Killzone 2  for  the Playstation 3 is your quintessential first person shooter.  In space?  Check.  Dreary game world?  Check?  Endless swarms of enemies?  Check.  Killer multiplayer? Check.   Killzone 2 is like having the best parts of Halo and Gears of War in the same game.

In the single player mode, you find yourself playing as Thomas “Sev” Sevchenko, a soldier fighting  for  the ISA .  The game picks up about two years after the first, and the Helghast  (the antagonists) now find themselves defending their home planet of Helghan.  Kill the leader, save the world… you know the drill.  It’s not the most original plot, but parts of the game play out like a rail shooter or a shooting gallery, while others have you immersed in much larger battle.  Some areas have you ducking for cover, and others have you rushing in guns ablaze.   You may even find yourself behind the wheel of a tank from time to time.  To call Killzone 2 a very well-rounded shooter is an understatement.  Standing on the shoulders of giants, Killzone 2 has cherry-picked the elements that make Halo and Gears of War fun to play.  Killzone’s multiplayer does the same by borrowing elements of Call of Duty’s multiplayer.

In multiplayer, you’ll find yourself choosing a class similar to Call of Duty.  Killzone offers seven classes, each with its strengths and weaknesses.  You pick two classes and can switch when you die.   The only downfall of PS3 ‘s online play is the number of players without headsets.  It shouldn’t be held against the game (which is completely solid) but it’s worth noting that your teammates may be mutes.  The multiplayer also has clans, rankings, tournaments…the whole nine yards.  If you and 31 friends are looking for something to do, may I suggest Killzone 2?

Normally I don’t harp on graphics.  Frankly, it’s not essential to a good game.  Killzone 2 proves that graphics can make a good game into a great one.  The amount of detail and polish on this game is top-notch.   I’m talking detail so rich you can see that some of the characters have a 5 o’clock shadow, and it’s not a zoomed-in shot.  The richness of detail helps make the game more immersive, especially when coupled with the sound.

Sound is a topic that I rarely, if ever broach when talking about games.  It’s usually only noticeable if something is wrong with it.  If you own a home theater, Killzone 2 will give you every penny’s worth blasting through those speakers.  The game has an orchestral score, and Hollywood quality explosions.  The game makes full use of surround sound and keeps you in the game.  This is one of the few games out there where I can honestly say the sound will help keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Playstation 3 owners: do yourself a favor and buy this game.  Rub it in to your Xbox buddies that they can’t have it.  It’s one of very few PS3 exclusive trump cards.  It may not be that innovative, but it does have the benefit of borrowing the best elements from the top three shooter franchises before it.  It is a must have for the PS3 owner.

Killzone 2 is rated M for Mature by the ESRB for blood and gore, intense violence, and strong language.  Killzone 2 is exclusively on Playstation 3.

Kevin “Mello Joe” Mercer is a former radio personality and a lifelong gamer. You can find him on Xbox Live and Playstation Network, Gamertag: Mellojoe. View the world as he sees it at www.youtube.com/user/mellojoe. www.myspace.com/charlesk