Just played through the Killzone 2 demo, and I have to say, I'm majorly impressed. It's a console shooter, so lets just forget the obligatory controls flame-war for now (sufficient to say that the controls are responsive and aiming works well enough) and talk about the actual game instead.
(Keep in mind that the demo is fairly short, so some stuff may not all apply to the full game)
1. Basic fighting: No surprises here. Eventhough the game is set in the future, it's really no different from CoD4 or other games. Your guns still have to reload and there's no cyber-aiming-tricks, just your normal zoom.
2. Technology: Well, the graphics are outstanding. Besides having very detailed environments and models, it simply works: Not once did the game stutter or show any kind of flickering. Light and shadow render beautifully and loading times are not too long either. The sound is just perfect and you feel like you're right on the battlefield. Also, KZ2 doesn't have environmental sounds, like random gunfire. Instead, when you hear shots, that means that really somebody is shooting. I know this seems kinda obvious, but after playing CoD5, it really does make a difference. The sounds themselves are perfect, as are the voices.
3. Gameplay. This is where KZ2 shines: You're thrown right into a battle and no, you're not the only one, but there are others. The gameplay is very linear, but unlike CoD5, you barely notice it, since while you always have a special task (guard that door, go to XY and so on), the way to do it is actually yours to decide. All restrictions are dictated by the environment and not through invisible walls and the like.

Every time I see that game I think man I wish the singleplayer was about Helgast instead of those generic marine archetypes. They are so much cooler!
Its definitely a solid looking shooter. And I'm happy for PS3 folk who can finally say that all the bases of FPS genre are finally covered by respectable contenders.

it seems to be based purely on the graphics though. (which i admit looks great).
Its essentially a game we've all played a dozen times before, with a nice coat of paint.
I don't really have a problem with that, but i'm not sure its worthy of the 9s and 10s its been getting. I don't quite get why video game reviewers are so different from reviewers in other mediums... where a shiny redo of an existing movie wouldn't be getting lavished with perfect scores.
I hope it has a bit more variation and originality later, but reading the Tom Chick review didn't give me much hope of that...

I think due to the fact that gaming is much more involved than the other mediums. In the sense that you get to progressively experience the product (a.i. play it) as long as the senses are satisfied the substance rarely is a primary concern. In other words blasting fools in awesome looking settings rarely gives pause to consider the actual context. And as long as its consistent and varied enough it wont matter to most (not specific to Killzone 2 or any other FPS).

9/10 is in my opinion justified. It doesn't bring anything new, but neither does Pirates of the Caribbean 2. But it's still a good movie. Same goes for KZ2. It doesn't add anything new, but it is a solid implementation with good directing.

i don't mean to say killzone 2 isn't good. I just hoped for more.
On pirates of the Caribbean 2 we'll have to differ, I thought it was terrible...

I enjoyed PC2... but that's another discussion.
Anyway, I had zero expectations for KZ2, so that might me why I'm so happy to see that it is indeed a good game. I was kinda expecting a UT ripoff (and I hate UT) and am very glad to see that they instead ripped off CoD4 :)

The physics just were awesome. I saw the video of the game at Eurogamer, and the realism of the trucks' covers were amazing. The wind made the drapes fly around like in real life. I haven't tried out the demo yet (I live in Hong Kong and I don't have a PSN AU/EU account), but can't wait for my preorder to arrive.

Just create an account. I didn't get it in the German store either, so I set up an UK account within a minute or two.

A shiny redo done effectively should deserve an appropriate rating. I'm not a much of a stickler on review scores, but isn't there a big difference between a 9 and a 10? A 10 means a game is essentially perfect in its mechanics, visual and aural aesthetics, all the while pushing technical and innovative limits. While a 9 may very well be a very polished and pretty looking game that's been done before.

The thing is, we haven't got a chance to experience online play yet. If that turns out to be awesome, 9s and 10s all the way!

Well, 10 is really not a grade that should be given to any game unless it's absolutely perfect, including perfect replayability. Which is pretty much impossible to judge within a few days, so I'd say you can't really give a game a 10 unless it's been out for a year,
However, i don't think a game has to offer anything new to be perfect. If it's fun, it can be perfect without offering anything new.

Killzone 2 is a good, 7/10 game (considering 5/10 is average). It plays well, but is extremely generic and unoriginal, and there is not a single OMG THAT IS AWESOME moment, it is just a series of generic shootouts....made fun thanks to nice shiny graphics and good weapon feel.Although that is somewhat hampered by the fact that a main character is a midget : ).
Honestly, I will take FarCry 2 or CoD4 over KZ 2 anyday.

I think I prefer this to FC2, simply because I like linear games and this game is extremely linear, but gives you a sense of freedom (unlike CoD5) as for the ratings.
It's a bit about how you set your standards. Considering that most magazines today reserve the 0-5 range for games that don't work at all, I'll say a 9 is justified. If you just compare it to other shooters, then the 9 might even be OK when applying sane standards (like, too many glitches to really be playable: 0-2 range. Games that are technically OK, but don't really immerse the player 3-5 ranges. Games that are good at their core, but have some gameplay flaws 6-8. Games that are perfectly implemented 9-10).
Judging from the demo, I'd say that it beats CoD4 because you simply have a better overview of what's happening and therefore fewer frustrating moments.

i played the demo and liked it