#killzone4

#4   Killzone: Shadowfall

  Developer: Guerilla

Platform: PS4

Release Date: TBA

Ok, so technically this one isn't a current-gen title, but I couldn't resist including Killzone: Shadowfall on the list.

Killzone: Shadowfall made its first appearance at Sony's press conference back in February during their official unveiling of the Playstation 4. For any of you who might have tuned in to the exciting, albeit drawn-out event, you might remember that there were quite a few mixed reactions to Sony's presentation. In addition to the long-awaited reveal of the PS4 controller (but no console?), there was huge emphasis on bite-sized independent games and social media integration—which is the next big thing in home console gaming, apparently. Needless to say, many gamers (myself among them) streaming the press conference online started getting a little restless on their couches. Where were the Triple-A games? Where was Sony's big console-selling exclusive?

Kablam. Enter Killzone: Shadowfall, the highly anticipated follow-up to Killzone 3 on the Playstation 3. Taking place 30 years after the events of KZ3, we find ourselves back on Vekta—the human colony introduced in the first Killzone title on PS2—where Helghast refugees have been allowed to resettle after (spoiler alert) the very strange turn at the end of KZ3 that rendered their home planet of Helghan uninhabitable. The Killzone series has always taken a less-than-subtle approach in taking inspiration from Nazi Germany in its design and political themes, and this installment is no different. This time, we're navigating through a Vekta divided—a la East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War—complete with a gigantic futuristic space wall. This conflict of Vektans and crazy orange-eyed Helghast living in close proximity will set the stage for the game's story and protagonist—both of which are yet to be revealed. Let's hope that we'll get to see a lot more of Killzone: Shadowfall at this year's E3 conference, including some updates on how the team at Guerrilla will be enhancing graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer to lead the charge for the PS4. There is no official launch date for the title yet, but the game's director, Herman Hulst, seems confident that Shadowfall will launch alongside the PS4 in time for its holiday 2013 release window.

Squazzplepros: -Returning to Vekta is a sweet way to tie the series back to its roots from the 2004 original Killzone title for PS2

-Impressively vast and intricately rendered landscape gives potential for more open- world gameplay elements

-Multifunctional weapons (urn an assault rifle into a sniper with the push of a button)

Squazzlecons: -The graphics are insanely beautiful—but is this the notorious E3 2005 Killzone 2 'gameplay' presentation all over again? I'll need to see the game in action a bit more to be convinced.

-Why can't the ISA seem to figure out that the Helghast have holographic cloaking devices that allow them to shape-shift into ISA soldiers and blow shit up? Wouldn't 30 years give them enough time to figure out a way to defend against a silly parlor trick?