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Killzone 2: The Multiplayer Maps

Kevin VanOrd
By Kevin VanOrd, Senior Editor

Killzone 2 Killzone 2's multiplayer maps are some of the best on which I have ever fought. Most of them feature winding paths, various chokepoints, and clever placement of capture points, so even on the larger maps, there is no reason why you wouldn't be right in the thick of the action. You...

Killzone 2's multiplayer maps are some of the best on which I have ever fought. Most of them feature winding paths, various chokepoints, and clever placement of capture points, so even on the larger maps, there is no reason why you wouldn't be right in the thick of the action. You know how some shooter maps are great for, say, capture the flag, or deathmatch, but not for other modes? Killzone 2's maps may excel in some modes more than others, but possess no intrinsic weaknesses. And that's for the best, because matches string multiple modes seamlessly together, keeping you constantly on your toes and forcing you to switch gears several times in a single game.

And yes, the review is coming this week! In the meanwhile, I thought I'd fill you in on all eight maps that ship with Killzone 2, so I can give you further reasons to salivate.

Pyrrhus Rise


The dust blows past and rocky mesas rise from the desert sand. The derelict base in the center of this dusty purgatory is the perfect place for a skirmish, due to the three bridges that link the Helghast headquarters with that of the ISA. These overpasses create chokepoints where plenty of nail-biting firefights occur. However, a good squad will take advantage of an unoccupied bridge and bring the fight to the enemy. At the end of one bridge is a nice, tiny hiding spot where you can lie in wait for an unsuspecting foe, though there is no real camping in this game. Possibly my favorite map in Killzone 2.

Salamun Market


Explosions and flaming artillery fire light the skies in this moody marketplace. The crumbling buildings above ensure that battles occur on multiple levels, particularly in modes like Search and Retrieve, a variation on capture the flag. In cases like this, you may have to collect a propaganda speaker from a cramped room and return it to a more vulnerable position near the market stalls. By keeping the action hotspots moving, Killzone 2's multilevel maps succeed extremely well.

Helghan Industries


The Helghan and ISA bases on this map are parallel to each other, but a large multistory complex separates them. A mode like Search and Destroy forces teams to cross wider areas and meet head to head inside the claustrophobic stairwells, where I've found the shotgun to be eminently handy. Across the way, ramps lead you into an edifice that gives you a bit more room to maneuver. This is also an incredibly atmospheric map where loose pages fly in the wind and lightning flashes across the dark, ominous sky.

Visari Hammer

This cliffside base hovers over the planet below, and if you look towards the nearby city, note the towering mushroom cloud and reddish hue swathing the land. The map itself is somewhat of a U shape, but a central complex keeps teams constantly engaged. Capture and Hold is particularly fun on this map, as the control points on either side are exposed not just because they are in the open, but raised on a platform accessible by a stairway on either side.

Radec Academy


The highlight of this grey-tinted map is the courtyard in the center. The hallways surrounding this area and the balconied walkways above give you a lot of leeway on how to approach targets in the yard. If you have a close-range weapon like a shotgun, your sidearm may get a good workout here, though I've found the M82 to be eminently helpful here for its versatility.

Tharsis Depot


The way shafts of light flood into the interior environs of this map is stunning, though the action is the real star here. Overhead walkways keep battles raging above and below, and Bodycount (team deathmatch) is especially enjoyable, since the tight, blocky design means you have to be constantly on the move.

Blood Gracht


This map competes with Pyrrhus Rise as my favorite battleground in the game. Winding stairways and underground tunnels provide plenty of chokepoints, and a gulley above which power lines shake in the wind offers plenty of team vs. team showdowns. As if there wasn't enough tension, bolts of lightning flash across the sky and even strike the surrounding buildings. Crank up the sound when playing on this one--you might actually jump out of your chair.

Corinth Crossing


This dockside map is also great in Capture and Hold, thanks to exposed capture points stranded at the end of the walkways that hover over the water, and a center control node on a platform above. Talk about intense action--the ensuing firefights are amongst the best in the game here, though a gaping hole in the central platform can help make for a quick getaway. Don't gaze at the pretty water for too long, or you'll be toast.

