Rarely are the cases in video games where "you can have your cake and eat it too". More times than not, you'll get the utensils, but not the cake. In Killzone 2's case, not only do you get everything you've been wanting, but things you didn't even know you really wanted. What makes Killzone a stroke of genius for those that have been following the FPS scene? Simply put, it is the epitome of the modern FPS. In one game, you have the embodiment of the last decade or so of FPS development - making it a necessity for any PS3 gamer to have in their collection.
Graphics
The first thing that blew me away about the game is the fact that the graphics are, quite simply put, the nicest ones I have ever seen. The game looks like it arrivced from a far off future where in-game graphics look like cutscenes and cutscenes look like real life - and while it doesn't live up to the tech demo that was shown off when the PS3 was initially shown at E3, it is more than enough to keep any self-respecting graphics afficionado satisfied - the shadows play perfectly off the wall as you run by, smoke doesn't look awkward, and fire looks much as it does in real life. Unlike other FPS games where they urge you to look at their set pieces by blatantly playing them out in front of you, Killzone allows you to view them the way you want - often in the background or off to the side, seamlessly integrated into the experience that they're trying to sell you on.
Story
I bought Killzone 2 expecting phenomenal graphics (after all, the demo was amazing), but what I didn't expect to find is a story that would bring me in so deeply. Rather than go Call of Duty 5's way of telling us that "war is hell", the developers expect you to extract that from their subtleties and the fact that the story eeriely mirrors the attack on Germany following World War 2. Perhaps the best part about Killzone 2 is that you aren't a super space marine (here's looking at you, Halo), or for that matter, you aren't anything close to being "super", you're just another grunt. As such, you can expect your squad to actually take care of enemies for you while not being a problem or making it not challenging enough.