Take a look at this comparison of last-gen graphics provided by the inferior garbage bin, 2005 budget GPU with Xenos and the Xbox 360 and compare them to the stunning visuals of a truly next-gen system with the symbiotic power of Blu-Ray, Cell, and RSX. Playstation 3 is mighty impressive, isn’t it? February isn’t too long fellas. Time to turn in your Xcoats at the door.
Killzone 2 / Halo 3 Comparison: Click to Enlarge
Sony Defense Force has been on a hiatus for a few months, but there’s a reason why we’ve been unable to deliver groundbreaking unbiased coverage for so long. That reason has something to do with a relatively unknown studio that resides in a far away land we like to call Amsterdam. For years, this studio has had to endure the scalding criticism of Xbox loyalists for the original KILLZONE failing to live up to its often-quoted ‘Halo Killer’ nickname.
While the status of being a ‘Halo Killer’ certainly isn’t an impressive accomplishment, we’re here to tell you that KILLZONE 2 not only destroys the HALO series in every single regard, but it will also make xbots question the very foundation of their pathetic existence. For years, there’s been a legion of Xombies following the lead of their master Microsoft, even if it meant having their poorly designed system fail on them twenty five times. And why? Becaude Microsoft’s system has a title called ‘Halo’ on it. Supposedly, the only first person shooter that matters to these savage fanatics. Ever since Halo 3′s release, there’s been a post-traumatic stress syndrome associated with the product; Halo 3 failed to deliver on all accounts and ultimately ended up being a very poorly received product in the hearts and minds of even faithful xbox fans. This resulted in the massive sales bitch-slapping the PS3 has given the Xbox 360 in 2008, despite the system costing $200-300 more than the competition.
We’ve spent the last few months extensively playtesting KILLZONE 2 at Guerrilla Games in Amsterdam in order to provide proper feedback for the final release, and it is unquestionably the greatest title in existence. The graphical fidelity of the product represents a true generational leap over Xbox 360 titles like Gears of War 2 and Halo 3. The graphics were so impressive that we were left wondering whether or not we were playing on Playstation 3 hardare rather than prototype Playstation 4 dev kits. Guerilla Games assured us that the game was playing on standard Playstation 3 systems and that no trickery was involved. The playstation 3′s power over the 360 was always readily apparent, but KILLZONE 2 makes the difference seem all the more astounding; like comparing the 360′s graphics to the Wii.
However, the good news is that KILLZONE 2 plays as good as it looks. While we can’t reveal much about it since we’re under strict NDA, it’s safe to say that the suicide rate is likely to increase in the coming months as Xbox fans question the meaning of their lives since the system they blindly support is an utter failure with a derivative, shoddily made title called Halo 3 failing to deliver. For many of these individuals, they will never be able to afford the quality of the Playstatation 3 and KILLZONE 2, which will ultimately lead them to suicide.
But for all of the Xbots out there that are feeling depressed that KILLZONE 2 rapes anything on the Xbox 360– fear not. You can still turn in your fanboy shirt at the door and purchase a reliable, quality system with true next generation graphics. Most doctors agree that the purchase of a Playstation 3 completely cures all illnesses associated with fanboys feeling depressed by purchasing an inferior Xbox 360. SDF supports life, and that’s why we support the Playstation 3. Can’t wait to see you guys in February.
SDF is calling it right now… Haze is the real deal. After having just completed the game, we can safely say that Haze is Free Radical’s best game yet, showing Microsoft how Halo 2.5 and Perfect Dark Zero should’ve been done. A fantastic next-gen shooter that no PS3 owner should be without. With this and upcoming FPS greatness such as Resistance 2 and Killzone 2, there’s no doubt that the PS3 has already established itself as the system of choice for FPS fans.
Set in the year 2048, in a dystopian region of South America ravaged by war, you play the role of Shane Carpenter, a military sergeant working for the world’s leading PMC, Mantel Global Industries. As a Mantel warrior you have the possibility to greatly enhance your senses and fighting abilities by consuming a drug named Nectar, turning you into a ruthless killing machine. Obviously, as you and your comrades are hunting down guerrillas led by the nefarious “Skin Coat”, you progressively realize that all’s not as sound as it initially appears. After a series of ingenious plot twists, Carpenter ends up leading the rebel resistance against Mantel. Haze is a thrill ride filled with some of the best set pieces that the genre has seen in years, awesome campy humor, voice acting and dialogue, and perfectly crafted mechanics that will keep you craving for more.
Haze delivers revolutionary FPS play in spades. From its glorious HD visuals to its beautifully crafted storyline and artwork the game oozes class from every pore. In fact, everything Halo 2.5 should have been.
Unshackled by the limitations of the N64, the talented Goldeneye team have put together some of the most enthralling and mesmerizing moments of gameplay we at the SDF have had the fortune to experience.
Pros:
Awesome graphics
Splendid level design
Great pacing
Great soundtrack
Great story
Great multiplayer and co-op play
Excellent voice acting
Excellent social commentary on the horrors of war
High quality enemy and ally A.I.
