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Killzone: Liberation psp Game Reviews
Killzone: Liberation
Critic Score
Metascore: 77 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.8 out of 10
based on 56 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 24 votes
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In Killzone: Liberation, two months after the events of "Killzone," (PS2) most of southern Vekta is still under Helghast control. The rules of war have been cast aside with the Helghast General, Metrac, employing brutal measures in order to seize the initiative and strengthen his position further. Returning as Templar, players will be sent on a mission to undertake a covert operation to save hostages captured by Metrac, while ISA troops continue the fight for liberty. Featuring an intelligent third person camera system, Killzone: Liberation allows players a more tactical surveillance viewpoint to view their action and read the enemy’s behavior during gameplay. Set in an intense postmodern war reminiscent of the previous PS2 title, Killzone: Liberation features the unique graphical style to showcase pure grit and realism. During gameplay, players will have access to variety of weapons that are unique and innovative, inspired by modern military equipment. [SCEA]

PUBLISHER: Sony Computer Entertainment America
DEVELOPER: Guerilla
GENRE(S): Third-Person Action, First-Person Shooter
PLAYERS: 6
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: October 31, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

95
Deeko
Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most highly-polished and brag-worthy games that the PSP has.
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91
Game Chronicles
Liberation is a perfect example of just how powerful the PSP is, and a great way to experience console action in the palm of your hand.
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90
Ferrago
One of the most pleasing things about Killzone Liberation that it seems to have been polished to the point you can almost see your face in it, it's impeccably balanced, looks amazing and is full of little gameplay touches and ideas that only come when a game has been developed by people who truly care about it.
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90
Worth Playing
A must-own title that is definitely worth playing. Everything is great, and I really cannot think of anything I would change about what could be this year's greatest hand-held game.
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90
PGNx Media
The worst thing that can be said about Killzone: Liberation is that we want more of it. We would have liked a longer single-player experience and we would have liked online multiplayer, but the gameplay in the game is so well done that you would be doing yourself a disservice if you let that stop you from getting the game. Action games do not get much better on the PSP.
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90
DarkStation
After the over-hyped console version, the handheld port fortunately delivers with a perfect blend of solid controls and challenging levels.
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90
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
A perfectly targeted shooter that sines on handheld due to great controls and balanced gameplay. One of the best blasts on PSP. [Dec 2006, p.96]
90
IGN
It seems wherever Liberation can go the extra mile, it does. It delivers on all fronts, from a thoroughly engrossing single-player campaign to an addictive multiplayer component. Liberation also shames most other PSP offerings through its presentation.
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90
PSW Magazine UK
It's original, atmospheric and challenging, and sets things up nicely for the stunning PS3 game. Let the hype begin again.
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90
AceGamez
Visually Liberation is outstanding, keeping the rustic color palette and de-saturated look of the original perfectly while adding even more environmental details.
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88
Game Over Online
One of the best and most complete action games on the PSP. The decision to emphasize tactics pays off in spades thanks to an intuitive interface for controlling Captain Templar and the Tactical Command System, where you’ll get to occasionally command an AI teammate.
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88
Cheat Code Central
One of the best examples of just how good a third-person shooter can be. The single-player mode may be a little short but it makes up for it with a multitude of modes including co-op and wireless multi-player. A definite must for any action fan with a PSP.
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88
Console Gameworld
A great game for the PSP and one of the few that make good use of online play. Although a bit stale here and there, Liberation is still a really fun game and a worthy time killer.
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86
PSM3 Magazine UK
The gameplay suits PSP brilliantly, and is much better than if they'd made an FPS. Just about essential. [Dec 2006, p.88]
85
TotalPlayStation
Regardless of some nagging technical and balance issues, Liberation manages to carve out a unique niche on the PSP, and Guerilla deserves a serious nod for at least getting the gameplay right.
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85
GameTrailers
Killzone: Liberation isn’t the greatest action title on the PSP, but it fills a huge void in the handheld’s library: a solid shooter. More importantly, it’s not just another direct port from the PS2.
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85
Next Level Gaming
I applaud Guerilla Games for making a Killzone made specifically for the PSP, not trying to cram the PS2 version in to the portable machine.
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85
GameCritics
Although some may claim that the single-player campaign is on the short side, or perhaps that the ability to move the camera would have been a nice addition, there's no getting around the fact that Killzone: Liberation is a better game than the original in every way and a standout title in its own right.
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84
Pelit (Finland)
The switch to an overhead point-of-view and tactical action was the right one. It is good fun and looks great, too. The difficulty can get on your nerves, though. [Jan 2007]
84
Gamer 2.0
A marked improvement over its console inspiration, and provides an entertaining and challenging experience to those who pick it up.
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84
Digital Entertainment News
Despite the shortcomings, Killzone: Liberation is a good example of how to change things up for a different platform. A good title that lives up to the Killzone franchise.
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83
GameSpot
Killzone is reborn in this consistently intense, periodically infuriating, yet undeniably enjoyable handheld tactical shooter.
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83
Play UK
Not only is it the best game in the franchise so far, it's also one hell of a PSP game. [Issue#146, p.86]
82
GameBrink
