Killzone: Shadow Fall PS4 Multiplayer Hands-on

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Killzone: Shadow Fall PS4 Multiplayer Hands-on
Killzone: Shadow Fall PS4 Multiplayer Hands-on

Going hands-on with Killzone: Shadow Fall’s multiplayer mode for the first time at Gamescom, I couldn’t help but feel that Shadow Fall represents a sea change for the veteran shooter series. The gameplay retains the series’ signature weight and heft, so you never feel like you’re ice-skating through the the meticulously detailed environments. But thanks to a host of refinements from Guerrilla Games, Shadow Fall is undeniably a faster, more fluid, and more satisfying Killzone. Call it Killzone reborn.

DualShock 4 plays a significant role here, with its massively upgraded ergonomics and shooter-friendly L2 and R2 triggers (though Shadow Fall will allow you to use the classic L1 and R1 as well, if you prefer). After my play session, Game Director Steven ter Heide commented that the Shadow Fall no longer uses aim assist, making it a truer test of skill. And you’ll never even notice that change, given the high responsiveness of DualShock 4’s comfortable new analog sticks.

Killzone Shadow Fall Multi Screenshots, 04Killzone Shadow Fall Multi Screenshots, 03

Of course, the spectacular graphics don’t hurt the experience. Shadow Fall’s art direction takes a cue from Killzone’s traditional grey and red palette, then spikes it with orange, blue, and purple to create a look both grim and gorgeous. PS4’s powerful GPU struts its stuff in the desolate environments, rendering large, colorful maps drenched in atmospheric lights and shadow. Eye-catching visual details abound: the way moonlight briefly illuminates a raindrop as it streaks past, or how spotlights ominously scan the dark, tortured landscape.

Shadow Fall’s multiplayer mode starts by loosening stuffy conventions that have defined many modern military shooters. All of the game’s 22 weapons come unlocked, so you’re free to start building specialized classes from the get-go — a move that Guerrilla Games believes will help newcomers find an effective loadout quickly. And rather than grinding matches to earn XP, you’ll augment your equipment and upgrade your skills by completing more than 1,500 skill-based feats and challenges — everything from nailing headshots to destroying enemy shields and much, much more.

Speaking of weapons, Shadow Fall’s arsenal is far larger and more sophisticated than I was expecting. Killzone’s iconic M82 and stA-52 assault rifles both return to active duty, but they’re joined by a host of exotic new weapons, many of which feel both futuristic and lived-in. One versatile new weapon is a burst-fire energy carbine that chews through enemies at medium range, but tap L1 and you’ll extend the barrel to activate a lethal railgun charge-and-fire mode for impromptu sniping. Even a standard-issue VSA M55 Assault Rifle can prove to be a versatile weapon once upgraded with incendiary ammo, a buckshot secondary fire, sights, scopes, and more.

Shadow Fall brings a key innovation to the multiplayer battlefield in the form of player-defined Warzones, i.e. custom game variants that you can name and share online for all to play. You’ll choose from a host of settings dictating map selection, allowed weapons and attachments, faction-specific perks, and more before heading online to test your creation.

One of Guerrilla’s stated goals for Shadow Fall is to keep the game evolving with its player base, and the user-defined Warzones seem like an ideal place to start. Future expansion packs that add new Warzone modifiers are designed to keep Killzone fans experimenting for months, and years, to come.

Killzone: Shadow Fall 01

Shadow Fall will ship with 10 multiplayer maps, and Guerrilla has already confirmed that post-launch DLC maps will be offered free of charge. And the final game promises to dish up an array of other niceties, from clan support to online and offline multiplayer bots, party chat, and a redesigned Killzone.com interface.

Killzone: Shadow Fall ships alongside PS4’s debut on November 15th. Have questions about the multiplayer mode? Leave your questions in the comments!

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71 Comments

17 Author Replies

  • How’s the resolution? Is it 1080p?

    I hope all of PS4 games are 1080p native

  • Hey Sid, any idea if this game is going to be 3D compatible?

  • I really hope there will be mechs like in Killzone 3.
    And Operations Mode as well.

  • Man, this game is shaping up to be really cool.

