Impression: Killzone 2 new maps are literally hot!
One of the greatest online multiplayer games to hit this year is Killzone 2. The game offers a solid multiplayer experience along with an excellent single player campaign. Guerrilla Games, the developers of Killzone 2 have been hard at work supporting the game by releasing a good amount of map packs.
Killzone 2 is one of the games that have been occupying a good amount of my time recently besides Battlefield 1943. I have been playing the recently released map pack called Flash & Thunder, which came out last month. The map pack comes with two maps from the first Killzone game. I never played the first one, but I do know it had a hardcore clan following.
Flash & Thunder includes the complete remake of Beach Head and Southern Hills. These two maps are actually quite intriguing with different environmental themes like the first map pack. Since the maps are from Killzone 1, they all take place on another planet called Vekta.
“Thunder” Beach Head
Beach Head, like the name insinuates takes place off the beach of Vekta shores, where your team make an assault against the enemy team. The map is interesting as it has a wide open landscape next to the beach shore with lots of hilly areas. The hills make the battlefield a bit more strategic as you can use them towards your advantage. As the name of the map pack indicates, there is quite a bit of dynamic weather effects (thunder and rain) on this particular map.
“Flash” Southern Hills
The other map, Southern Hills (the “Flash” part of the name) is one crazy map. There is a huge ISA Cruiser ship hovering over the map and slowly powers up its massive cannon, which fires onto the map. Players will have to run into buildings to survive from the nuclear-like blast. I love the fact that Guerrilla always includes at least one map with environmental gameplay elements like the decapitating train map from the first DLC.
Check out the trailer for Flash & Thunder map pack below. Notice near the end of the trailer, where the ISA Cruiser powers up its cannon and levels the whole map. How awesome is that?
I’m already looking forward to the next map pack, Napalm and Cordite. There is a new patch 1.28 update available for download that makes a ton of improvements to the game as well as prepares Killzone 2 for Napalm and Cordite. The patch will also allow for flamethrower (yes!) and bolt gun support within the new maps. The flamethrower can’t be unlocked by leveling up but can be accessed only by fighting for it on the map, like the good old days.
Related Posts:
71 Responses to “Impression: Killzone 2 new maps are literally hot!”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
July 16th, 2009
whats not hot about Killzone 2 ?
July 16th, 2009
the bolt gun was my favorite weapon in the game. Nailing enemies to the wall was great.
July 16th, 2009
That gun was the Shit…the electricity gun (unlimited ammo) was the bomb
July 16th, 2009
I just read ur Flash and Thunder description
and i like it….im getting the that map pack today.
July 16th, 2009
Dragon Age: Origins Collector’s Edition Has Exclusive Mass Effect 2 Content for both PS3/360
Dragon Age: Origins will get a Collector’s Edition, priced at $75 for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and $65 for the PC. The most interesting extras packed with the CE is a voucher for Mass Effect 2 content.
This is the full list of the CE’s contents, courtesy of GameStop:
* Tin Case
* Bonus DVD including:
o A making of documentary
o Soundtrack
o Trailers
o Wallpaper
o Concept art video
o Strategy tips.
* Cloth Map
* 3 pieces of exclusive in-game content:
o Bergens Honor
o Grimoire of the Frozen Wastes
o Final Reason
* Additional In Game Content
o “The Stone Prisoner” unlockable bonus quest and unlockable character, Shale
* An unlockable item for Mass Effect 2
o Get an exclusive in-game item for use in the upcoming title Mass Effect 2
The Mass Effect 2 item is listed for the PS3 Collector’s Edition as well, even though ME2 has only been announced for the 360 and PC.
source: h**p://www.cinemablend.com/games/Dragon-Age-Origins-Collector-s-Edition-Has-Exclusive-Mass-Effect-2-Content-18665.html
July 16th, 2009
More News (since there is not enough here at Blorge) ——————–
Let the one-upping begin. Apparently, according to Sony, the technology that will be offered in Microsoft’s Natal, is technology already in the PSEye, the PS3 motion capture peripheral.
