Killzone (video game)

Killzone is a 2004 first-person shooter video game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the first installment of the Killzone series and the first partnership between Guerrilla and Sony. A remaster developed by Supermassive Games was re-released within the Killzone Trilogy for PlayStation 3 as well as a standalone PSN title in 2012.

Killzone takes place in the middle of the 24th century and chronicles the war between two human factions; the Vektans, and the Helghast. The game is played from a first-person view and follows Jan Templar, a high-ranking officer within the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance, as he battles invading Helghast forces on his homeworld of Vekta.

Prior to its release Killzone was heavily anticipated with several publications considering it to be Sony's "Halo killer" title. Upon release, however, the game was met with mixed responses, with critics praising the visuals, sound, and music, but criticizing the gameplay, AI, and technical issues. Killzone spawned several sequels, beginning with a direct sequel, Killzone 2. Sony purchased Guerrilla in 2005.