killzone-shadow-fall
Latest
PlayStation 4 enjoys most successful launch week in UK history
The PlayStation 4 had the best launch week in the UK of any gaming system to date, and in the words of Chart Track it "eclipsed" the Xbox One's sales from the week before. There's no confirmed numbers, but we know the country's previous fastest-seller is the PSP, and it sold 185,000 units across its debut week in 2005. The long and short: The PS4 done good. British industry site MCV put the PS4's opening week sales at 250,000, according to its retail sources. MCV also pinned the Xbox One's UK numbers at 150,000, but again that figure is unconfirmed. In any case, the good news is both consoles are enjoying successful launches both in the UK and across the globe; Sony announced 1 million PS4 sales within 24 hours of the console's debut in North America, a figure Microsoft also hit when it launched the Xbox One across 13 markets worldwide. As for this week's software charts, there's some predictable shuffling with the console launches. Call of Duty: Ghosts drifted back to the top, after FIFA 14 stole ahead last week with the Xbox One Day One bundles. The rest of the top ten is made up by games available across Xbox One and PS4, with the exception of Grand Theft Auto 5 in seventh, and Batman: Arkham Origins in tenth. The charts don't read so well for the Wii U, though. The system's standout holiday game, Super Mario 3D World, debuted in 14th place, just behind PS4 launch game Knack in 13th.
Sony president undaunted by 'mixed' PS4 reviews
The past few days have delivered a flood of PlayStation 4 launch game reviews, many of which have been less than flattering. Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida remains unfazed. "Yeah, it's disappointing to see some of the low scores," Yoshida admitted in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. "I haven't spent enough time reading reviews, but I would characterize them as mixed," he added optimistically. In an attempt to partially explain away the lower-than-expected review scores, Yoshida cites an overworked games media. "[W]ith this launch there are lots of games coming out, so the media must be very busy going through the games quickly, and especially since the online functionality wasn't ready until in the last couple days. So we have to look at how much time they spend on what aspect of the games and how that may be contributing to some of the lower scores." "It's disappointing but I don't think it's worrisome for the launch of the system," he added. Finally, Yoshida offers a personal defense of his company's offerings. "I've played through all of our games, Killzone, Knack and Resogun, and I totally enjoyed playing through these games. I'm now on my second run of Knack and Resogun at a higher difficulty - these games really grow on you when you play more," Yoshida said. "I'm very confident that once you purchase these games and play, you'll be happy that you've done so."
Killzone: Shadow Fall review: Goodbye, gray sky
We're rolling out PlayStation 4 review coverage all the way through the launch on Nov. 15. Check out more coverage here! This is not a review of futuristic architecture, thank God, but if it were I would have reams to write about Vekta City, the angular gem that serves as the heart and showcase of a big PlayStation 4 exclusive, Killzone: Shadow Fall. Its skyscrapers form an endless field of crystals and carbon, mantled in blue skies and fly-by lens flares. The game will let you admire the view from time to time, even with its finger extended and ready to prod – you've got some shootin' to do, remember. This is a peculiar kind of disappointment, because it speaks highly of the environmental fidelity in Killzone: Shadow Fall. The guns are the only thing approaching pollution in Vekta's pristine metropolis, which conveys far greater depth than is available when bullets are whizzing by. Then again, it's not as if "Killzone" is dishonest about its choice of genre – and the action is worthwhile when the shooting is as boisterous and tinged with tact as it is here. Your options in combat are grafted to your status as shadow marshall, a covert operative of the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance. Clandestine employment grants you access to the OWL, a cute but weaponized aerial vehicle that naps on your back. It also permits you to travel between Vekta City and New Helghan, a noxious, industrialized tumor of a city, fit for the Helghast refugees that lost a war and their planet.
Killzone: Shadow Fall trailers get technical
Sony unveiled two new trailers for Killzone: Shadow Fall today, one of which shows how the game looks with and without its PS4-powered effects. The game launched this week before the PS4 hits shelves on November 15.
PS4 disc install trials: Knack playable in seconds, Killzone under 3 minutes
At a New York event yesterday, Sony demonstrated install speeds - the time from the point the disc is inserted, install is initiated and play can begin - for retail versions of two PS4 launch games: Knack and Killzone: Shadow Fall Knack, the action-adventure game from PS4 architect Mark Cerny, will take only tens of seconds before play can begin after priming the installation, Kotaku reports. Killzone: Shadow Fall will take a bit longer to reach play, Polygon reports, because there is an unskippable introduction movie and mandatory profile set-up. Guerrilla Games Managing Director Hermen Hulst told Polygon it takes under three minutes total to get into gameplay. Sony outlined the launch limitations of its PS4 console last month. All retail PS4 games will have to install data to the console's 500GB hard drive, which can be manually swapped out should the need for more space arise. The PS4 won't let users store data on an external hard drive or memory stick.
