In case you haven't heard, "Killzone 3" is out today. For first-person shooter fans, PS3 exclusives don't get much bigger. But this installment is a bit of an odd bird. With most games, a review can be summed up into, "the game is good" or "the game is bad." As it turns out, "Killzone 3" is both. What you're looking to get out of it is really going to determine whether it's worth your hard-earned money, as certain aspects are much better executed than others. So pay attention: This post is going to determine the fate of your $60.
Why You Should Buy Killzone 3
For The Multiplayer
The multiplayer in "Killzone 3" is top notch and stands astride the best efforts from games like "Call of Duty" and "Halo." Unique twists on modes introduced in "Killzone 2" offer more variety for the seasoned player while a deep character advancement system will keep folks playing for months on end. The campaign also offers spit-screen play, but that's not really the best reason to pick this one up. We'll get into why in a moment.
For A Visual/Aural Showcase
If you just purchased a fancy new 3D TV, "Killzone 3" is going to be one of the best ways to show it off. The visuals in this game are simply spectacular and the 3D effects look quite good, as well. Even without 3D, few games are able to match the horrible chaos of war, as portrayed in "Killzone 3," simply from an explosions-per-minute perspective. It's an eye and earful.
For Your Move Investment
Guerrilla Games did a tremendous job integrating Move controls into "Killzone 3." While I wouldn't say that the game is easier with Move than a Dual Shock, parts are certainly more fun and the controls feel tight and accurate. It's the best Move-compatible game on PS3 right now. Just don't expect to be doling out the kills in multiplayer, as that slower turn speed will do you in every time.
Why You Shouldn't Buy Killzone 3
For The Campaign
Frankly the single-player campaign in "Killzone 3" is a mess on so many levels that I almost want to break this category out into several layers of wrong.
For starters, the story is laughably bad to the point where it makes Michael Bay look like Oscar Wilde. The campaign is loaded with flat, uninteresting characters (the hero, Sev, and his buddy Rico being the two most obvious culprits) and lines like "F*** your orders!" are delivered loud and without irony. The only marginally interesting storyline involves political fissures taking place within the Helghast army, and that's only taking place in a few select cutscenes.
The gameplay fails to inspire, as well. 90% of the game consists of running to cover and taking potshots at enemies from far away, while the remaining 10% consist of on-rails shooter segments. It's like someone looked at a book of FPS cliches and decided to include everything, just to be careful.
So you have characters you don't care about doing the same things over and over again, all wrapped in a story that feels like it's on a 3rd grade reading level. If you're buying "Killzone 3" for the campaign, don't. It's not good.
The Verdict
Really what it comes down to is a question of what works and what doesn't. The multiplayer works (and well!), the visuals work, the Move controls work. The campaign absolutely does not. If you have no friends and plan on playing "Killzone 3" on your lonesome merely for the 8 hour campaign, you will come away disappointed. Otherwise, enjoy one of the best multiplayer experiences on the PS3.