This is a game made for the PSP and it shows its true colours as well. A fun and very well rounded game.
The story isn't anything ti right home about. It holds the game together like clag, it does its job, but is anything short of just doing its job. I will give them credit for trying to put some suspense and intrigue into it. But it is nothing more than very clichéd, but thankfully you aren't getting or potentially playing this game because of the story. You can easily pick up this game and not have played any of the prior Killzone games.
Gameplay is where this game really shines. An auto lock on targeting that is surprisingly good. Accurate to the point of making it not too difficult but move a bit and your bullets will go astray. The single thumb-stick works to its advantage, and when you are traversing the landscapes it is a nice lock camera view, near isometric perspective and the thumb-stick controlling the character. When target is locked on you can still move and remain locked on but beware it can move the targeting. But there is a way you can strafe and remain locked on to target. What is also good is not all bullets hit their mark if locked on which does make the challenge a little harder.
There is some ability to want to replay the missions to make sure you get all the Vetkan dollars which get you better weapons when starting off the mission but I don't feel is essential as many of these weapons are dropped by enemies or available in supply crates. There is also some challenges which give you points based on your level of completion medal. These points are then used for upgrades such as body armour, number of grenades and so on. A nice little addition but once again there is no real need to go an play them.
Graphics, they are very nice for the handheld and possibly some of the best I have seen. The environments are consistent with the cannon and are portrayed nicely on the screen. They have included full dialogue for the game but the mouths don't move, not a huge issue but certainly could have been a nicer touch. But this game won't disappoint when it comes to its looks, and by far, better than anything the DS has to offer and the 3DS for that matter.
Sound is a little hit and miss, some of the Voice acting is OK; others are well not that good. The sound effects are also a little like that. Some of them sound good, the thuds of the bullets hitting sand bags, the water sounds, and the general environmental effects are good, but there are some really bad cheap and very low quality ones, disarming a mine, or planting a C4 charge, reloading your weapon are some that sound like they were added poorly at the last minute. Overall the sound is good, with great separation of the sound in the left and right channels and the way it moves as well across the 2 channels.
There is a multi-player and co-op but I have not played those.
This game I would say is a great addition to the Killzone line up. But it is also a great addition to your PSP collection. Considering the age of the Killzone: Liberation, if you find that your PSP is underutilised and haven't played Killzone: Liberation, then you should check it out as it is great value for money.