Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Immersive"

Killzone 3 is like repeated shots of adrenaline, Killzone 3 juices you up and pushes you into chaos again and again. This newest installment fulfills the promise of the franchise through action-packed set piece encounters, electrifying gameplay, and surprising environments. While Guerilla Games still struggles to find a sense of pacing, and storytelling largely consists of people shouting incomprehensible things at each other, it's easy to ignore the paper-thin plotting given all the shrapnel and gunfire zooming past your head.

The game picks up right after the finale of Killzone 2. Sev is standing by Rico despite his moronic decision to martyr the Helghast's supreme leader. Now, the ISA troops are caught behind enemy lines on the hostile planet. While the story follows a few meaningful threads, every emotion and moment is ratcheted up to such an extreme that it's hard to know what to care about. Some characters shout every single word of dialogue they speak, and that sense of constant insanity carries over into gameplay. Most of the game runs with the amp turned to eleven, so when the cool explosions, deaths, and plot reveals happen, they don't carry the impact they might otherwise have had. That said, as I mentioned in my review of Killzone 2, it's hard to complain too much about high-octane action in a sci-fi shooter.

Technically, Killzone 3 reaches a new benchmark for which other games should strive. The graphical fidelity is high despite the overload of activity taking place onscreen at any one time. It's a visual smorgasbord of action and lights, filled with oversaturated colors that are likely a response to critiques that found the earlier games too drab. Stack on all the independently moving characters and vehicles, and the game is a sight to behold.

The visual splendor and tight gameplay carry over into an excellent multiplayer component. The class and leveling mechanic offers customization options, but the real enjoyment comes from the objective-based game modes, which task teams with completing goals across vast battlefields. The best of these game types include interstitial cutscenes that move the mission forward, starring the best players from the group. Players more familiar with whittling away space marine energy shields will be in for a shock at how fast a duel can go down; if your preference is that momentary thrill of trigger finger against trigger finger, you should be pleased.

Concept:
Survive behind enemy lines from one explosive first-person battle to the next

Graphics:
More action unfolds across the screen than any comparable game, and it all looks gorgeous in that "demolished by the ravages of war" this is the Best looking shooter to date.

Sound:
A phenomenal soundtrack is buried beneath overly intrusive sound effects and shouting. Adjust your audio levels accordingly

Playability:
No matter your control scheme, Killzone 3 feels intuitive and responsive.

Entertainment:
With its latest installment, the franchise gives the other big shooters a run for their money.

Replay:
High


The Story:
9.0

The Multiplayer:
10/10

Graphics:
10/10

Sound:
9/10

Playability:
9.3/10

The Verdict:
9.6/10

Side note:
I don't know why Killzone 3 has not Kicked CoD off its throne and, made its way to the top... I don't know, I just don't. And to me this has a Strong lead on "Best Shooter of the Year" so far.