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Killzone 2

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 17, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 17.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mature shooter has impressive graphics; multiplayer excels.

Why We Rated This not for kids

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    You play as a member of an elite military group tasked with stopping an intergalactic threat by using extreme violence. You must also deal with a group of nuclear weapons.
  • Violence:

    Players use weapons such as assault rifles, boltguns, shotguns, rocket launchers, and grenades to kill enemies. Most opponents will spurt blood when shot, and blood will sometimes splatter onto the screen. Some weapons can decapitate the enemy. In one video scene, players will watch as a mortally wounded soldiers takes his own life by shooting himself in the head. Players can continue to shoot enemies after they are dead with the result showing more blood.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    The single-player campaign includes lots of cursing, with words such as "f--k," "s--t," and "a--hole."
  • Consumerism:

    This is the second game in the Killzone series.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Killzone 2 was written by Brett Molina

Parents need to know this is a violent shooter intended for mature audiences. Players use an array of weapons to kill enemies, including assault rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, and grenades. Blood often spurts from enemies as they're hit, and will sometimes splatter onto the screen. Head shots which result in decapitation are possible. Players will witness a wounded soldier killing himself by shooting himself in the head. The game is also playable online, so players may hear language that is not filtered and can be quite colorful. The star rating given to this game is based on quality of gameplay within this adult genre of video gaming and is not an endorsement of the violence within the game.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about how the violence in this game might compare to other first-person shooters. Is this game more or less graphic for its genre? What is more important to you, the single or multiplayer aspects of the game?
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OK for Your Kids to Play?

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More on Killzone 2

What’s the Story?

The PlayStation 3 finally has its blockbuster video game in the form of first-person shooter KILLZONE 2, a gorgeous, polished adventure that sits among the best in its genre. You play the role of Sergeant Sevchenko, known to his peers as "Sev." As a member of the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance, Sev and his team fight against the warmongering Helghast on their home planet of Helghan.

The game plays like any typical first-person shooter. Players come equipped with a variety of firearms in their arsenal, such as pistols, assault rifles, and rocket launchers. Part of your character's strategy also involves hopping in and out of cover, methodically picking apart opposing forces, and advancing to the next stage of combat. The core component to Killzone 2 is the deep multiplayer options. Up to 32 players can join a team-based match involving a myriad of battle types. Battles range from a deathmatch mode to search and destroy. As your skills improve, you earn experience points which elevate your military rank and unlock new weapons. Soldiers are also decorated with special ribbons earned for accomplishing specific feats.

Is It Any Good?

Killzone 2 is perhaps the best looking first-person shooter available. Environmental effects such as swirling winds look amazing. Computer-controlled enemies are quite intelligent. They will carefully hop in and out of cover, or toss grenades to flush you out of a safe spot. The single-player adventure is great at slowly building intensity, resulting in an exhilarating and incredibly satisfying finish.

The multiplayer mode is really where this game shines. The ability to gain experience and earn promotions and warzone ribbons give players plenty of incentive to return to the action. It also provides an interesting experience as well. Each match consists of changing challenges. For example, the first couple minutes might involve defending your position. Once there's a winner, the challenge might switch to finding intel and returning it to base, or a team deathmatch. The multiplayer is excellent at keeping players on their toes. It's also one of the many reasons Killzone 2 is a must-own game for the PlayStation 3.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Released on: 2/27/2009, Price: $59.99, online enabled
ESRB Rating: M for Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Very violent, very fun too

    To be clear to any complaining about the violence, you have no right to. There is a reason there is a big fat M stamped on this game. It is a very violent game with mature language but it also a very good one. Excellent tactical multiplayer and single player with some of the best graphics ever in a game, second only to crysis and maybe uncharted 2. If you can handle strong language and an almost GeoW2 level of gore this is an excellent choice.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    sucky game! dont get it!

    terrible game! online sucks and extremely laggy! is very high, controls are junky, graphics are nothing new. every other word is "f****" i played it for 2 hrs thats it. save you money buy a good game.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 3.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    The most violent FPS on Ps3?

    I don't normally complain about violence on games, But this is very violent. Shoot someone and blood flies everywhere. Every angle. The language is massive and frequent. Decapitation is hard to do unless its a shotgun close range headshot. The controls are very hard to get the hang of. Not the same as all shooters. Online play as well.

  4. I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    ESRB

    Look, this is one I will not review, simply because it doesn't need it. There is a reason that there is a big T stamped on the front of this game. RECOMMENDED FOR TEENS 17 AND OLDER! Folks, do not, and I mean DO NOT, take the advice of another person, you have to choose what is appropriate for your kids. When your kid asks you to buy them a game, ask the person at the store (or go to esrb.com) to let you see the game, turn it over, and look at the M on the back where it lists everything in this game. That is there job, and they are payed to do it, they don't just skip around, remember, the ESRB is the game version of the same ratings you see on movies and TV shows.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Kids ages: 12, 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Safety isn't an issue

    Not that violent despite it's mature rating. Online play rids it of all violence and swearing.

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