Develop is reporting that facial recognition software for the PSEye has been developed through experiments by SCEE’s Research and Development teams.
Kish Hirani, part of Sony’s R&D team, recently stated “We’ve got a wealth of libraries available,” and said he’s had a blast testing it.
The facial recognition tech can detect the player’s head placement as well as your gender and age. It also recognizes many parts of the face, such as your eyes, eyebrows, glasses, nose, and mouth. What I’m wondering is if it can detect that mountain man beard you haven’t touched in weeks?
July 16th, 2009
Marvel vs Capcom 2 release date:
August 13th for $14.99 [Only on PSN]
360 version end of the year or next year
July 16th, 2009
‘as well as your gender’
Ahh the famous checkCamelToe() function…
July 16th, 2009
Roca, A few weeks ago, I heard rumors of a “popular 360 exclusive” that will be announced for PS3 in the next few weeks. Mass Effect 2 just might be it.
.thesixthaxis.com/2009/07/10/ps3-to-pick-up-360-title/
July 16th, 2009
i heard that too i though it was Gears of War because Mass Effect is not popular enough lol
July 16th, 2009
Hmmmmmmm… more evidence of Mass Effect being multi console. I guess it’s only fair as, MS has been trying their hardest to grab Sonys Exclusives.
As for Natal…..What could I say. I’ve been calling it the pseye ripoff for a while now, but the xbots just stick their fingers in their ears and chant. LALALALALALALA NATAL RULES LALALLALALALALLA.
July 16th, 2009
In other news. Blu ray sales up 91% from last year. Wow….that fad is really catching on.
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/general/home-entertainment-holding-well-deg-says-16398
July 16th, 2009
^^^LMAOOO
July 16th, 2009
Roca,
(2009/07/15)”The PS3 version will carry the same price as Xbox 360, but will not include the Mass Effect 2 bonus.”
xbox360.ign.com/articles/100/1004068p1.html
(360 edition link, ME2 bonus content listed)
gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75492
(PS3 edition, No ME2 content listed)
gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75493
July 16th, 2009
I didn’t know the PSeye had voice recognition, PS3 menu nav, etc. Interesting. Do tell more phranc. Otherwise it’s like saying a webcam from ‘93 has the same tech as a standard 2009 10-12 megapixel camera today. You can have a nascent tech all you want, but if you do not advance it to the point where it is usable and has apps which are desirable, it will only fall by the wayside until something better comes along. The same rules will apply to Natal, Sony Magic Wands, etc.
July 16th, 2009
why are you directing it me.. I posted my source u should go and tell them. right ??
July 16th, 2009
Please try and make Natal something more than Microsoft standing on the shoulders of people smarter then them.
Theres a mic in pseye. can software exist that will allow voice recognition…..I wouldnt put in past them. The menu navigation was shown in a concept video years ago.
Whether are not sony utilized it should not be in question.
July 16th, 2009
“I didn’t know the PSeye had voice recognition, PS3 menu nav, etc. ”
uhmm I use my PS3 Eye as a mic all the Time, so if ppl can hear me when im playing call of duty then it most have some kind of voice recognition to transfer my voice and put it out into the game server.. with that in mind Voice recogniton and PS3 can be done by a single update
July 16th, 2009
I kind of hope the game in question isn’t Mass Effect… I hope it’s a game that’s actually good.
July 16th, 2009
“Marvel vs Capcom 2 release date:
August 13th for $14.99 [Only on PSN]
360 version end of the year or next year”
I read somewhere that it was actually coming out on the 360 first. Can you link your source for this info, please?
-Arvis
July 16th, 2009
Voice Recognition is not a hardware issue. it is a application (program/software) that allows it.
so a software update should do the trick.
