Guerilla's Respose To "Killzone 2 Is Just Too Grey" Critics

If there's one gripe some gamers may have when looking at Killzone 2, it's the fact that it appears very stark and gray. Just about every screenshot you see doesn't consist of a whole lot of color, and this fact has spread across the Internet as the lone source of cannon fodder for KZ2 naysayers. However, even that negative point won't last long once you see the final product.

According to a recent interview with CVG, game director Mathijs de Jonge spoke about the perceived lack of color diversity, and also added that the difference between KZ2 and "other shooters" is actually quite "striking." In clarifying the issue, de Jonge said:

"The first images that we released were just from one level that was still in early production, and I can assure you that the final game has a very rich and varied colour palette - and still manages to maintain that gritty and realistic look and feel. We've managed to push so far in all areas that this game feels like a next generation game. When I go home at night after a long day of work I play other shooters to relax, and although I certainly enjoy playing them, the difference in graphical quality, production values and the experience itself, is striking."

That much, we don't doubt. We know exactly what he's talking about, even if our valued readers do not. ;) The point is that despite what you may have seen and heard, you really haven't seen a lot of media, relatively speaking. Just because it may appear on the surface as if the entire game is comprised of gray and black doesn't make it true, as Guerilla and certain gaming sources continue to tell you. You may be of the "seeing is believing" school, though, which is fine by us...you will see and you will believe in due time.

Related Game(s): Killzone 2

1/12/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (81 posts)

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Frenchy17
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:13:54 AM
Reply

How does Gears of War get away with a mostly grey palette then?

4 up, 0 down

ec0li
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:53:25 AM

It didn't. Actually, it was more of a "too brown". I don't know why people complain about this type of look anyway. Both games are supposed to convey a post apocalyptic look and grey and brown are usually the first 2 candidates for that look. If you ask me, I'd rather have these types of games looking dirty and gritty as opposed to bright and sunny.

1 up, 0 down

Tim Speed24
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:09:35 PM

Fallout 3 looks very dull green to me...everywhere I look. But that doesn't make it a bad game.

1 up, 0 down

www
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:18:09 PM

Say it again Frenchy!

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:56:44 PM

@ timster

+25 caps

0 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 7:17:40 PM

Have you played Gears 2? Besides, I am not as interested in the colour palette as much as the gameplay. Somehow, I don't see the campaign in this being better than just about any other good shooter with co-op.

It may be perceived as an obvious thing from me, but I can't see this beating Gears 2 in gameplay. Or, to go with something else, lets say Metacritic.

0 up, 1 down

Bill_Clinton_
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:19:14 AM
Reply

he didn't have to respond to fanboy comments!!! Let the game speak for itself !!!!!

2 up, 0 down

dillonthebunny
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:23:26 AM
Reply

Ben.. who out of you and AK have played the single game? can you confirm what Gamesradar have been saying about the Knife? (RE: Forums)

as for looking grey... lol, they obviously havent played CoDWaW.. lol

0 up, 0 down

ec0li
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:57:21 AM

I saw that video too. I think it's just the early levels at the normal difficulty so no big woop. I would probably play the single player campaign at the next highest difficulty anyway.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:02:40 PM

Arnold has played it. You'd have to ask him.

0 up, 0 down

dillonthebunny
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:39:46 PM

yeh, I said that too that it was early footage. I mean I dont mind seeing early stuff, but what they did was a visual rumour with the words "broken" attatched...
They said it was just an article, it didnt mean much.. but if you read in to it, its just something you would expect from The Edge, let alone Gamesradar.

cool, I'll drop AK a line.. it would be good to get a response from him.

0 up, 0 down

HOODGE
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:24:58 AM
Reply

Ya I agree with Frenchy. How does gears of war get away with mostly dark and gray? Oh well, after it is released, it will put the PS3 bashers in their place. You know what, as perfect as a game could be, there will always be critics out there as far as i'm concerned. We live in a negative world and society where some people are more happy being negative..

3 up, 0 down

ps92117
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:57:14 AM
Reply

geow3 has more biast fans therefore it can get away with hell lot.

2 up, 0 down

ec0li
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:03:50 PM

I didn't realize part 3 was out yet. o.O Do you have the inside track or sumthin?

0 up, 0 down

karneli lll
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:33:57 PM

there will be a geow 3 ( this is ms we're talking about ), i mean did you see the ending of 2??????!!!!

