Ushering in a new console generation is no mean feat, thanks to the all-encompassing tidal wave of expectation that is synonymous with new hardware. But rest assured, this neon-soaked shooter delivers a vision of the future that bodes well for those who take the plunge.

Set several years after the events of the last Killzone game, this self-contained adventure sees a long lasting feud between those iconic friendly-types the Helghast, and the marginally less evil Vektans, come to a cataclysmic head.

The stark dichotomy between the two factions really liberates the level of artistic flare here. Setting the rival sides on either side of a dividing wall, Guerrilla Games go to town on polarising the two sets of characters. The Vektans play the role of the self-righteous hero-paradigm, whilst the Helghast act out the part of the insatiable war-economists. Both sets of peoples possess an uncompromised visual style; with the Vektans radiating blistering whites and blues, whilst the malevolent Helghast emit a pulsing red in the darkness. It’s an engrossing world that looks and feels alive, despite the linearity of the game’s single player campaign.

Shadow Fall, more so than any of the launch titles, is a great exhibition of the new PlayStation. First and foremost, the game is illustrative of the new hardware’s sheer power; it’s beautiful. The shooter’s neon garnish fires bars of light across every inch of the screen, every last one of which is rendered with an astonishing level of accuracy. During a level set amongst the ruins of Helghan, our hero Lucas emerges from the rubble of a dilapidated building, only to be struck with a visual feast of searing light, crumbling surroundings and a beautifully tragic landscape as far as the eye can see.

Fine-tune those lugs because another excellent component of the latest Killzone is audio. From the blasting of guns to the plunging of a blade between ribs, Shadow Fall’s auditory prowess is something that’s as immersive as it is effortless. Lucas’ multi-rifle kicks out a satisfying slurry of piercing shouts whilst used as an assault rifle, but switch to the long range laser rifle setting (which is as cool as it sounds) and await a shrieking burst of bellowing sound and blue light. It’s the kind of undiluted sci-fi gold that conjures memories of Aliens and Star Wars, all in a split-second of future-warfare.

Reigning in on the savage difficulty of its predecessors (most notably Killzone 1 & 2) Shadow Fall offers a less punishing, but undeniably Killzone branded experience that strikes a great balance between challenge and accessibility. Weapons range from compact assault rifles to menacing sniper rifles, but imperatively all feel unique, varied and most importantly lethal. Take a Call of Duty-style Magneto approach and you’ll find yourself looking holier than the pope – this game, even at a moderate difficulty, takes consideration.

As with any predominantly war-based experience, the quality of kill is what defines the standard (no, I’m not a sadistically warped Vietnam war veteran) and fortunately for Killzone, that quality is distinctly triple-A. Shootin, stabbing and blowing up all feel visceral and impactful, just as they should. With the plethora of weapons on offer dishing out a well-balanced share of colourfully vibrant justice. When the curtain’s pulled back and the kit comes off, Shadow Fall is a varied, well-balanced shooting game and that in itself helps add to Guerrilla’s pitch for a shooter that doesn’t contain Martydom perks or destructible scenery.

The game is hardly revolutionary in its approach to story telling, with the majority of the campaign taking place in a series of linear missions linked with fantastical set-pieces, save for a few more sprawling levels. However, Lucas’ tale of mislead boy to mislead man is told very well in terms of its scene-to-scene appeal and as a result is absorbing without ever carrying that much narritive intrigue. It’s further boosted by what is a very brave and utterly jaw dropping ending that’s creative, bold and satisfying in a way that’s not expected.

In terms of Killzone’s commitment to selling the system as well as itself (in the least hooker-ish way possible) Guerrilla’s sci-fi tale is the most flattering towards Sony’s new tech of all of the launch line-up. There are real functional benefits to the Dualshock 4 and Shadow Fall illustrates them excellently – from swiping the touch pad to activate an attack drone, to listening to audio logs via the pads internal speaks – the new hardware options offer subtle means of immersing the player deeper within an experience.

As well as an impressive single player campaign, Shadow Fall possesses a relatively considered and engaging multiplayer. Showcasing several game types including ‘1 Life’ (self-explanatory), death match and War Zone (an objective based team-game), Killzone’s social aspect stands up well to several hours of play. Whilst tearing around the sprawling maps, it becomes obvious that balance was a key focus. The multiplayer manages to emulate the frenetic pace of more popular first-person-shooters, whilst staying true to the more methodical style of the series.

Killzone: Shadow Fall is an astonishingly beautiful offering of violent joy, which illustrates the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 4. It’s a well told, albeit largely predictable shooting experience that boasts a level of technical proficiency throughout its entire package that sets it amongst the best of the gun-toting console world. Although it lacks the depth that the higher echelons of shooting royalty may possess, Shadow Fall dishes up an unashamedly sci-fi option that paints a picture of the future that’s delightfully Helghast-red.

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