A Launch Title Done Right.
Killzone: Shadow Fall is one of the three PS4 exclusive titles that launched with the system, and it’s the fifth entry in Guerrilla Games’ Killzone franchise. Shadow Fall is set many years after the end of Killzone 3, which saw the destruction of Helghan at the hands of the VSA. Due to the annihilation of their planet the remaining Helghan are moved to Vekta to start New Helghan. Having their former enemy in their backyard makes many Vektans uneasy, and over time the paper thin truce between the two sides begins to deteriorate. Both Helghan and VSA forces spy on each side thanks to the deep-rooted mistrust between them, which leads to the creation of the VSA Shadow Marshals. These elite soldiers lead the covert operations taking place in Helghan territory, and as their name implies they’re both stealthy and deadly.
GB: "Say what you will about the state of the industry, but even as games evolve, their graphics remain a key aspect. Even some of the biggest flops this year sport some gorgeous visuals, as publishers and developers push the boundaries of what’s possible, pouring years of time and money into their work."
Quantum Break and Ryse are two that I was really surprised did not get an FPS boost option when played on the Series X|S. when i started playing both on the XBO, I thought they are both good, but after playing them also on my steam deck (in 60fps) I just cant go back and play the base games on XB. They really benefit from that faster frame rate.
Driveclub is another i wished had a HFR mode on PS5.
Most games this gen are the exact same except now we get faster loading through SSD and a res and fps bump. Graphically not much has improved, hell most last gen games are being relabeled and resold as “remastered” with the aforementioned updates.
I haven’t seen or played anything on either platform that couldn’t be run on last gen. Guess the law of diminishing returns is really showing itself these days.
Most games from 20 years ago are basically the same as today, with resolution and fps upgrades. The AI is still just as braindead as it always has been, worlds are full of static, boring characters that do the same thing over and over.
Smh another reason why graphics haven't improved that much is because most devs too caught up on cross gen. Ps4 was/still a dope console but time has moved on we're halfway close to a ps6 reveal and devs still will be making games on last gen in 2025. Then theres Microsoft purposely got the Xbox series s that causes more devs to try to pull strings as much as they can smh. It's a mixed bag of stuff, the only ones I see pushing hardware is sonys studios and even some indie games look better
Hugely disappointingly, it seems that Guerrilla Games, developers of the Killzone and Horizon series, may be done with Killzone for good.
1 was fine, overhyped as a " halo" killer
2 was a graphical beast at the time, and felt heavy
3 was good a refinement of 2 but not much else. weird audio issues environment were to quiet
shadow fall was pretty but bland
Shadowfall had great Multiplayer though. Too bad the campaign was meh at best. It did have the occasional great moment sprinkled in.
I played through 2/3 multiple times. I played through the original once, but it felt pretty lukewarm for me. I couldn't be bothered to beat Shadow Fall. I got a couple hours in and just went "I'm done". Never touched it again. It was awesome on the tech side, being a launch title, but it didn't even match up to the first game when it came to actually having fun playing it.
3 in 3d was an amazing experience to be had.
Although not many experienced it as intended for good reasons.
You forgot the ai advancements on the playstation 2 killzone one you could have a full team of bots doing everything even playing the objective that was a big thing.
In killzone 2 they always flanked you and when available used the high ground.
Playing killzone 2 no hud 5.1 audio was/is awesome
I dont mind if someone else takes up the mantle for the KZ franchise. We are several years removed from the first game. It certainly could use a remake to gauge interest in the rest of the series. I know it has its fans... Im thinking of how a proper reboot can rekindle that old dormant flame and bring in a new generation of fans in the process.
You forgot killzone mercenaries on the ps vita but it was the worst selling sony game for awhile there.
Would like a new IP before Horizon 3. Just because games take so long to make these days.
It's been 10 years since Killzone: Shadow Fall arrived for PlayStation 4 early adopters, and there's no sign of another sequel.
Sadly it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer.
lmao sadly? Are you pretending to have actually played the series lol Sorry bud, no Killzone on Xbox.
They brought out 4 main games and 2 spin offs: one on PSP and one on Vita. That's a decent run for any series. I also understand that Shadow Fall wasn't a success commercially despite it coming out at PS4 launch, and as a big Killzone fan even I couldn't get into it, so I think Sony/Guerrilla could see it was time to move on.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love another Killzone game in the vein of KZ2 but it's just not happening. Hell, I'd even take a remake or remaster of the first 3 games.
I'd hardly say it was "dumped" though, it spanned 3 console generations and 2 handheld generations.
@obscured:”Sadly it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer”
Happily it was dumped by Guerrilla to focus on Horizon games only. Mainline, VR and Multiplayer( edited to reflect the writer true feelings and allegiance)
Kill zone was a FPS far ahead of its glitched competitors with nauseating bad camera angles, 10 years old screaming curses like a drunk sailor and bot aiming assist.
“Sadly”?
The Horizon games were among the best games of all time. Killzone Shadowfail wasn’t.
True, but damn the memories of KZ2 multiplayer. Still no MP as fun as that to this date.
And Sony as a whole dumped the FPS genre so they wouldn't have products competing with COD and (until purchase) Destiny.
I loved the KZ2+3 campaigns and MP in 2. There could be so much more done with the franchise. Horizon although good, I wish they'd go back to this wonderful IP. Take a break from Horizon please.
Agreed dude, I would absolutely love a reboot of the series, one can only hope that either resistance or killzone makes a return.
Have nothing but great memories, especially of the first 3 games, but all 4 were show stoppers graphically.
To making it a successful reboot they have to change that buttons layout! Make it playable like the cod button layout. Otherwise I’ll skipping it again.
And that's the reason why many fps games failed. Instead of being original and catering to it's fans, they tried to make it like cod. No, kz doesn't need cod button layout. It needs to be like it was on kz2 or balanced liked kz3.
I think Kill Zone would do great in Sony's LS push. As well as MAG reboot and bring back Resistance into LS.
Killzone games were so polished. The gameplay was just simple joy. MP was one of the best experiences.
I remember KZ3, just staring at how awesome they animated the water and then getting wasted because of it.
I have said it before, this game is very good. I think for a launch title, on a limited time crunch on a brand new system, they did an outstanding job.
Still working through the campaign, but the MP is mad fun. Definitely one to pass those lazy holiday afternoons and evening playing online.
Good review.
Will never understand how 8/10 to some people is classed as 'bad' lol its basically 4/5 aha
I beat it, was a great game, good variety in missions. You can't just run and gun, you will die. This game is hard especially on the hard setting.
I am considering going for the platinum in it :D
One of the very few reviewers that played the full game, single and multiplayer.
It's not a bad game. It definitely could have used a few more months of development though. The story is not even a bad story, it's just so disjointed. It is very hard to follow. Some parts needed axed too. Spoiler alert: the mission where you are protecting the transport that Massar is in, that flying part with the rockets you are able to shoot from who knows where, should not have made the final game. I enjoyed the game, but wow it could have used something's cut out.