PS4 dev diaries tour Vita features, DualShock 4 and launch games
The PS4 launches in 10 days and, as we near the eye of the PS4 hypicane, Sony has decided to craft some overview videos highlighting different aspects of the system - from the new DualShock 4 controller to the launch games right down to how the PS Vita and PS4 will play nice with each other.
Killzone Shadow Fall out at Gamestop now, but you can't play it yet
PS4 exclusive Killzone: Shadow Fall is available now online and in-store at Gamestop, weeks before the console itself hits shelves. A Gamestop rep confirmed to Polygon that it would begin selling Shadow Fall today, even though the PS4 launches on November 15. Sure, you can't play Shadow Fall yet, but there are plenty of things to do with just the box if you buy it this early: Instagram it with "#first" Stabilize a wobbly table for a few weeks Use as an oddly shaped, not-very-heavy paperweight Eat pizza rolls off of it And plenty more, we're sure.
PSN adds Call of Duty: Ghosts, three other games to PS4 pre-order list
In its ongoing efforts to push players toward the PlayStation 4, Sony has added four new games to the PlayStation Network Store, all of which can be pre-ordered right now. This initiative kicked off last week, as Knack and Warframe pre-order options appeared on the PlayStation Network Store. Today, these games are joined by Assassin's Creed IV, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts and Killzone Shadow Fall. Additionally, the PSN also offers pre-orders on the limited Gold Edition of Assassin's Creed IV, as well as the Hardened Edition of Call of Duty: Ghosts. As you'd expect, these special versions cost more than their standard counterparts, but they also include physical bonus items for truly dedicated fans. Alongside this news, Sony has also revealed that those who have already pre-ordered current generation versions of Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed IV or Call of Duty: Ghosts can upgrade their pre-order to the PlayStation 4 iteration of those games for $10. You can find full details on how this process works by visiting Sony's upgrade page, or you can visit the Sony Entertainment Network to place your pre-orders.
See the world in turmoil in Killzone: Shadow Fall's story trailer
This trailer for Killzone: Shadow Fall offers a taste of the game's story, which is set 30 years after the events in Killzone 3. The Cold War-inspired tale will launch November 15 on PS4, and will receive six DLC packs in its $20 season pass program.
Guerrilla Games' next project 'completely different' from Killzone
Killzone series developer Guerrilla Games has a new project in the works now that work on PS4 launch title Killzone: Shadow Fall has been finished. Lead designer Eric Boltjes told Eurogamer this new game is "completely different" from the Killzone series. "I can be true about it, yes. That's definitely what's happening right now," Boltjes said. "As a studio we do want to branch out, and we have started work on a new IP, something completely different to Killzone. I don't want to say anything about it right now, but as a studio we do want to keep it fresh." Unfortunately, that's the extent of what Boltjes offered regarding this new IP. It's common practice for Guerrilla Games to begin work on its next game before it's shipped its current project. Guerrilla Games began development on Killzone: Shadow Fall before it had even shipped Killzone 3 back in 2011.
PlayStation 4 Killzone bundles confirmed for Europe
Two PS4 Killzone Shadow Fall bundles have been confirmed for Europe. The first is a basic set with PS4, one controller and Killzone: Shadow Fall at €439. The second includes the console, a second DualShock, PlayStation Camera and Killzone: Shadow Fall for €499. The price is in-line with the the Xbox One price for Europe, which also includes a copy of FIFA 14. For UK consumers, the bundle is expected to be around the UK Xbox One cost of £429. Sony UK boss Fergal Gara told Eurogamer, "It will be no more than a tenner either way depending on what conversation rate we use on the given day." Eurogamer also reports Sony will announce more Euro bundles tomorrow, which consumers who have pre-ordered a PS4 will be able to upgrade to. According to Sony, retailers should be contacting pre-order customers in the region to offer new hardware bundles in the near future.
Killzone: Shadow Fall gets $20 season pass for six DLC packs
A $20 season pass for Killzone: Shadow Fall was announced by Sony today. The pass grants access to six DLC packs as they become available after the game's launch. The DLC included in the season pass are three online co-op map packs, one online co-op expansion and two other multiplayer expansion packs. The three co-op map packs include two arena maps per piece of DLC. Killzone: Shadow Fall, the latest entry in Guerilla Games' gritty shooter series, will launch alongside the PlayStation 4 on November 15.
