Killzone 2 pre-release discussion thread

[Terarrim]

This post isn't a dig at negative reviews of KZ2. However I read a review that mentioned that you must use a AV, home theater system if you have one to get the full effect of kZ2.

As a big movie buff in my opinion a good 50 percent of the impact of a movie especally action movies is in the sound.

I have probably read more reviews for this game than I have for any other game as I really have been looking forward to it since 2005 reveal.

I'm just wondering for those people (journo's) who are less impressed with the levels and seem to be saying that they (the levels) and the action are "generic". What type of systems are they using?

Now I realise that all reviews are subjective and according to tastes. And that a good TV and AV system will help to sell any games, though action games in particular (in my opinion).

It's just some of the postive reviews are full of "never seen before", "attention to detail", "best graphics on consoles" etc.

Others seem to be more flat in their aprasal.

Some of the reviews mention that the game is intense viseral feeling. Even to mention how the gameplay, AI, graphics and sound all come to gether to make a very immerse experiance.

The same reviews also mention the 7.1 sound.

I just wonder if some reviewers just use stereo sound for example.

I'm not trying to make excuses (defending KZ2) but saying in general that action games like action movies that really rest on its visuals and music to sell you the experiance, far more than a role playing game would (though they obviously help there to).

So I suppose at the end of all that I am wondering. Are they like the people (journo's) who review action movies using large HD TV's, 7.1 surround in a quite enviournemnt? or are they using sub 32 inch HD tv's in busy environemnts (like an office)?

I would imagine the experiance for most games especally intense action titles would vary widely from reviewer to reviewer depending on the environment.

I just say this because there are films I have had the opportunity to watch that I have point blank refused to do so because I want to experiance either at a cinema or on HD TV and a home theater to really get the most out of that action film.

(Jurassic Park, Starship Troopers are the types of films I have in mind).

This resonated with me more because of what GG said about their influance from Vandhovan (worry if mispelt) films etc.

 

[-tkf-]

This post isn't a dig at negative reviews of KZ2. However I read a review that mentioned that you must use a AV, home theater system if you have one to get the full effect of kZ2.

Most of the "Big Budget" games of this gen benefits from a Solid HT.

 

[ChryZ]

Could I ask someone with ties to Guerilla Games / Sony to confirm if there's a cut or uncut version of the game coming to Germany/Switzerland? If not, is there a single version for entire Europe (multi language) or are there going to be localised versions of the game?

A friend of mine and myself would like to preorder the game, but want an english copy that's not cut!

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

There was an interview with a SCEA guy on the PlayStation Nation Podcast and he mentioned toned down gore or something along those lines. That was months ago though and it was never mentioned again. My memory is a bit fuzzy about it. Here is the podcast, if anyone wants to verify:

PS Nation Episode 92: Interview with Kyle Shubel (Managing Producer) for Killzone 2:
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/psnation.org/podcast/files/PSNation-Ep92-Killzowns.mp3

 

[Terarrim]

lol nice tkf hope that place is soundproofed . I'm hoping to get an onkyo 606 and KZ2 at the same time (not just for that game but been saving up to buy around same time).

 

[betan]

i swear the way that i thought that they had it set up was like COD4, i dont mind server lists..or maybe it would be like R2 where you can join a room or you can jump into one automatically, i think it would make more sense with browsing lobbies since i dont see how match0making would work better for clan matchs, which as we all know will be a big part of kz2 online

Indeed, matchmaking has nothing to do with clan matches. (Now that I think about it, a matchmaking system for clan battles would be interesting, one can only dream)

It is the best possible combination of options. Matchmaking is merely joining the first game available or hosting yourself if there are none anyway (*thus matchmaking is in KZ2). To pretend it is in anyway superior to just acquring a list of servers and joining one is laughable.

Laughable? Matchmaking is much more than that, but I guess a quick lobby finder is better than nothing. For best possible combinations of options on the market, see R1 and R2.

Additionally as someone in AUS and a heavy CoD player, the ability to limit selection to my own country and to limit players to my own skill level eliminates the two MAJOR problems that that game suffers. Joining US servers/US players joining AUS servers and been a level 55/65 player having to demolish wave after wave of new guys. And it couldn't be simpler.

If only CoD had a good matchmaking with worldwide dedicated servers, like some other games.

Anyway, Killzone 2 needs good matchmaking even more than CoD4 does, since classes seem much more "important".

I'll probably be abusing lobby system for quick ranking, like many others, if I play the game that is.
Whatever though, if you people don't see the stupidity of ranked lobbies, good for you.

 

[RudeCurve]

lol nice tkf hope that place is soundproofed . I'm hoping to get an onkyo 606 and KZ2 at the same time (not just for that game but been saving up to buy around same time).

Speakers with a dedicated subwoofer make a big difference in these types of "war" games. A 720p minimum HDTV helps too, doesn't really have to be a big one though since you can always sit closer.

