One big change Killzone veterans will find in Shadow Fall are the expansive maps in the campaign mode. Having an expansive map sure give players a freedom to explore, but Guerilla Games made it too constricting to the point where you may decide you’d rather go to the objective than exploring what the game has to offer. One problem that I’ve found is the use of ECHO in big maps. In Shadow Fall, ECHO is a radar device that Kellan can use to survey the surrounding areas for enemies and useful items that you can pick up. Unfortunately, when you use the ECHO, you will notice that you are limited in using it as it doesn’t have that much range. With that short range, you can’t really see what is going on around and it will leave you aimlessly and wondering if there’s an enemy ten feet from you. With no radar in place, getting into the position with enemies will surely get frustrating as once you aggravate those Helghasts, prepare to hide where they can’t find you – wait, the map is big so you rather just die. Unfortunately, big maps in Shadow Fall doesn’t work too well but when it comes to small maps, that’s where the game shines – it’s straight forward while having clever designs that entice its players into exploring it.
Love collectibles? Good! Since every shooter game now has collectibles, Shadow Fall will have them too. Since this game has a new storyline, there are things that you can find the game that further expands the lore and see what’s going on with the world. Throughout the areas that you will be going to, you will find audio logs, comic books, and other artifacts. If you love the story of Killzone, you will surely have to get all of these in every level.
Right after finishing the lengthy campaign that Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4 fails to deliver, there’s a multiplayer mode that you can play. For those who have played previous Killzone multiplayer games, what Shadow Fall offers is the same but with improvements that attract fans and new-comers. All of the game’s standard modes- team deathmatch, free for all, capture the flag are all present, though the Warzone mode is the everyone’s favorite since it rotates randomly-objective modes. Those who decides to play Warzone will be able to play Search of Destroy, Capture and Hold, and more. If you have a lot of dedication to the multiplayer portion, this is where you should be playing.
In addition to the other modes I’ve said, the one that stands out from the rest of Killzone game is the newly added Custom Warzones. In this new mode, players will be able to create, share and play. You are the creator in this mode where you can design and customize your warzones and have people play it. If you have something in your mind that you want others to play, try this out and I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun playing with all sort of rules that you can place in your Warzone.
From all of the PS4 launch titles released for the console, I must say that Killzone: Shadow Fall has one of the prettiest visuals. Gamers who are wondering what the next-generation of gaming can offer to console gamers, Shadow Fall will give you a glimpse to the future of the graphics we can expect. From its landscape to the level designs, the visuals are sure to impress. Lighting and shadows are perfect where you will think that you are playing a PC game at its highest setting for a small fraction of the price. While the graphics are impressive, many gamers will notice the lack of emotion from Lucas when speaking. In his monotone voice, there are moments he will ruin certain scenes but still it’s tolerable nonetheless.
For Killzone fans who bought the PlayStation 4, getting Killzone: Shadow Fall is one of the games you should definitely pick up as it’s one of the strongest launch titles for the system. Comparing Shadow Fall to other Killzone games in the series, the game has bigger and better maps even though there are design flaws here and there. When it comes to breaking boundaries and offering something new to the genre, this is where the game falls short. It’s still a fun shooter that PS4 owners should put on their consideration list, but it’s far from being perfect.
[Editor’s Note: Killzone Shadow Fall was reviewed on the PS4 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