July 16th, 2009
I read somewhere that it was actually coming out on the 360 first. Can you link your source for this info, please?
just did a little research on it and ur right!!!
XBL July 29th ($15.00)
PSN August 13th ($14.99)
Thanks for the clarification Arvis
July 16th, 2009
Natal could have software built in that performs some of the voice/facial stuff (and be connected to the 360 via USB or something). Therefore the load would be reduced on the 360 itself.
July 16th, 2009
It’s going to be hard for Mass Effect 2 to come on PS3 when it’s tied up exclusively with Microsoft. Keep the dream alive boys!
And if Sony said that the PSEye had the same things as Natal, then it must be right, correct? It’s not like Sony to make shit up, i.e release dates, BC compatability etc.
July 16th, 2009
@Roca,
Honestly I think its a typo from Gamestop, they just copy n pasted the whole thing about Mass Effect 2 from the Xbox 360 page to the PS3 page.
But I don’t think many people will be surprised if ME series will eventually make its way onto the PS3, its a matter of “when” and not “if” at this point.
As far as the rumor about a popular 360 franchise making its way to the PS3, I have an inkling its in reference to L4D. We will see who is right next month I suppose.
July 16th, 2009
Well the PS3 “wand” has the same tech as the power glove. Sony must be feeling very silly now after showing off “future” tech that Nintendo had 20 years ago.
July 16th, 2009
roca,
I just checked the source and thought I might share the correct info here instead of let the incorrect info stand, that’s all.
“standing on the shoulders of people smarter then them.” That would be all present gen console tech regardless of manufacturer. You really don’t think the eye was the first camera to utilize mocap and a mic, do you?
July 16th, 2009
Isn’t the Natal cam stereoscopic? I have to give props to M$ on this one, as the depth perception from stereo cam has an incredible potential compared to the PSeye.
But potential is a word that the Xbots make fun of, so perhaps I should just shut my mouth and wait for M$ to screw the pooch..
July 17th, 2009
“As far as the rumor about a popular 360 franchise making its way to the PS3, I have an inkling its in reference to L4D. We will see who is right next month I suppose.”
And if you’re both wrong?
July 17th, 2009
it is either Mass Effect, Gears of War, or Left 4 Dead
as M$ dont have any exclusive deal with any of those IP (the Epic deal was over after GoW2)
July 17th, 2009
Yep, Mass Effect 3 sometime in 2011-2015.
July 17th, 2009
Have you ever seen somebody get so excited over map packs?
The “are literally hot!”
!
July 17th, 2009
They were so hot I creamed in my pants.
July 17th, 2009
“whats not hot about Killzone 2 ?”
@Roca
The controls and the deadzone are not so hot! Not terrible, but certainly not perfect! If you are wondering what the deadzone means, it’s how far you have to push on the analog sticks until you get movement. The deadzone is quite large with the right analog in KZ2, making the game feel very heavy in the controls. Sure you can say that they meant it to be that way, but it is what it is! Other than that, it’s a solid game.
July 17th, 2009
I was playing it last weekend (single player) and noticed that I kept having to look up when two characters were talking. The protagonist is a midget! I was waiting for someone to pat me on the head and try to steal my lucky charms.
July 17th, 2009
Harry,
I see that u have been spending alot of times playing PS3 (ur a PS3 gamer on the inside)
time to switch maybe?
July 17th, 2009
have you played any of the multiplayer harry?
July 17th, 2009
I remember the denial about the Lost Planet 2 rumor a few weeks back… then it was made official.
KnightHawk – agreed, but after adjusting the sensitivity of the X & Y axises, that clears up the issue.
July 17th, 2009
Arvis – have you played Crystal Defenders? There is a demo on the Japanese PS Store. The menus are in English. The demo is a pretty basic, easy level, but it seems like it could be pretty cool game. It’s very Tactics-ish.
