have new entries release. Killzone may or may not end up like other Sony IPs such as Syphon Filter, SOCOM, MAG, Unit 13 etc. Halo Reach also released a year after Killzone 2 and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best depending on who you ask) in its series.

 

[Windle Poons]

Was this the one that you couldn’t jump or climb over small obstacles?

 

[Psykodad]

Hopefully we get Killzone 2......A Helghast perspective nextgen....

This.

And honestly speaking, going by the lore GG put on their website instead if the game, the Helghans weren't actually the bad guys, the ISA are.
Would love for GG to explore that.

 

[GymWolf]

I've played the demo for like two minutes and dropped it, can't even recall why. Liked Killzone Liberation demo though.

Sometimes i'm interested to play this franchise with more care, maybe one day.

Liberation on psp was the shit, very fun game.

 

[DonJimbo]

This and God of war on the ps2 were amazing Guerilla games and Santa Monica are real Masters in Graphics

 

[EDMIX]

Technically, Halo and Metroid are still standing since they continue to have new entries release. Killzone may or may not end up like other Sony IPs such as Syphon Filter, SOCOM, MAG, Unit 13 etc. Halo Reach also released a year after Killzone 2 and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best depending on who you ask) in its series.

? We got a Killzone this generation.

 

[GymWolf]

Technically, Halo and Metroid are still standing since they continue to have new entries release. Killzone may or may not end up like other Sony IPs such as Syphon Filter, SOCOM, MAG, Unit 13 etc. Halo Reach also released a year after Killzone 2 and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best depending on who you ask) in its series.

Really? I always thought that reach was considered one of the worst halo...

 

[JimiNutz]

Killzone is such a rough gem. I love the lore and setting, but they always botch it when it comes to the actual single-player campaigns, turning it into a cheesy action movie.

I wish they explored the Helghan side more. It's painfully obvious there's "another side to the story", but it ramrods the "ISA goodguys, Helghast bad guys" plot down your throat so hard with highly-caricatured villains, it almost passes as propaganda

The art style and lore is by far and away the best part of the franchise. They should definitely do a campaign focused on the Helghast (either fighting against the ISA or some kind of Helghast civil war). There's definitely unrealised potential in the franchise. I think it's dead though.

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

I'm just old I guess. PS2 era doesn't feel retro to me.

I know how you feel, but 15 years is definitely retro, that'd be like saying in 2004 that games from 1989 aren't retro.

My personal standard is a decade, once a game or console turns 10, it's officially retro in my eyes.

And that's not to say it doesn't feel weird to think of games from 2009 or soon 2010 being "retro" but that's just how it goes.

 

[thelastword]

Technically, Halo and Metroid are still standing since they continue to have new entries release. Killzone may or may not end up like other Sony IPs such as Syphon Filter, SOCOM, MAG, Unit 13 etc. Halo Reach also released a year after Killzone 2 and is considered to be one of the best (if not the best depending on who you ask) in its series.

Sony has quite a few IP's,,,,,,Haven't heard about Unit 13 for a bit...…..MAG was definitely ahead of it's time....Perhaps Sony could give Kojima the contract to revive Syphon Filter.....

I was not aware they were still making Metroid games, I know Halo is still standing though with Halo 5 and the upcoming Infinite.....

Liberation on psp was the shit, very fun game.

Just recently I mentioned Liberation in a thread...….asking for a remake of it...…..Even resistance PSP was very good too.....I don't think Killzone 2 PS3 is the only great Killzone game, Liberation is definitely up there and Killzone 3 is pretty good too...….

I loved shadowfall, especially the bot and it's control, still to this day one of the best looking games this gen, but it was developed in a short period of time......By the looks of it, the new Killzone game has been in dev for a while now......

Having said that, perhaps they could re-imagine Killzone 1, How about a remake of that game with modern mechanics, same characters and everything, jumping this time and everything....