Last edited by karneli lll on 1/12/2009 12:35:28 PM

0 up, 0 down

ec0li
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:32:56 PM

nobody gets it when I'm jokin..lol. I was being sarcastic about him seing part 3 already. Yes I finished part2.(last boss sequence was not challenging at all)

0 up, 0 down

ps92117
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:26:23 PM

sry meant geow2

0 up, 0 down

Naga
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:00:13 PM
Reply

The critics are lame it's a shooter set in the night ”almost“

0 up, 0 down

tramp
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:21:01 PM
Reply

i was once worried about this

0 up, 0 down

www
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:24:24 PM
Reply

Like for real i don't know what the Gears 2 hype is all about,HONESTLY i just can't play the game for 15 mins,after about 10 mins i eject it and slot in Fifa 09.I can't judge gears2 entirely as am still at the early stages.

I thought such a hyped game would keep me glued for more than an hour,here i am playing 15 mins,my highest play time,or is it that Fifa 09 is just too impressive.
EA have next-gen graphics on lock!

0 up, 0 down

killzone100
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:25:35 PM
Reply

everywhere i look there is good news about killzone 2 its making me really want to get the demo!

2 up, 1 down

PS3_Wizard
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:36:07 PM
Reply

I can see if the game took place on earth, but It's an alien planet (helghan). Do critics really think that EVERY planet in the universe has bright colors?

Its like the Aliens movies being too gray. Nobody complained about that setting because thats what the artists WANTED you to see to coincide with the atmosphere of the damn movie.

Whats next, the game will be to "actiony"? (not a typo). Or will will character movement be too "bouncey"?

Last edited by PS3_Wizard on 1/12/2009 12:36:38 PM

0 up, 0 down

MetalHead09
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:22:45 PM

lol right on and good comparison.

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, January 16, 2009 @ 4:23:59 PM

While I agree with all the comments about mood, etc., I would like to make the counter-point that using a limited palette can actually hurt gameplay.

For instance, I played SOCOM: Confrontation for the first time on Tuesday (Crossroads map) and found it much harder to spot enemies than it is in Warhawk, which uses a broader palette. I'm sure that's intentional, but it actually reinforced a run 'n' gun approach, since you couldn't easily be spotted until you were right next to someone.

0 up, 0 down

city96
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 12:56:45 PM
Reply

Most of thiss gens games are dull. GTA4 and there are exceptions mirrors edge, burnout.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:01:19 PM
Reply

They tried to say this about Resistance 2, but I see some really bright colors in that game.

1 up, 0 down

tlpn99
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:05:17 PM

I agree World R2 was colourfull in bits. It was the pixelated water that got me and my friends, just didn't feel right when walking through it. A few of my friends felt the same about this too. Anyway we all enjoyed that one and have since moved onto other stuff now. Awaiting R3.

As someone said previoudly I would rather games like this set in the apocalyptic future be gritty and dirty and not a bright sunshine day. It somehow makes it more realistic.
Lets hope it's good as all the hype is making it out to be.

0 up, 0 down

ps92117
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 6:07:48 PM

yeah too many colors and it gets confusing and hard to look at

0 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:02:19 PM
Reply

Mirrors edge had great usage of colors. The Helgan planet is a pretty dark and gritty place, why complain? They seem to like it.

1 up, 0 down

Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:02:54 PM
Reply

Exactly. It's like complaining because the colors in 300 weren't bright enough. It's called atmosphere.

We should keep a list of bogus complaints for this game.

I've got one. If you look through your weapon's scope, then aim directly at the sun, the scope should cause a magnifying glass effect and burn your eyeball out of the socket. I guess GG just wasn't paying enough attention to detail.

-1 for realism.

This game is gonna suck.

3 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:20:48 PM

LOLS

0 up, 0 down

MetalHead09
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:24:03 PM

lol

0 up, 0 down

rell
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:02:28 PM

lol lol

0 up, 0 down

Fatcat3788
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:20:38 PM

You know Troy, you got a point there. I bet right before the game is released, people will start complaining about the fact that the Helghast are all crusty white dudes and so therefore, in order to make it fair, they put in Asian and African faces as well. Oh jeez... WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TOO!!!

0 up, 0 down

SaintX
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:09:02 PM
Reply

It is understood that Helgan has harsh living environment and conditions, therefore it is almost impossible to live in Helgan according to the story released in the main web site. Besides battling the helgan troops, the ISA troops also had to battle the harsh environments of Helgan. So best way to depict a dark and gritty place is to make the environment look gray. You can't expect to have a colorful environment and expect it to be dark and gritty

2 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:18:35 PM
Reply

Apparently all the skeptics expect rainbows to be popping out of every nook and cranny of a planet that makes it hard to support life in the first place. It's time for the game to finally come out so anyone doubting it can pick up a controller and be amazed at the glorious achievement guerrilla games created.

