Killzone is a first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 2 game console and PlayStation Network, developed by Netherlands-based Guerrilla Games and released on November 2, 2004 in North America. An emulated version was set to be released on the PlayStation Network on January 24th, 2012 for the PlayStation 3. It was later announced February 8th, 2012 via Twitter, that the game has been delayed indefinitely.^{[citation needed]}

Plot[link]

This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. (July 2011)

The game is set in an era of space colonization where the Helghast Empire has recovered from its defeat in the First Extrasolar War and launched a blitzkrieg against the outer Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) colony planet Vekta. Vekta's orbital Strategic Defense (S.D.) platforms failed during the initial assault, allowing the Helghast to land swarms of soldiers onto the surface and making it all the more difficult for the outnumbered ISA forces.

In the game, the Helghast are a faction of human descendants who colonized the planet Helghan many generations ago. The planet's harsh environment forced the Helghast to adapt and mutate so much that they can no longer be considered human. They are stronger, faster and more resilient than their human cousins, and possess a burning hatred for humanity. Except for a small number of half-breed Helghast and trained troopers, they require a gas mask and air processing tank that creates air similar to that found on the planet Helghan. Earth, after a serious nuclear war between its nations, formed a major government of the richest surviving governments and industries to explore space colonization, eventually settling a solar system outside of Sol. Alpha Centauri is a system with two planets, the lush and blossoming Vekta, the other rich in energy supply but inhospitable; Helghan. These two planets were purchased by the Helghan Corporation after the UCN (United Colonial Nations) decided to auction them. However, after Helghast's economic policies threatened to undermine the UCN's financial system the UCN invaded Vekta and removed the Helghast after failing to impose financial sanctions. This forced the Helghast to colonize Helghan, a harsh and brutal planet, and deeply resenting the loss of the Vetka.

The player takes control of ISA Captain Jan Templar, who is desperately trying to repel the invasion. Despite the ISA's brave and valiant attempts, they continue to sustain overwhelming losses and the Helghast slowly prevail. Templar and his squad are called back to the base for reassignment. However, the ISA's headquarters is overrun by the overwhelming assault force of the swarming Helghast and a forced evacuation was conducted. Templar managed to hold off the invasion with the help of Marshal Lugar who rescued him from possible assassination in the overrun and abandoned HQ. Templar and Lugar are then sent to find the ISA operative Gregor Hakha, a half-Helghast spy who had acquired data on future Helghast movements. On their way they meet Ricardo Velasquez; another ISA soldier who had just lost his platoon to Helghast forces and had rescued them from a large platoon of Helghast soldiers with a powerful show of fury and aggression when he unsheathed fire from the shadows.

As they meet up with Hakha, the unit discovered that General Stuart Adams, a high ranking ISA officer, was a traitor. When the Earth Defense Fleet (EDF) arrived to assist the Vektan Army, Adams murdered General Vaughan and prepared an ambush for the EDF relief force. A series of climactic and epically titanic conflicts uncoil across the blood-drenched docks and other parts of Vekta as Templar's small but unit of specialist soldiers help regroup ISA with strategic strikes across Vekta, helping destabilize the battle plans forged by Helghan. As the battles continue razing wildly, a frantic and despairing General Adams sees his position of power disintegrate as Helghast's main military commander, General Lente, friend of Colonel Hakha and war ally, assumes control of the invasion fleet.

During the invasion, Hakha confronted and killed Lente while the ISA unit was able to call off ECA attacks on the station. Templar and his unit managed to breach and destroy the station and Adams after subduing fanatical resistance. The battle weakened the Helghan, but their grip on the southern parts of Vekta remained unwaveringly strong and resilient as ISA forces regrouped and prepared to finally reclaim their planet.

The scenes conclude ultimately with Lugar and Captain Templar quietly discussing a potential backlash from the Helghast, and Lugar trying to rekindle an old romance possibly with Templar who consumed with anguish over Vaughton's death still, remains oblivious and focused solely on the job at hand.

Reception[link]

Killzone received mixed reviews from magazines and websites. PSM stated that Killzone is "Graphically stunning and hits the mark in so many ways, it's baffling; they promised us we'd experience future war, and we have...and come away shaking."^[9] Other reviewers cited technical problems with Killzone, including inconsistent AI,^[6] occasional bugs, frame-rate issues, distracting graphical glitches,^[6] repetition of the same voices,^[4] short draw distance, and an awkward control system. Critics also complained about the gameplay, with IGN labeling it "underwhelming and mediocre"^[6] and Into Liquid Sky stating that it "needs more refinement".^[10] Sarcastic Gamer's "How to Kill a Brand" (parody of How to Save a Life) criticized Killzone, saying it didn't deserve a sequel.

Reviewers such as GameSpy ^[11] claimed that Killzone partly suffered due to the incredible publicity it received before release, raising expectations only for them to go unfulfilled. Despite this, Killzone was admired for its sound effects, its soundtrack, and its presentation of a gritty war zone;^[6] it was also credited for its unique hard sci-fi art design.^[11]

See also[link]

• Killzone: Liberation
• Killzone 2
• List of characters in Killzone
• Kerberos saga # 'Killzone' video game
• Protect Gear

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Killzone

• Official website Command center for all 3 games.
• Official PS2 Website
• Japanese website on sega.jp
• Killzone at MobyGames
• Killzone 3

Media links

• Vekta Today: Helghast Invasion Special (Official 3D gallery of vehicles, weapons, and enemies)