Killzone Mercenary: Worthy diversion overcomes limitations

The biggest questions that hung over this title before it released were 1) can a twin stick first-person shooter really work on the Vita? and; 2) will it

be anywhere near as good as the console versions? The answer to both - oh, yes.

 

Killzone Mercenary

For: PS Vita

From: Sony

Four and a half stars (out of five)

 

Killzone 2 and 3 on PS3 really showcased what the PS3 could do graphically, and Mercenary has continued the trend.

It looks outstanding, almost comparable to its bigger brothers and given the limitations it faces, that's incredible.

Environments are detailed and the draw distance is really impressive.

Not only does it look great, but the twin-stick shooting works really well, too.

It utilises the same tactic as Uncharted Golden Abyss, where you can tilt the system to make fine adjustments to your aim.

It takes some getting used to, but you'll get the hang of it.

I was pleased to see the return of the ''Brutal Melee'' combat system, where sneaking up on or bashing enemies becomes a mini-game of sorts.

It really feels like you're just playing Killzone 3 on your Vita, which sounds like a bit of an insult but it's really a huge compliment to the work done by Guerrilla Games.

You can approach missions in one of three ways: covert, demolition or precision.

I tended to start off covert, and then quickly descend to demolition when it all turned to custard.

Still, it adds a reason for you to go back through the (short-ish) campaign once you've finished.

Story-wise it doesn't quite match up to its cousins.

You are Arran Danner, a private mercenary who works for whoever offers the most money.

A cool premise, but it's let down by forgettable characters and uninspired voice acting.

Admittedly, it's still better than Rico in the previous games.

There's a dedicated multiplayer mode to keep you busy.

It lacks the variety or the wow factor that the previous games had, but it's a worthy diversion.

If you are seeking something to dust off your Vita for, this is absolutely it.

If you're not too busy playing Grand Theft Auto V, that is.

- Simon Bishop

Add a Comment

Our journalists are your neighbours

We are the South's eyes and ears in crucial council meetings, at court hearings, on the sidelines of sporting events and on the frontline of breaking news.

As our region faces uncharted waters in the wake of a global pandemic, Otago Daily Times continues to bring you local stories that matter.

We employ local journalists and photographers to tell your stories, as other outlets cut local coverage in favour of stories told out of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

You can help us continue to bring you local news you can trust by becoming a supporter.

Become a Supporter