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:20:00 PM
Reply

good, Resistance2 was too brown, and no offence to asian's, i'm pakistani, but you know, i like colours. brown is fine, but not just brown, when it is games anyway. then again just brown people can be similar, been to... sorry, i was about to make a racist comment that would have insulted everyone. i'll tell my cuz instead, he'll appreciate it. man, this comment shouldn't have ended like this.

0 up, 0 down

ec0li
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:36:10 PM

lol He brought it there.

"Oh no U di int!"

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:57:38 PM

can I buy pot from you?

0 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 1:56:53 PM

Wow! A Pakistani Nazi! Your mama must be proud of you!

0 up, 0 down

Aftab
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 3:03:04 PM

More like an "ABCD", even if he's not born here.

0 up, 0 down

fallingdove
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:41:39 PM
Reply

Doesn't everyone here realize that real warfare requires bright purple and green suits and imp like footsoldiers?

1 up, 0 down

Xanavi23
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:14:47 PM

Lol, in Vegas there would be clowns running around with those colors. Im a sniper so its awesome to have them, such easy targets for an M40A1 user. They give you such a flashy target making it easier to nail them.

0 up, 0 down

rell
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:07:23 PM

fallingdove your screen pic is a kick*** pic id from xenogears man I miss that game.

0 up, 0 down

fallingdove
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:56:15 PM

@ rell

Yeah, it was a Game life changing moment when Red Weltall rips the yggdrasil in half. ID is totally badass.

For as lame as Square has been recently, they have made some incredible stuff.

0 up, 0 down

dveisalive
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 1:51:38 PM
Reply

Well i love grey, white, black whatever it gives it a dark edgy and immersive tone, and the game is over the top fine!

0 up, 0 down

LCF
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:03:56 PM
Reply

Humans will always find things to complain about.We are never satisfied.

4 up, 0 down

ps92117
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 6:10:52 PM

I sir agree with your comment.

1 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:06:17 PM
Reply

OPM gave K2 a glowing review, gushing really! Five out of five stars (Street Fighter IV too!)
I guess the review embargo is now officially lifted.

0 up, 0 down

Advent Child
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:49:26 PM

February 2nd is the review embargo date.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:38:42 PM

If the embargo had been lifted, you would've seen our review.

0 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 1:27:47 PM

Feb. 2? Cool, my birthday!

So, does OPM have special dispensation because it is the official Playstation magazine? I guess so.

Rhetorical question I know!

Last edited by Orvisman on 1/13/2009 1:28:53 PM

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 2:22:26 PM
Reply

Gamers are a funny bunch. Wanna know something ironic? Gamers all over the internet have complained (heavily) about the "lack of color" in Gears and Killzone. But... nobody is saying this about Mad World.... hmmmmmm...

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

cell9899
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:06:29 PM
Reply

Whats wrong with a dark setting? next thing, they are going to complain about the gore. The funny thing is they are all complaining about the footage that has been shown, even though that's all based on one level, not the whole game.

1 up, 0 down

fallingdove
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:48:53 PM

Even though it is mainly one level that they have been showing, I hope that the look stays somewhat consistant throughout the game. In Killzone(1), I felt out of place on the cherry blossom level because the colors were so vibrant and colorfull. (it took me out of the immersion)

0 up, 0 down

Fatcat3788
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:16:47 PM

I second what you are saying Falling Dove. That part did not fit in at ALL!

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:06:54 PM
Reply

Off Topic but I thought I'd post this in the most popular thread, Amazon is having Gold Box discounts all day today. No clue if there's gonna be any PS3 stuff though. Happy hunting children.

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 3:52:44 PM

Wow... they were selling Eternal Sonata for $35 and only 77% were claimed. You should all be ashamed.

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:06:34 PM

Damnit, I got that in an email over the weekend and forgot all about it!

0 up, 0 down

Advent Child
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 4:50:39 PM

I missed Eternal Sonata!!! NO!!!!!!!

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 10:15:36 PM

@Adventchild you should try to find Eternal Sonata anyway, it's got some strong suits to it for JRPG lovers.