Kevin VanOrd
By Kevin VanOrd, Senior Editor

Kevin VanOrd is a lifelong RPG lover and violin player. When he isn't busy building PCs and composing symphonies, he watches American Dad reruns with his fat cat, Ollie.

316 comments
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get-ka12
get-ka12

Tharsis Depot is easily my favorite.

YoJim8obaJoe
YoJim8obaJoe

that pic for Tharis depot is Radec acadamy.Just when you think glitchspot couldn't get any more wrong,they do :)

Jhoalot
Jhoalot

but anyways the maps are perfect!

Jhoalot
Jhoalot

i want this game! There should be an area untoched by the helghast a green zone or something like that

jaggonater
jaggonater

i dont know whats with all the hype on pyrrhus rise.... i really didnt like it, dont know, just dont

lilnorris64
lilnorris64

1.blood gracht 2.tharsis depot 3.salamun market 4. helghan industries 5.pyrrhus rise 6.radec academy 7.vasari hammer 8.corinth crossing

Night-Hawk_96
Night-Hawk_96

cant wait to get this game gonna be beastly!

Ruxster
Ruxster

Visuals Visuals Visuals What a dream of a game, just when I thought it was going to be a while untill we feel a real difference in FPS christmas comes early, this beauty hits the spot. Give the fact the campaign is not the longest to grace any console, it does have grit, and thats what we need, not to mention the fantastically diverese Ai, you could almost get mixed up believing your on line while in campaign mode. And the atmosphere this game drenches you in is second to none, there is no other FPS I can think of that clears the path for pure engrosment, if you have a good surround sound system, prepare for deep immersive engagement. There is no doubt in my mind this title will top the charts, the best way I can desribe it is clear vision and the way forward in the FPS world. Dont waste your money on anything else!!!!

Allan_X
Allan_X

I'd rank the maps something like this... 1. Visari Hammer: Love the background. The tight halls funnel the action into head-on confrontations like no other, and these tense encounters are juxtaposed with glimpses of outdoor running gun battles. It's got good balance, too. Overall, it's my favorite. 2. Blood Gracht: One word: Intense. The action on this map gets so hot, it'll blow your mind. The shortcuts that dot this map are handy in a pinch, and unlike in other maps they may actually contain an enemy or two. 3. Helghan Industries: Nothing quite like it. It's multi-tiered, but not so much that you lose the advantage if you're not up above. It's well-balanced, too. 4. Salamun Market: Good stuff. Keeps you on your toes, always on the lookout for hidden dangers and ways to exploit your enemy's position. 5. Pyrrhus Rise: Sure, it's large. Maybe a little TOO large. This one's for the snipers, really. And the M82ers, while we're at it. Good if you've got lots of players. 6. Radec Academy: Suffers from the same problem as COD4's Showdown... there are lots of side passages, but the action gets funneled into the courtyard and you're left with people camping the balconies and doorways. Pretty weak. 7. Tharsis Depot: Same problem as Radec. Lots of places to go, but most people just go the easiest route and collide in the middle. 8. Corinth Crossing: I can't quite put my finger on it. I just hate the living poo out of this map. It probably has something to do with how disadvantaged you are if you don't claw your way to the top of this stupid place. If you get into a gun battle in the middle, expect fire from above. Like the previous two, it has a number of places you CAN go, but only very few that you SHOULD.

ph1nn
ph1nn

Pyrrhus Rise is my favorite too, it's a fantastic map and holds 32 players perfectly. They need to make more maps like this and less cramped little ones.

manchildz
manchildz

I WAS SO WRONG!!!! I said i wasn't impressed with this game, then came SALUMUN BRIDGE. WOW! I couldn't think of any other game that has been able to produce a firefight like that one. If u dont advance, they advance on you, or an ambush, the most fun I've had playing a shooter. Like i said before MY 1st PS3 GAME, I've been heavy on the 360 since it came out, but I been through 5 of them and simply I'm done with that piece of garbage. Microsoft u gave me a reason test something else, u pushed me back to SONY.