July 17th, 2009
@Knighthawk,
Actually the deadzone is quite small in KZ2, the weight added is done by momentum as per developer’s explanation. When you swing your weapon there is realistic momentum added so killing someone can be freaking hard if your not used to compensating, but for those refusing to learn – your in luck as there is a option bit called – “High Precision” in the control settings, which takes out the momentum and making aiming more floaty like COD 4 style.
July 17th, 2009
Ivan,
No thanks. Am happy to play it once in a while, but am happier to play the 360.
Phranctoast,
Yep, I was in this team where every time we won a match etc we would stand in a group and fire our guns in the air like terrorists.
July 17th, 2009
lmao.
that twice you made me lol in the same thread. lucky charms brought a tear.
July 17th, 2009
Barnabe, no I haven’t tried it out. Can you expound further on what exactly it’s supposed to be? If you feel like it…
-Arvis
July 17th, 2009
Sure thing, it’s a tower defense game set in the world of Final Fantasy. It’s pretty basic, but fun.
The enemies march down a trail towards the exit, and you set up characters along the path to fight them. The units that you place to defend are all Final Fantasy staples like soldier, archer, monk, black, and time mages
The level in the demo is extremely simple and almost impossible to loose, but I have to imagine that the levels get more complicated as you progress farther.
July 17th, 2009
mike – when are you gonna grow a pair and post that news story from cnet that has reported software sales for the ps3 has fallen 59% from last year…..?
..coward…
July 17th, 2009
I agree Mike. Do us a favour and post it so that the resident blorge ninja will fuck off for a fortnight.
July 17th, 2009
Cnet? Perhaps he should use a credible source for his information.
July 17th, 2009
yeah… like “cinemablend” or something. That seems to fly around here as a much more creditable source.
July 18th, 2009
“yeah… like “cinemablend” or something”
lol. thats the only gaming website i can visit from work. gamespot. ign etc are are blocked
July 18th, 2009
yeah cnet is so fucking biased towards ps3 cmon kev…im ashamed to share the same name with u lol jk…have u seen their little score competitions with 360/ps3??such a knee slapper
its almost like ms manufactures the “xbots” as well lol
July 18th, 2009
kevo, have you seen where they give the PS3 a higher review? Do you think that’s a “kneeslapper” as well? So much for the CNET “xbot” philosophy.
July 18th, 2009
“Actually the deadzone is quite small in KZ2, the weight added is done by momentum as per developer’s explanation. When you swing your weapon there is realistic momentum added so killing someone can be freaking hard if your not used to compensating, but for those refusing to learn – your in luck as there is a option bit called – “High Precision” in the control settings, which takes out the momentum and making aiming more floaty like COD 4 style.”
@Mike
I hear everything you are saying Mike. When I first stated playing I thought I was a hot shot and started the single player on veteren. About 1/4 the game I started over on normal because the control mixed with the difficulty was insane. Once I finished on normal and started over on veteren, I was pulling off headshots like crazy. It does take getting use to and does have a different feel, but compared to COD the deadzone is quite different. Never did see the control option for “High Precision”, was this patched in later? I have not played it in a long time, will have to check that out, thanks for the tip!
July 18th, 2009
Carl,
Cnet is a complete rag. PS3 sales are down from last year due to the fact that MGS 4 was released June of last year. It’s a simple undeniable fact, yet these “gaming journalists” can’t make that connection.
I think they start with the conclusion of “OMGZ PS3 is a sinking ship and needs a price cut!” and then continue to write backwards from there.
As they openly state in there own article, they are “beating a dead horse”. They get clicks and exposure, by trying to be controversial. They have no journalistic integrity what so ever.
July 18th, 2009
Actually sites like Cnet, are a prime example of why more and more gamers, visit small independent sites. They are one of the few places, where you can get a fresh, open-minded, non-biases take on situations.
July 18th, 2009
“Actually sites like Cnet, are a prime example of why more and more gamers, visit small independent sites. They are one of the few places, where you can get a fresh, open-minded, non-biases take on situations.”