0 up, 0 down

Fatcat3788
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:07:33 PM
Reply

I swear... If they are resorting to saying a game is bad because of a lack of color I think the real gamers have nothing to fear... LOL Seriously though. It's funny how much some people want this game to fail. I mean... Does it really benefit people if a GAME DEVELOPER makes an awesome game? If GG makes Killzone 2 a new standard in FPS and the people who don't own Playstations can't play it, one day soon SOMEONE will take what's good from it and leave out what's bad from it, develop new elements and ultimately make another awesome FPS.

Besides, I always took the things like color, setting, etc, etc as artistic direction. Sorry critics, both professional and basement wannabes, I hope you never have the authority or power to change that.

Last edited by Fatcat3788 on 1/12/2009 5:15:43 PM

0 up, 0 down

dillonthebunny
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 5:09:29 PM
Reply

Just posted the scans of OPM review in the forums.. enjoy!

0 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 6:26:08 PM
Reply

I know a few people that specifically like the grey effect on this game.

0 up, 0 down

FLYING_APE
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 6:44:36 PM
Reply

killzone got 4/5 star review from a sweedish site

0 up, 0 down

Troy Powers
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 7:03:50 PM

I wouldn't trust a review of a first person shooter if the review came from a country that was neutral in both world wars and whose people worship ABBA. :D

0 up, 0 down

moose88
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 7:30:56 PM

Actually, ABBA sold more albums here in Australia. We were the first country to give them the 'star-treatment' :)

Don't trust Australians...

0 up, 0 down

Aftab
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 9:14:00 PM

Isn't there a review ban until Febtober 2nd?

0 up, 0 down

Aftab
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 9:45:55 PM

Wasn't it Swedish devs who did Crisis? In any case, if that's the lowest score KZ2 gets, it'll sail just fine.

Last edited by Aftab on 1/12/2009 9:46:08 PM

0 up, 0 down

Aftab
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 3:04:46 PM

What I mean, is that they got high standards. And if Crisis is 5/5, then 4/5 for KZ2 is pretty darn good.

0 up, 0 down

sabitrulz
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 8:25:54 PM
Reply

W/E?it doesn't even matter.........nothin can stop me frm playin K-2........it's lookin very very sexxxy............can't wait....juz can't wait

0 up, 0 down

MetalHead09
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 9:02:26 PM
Reply

guys for real i was showing my friend the killzone2 videos on gametrailers and yuh know what he said? he said that it rivaled farcry2, i think my friends eyes are messed up if it ONLY rivals it, more like kicks its butt. game is far better than farcry.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 9:08:46 PM
Reply

Can you imagine if all the lil whiney, sniveling, pus-pimpled, snot-nosed, console-hating, mini-pukes were given crying towels?

The price of cotton would be over $10,000 a ounce!!!!!

1 up, 0 down

BIG_E
Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 11:54:13 PM

LOL!!! FUNNY SHIT:BIKERSAINT

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 1:24:09 AM
Reply

After playing the Beta, all I can say is that the atmosphere is fantastic ; needs to be gritty!

Q!

"i aM hOme"

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 3:02:53 AM

huh?

0 up, 0 down

PS3_Wizard
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 10:49:04 AM
Reply

@ ffrulez:
I hope you didnt mean KZ2 is for 360...if so, come from under your rock man...

and I have something for everyone to ponder:

What if there WAS a 360 version of KZ2. What would the previews be for it then? I think everyone knows that any site that gave KZ2 bad previews probably had xbox loving writers. So if all those anti PS3 news reporters had a copy on the 360, do you think anyone would complain?

0 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 1:42:49 PM
Reply

All the poo poo on the grey is by Fanboys just trying to hate again. "If its not as bright as Halo then it is crap". This thing is looking intense and if it delivers what they say they can I don't care if its in black and white.

Just finished Dead Space and it has a lot of, you guessed it, black. It has become one of my favorite games of the generation...

1 up, 0 down

Aftab
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 @ 3:06:29 PM

I believe AdventChild would second that, and I do, too...

0 up, 0 down

PS3_Wizard
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 @ 9:03:55 AM

Ewwww...you said poo poo. A image of a giant dinosaur turd instantly entered my imagination.

0 up, 0 down

opsdaddy
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 @ 12:45:20 PM
Reply

Wow, too grey huh? I don't know about everyone else, but I was kind of taken aback by the dramatic transition from the brown/grey feel of RFOM to the too-bright atmospherics of R2. I felt it was a little incongruous with the "under-siege" trajectory of the storyline. I'm currently playing through Fallout 3, and I think they got it VERY right. Hard to quantify, though...

0 up, 0 down

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Guerilla's Respose To "Killzone 2 Is Just Too Grey" Critics

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