 

[GymWolf]

Sony has quite a few IP's,,,,,,Haven't heard about Unit 13 for a bit...…..MAG was definitely ahead of it's time....Perhaps Sony could give Kojima the contract to revive Syphon Filter.....

I was not aware they were still making Metroid games, I know Halo is still standing though with Halo 5 and the upcoming Infinite.....
Just recently I mentioned Liberation in a thread...….asking for a remake of it...…..Even resistance PSP was very good too.....I don't think Killzone 2 PS3 is the only great Killzone game, Liberation is definitely up there and Killzone 3 is pretty good too...….

I loved shadowfall, especially the bot and it's control, still to this day one of the best looking games this gen, but it was developed in a short period of time......By the looks of it, the new Killzone game has been in dev for a while now......

Having said that, perhaps they could re-imagine Killzone 1, How about a remake of that game with modern mechanics, same characters and everything, jumping this time and everything....

yeah liberation and kz3 are good games, kz2 is great.

i'm really indifferent about shadow fall, it was really not remarkable except for the graphics and good challenge.

 

[HeresJohnny]

I remember seeing a lot of potential there, and being blown away by the graphics. But it was definitely not the best shooter in the world.

 

[thelastword]

yeah liberation and kz3 are good games, kz2 is great.

i'm really indifferent about shadow fall, it was really not remarkable except for the graphics and good challenge.

Yeah, it wasn't nearly as good as KZ2 and Liberation or even KZ3, but I at least appreciate that we got one...….I personally was blown away for the graphics alone and of course the bot and it's controls...….The stealth sections I didn't like though, you could see it was somehow rushed towards the end......Hopefully they get all the time they need to flesh this new one out...….Having said that, MP on Shadowfal was pretty good though....

 

[bhunachicken]

I loved the grimdark vibe of Killzone 2. It was gritty and nasty and didn't want you to think that war was fun in anyway, at all. And then there was that nuke sequence ...

Apparently, Guerrilla Games didn't like it all that much, which is why Killzone 3 had a somewhat lighter tone.

 

[Geki-D]

I remember the missile base mission where there are launchers on APCs firing throughout and the Helghast NPCs, everytime one of the APCs fired their missiles off into the air shouted out because they detected the missiles as grenades. So you could constantly hear them screaming "Scatter! Grenade!". That's when I really thought to myself "WTF were these devs doing when they made this game?" The lack of polish in the game was insane, so many little, stupid things like that. The game was brutally difficult because enemies killed you really quickly and were bullet sponges clearly to make up for the bad AI.

The tone, plot & art were great though. It's a shame they ditched it all in Shadowfall for ultra futuristic sci-fi. It would have been ok if it was just the Vektan side, but the Helghast were pretty much robots for the most part.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

Perhaps Sony could give Kojima the contract to revive Syphon Filter...

Not sure why they would when Bend Studio are still active developers within SIE.

 

[thelastword]

Not sure why they would when Bend Studio are still active developers within SIE.

For sure, but they are running with Days Gone atm I'm thinking...…...I would prefer the original studio on it though...…..

 

[RAIDEN1]

Some Halo-Killer it turned out to be, and who could forget that infamous trailer for the sequel(s)!!!

 

[Dr. Claus]

Never played the first, but I did play the sequels and the second was by far the worst FPS I have ever played. KZ3 was a lot of fun and the PS4 release was beautiful, but you could clearly tell it was rushed out the gate without the development time it needed.

I would like to see the series rebooted at some point, but I am afraid of what modern day Sony would do to the franchise.

 

[Afro Republican]

People are defending Killzone 1 now?

Sony please release a new first-party FPS game for everyones sanity.

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

For sure, but they are running with Days Gone atm I'm thinking...…...I would prefer the original studio on it though...…..

I feel like most of these developers should have another team working on a different game, like how Naughty Dog had teams working on Uncharted 3 and The Last of Us. And when one project is done they shift all of their people and resources to the other. Maybe I am overestimating the size of most first-party studios though.

A new Killzone would be pretty cool to see on PlayStation VR too.