Strafe through Sony's TGS 2013 booth
Take a quick look at what Sony had on offer inside of its Tokyo Game Show booth, including the various new and sundry Vitas, Driveclub, Killzone Shadow Fall, Resogun and Deep Down, in addition to many soothing blue neon lights.
Killzone: Shadow Fall DLC multiplayer maps to be free, other DLC not so much
While most of Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer DLC will still necessitate an expenditure of hard-earned cash money, new maps will at least be delivered free of charge, according to an announcement on the game's official blog. "We aim to keep the post-launch multiplayer experience fresh through the frequent release of paid DLC expansion packs that offer new gameplay and customization features," the update reads. "At the same time, all DLC multiplayer maps will be released free of charge to prevent the player base from becoming fractured." We fractured our player base once, it was awful – had to sit on this special inflatable pillow for like a month and a half, we can totally get why Guerrilla Games is trying to avoid that. No further information was given with regards to just how frequent these DLC releases may be.
Killzone: Shadow Fall multiplayer opens its arms to all players
Killzone: Shadow Fall has a few big ticket features in its multiplayer mode. The most significant is probably that all character classes, weapons and abilities are unlocked right from the beginning. According to game director Steven ter Heide, developer Guerrilla Games set out to make sure that all players could log into Shadow Fall's multplayer and start having fun immediately. The game still features the sort of progression system we've come to expect from most modern shooters, but it focuses on unlocking weapon attachments and ability upgrades. Rather than slowly doling out an arsenal of deadly weapons and perks, players will earn things like scopes, flashlight attachments and different ammunition types. Player freedom is also emphasized in Warzone, Shadow Fall's multiplayer mode. As in previous Killzone games, a Warzone match is basically a mash-up of several traditional multiplayer game types. These are doled out periodically during the match, and you never know what might be coming up next. One moment, you'll be fighting to defend multiple control points, and the next you'll have to plant explosive charges on key targets. Killzone: Shadow Fall's Warzones are different, however, because players will be able customize nearly everything about them.
Gamescom trailers and screenshots giga-post
Psst, hey kid. You want some ... trailers? How about some Gamescom trailers? C'mere for a second. Yeah that's right, we got all kinds of trailers. Murasaki Baby, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Resogun, Infamous: Second Son, Watch Dogs, pretty much any kind of trailer you wanna put in your eyeballs, we can hook it up. Hey, and you know what? Since you seem like a nice kid, we're gonna throw in some screenshots too. Oh no, put your wallet away – the first one's free.
Pre-order Killzone: Shadow Fall for goods later, watch E3 presentation right now
Those who pre-order Killzone: Shadow Fall through select retailers will net the Shadow pack, a collection of exclusive DLC that includes the full game soundtrack, three skins for the OWL attack drone sidekick and a special victory move for multiplayer meant to humiliate your opponents. Killzone: Shadow Fall is the latest entry in Guerrilla Games' series, a PS4 game due alongside the console launch later this year. Last month, it was shown that when downloading the game through PSN, users can prioritize the download between the multiplayer side or the single-player campaign.
PS4 vid shows Killzone: Shadow Fall download can be split into single-player, multiplayer
A new PS4 promotional video reveals users can choose to either get the single-player or multiplayer portion of Killzone: Shadow Fall first when downloading the game. The vid, which shows off the console's interface, uses the example of a Shadow Fall player pestering his friend to play the game with him ASAP. We doubt Shadow Fall will be the only game with this feature on PS4, but the extent of its implementation remains unclear. The video also explores the idea of clan-based flirting for the hip, young, and cool, but we'll leave that for another time. Slightly more notable, perhaps, is the apparent ability to seamlessly switch from things like the PS Store and watching shared videos to going back to the game you're playing, demonstrated in the vid via a double click of the PS button.
PS4 media blowout: Driveclub, Knack, Infamous Second Son and more
Sony's lengthy E3 press conference was riddled with lots of game trailers - so many that we have to pile some of them into this little post for your viewing pleasure. While you take a quick break from your freak-out session over the PlayStation 4's $399 price tag, check out this trailer for Infamous: Second Son. Additionally, you'll find the likes of Driveclub, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Knack, Watch Dogs, Transistor and Batman: Arkham Origins after the break, each in trailer form. Grab some popcorn, you have plenty of footage to soak in.
Killzone: Shadow Fall featured in Sony's 'Conversations with Creators'
Thanks to the high-dynamic-range lighting and a glut of particle effects, the scenes in Killzone: Shadow Fall will appear to be very well ... shot, you could say. But you should absolutely not say that, please.
