The first installment of Killzone, developed by Guerrilla Games and released in 2004 for PlayStation 2, set high expectations with its promotional material. However, it fell short of its anticipated success. Positioned as a potential rival to the iconic Halo franchise, which was thriving at that time, Killzone’s reception was mixed upon launch. Just days before its release, Halo 2 surged into the gaming scene on Xbox, overshadowing Killzone and solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon.
Critics noted various technical glitches and uninspired gameplay as significant drawbacks, which impacted Killzone’s standing among players. Despite these issues, the game managed to sell more than 2 million copies globally and laid the groundwork for a franchise that, over time, produced sequels that fared considerably better with audiences. Nevertheless, it never quite achieved the iconic status of its competitor, Halo, eventually leading to a dormant period for the Killzone series after 2013’s Killzone: Shadow Fall. This prompts speculation about whether a potential new entry in the Killzone franchise could draw inspiration from the beloved PlayStation title, Helldivers 2.
A Future Killzone Game Could Benefit from Helldivers 2’s Success
Helldivers 2: A Major Title of 2024 Featuring a Killzone 2 Crossover
In early 2023, Arrowhead Game Studios and Sony Interactive Entertainment rolled out Helldivers 2, a cooperative third-person shooter that builds on the success of the 2015 game, Helldivers. Launched concurrently on PS5 and PC, this title marked Sony’s initial venture into the live service model, diversifying from its traditional single-player offerings. Despite a modest marketing push, Helldivers 2 became a surprise sensation, selling over 12 million copies within just three months and attracting a peak of more than 450,000 concurrent players on Steam.
Arrowhead Game Studios has actively enhanced the player experience by introducing significant content updates, which include new enemies, missions, and various difficulty levels. However, one noticeable absence has been the lack of crossover events, a common feature in numerous live service games. This changed recently when the developers initiated their first collaboration event, featuring items inspired by Killzone 2.
In December, Arrowhead announced an exciting addition of Killzone 2-themed cosmetic items as part of a premium content tier. The crossover event showcased new armor sets, weaponry, and capes reminiscent of Guerrilla’s classic FPS franchise, launching its first phase on December 18. While the community positively received the collaboration, many players voiced concerns over the steep pricing of the items. To address this feedback, Arrowhead made the second phase of the Killzone crossover available for free to all Helldivers 2 players starting December 19.
Building on the Success: Envisioning a Killzone x Helldivers 2 Collaboration
The initial success of Helldivers 2 incorporating a Killzone crossover opens the door for future collaborations should the Killzone series make a return. Creating exclusive cosmetics centered around Super Earth and the Illuminate factions could add a nostalgic touch for fans while enhancing the immersive experience in a new Killzone title. Unfortunately, with Guerrilla Games currently focused on expanding the Horizon universe and showing little interest in reviving the Killzone IP, this collaboration may be far from realization for the time being.
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