Please tell me you’re not talking about Blorge…..
July 18th, 2009
Barnabe,
“PS3 sales are down from last year due to the fact that MGS 4 was released June of last year. It’s a simple undeniable fact, yet these “gaming journalists” can’t make that connection.”
CON had a pretty decent point, as this isn’t the first month sales have been down year over year for PS3:
“Okay fair enough but how do you explain the poor sales for jan, feb, mar, apr, may and jun??? LOL”
July 19th, 2009
“Please tell me you’re not talking about Blorge…..”
@harry,
I hope he is not talking about Blorge as well as we are not not that small.
We are/been in the same traffic tier as Gamasutra, VGChartz, and GamePro and a good deal higher than GameInformer, Kombo…
…up der wit’ dem big boys.
July 19th, 2009
@ mike,
I would attest the traffic to the fact that Blorge has articles that show up in Google News (which is rather popular last time I checked) rather than journalistic integrity.
July 19th, 2009
@harry,
Journalistic integrity?
your insinuating that we somehow lie in our articles and let me assure you if we were to do that the PR department would be the first to lay the smack down on us.
Since we are not some personal site we have to worry about lawsuits all the time and as you indicate we highly visible.
Honestly, from observing you I think you dislike my content selection and editorials when its negative to the 360, but have no qualms when I am praising L4D, Gears or hyping Alan Wake. Harry, I can’t tailor my articles to your liking – I just write them as I see it without compromise or sugar coating it. …them apples…
July 19th, 2009
Mike,
I do think that you stretch the truth in some of your editorials, yes. Case in point the recent one you wrote about Microsoft having ‘no clue’ about the PS3 parental features. I am not going to go over the same point raised in that thread, however I am going to say that it smacks of gutter journalism.
In regards to your positive 360 editorials, they are very few and far between it must be said. For every 1 360 editorial there are 5 PS3 editorials.
July 20th, 2009
mike – yes, you guys do lie. a lot. you’re the Fox news of gaming sites.
barnabe – CNET actually uses data in their stories unlike Gamerblorge….. if you think the data makes them look biased, maybe it’s because the ps3 is still a trainwreck…
July 20th, 2009
harry sachz: Who you talking to Ivan. I just came back almost 30 days offline here and on my PS3 account. I wanna to stop playing games for a while but this map pack Napalm and Cordite got me back.
I hope they keep adding more map packs and weapons next time hopefully more mode and classes. I already has everything online for this game.
Guerilla Games my money is all yours.
July 20th, 2009
Ivan wanna play some killzone 2 sometime
my PSN name is:
D-Roca
anybody who wants to play killzone 2, or any other online game (trust me i got them all) add me
July 20th, 2009
Well, playing with yourself IS always fun…
July 20th, 2009
I do it a lot!
July 20th, 2009
Roca:
I will be playing only with the new map pack. And after i get all the new trophies i will take some time off from PLAYSTATION 3. I will add when i log on the PLAYSTATION Network okay.
July 20th, 2009
You will add yourself? Don’t forget to add fallen angel too!
July 21st, 2009
^
Lol, ya he will be cheating to rank up in KZ2!
July 21st, 2009
Roca:
I will be playing only with the new map pack. And after i get all the new trophies i will take some time off from PLAYSTATION 3. I will add when i log on the PLAYSTATION Network okay.
I only got the “Flash and Thunder” Map pack because Mike convince me to buy it. take time off to do what?
Harry:
“You will add yourself? Don’t forget to add fallen angel too!”
lol That was funny!!
July 21st, 2009
One of my friends mom’s has DID (7 identified personilties), and she doesn’t talk to herself as much as Ivan/Roca/Fallen Anger do.
Crazy is as crazy does~
July 22nd, 2009
ivan/roca got confused…now he’s talking to himself…lmao…. gawd…. these fanboys will stop at nothing….