Well, Jack Tretton guaranteed a Killzone 3, and at the Sony Press Conference in LA a couple of days ago, he delivered. While it’s usually Microsoft that lacks subtlety, Sony seems to be stepping up their marketing (thank God) and are certainly being more aggressive. At the presser they beat us over the head with 3D support, Playstation Move functionality, and jetpacks. Seeing as I’m a pretty big fan of Killzone 2 one might think that all of this brouhaha for the third console installment would have got my panties all dampened. Well, they haven’t in fact. At my age it usually takes a couple of popsicle sticks propping things up, to accomplish that.

Very few things concern me more than marketing and PR types touting all of the new features that have been added to an existing franchise that I am already a fan of. While I will eat the crow I richly deserve for pooh-pooing multiplayer being added to Uncharted 2 prior to launch, I still feel justified in my concerns about a bunch of suits possibly messing with one of the few online shooters that I have been committed to. Simply put, 3D support, Playstation Move functionality, and jet packs are not the things I want addressed in Killzone 3. My wish list for one of the best looking games I have ever played, is both a bit more practical, in my humble opinion, and certainly more cerebral. Bottom line, I want better online map design and I want to know why Rico is such a cocksucker in Killzone 2.

Don’t get me wrong, generally speaking the maps in Killzone 2 are some of the most interesting and enjoyable I’ve ever played. They are frequently multi-layered, large, and do a decent job of preventing spawn camping. For the record, the team working on the Warhawk sequel with Dylan Jobe might want to take note of how this is accomplished. The absolute best thing about Killzone 2 maps are that they rarely allow snipers to dominate. Sniping is a part of the game, but rarely will you find a good sniper exploiting, like on certain Call of Duty maps like Creek. Last year when I was enjoying nightly Killzone 2 sessions my only problem was getting in enough practice time. Until the map exploits started.

Initially, things really started to unravel with the clan matches. Certain clans would spam the rocket launchers to build a quick lead, and then hunker down in the spawn areas with as many turrets as could be built and then simply wait out the match. This, combined with some of the glitching that went on for a while, really affected the online experience. The glitching, as far as my anecdotal experience can tell, has now been taken care of. I have not come across anyone shooting me from outside of the map in any of the matches I have played in the last week or so. However, hunkering down in protected spawn areas is still a regular occurrence.

I accept that I may be sounding a little whiny with this complaint. I mean, if the designers are going to prevent spawn camping then the spawn areas need to be protected. I get that. I just think that a focus on balancing map structure would be better for the long term viability of a franchise rather than than shoe-horning in PS Move support. That is to say nothing of the irrelevance of 3D gaming being included. Seriously, Jack Tretton, how many 3D televisions were actually sold last year? Hell, how widespread are flat screen televisions? The new LCDs and Plasmas are even reasonably priced. My Samsung 42″ LCD is now roughly one half the price I paid two and half years ago. Also for the record Jack, your Sony Bravias are so overpriced and overhyped they might as well have little apples emblazoned on their backs. Now, as for Rico and his case of irritable vagina syndrome…

While I genuinely feel that I should be able to talk freely about a game as old as Killzone 2 is now, to avoid any of the whiny “spoiler alert” bitches out there, I may come across as somewhat cryptic at times. Frankly if you haven’t played Killzone 2, you should, it’s great. As for Rico, and his improbably annoying ass, there are at least two particular instances in Killzone 2 where he steps beyond the usual macho shooter nonesense and acts quite oddly. One involves a rescue mission, and the second involves one of the final scenes in the game. In both instances his actions are just inexplicable. They literally make no sense.

Now, I don’t think that what happens is simply poor writing, or just creative slovenliness. Guerilla took such pains in every other aspect of Killzone 2 that Rico’s asshol-ishness demands further attention. Simply put, the Rico character calls into question the moral imperative of the ISA forces, and as such, is one of the more interesting characters in modern shooters today. Essentially, I want a sincere explanation for Rico’s motivation. An exploration of his homo-erotic connection with Colonel Templar wouldn’t hurt either, but I don’t want to push my luck too far. If Rico’s motivation gets left on the cutting room floor, and fucking jet packs are still included then I’m going to be one pissed off middle-aged gamer.

So that’s it Guerilla, and Sony Computer Entertainment. I know Sony, you need to push all of those 3D televisions you’re building. And I also know Guerilla, you want a top tier advertising campaign for your next game and supporting some of these, “exciting new features” will likely greatly affect that. I just want to make sure that what made Killzone 2 a great game in the first place doesn’t get lost.