    The 15th of November seems really far away right now… :(

  • @51nobi_us,

    There really is no excuse for developers not to run all games at 1080p and 60fps on the PS4.

    I’m sure that all of the first and second party developers will pull through for us on that front, but I’m far from convinced that all of the third party developers will stop being lazy and I am worried that they will just keep on making games at 720p and 30fps.

  • I have a couple questions regarding this. First, and most important to me, will listed servers make a return? I prefer the online setup in KZ2 to the one they had in KZ3. I want my option to find the perfect server and stick with the group I’m playing with. Second, will that perk system from 3 be in this new game (armor, silent footsteps, extra ammo, extra primary weapon. “Extra primary weapon” being the one that disturbs me the most.)? I absolutely hated it and felt it was way too COD-esq. Lastly, will this game have an option to use the original controller configuration? (R1 shoot, L1 melee, R3 zoom). I’m getting it for the campaign and these questions of mine will gauge how long I play its multiplayer. There’s a drastic difference between the amount of time I’ve spent on 2 and 3 due to what GG did to the last game (around 200 hours in 2 and a measly 12 hours in 3).O yea, long live gamepro.

  • Not the biggest FPS player so I was considering of only getting Battlefield 4 and Destiny (maybe The Division) next generation. Definitely reconsidering my FPS priorities.

  • 21 said “Aim-assist is removed? This is a very big deal. Now this game can be taken seriously by MLG”

    i’m sure halo and cod would like a word with you.

  • Does it have move support, is the single player campaign in 3D?
    Like on Killzone 3.

  • I kinda sucked at first when I first played the KZ Mercenary beta.
    Now I can easily do a 5:1 7:1 kills per death ratio.
    Takes a bit of time to get to know everything, but much more fun than anything else I’ve played.
    Even more fun than Battlefield 3.
    I sure hope there’s a much better Starthawk-like in FPS for the PS4.

  • Hmmm. No split-screen support? Would be lovely if they thought of adding that in later.

  • Looks good. Still got alot to prove considering KZ3 was a letdown to me
    Honestly, its on my radar but im more hype for other shooters than this…but we’ll see

  • I don’t believe taking away split-screen support was a wise decision. I’m a strong supporter of being able to play games together with friends and family on the same screen. Having no option for split-screen eliminates that. This is a new game on a next generation console and it’s taking a step back instead of taking a step forward. The fundamental reason most people games play on consoles in the first place is for they can share the experience with others on the same television.

    What was the thought process of making this decision?

  • Every article that comes out makes me love this game even more… Already pre-ordered it. Can’t wait till December!

  • Can we at least get splitscreen post launch? Are there any plans for it at all?

  • Hi im really excited about the new killzone Shadow fall, it looks very fun speccialy the multiplayer modes. But Sid Shuman i Have a question and i hope you can awnser. So you in the multiplayer mode have every single weapon unlocked, so there is stuff that you can unlock? like upgrades to your weapons like sights and stuff? And about the classes? Do we still have them in this game? or you build your own? Thank you :D

  • Hey Sid,

    Sorry for asking these questions but I’d love to now. We all live in the time where this is possible so I’d like to know:

    1. Will Sony do Midnight Digital Releases for games? (Example: Midnight Madness at GameStop but instead release games also on the PSN store at midnight)

    2. Will be able to sign in with multiple accounts on one PS4 simultaneously? If so, how much accounts can get be signed it at the same time?

  • FINALLY a player to watch the games in HD I have not seen any PS4 Games in real HD. \o/ KZ:SF Looks just CRAZY!!!! Keep it up sony!!!!!

  • Alright, so split screen has been confirmed, but does it have ONLINE split screen? That will determine whether or not I buy a second controller at launch. Thanks!

  • Yuh, if I buy a copy and mine sister also, can we play campaign together, I dont like the splitscreen I want a full screen campaign together. Something like diablo 3.

    Just like killzone 3 splitscreen 2 player mode but I play at mine home at she at hers.. If this is possible it will be a ps4 kill zone box for both of us ^^

    ty

  • Will you be able to play Killzone SF on PS Vita Cross Play?

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