A satisfyingly difficult action game that will not only tear you limb from limb, but will also keep you coming back.

User Rating: 8.3 | Killzone: Liberation PSP
By dEaThAwAiTs013 | Review Date:
I came into Killzone: Liberation without expecting much. I had been really excited about the PS2 original, but after that turned out to be mediocre, I decided to reserve my excitement for this game until I had it in my own hands. This handheld sequel is played in a third-person perspective as opposed to the original's first-person, and this largely plays to the game's favor. Given that the PSP only has one analog nub, the developers made the right decision in the perspective change. While the controls aren't 100% spot-on, they work well enough so that the game stays challenging and invigorating at the same time.

As Jan Templar, you must navigate your way around Helghan-infested areas while taking cover and managing your ammunition carefully. The enemy AI is fantastic: opposing troops will surround you, blow your cover with grenades, and mercilessly hunt you down until your health bar is at zero. Especially on the harder difficulty settings, this game will really give you a run for your money.

The game implements an auto-aim feature that locks on to targets if you're facing in their general direction. It's definitely less than perfect, but after a little getting used-to, you'll be taking out Helghan left and right. There are a multitude of different weapons to select from throughout the missions, including pistols, automatics, missile launchers, sniper rifles, shotguns, and even crossbows. Overall, the main story mode isn't much on length, but there's plenty of replay value in replaying the game on different difficulties and unlocking new weapons. Also, you can upgrade Templar's skills and abilities by completing challenges.

Then there's also the multiplayer, which I'm sure will keep you plenty occupied until the next big multiplayer PSP game is released.

Graphically, the game keeps the unique artistic style of its predecessor alive. The environments are well-designed and give off the perfect atmosphere of a war-torn locale. Animations are smooth, and use of Havok physics only make things more interesting. There's hardly any loading to be found, and when the game does load, it usually takes only several seconds. The framerate is stable for the most part.

The game has a stellar soundtrack that accents the artistic atmosphere perfectly. Sound effects are great, too, with various gun shots, explosions, and ambient noises helping to suck you into the experience. The voice work is also quite good, with the exception of some of the Helghan troops repeating the same lines a bit too often.

All in all, this is a great experience that jump started my faith in this ambitious franchise with one of the best PSP games to be released this year.

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