If you’re looking for an arcade like shooter with an overhead camera and around 6 hours of gameplay then Killzone: Liberation is your ticket.
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81
GameZone
The single-player missions are rather linear but the gameplay mechanics create an environment where players won’t be fumbling with controls, but will be able to experience the game for what it presents.
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80
GameDaily
The three-quarter view that the game employs is actually put to good use, particularly with weapon aiming and engaging against other players, AI or human.
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80
Games Radar
While it eventually hits near-unplayable levels of insane difficulty, Killzone: Liberation stays fun enough to keep you playing no matter how frustrated you get.
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80
PSM Magazine
No, this is a balls-to-the-wall action fest that keeps the gritty battlefield presentation of the series perfectly intact. [Dec. 2006, p.78]
80
Extreme Gamer
Besides the minor fault in the targeting system, Killzone: Liberation is a finely tuned, polished game that is worth the investment.
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80
Boomtown
The similarities between it and the first Killzone are tenuous at best, but each and every change is a welcome one when a game as polished as this gets released.
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80
Modojo
When you finally succeed in surmounting the insane difficulty level, the sense of accomplishment you get ultimately makes the game an enjoyable experience.
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80
Sydney Morning Herald
A smart and challenging blend of action and strategy.
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80
GameSpy
Bringing a friend along is probably not such a bad idea, because Killzone: Liberation will sprain your thumbs with its difficulty level.
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80
Thunderbolt
A fantastic shooter that combines strategic combat, excellent level design and some genuinely (and maybe too much so) challenging gameplay.
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79
GamingTrend
While Killzone: Liberation isn’t mindblowing and has some flaws, it's a good action game for a game system on the go.
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78
Games Master UK
Tries too hard to be PSP's killer app, but is just too inhibited to ever really blow you away. [Dec 2006, p.76]
75
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Having a real pal alongside to shoot the crap out of the Helghast soldiers takes a bite out of their uncanny accuracy. [Dec. 2006, p.128]
75
Detroit Free Press
The biggest flaw? The single-player game is too short. And there's no online mode. But if you can find a friend with the game, the multiplayer maps make for explosive fun.
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75
GamePro
However, Liberation is a worthy new chapter in the Killzone series and does more right than it does wrong. [Dec. 2006, p.122]
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73
Game Informer
The action in Liberation is good, and at times intense, but it still seems to lack that visceral experience I like to have with my action games, first person or otherwise.
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70
Edge Magazine
A couple of murderous boss battles spike the difficulty level during the second half, but what occurs for the most part is a largely cyclical, if inspired and infectious routine. [Dec 2006, p.83]
70
Yahoo! Games
Killzone isn't able to fulfill its own potential in the end. More variety in the gameplay would make this the killer app it's ready to become.
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70
games(TM)
Killzone: Liberation has considerable depth that really manages to please. [Dec 2006, p.130]
70
EuroGamer
An intense, challenging and well-designed game, simple enough to come off extremely well on the PSP and strategically engaging enough to keep cerebral players involved.
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70
VideoGamer
If it wasn't so mercilessly difficult then Killzone: Liberation would easily give current PSP benchmark Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror a run for its money.
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70
Game Almighty
Liberation allows you to play co-op with another friend, heading out together on the same boring missions that comprise the campaign.
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67
Gaming Age
The lack of proper online play is a downer, and in spite of the difficulty, the game could have been a bit longer "out of the box". But overall, the game is an intense shooter with a gritty, cohesive sense of style and direction, and I can't see many fans of the genre being disappointed with it.
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65
Play Magazine
Any game can be an emotional experience if it has a little soul. And to put it bluntly, Killzone: Liberation is just soulless. [Oct. 2006, p.66]
60
PALGN
Conceptually solid, interesting and potentially enjoyable, but let down by poor execution and a sense of disconnection.
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58
Game Revolution
A fun but frustrating action romp with some good unlockable content and a really short single player campaign.
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57
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Running from cover to cover, you'll need to master the art of popping out at just the right time to blow away the enemy. Unfortunately, Liberation seems unsure what to do with it, falling into a repeating loop of key hunts, escort missions, and increasingly impossible battles. Bummer. [Dec. 2006, p.156]
50
Pocket Gamer UK
Killzone is precisely average. It's mildly entertaining, sure, but also disappointingly flawed.
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50
1UP
Instead of creating a wide variety of situations, the dev team relied on key-card hunts, escort missions, and (surprisingly pointless) vehicle-piloting sections ad nauseam.
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50
NTSC-uk
Ends up feeling distinctly average in terms of design and implementation.
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50
Gamestyle
Despite the annoying difficulty, the most frustrating aspect is that you fully appreciate the potential for a decent Killzone game.
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40
G4 TV
Gameplay as a whole is woefully unbalanced, leading to death after death for no good reason. Each time, you will question your desire to persevere; it's a losing battle.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ian R. gave it a9:
I got through the first chapter of the game and immediatly thought this is one of the best psp games I've played. Its looks like a dungeon crawler but don't let that turn you away. It plays more like a squad based shooter. And it is surely not easy at all. You will DIE OVER and OVER and AGAIN. It also has a great physics engine. Although it may look like an overhead shooter but it does have height and explosions that are cool.

