Mr. Universal's Blog

Few games for the PlayStation 3 have excited owners of Sony's third-generation game console as the upcoming Killzone 2 has. I say upcoming, but I have this nagging suspicion that the would-be blockbuster is already here, enjoying massive success and garnering extraordinary reviews right under my nose. The proof? Apparently, media-aggregate site Metacritic already has a slate of freshly posted reviews from the first-person shooter, all stellar, and some mind-numbingly hyperbolic. Pegging the game as the "best console first person shooter ever" and a contender for 2009 Game of the Year (already), the final word seems have been spoken.

The only problem is the actual game doesn't drop for an entire month, and the reviews all have future tags, with most listing their posting in February and some even for March 2009. From the start Killzone 2 is a game whose hype has been entirely corporate-generated, as the original games have no fanbase, sold badly, and at every turn trailers and images proved false or doctored. But I'm still rooting for the game's success, if only because I've run out of original titles to play on my PlayStation 3 and have grown sick of inferior and under-supported Xbox 360 ports.

Sony fans, hold your tounges and realize I mean nothing but the best.  Keep reading for more commentary...

Nearly all of the (super) early reviews seem to be from offshore websites, and almost none have supporting links at the time of this posting. Gamepro and IGN lead the North American review sites, and while each supported publication comes with their own demons, their reviews suggest they've had final versions for some time and extol the greatness of Killzone 2's multiplayer modes. Given the retail copy is weeks away I wonder how much of that ‘greatness' is hypothetical and how much - like Resistance 2 - is wishful thinking.

Our own Popzara editor Namreh witnessed the excitement - or lack thereof - for the game while trolling around this year's CES, in which Sony's game-players were more than willing to guide players through some of the game's early levels. The lines were nearly absent and having a chance to spend some hands-on experience was never out of the question.

Again, I'm pulling for Killzone 2 and for Sony, having just come off one of the worst years in the company's history and having the only major gaming console whose sales decreased from 2007 to 2008. This industry is one that thrives on good, solid competition and Lord knows that Microsoft doesn't feel threatened - at least in the hardcore market - from Nintendo and their waggling Wii consoles. Last year's LittleBigPlanet was a true inspiration, but terrible retail timing and lackluster advertising have nearly killed what might have been (and still might be) a true Sony powerhouse.

Releasing select reviews so early may work against Sony's grander plans and continue what can only be described as the most disastrous advertising campaign ever waged from a former electronics leader. I'll be checking out the game for myself when it drops February 27th.