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Killzone 2: Beta Impressions

• By Patrick Shaw
• December 08, 2008 12:20 PM PST
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The Killzone 2 multiplayer beta is here! Read on to find out more about the Clan System, Valor Points, and epic Warzone game modes.

Killing Online

Killzone 2's development team insists that their next-gen FPS is essentially two stand-alone games, maintaining that just as many long nights were put into perfecting the game's multiplayer experience as its single player campaign. Whether you and your buddies want to duke it out in an intimate match, or open the floodgates to a mammoth online bloodbath, the decision is left entirely up to you: Killzone 2 supports up to 32 players per match.

Killzone 2's multiplayer matches are rife with customization options. We've browsed through the countless options you can choose from and tried some of them out, but we'd really need at least a week to get a feel for everything possible when piecing together custom matches. And as in Halo 3, once you create a match type you'd like to hang on to, you can save it as one of your custom-made, multiplayer modes.

Killzone 2 has a lot of good things going for its online support, but probably the most unique is the game's intricate clan system, which stands as a new high point for console FPS games. Not only will you be able to form clans, you'll also be able to schedule tournaments in advance (from your PC or PS3) against other clans, and even track your online stats by logging onto Killzone.com. Valor points can also be used by clans to "place bets" on the outcome of online multiplayer matches. The more points you get, the more access you'll have to higher level matches.

We played through all five of the multiplayer game modes. These include: Assassination, where a single player is randomly chosen to either be protected or killed; Body Count, which is your standard team deathmatch mode; Capture and Hold, where you must guard different points in the map to gain points; Search and Retrieve, Killzone 2's flag-less answer to Capture the Flag; and Search and Destroy, where you have to either defend or blow up a machine. Best of all, you can string several of these game types together in one long match to add some variety.

The Badge Guys: Multiplayer Classes

Rifleman: The rifleman does not have any special abilities, like the rest of the seven other classes, but what he lacks in skill he makes up for in firepower. Picking the rifleman will grant you access to more devastating weaponry when assigning your primary and secondary weapons.

Engineer: You can repair damaged war goods such as ammunition crates and auto turrets using the engineer. This class will also allow you to set automated turrets around the map, which target enemy soldiers.

Medic: As its name suggests, the Medic is able to heal and revive teammates. It's always a good idea to have at least one Medic on your side, especially when you anticipate taking heavy damage from the enemy team.

Scout: Because of similar armor to that of Solid Snake's "Octocamo," choosing the Scout will allow you to blend into your environment and rendering you virtually invisible to your enemies. The camouflage effect distorts when you move or fire.

Tactician: With the Tactician class, you can toss colored smoke grenades that act as spawn points for teammates. The Tactician can also call for airborne support in the form of a flying sentry robot.

Assault: Choosing the Assault class will give you longer playing time, as this character type is equipped with extra-tough body armor. If you're sick of getting wiped out in milliseconds, consider the Assault class.

Saboteur: The Saboteur class can mimic enemy players. You'll not only look like one of the players on the opposing team, but display the correct name. Once you've breached their perimeter, you can inflict damage in any number of ways.

Related Articles

PREVIEW: Killzone 2 multiplayer
PREVIEW: Killzone 2 single player campaign
Q&A: Killzone 2 producer talks environment hazards, new gameplay
VIDEO: Killzone 2 Trailers and original footage

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