Myke M. gave it a10:
Most people Misunderstand.. KILLZONE Liberation is for the PSP!! The PSP! A Handheld, And any critic who gives it below an 8 is a fool and refuses to realize they are playing on a PSP. First- Graphics are supreme.. for being on a handheld, the environments really make it feel like an FPS even though its a strategic Third Person shooter.. Dont listen to G4.. they suck like crap at playing games, we all knew that already though, they Love dying, Whether it be Halo 3, Gears, or Ninja Gaiden they fail haha So of course theyre going to die alot more than real average gamers would. (Killzone LIberation is challenging, and it does take some mental work sometimes- like for boss fights.. more like in Halo how you have to aim between the armor for the Hunters though its really simple, G4 Never stood a chance lol.) Aiming is guided, though you have to look and turn the right way- as in if theyre up on a ledge above you.. you cant just turn around and immediately expect to to autolock on them- you have to guide it to them and get it pretty much perfectly on them.. The good news is when you get the lock, you can stay locked on by holding the L1 button and just walking around. And whenever you lock on to an enemy far away, the screen shapes to show all room between you and him. Thats just an example of its depth.. among that.. unlockable weapons, 5 long chapters, a multiplayer that actually shares similarity to gears- 8 players, good map types and design, great graphics (for being a psp game, definitely this game looks awesome), grenades, snipers, rocket launchers.. definitely loads of nonstop action throughout the game.. . If i could describe its gameplay in 1 work, it would be Solid. If you want a fantastic PSP game, This is what you've been looking for. Great gameplay, great graphics, easy to get used to, multiplayer, long campaign, lots of weapons, unlockable achievements (challenge missions you can also unlock after you beat missions) etc, Pretty much everything you'd expect and more...this is on the Playstation Portable!

David N. gave it an8:
I bought this game 2 months ago and have just recently finished it .The top down view is genius and it plays with the fluidity of a first-person shooter but with the fun of an old school shooter.It was great ,until the 5th or 6th level when things got tricky. I found myself dying and dying and dying, it was enough to make you want to throw this blessed sexy piece of technology out the window but i did'nt and after another couple of restarts it came together for me .The graphics do the game justice if a little bland . I'm only a casual gamer so for the less gifted it is a challenge but if you think your ready then you won't find a greater test than this!

Dave N. gave it a10:
Beautiful just beautiful,a fluid,mesmerising peice of stuff . testing but too good to put down.Price has dropped so theres no reason not to buy it now.

Zem Z. gave it a9:
Challenging, even on easy, but not enogh so to drive away those who love fun, & the story is seperate enogh that you can play it even without haveing played the okay first game.

Assimov gave it an8:
Gameplay perfectly adjusted for PSP. Good graphics. Sometimes can be repetitive. Online play is good. And game sharing is limited.

Jarred H. gave it a9:
Guerilla Games really gambled with this new style of gameplay, and they passed with flying colors. Everything here seems to work together flawlessly, and the upcoming infrastructure patch should be a blast. The only gripe in the game is its difficulty. This really makes the game almost inaccessible to casual gamers, as the difficulty will most likely drive them away. Other than that, Killzone: Liberation is one of the best PSP games to date.

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