Killzone 3, another great installment in the Killzone franchise. Does it live up to the hype that everyone was talking about prior to the release of the game?Having played the entire singleplayer campaign from start to finish, it was a thoroughly action packed journey from the begining to the end. The only qualm I had with the game was the underwhelming ending. Considering that the ending for Killzone 2 was excruciatingly difficult. This time round, it was too easy and ended too abruptly for me.
The core game mechanics are more or less the same than the previous predecessors. First person shooting elements are some of the best out there and every weapon in the game are a joy to use. Each bullet you put through the heads of the Helghast soldiers are hugely satisfying and impactful. The sniper aspects of the game are very enjoyable. Some of the action sequences are heart thumping and nerve wrecking in a good way. There is always so much detail to absorb from the screen that sometimes it can be overwhelming to the senses.
The story as straightforward as it seems in any FPS, goes along nicely with the pace of the campaign. Characters recur again in this installment and the game continues exactly where you left off. This time round, you are suppose to get out of the planet but not before you discover some hideous plans that the helghasts have planned for planet Earth.
Graphics wise, is gorgeous, if not some of the best out there. Again Killzone 3 really pushes the PS3 to the limits with visuals so stunning in every aspect of the game from the textures, to the atmosphere, and lighting. And all of these are being rendered in real time while you are out-flanked in all directions by the helghasts. This makes for some terrific atmospheric environments, making it easier for players to be involved and absorbed into the action of the game.
For FPS fans, this game is a must get. I have yet to try the online co-op campaign mode that comes with the game, and no doubt it would add an extra dimension to an already adrenaline pumping game.
thecosmopolitanwanderer.blog 
I have now finished the single-player campaign and spent over 10 hours playing online multiplayer (all modes). I played through the campaign using the Move controller. I played through part of the campaign again using the standard controller. I played through the entire campaign in 3D and through part of it in 2D, to compare.
So I’ve pretty much blown every whistle and rung every bell Sony’s including with this game (the only thing I haven’t tried is the offline co-op). Here’s what I thought of the entire thing:
The Good:
Online Multiplayer. It’s incredibly fun. Using the Move controller gives you better accuracy, which usually lands me in first or second place. It almost feels like cheating, but this is the direction Sony took.
Single player campaign. Ignore the bitter critics who are crying because they didn’t get a chance to play it in 3D or they’re rendered incapable of praising any FPS that doesn’t star Master Chief or have someone Calling for Duty. This is in the top 10 best FPS titles ever made. Its set-pieces are similar to early Lucas or Spielberg movies in how EPIC they are. Think Raiders of the Lost Ark or any of the first 3 Star Wars’ films. It’s a really well put together game with more jaw-dropping moments than the last 3 Halos combined.
The Move Controls. They work better than you could imagine. They work better than the dualshock itself. It’s the closest you’re going to come to the keyboard/mouse experience on a console, without literally using a keyboard and mouse on a console. Very accurate. Very fun to play.
The graphics. Pure awesomeness. Thought Killzone 2 looked good? This one looks better.
The Bad:
As much as I loved it, the campaign is way too short (7 hours to finish on medium difficulty) and may be just a little too disjointed. There were a few times where they went overboard making scenes that would stand out in 3D and leave 2D gamers scratching their heads. If the single-player campaign ran 10-20 hours, I would have given Killzone 3 a 5 out of 5. I’m sure they’ll have more of the game to sell us later (there’s a “6 months later” moment that feels created for DLC).
Lack of maps. I’m not sure how many maps the game comes with, but with 10+ hours of play time, I haven’t seen more than 6 or 7. Not to mention, everyone memorizes one map and then keeps voting to play it over and over again, which is really annoying. Again, I’m sure they’ll have plenty more maps to sell us later as DLC. Am I the only one noticing that to get a “full” game, you have to shell out around $120? Seems like sort of a scam.
The Ugly … er … “Helghast”:
The 3D. The 3D worked well enough. Some parts were worthy of pure amazement. One section had me screaming out to my girlfriend, “Now THIS is what 3D gaming’s about!” Then I felt like a geek. A geek wearing $100 3D glasses. Thinking back on it, it’s hard to believe she’s stayed with me this long.
The problem with the 3D is the nonstop crosstalk (it’s worse in darker areas and cutscenes). If you’re not all that familiar with 3D, crosstalk basically looks like you’re having double (or even triple) vision. This can be pretty problematic when you’re staring at three crosshairs, when there’s only supposed to be one. I just kept the, “hit the one in the middle” line from Rocky IV in mind. It’s the worst crosstalk I’ve seen in a game or in a movie. Which sucks, because, had it not been wrecked by the crosstalk, it would have easily been the best 3D ever put into a game.
That said, if you have the chance, I’d recommend playing in 3D. At least a few of the scenes (feel free to ask me in the comments, which parts work best in 3D — I don’t want to give away spoilers in this review). But for all the 3D hype, the game looks and plays just fine in 2D. I wouldn’t invest in that 3DTV just yet — at least not if you’re doing so just for this game. On the other hand, I’d definitely invest in this game. If you’re a fan of shooters; you won’t be disappointed!
I must agree, the campaign is painfully short. Id expected at least longer than Killzone 2 at least. I enjoyed the coop mode though, playing with a friend is certainly fun! 😀