The sound makes a big difference, it's the difference between playing the game and being IN the game. This isn't exclusive to KZ2 as any game that has good quality sound effects and music will bring the gamer into the game and yes it's quite visceral when you crank up the volume and hear deep wall rattling explosions from your sub. That said you don't need true surround sound to get that "in the game" feeling. You just need a sub and a pair of satellites that could handle loud volume levels. With these types of games it's all about gunshots, reloading, explosiions, yelling and other war sounds. The music is important in single player but not that important in multiplayer. I usually play these types of games with the music turned all the way down, it's more realistic /raw that way.

 

[Sigfried1977]

Could I ask someone with ties to Guerilla Games / Sony to confirm if there's a cut or uncut version of the game coming to Germany/Switzerland? If not, is there a single version for entire Europe (multi language) or are there going to be localised versions of the game?

A friend of mine and myself would like to preorder the game, but want an english copy that's not cut!

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

The German USK gave KZ2 the USK18 rating. Supposedly no cuts were made. I'm going to import the game from the UK regardless because it's much cheaper that way right now.

 

[macabre]

I also heard that the German version is uncut . But I play safe and order the Austrian version which is cheaper as well.

 

[eastmen]

Should we spawn a Console sound thread for those looking at HT systems ?

 

[Terarrim]

Speakers with a dedicated subwoofer make a big difference in these types of "war" games. A 720p minimum HDTV helps too, doesn't really have to be a big one though since you can always sit closer.

The sound makes a big difference, it's the difference between playing the game and being IN the game. This isn't exclusive to KZ2 as any game that has good quality sound effects and music will bring the gamer into the game and yes it's quite visceral when you crank up the volume and hear deep wall rattling explosions from your sub. That said you don't need true surround sound to get that "in the game" feeling. You just need a sub and a pair of satellites that could handle loud volume levels. With these types of games it's all about gunshots, reloading, explosiions, yelling and other war sounds. The music is important in single player but not that important in multiplayer. I usually play these types of games with the music turned all the way down, it's more realistic /raw that way.

Very true I am lucky enough to have a 46" 1080P Bravia to so I'm really looking forward to KZ .

 

[vanquish]

Apparently Europe get's the demo early, 5th of Feb instead of 26th Feb like the States. Does the UK, Australia & NZ also fall under the Europe PSN store region?

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/killzone-2-demo-hitting-psn-on-february-5/

 

[rounin]

Apparently Europe get's the demo early, 5th of Feb instead of 26th Feb like the States. Does the UK, Australia & NZ also fall under the Europe PSN store region?

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/killzone-2-demo-hitting-psn-on-february-5/

That was posted a few posts back I believe. In any case, is it possible for the UK to not be in Europe?

 

[the ignoramus]

That was posted a few posts back I believe. In any case, is it possible for the UK to not be in Europe?

It's possible for any PSN user to "be in Europe" and access region specific content.

 

[Nicked]

Laughable? Matchmaking is much more than that, but I guess a quick lobby finder is better than nothing. For best possible combinations of options on the market, see R1 and R2.

I'm not sure what you think Resistance is doing differently.

Also, it suffered a fairly major problem (for me personally) - ending lobbies after every game. I just didn't get that.

Apparently Europe get's the demo early, 5th of Feb instead of 26th Feb like the States. Does the UK, Australia & NZ also fall under the Europe PSN store region?

Yeah, all the SCEE+AU+NZ stores get updated at the same time, with the same content.

 

[vanquish]

That was posted a few posts back I believe. In any case, is it possible for the UK to not be in Europe?

Sorry for the repost, it was kind of stupid as well. It's just that sometimes the UK is kept separate from the rest of Europe in game,music releases and the like.

Any idea how big the demo is (GB)?

Also I'm assuming the game doesn't have splitscreen multiplayer of any kind, am I right? Did they chose not to support it because of a lack of time?

 

[vanquish]

Dark, gritty games have been around for a long time and still published recently. KZ2 made the hostile Helghast world look subtly beautiful (and en location) to me. That is the visual difference.

I believe there are day time levels in KZ2 (e.g., The desert), but very dusty. Like MGS4, the location and ambience are carefully chosen to maximize the art and emotion impact. IMHO, it's a step in the right direction.

Don't a lot of games do that as well? Eg. Half Life 2, Gears of War 2 etc.

And Gears of War 2 is also quite beautiful in places though it's 'dark and gritty'.

 

[Betanumerical]

I'm not sure what you think Resistance is doing differently.

Also, it suffered a fairly major problem (for me personally) - ending lobbies after every game. I just didn't get that.


Yeah, all the SCEE+AU+NZ stores get updated at the same time, with the same content.

Will you need a code for this demo?

 

[Nicked]

Nope.

Also I'm assuming the game doesn't have splitscreen multiplayer of any kind, am I right? Did they chose not to support it because of a lack of time?

That or technical issues. It has local MP with bots.

 

[vanquish]

Will you need a code for this demo?

Only if you live in the US you need a code.

 

[Betanumerical]

Only if you live in the US you need a code.

Wonderful.

So let me get this straight, the demo is coming out early in Europe, NZ and AU. This demo does not require code and will be out in 2 days by my clock.

Awesome, I will grab it the minute it comes out.