Killzone: Twelve New Screenshots

Take a look at these pretty new screens from Killzone, the 'Halo beater' announced by Sony last week. Plus - new details ahoy!

Last Friday, SCEE announced their massively hyped firstperson shooter, Killzone, which has been described as PS2's 'Halo beater' by some particularly excited journalists. As expected, the September issue of Edge magazine boasts a cover feature and several previously unseen screenshots.

The magazine, which features the cover headline "Halo for the PS2?" and should be prominent throughout the imminent London Games Week, took a trip to the game's developers in Amsterdam, the recently renamed Guerrilla. According to their playtest, the Internet hype surrounding Killzone is justified by - their words - "a very promising game."

Killzone has the potential to lead the FPS genre on PS2 quite comfortably - this much we know from the details so far in public domain. Edge comments that the game offers epic scope, with "terrific" weapons as well as both claustrophobic and open-space settings. The article goes into some detail about the dynamics resulting from four selectable players in the squad, a concept that "forces the player to think differently about every set piece."

Some other things to look out for include "collapsing bridges, dropships spewing out Helghast troops" and "extreme firefights", along with an AI system that, according to the report, the designers had to tweak because it was initially running "too perfectly." A group of enemy soldiers will always react convincingly if, for example, you hurl a grenade in their direction.

There will reportedly be 22 weapons in the game, but you won't find any fancy laser guns - or any aliens to use them on for that matter. Although the game is set amidst a future war, Guerrilla's focus was realism, and making the game appeal to a broad audience. The game certainly looks stunning with rich textural detail that surpasses MGS2, according to the report.

Killzone will also feature online compatibility - good news for all PS2 owners. The article also elaborates on many other aspects of the game and the visit to the developers, including the attention given to the control system, the story, level design and crucial set pieces. Perhaps most importantly, the magazine gives its opinion on how the title compares to Halo - which of course you'll have to find out for yourself.

And on that note, we should probably point out that the September issue of Edge is in UK newsagents this week, priced £4 - and, would you believe it, Japanese stores for ¥2150.

Killzone has officially entered the Power Hype stage. We're excited. Stay tuned for more details and screenshots imminently. Click here for the announcement, and our first five screens.

Kikillzone Staff
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