Captivating gun fights
Tight controls
No loading screens in-between levels
Cons:
The main campaign is too short. We’d really want MORE of this!
Score: 10/10
Special award: FPS of the year released in May.
Instead of spending the development budget on bribing respected videogame “media” outlets like Microsoft did with Halo 3, Sony is devoting those resourced to delivering a genuine, awe-inspiring, next generation experience. Insomniac recently showcased the first real-time teaser trailer for Resistance 2 that boasts of gorgeous visuals that are simply impossible on the vastly inferior Xbox 360 hardware.
Not only is Insomniac delivering a truly next-generation blockbuster hit this fall on the PS3 in only one year of development (something that Bungie couldn’t manage to do with 3 years), but they’re also going to produce two separate campaigns, 8 player co-op, and 60 players in competitive mode. Bungie only managed to get Halo 3 to run at a maximum of 4 v 4 due to the limitations of the inferior Xbox Lag “pay for p2p” service.
Apparently, Bungie was more concerned with ending their ties with Microsoft than delivering another run of the mill Halo on the faulty Xbox 360 capable of equaling the original title on the Xbox. An inside source has informed SDF that if Resistance 2 were to run on Microsoft’s console, it would require two Xbox 360s linked together but due to the insurmountable amount of heat the combined systems would generate the “RROD” within seconds. Resistance 2 is veritable proof of the Playstation 3′s massive superiority.
For comparison purposes, here’s a representative screenshot of Halo 3:
Micosoft Defense Force is having some tough times. Earlier this year Ziff Davis filed for bankruptcy, 1up employees have been leaving in droves, just last week Games for Windows Magazine was shut down and now the overlord of 1up, Dan “Shoe” Hsu is quitting to pursue “other interests”. But lets not dwell on that, lets take a look back at a few of Dan Hsu’s unbiased reviews of Microsoft products.
Hsu’s Halo 2 review: A+
Hsu’s Halo 3 review: A+
and my favorite: Hsu’s Gears of War review:
Wow…
Speaking of reviews, stay tuned to SDF for a massive GTA4 review (PS3 and 360). Just don’t look for bias here, we do not get paid to run this site. Real Talk. Nailed it.
This weeks (not so) Monday Mail includes emails sent in about SDF’s controversial Halo 3 review. Some agreed, others didn’t. Here are a few of the emails that stood out amongst the rest.
Trey wrote:
FYI the 7/10 was for single player campaign, multiplayer got a 10/10 and
the overall score was 9/10.Thought Id send this in an email, doubt you will read it and less likely
post it. If you wanna spin it, say it was that $800 bag of swag they
probably got because they are actual game reviewers working for an actual
company.
Yes you are right. The fact that MS sent all major reviewers $800 worth or ‘swag’ had nothing to do with the near perfect review scores Halo 3 has received. Lets forget about the extremely short campaign, the horrid cutscenes and dialogue and all the rest. Lets not even get into the graphics. Upon first booting up my copy of Halo 3 for review I had to double check and make sure they didn’t accidentally put a Halo 2 disc in it’s place. Yes, it’s that bad. Oh yeah, Halo 3 multiplayer would be a 10/10 if Battlefield 2, Resistance, Team Fortress 2 and Haze didn’t exist and it was 1998.
Bosco wrote:
Great Halo 3 review guys. I’m sure SDF is going to get slammed for going against the grain on this one but wow you really did nail it in your review! Itll be funy in 1-2 years when people look back on this review and be like “you know wat, sdf was spot on”. you wont get the credit you deserve but just know that there are fans out there like me who believe in this site and it’s cause. sdf victory my friends!
Thanks for the email Bosco. We here at SDF appreciate your support through the good and bad times. We also believe our Halo 3 review will stand the test of time and it will be interesting to see what the general consensus of the game truly is after all the Master Chief worship dies down.
As we reported earlier, Bungie is leaving Microsoft to pursue more creative game development. Due to the inevitable contract that Bungie is likely tied to, they’ll be stuck developing for the hdd-less, dvd powered 360 for the time being. That being said, it’s only a matter of time before we see Bungie exclusive titles for the Playstation 3. Perhaps Insomniac will teach them how to make dedicated servers for their first PS3 title. It’ll be interesting to see a Bungie game in HD as well.
Full Press Release:
REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 5, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of the “Halo®†franchise, to embark on a path to become an independent company. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in Bungie, at the same time continuing its long-standing publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for the Microsoft-owned “Halo†intellectual property as well as other future properties developed by Bungie.
The critically acclaimed Xbox 360®-exclusive “Halo 3†achieved $300 million in global sales in its first week. Released on Tuesday, Sept. 25, “Halo 3†is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.
“Our collaboration with Bungie has resulted in ‘Halo’ becoming an enduring mainstream hit,†said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “While we are supporting Bungie’s desire to return to its independent roots, we will continue to invest in our ‘Halo’ entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson, on a new interactive series set in the ‘Halo’ universe. We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through ‘Halo’-related titles and new IP created by Bungie.â€