-Vect-
-Vect-

Pyrrhus Rise is my favourite. Great design and so many vantage points, you have to constantly be on the move, and modes like assassination force you to cross the bridges.

killzone_gamer
killzone_gamer

Phyrrus Rise is the best map in the game, there is so much clever design there. Corinth Crossing is also a brilliant map. I love them all! :D

Sweetwater94
Sweetwater94

i think phyrrus rise is actually too big for this game's type of gameplay (just like seelow in W@W) but my favorites are corinth and academy.

muzik_mafia
muzik_mafia

fantastic game. when i did blood gracht for the first time, i thought to myself: wow.wow.

soleil22
soleil22

finally picked it up. SOOOOO WICKED!

dromeo
dromeo

cant wait for this game tomorrow

darin025
darin025

Billbob2468 oh ok, i see wat ur getting at. And yea 10679, ur telling me things i already know... or course if it's natively set to 1080p it'd look betta. Bottom line is KZ2 on my tv is noticably better set to 1080p than it is set at native 720p spent awhile comparing so ya, i know.

juxax
juxax

jeez, GS review a game, and you disagree and call them 360 fanboys, they take time doing a review, to make sure the outcome pleases the fans, and you turn round and whine about it. You're pathetic, especially since I and you know we're all going to buy this game regardless of the review it gets.

mrsmiley227
mrsmiley227

Getting this for my birthday. Cant wait. Anyone who disses it has a 360 n nothing else. Get off of a PS3 game forum if you have a 360..... Idiots...

smi2_commander
smi2_commander

REALLY REALLY looking forward to the game.....shame there aint no GS review to read. Oh well, it's just as well I've read ALL THE OTHER REVIEWS for the game!

G-Bake
G-Bake

OMG i don't think i can wait one more day!!!

ps2owns
ps2owns

Wheres the god damn review? You guys are slower than molasses. Do you enjoy being the laughing stock of the game journalism industry? Its ridiculous..

rmoorevtps3
rmoorevtps3

wtf are you guys doing are you going to review the game or what?

IIKING_SIR3II
IIKING_SIR3II

I'm still playin Killzone1, just hope part 2 is just as fun as part1.

Indaglo
Indaglo

HAHAHA...sounds like the review is going to take as long to make as the game did! LOL ...personally I could care less about a review once I buy a game...and this title is a no brainer purchase... a must be had title. Cyaz all online ;) (FRIDAY 27= DAY OFF WORK...pretty much a global holiday this year...lol)

perocare
perocare

cant wait for killzone 2

Ack_Im_empty
Ack_Im_empty

Thats what happens when you lose a fair amount of your core reviewers. You can't keep up. I'm starting to regret having a gold/premium membership. I used to love this site back when it was also videogames.com, but now its just a place to view screenshots.

utopiangames
utopiangames

the review thing is rediculous, most people interested in the title will be well into the game by the time a review is published. plain stupid - if you can't make a judgement on the multi player form the beta testing and weeks of playing review code find another job.

utopiangames
utopiangames

the review thing is rediculous, most people interested in the title will be well into the game by the time a review is published. plain stupid - if you can't make a judgement on the multi player form the beta testing and weeks of playing review code find another job.

FusionRain
FusionRain

this game __________ (fill in the blank) (i bet it will end with something good bout this game)

at26522
at26522

i love my demo! this game is amazing. cant wait till friday. graphics are so amazing! only con is the moving is kind of awkward

106473
106473

All Glory To Helghan!

mad7334
mad7334

You guys REALLY need to get your reviews out faster. Take tips from IGN.

ps3_pro_gamer
ps3_pro_gamer

the graphics look awesome. can you guys do a story on the class system? i still dont know how it works?

chollo_heat
chollo_heat

OMGG i cannot wait any longer ima go crazy and kill babies i need this game

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