Killzone 2's Alpha Squad

We take an in-depth look at the four-man team hell-bent on bringing the Helghast to their knees.

Killzone 2 is perhaps the most-anticipated PS3 release in the console's short history. It's got graphics to die for, action that'll melt your eyeballs and multiplayer that'll keep you fragging long into 2009. Given that the Guerrilla Games-developed shooter is set to blow everyone and their dog away when it comes out in February, we here at VideoGamer.com thought we'd bring you a series of Killzone-tastic features every day this week to help you get in the mood (if you're not already!). Today, we bring you an in-depth look at Alpha Squad, the four-man team sent to the planet of Helghan to bring down big bad guy Scolar Visari.

Sergeant Sev

Military Profile
Full name: Tomas Sevchenko
ISA Security # - 021-332-3390-99
Service: 6 years
Rank: Sergeant First Class

Appearance
Gender: Male
Age: 33
Height: 6'2
Weight: 215 lbs
Eyes: Dark, volcanic blue
Hair: Black (but shaven headed)
Distinguishing marks: Scar on right cheek, Theater tattoo from Arcturus '69 on palm of left hand

Biography
Sev is Killzone 2's main man, and who you'll be controlling throughout the game. He is Guerrilla Games' answer to Master Chief and Marcus Fenix. He is, as you'd expect, a hulking marine, with Arnie-sized arms and a somewhat interesting haircut. Born to a solid, respectable family in the northern city of Vekta, Sev enlisted in the army against his parents' wishes, seeing it as his patriotic duty to defend the homeland against Helghast aggression. This youthful idealism acquired a more personal edge when members of his own family suffered during the Helghast invasion, an incident which still plagues Sev with nightmares. Despite this, Sev displays a responsible, by-the-book approach to his duties and the mission. He's not as well-educated as his friend Garza, with whom he fought numerous battles on Arcturus, but he is intelligent, observant and a fast learner. He is also a natural leader and by the time of the Helghan deployment had led units of up to a hundred men, earning mentions in dispatches and attracting the attention of Colonel Templar himself. Templar saw something of himself in Sev and followed his rise through the ranks, until a fatality in Alpha opened up the position of second-in-command to Rico.

Master Sergeant Rico Velasquez

Military Profile
Full name: Ricardo Velasquez
ISA Security # - 021-332-4130-55
Service: 12 years
Rank: Master Sergeant

Appearance
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Height: 6'1
Weight: 240 lbs
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black
Skin: Dark Brown
Distinguishing marks: Scar from KZL

Biography
Rico is Killzone's version of Augustus "Cole Train" Cole from the Gears of War series. He's big, absorbs loads of hits and has a tough-talking attitude. He's also, effectively, your boss, being the battle-hardened veteran of the war on Vetka and leader of Alpha Squad, and spends much of the game by your side dishing out orders. Coming from a large family in the poor industrial south of Vekta, Rico was a born fighter, first with his older brothers, then on the streets. He found himself drifting into petty crime before enlisting in the armed forces to escape trouble. The military swiftly became his first true home and he never looked back. His naturally combative nature was honed by training and numerous battles, turning him into a superbly effective soldier. After his squad was wiped out by Helghast, Rico fought alongside Captain (now Colonel) Templar during the SD platform crisis, becoming a national hero. However, during the battle to free Vekta from occupation, he was captured by the Helghast and tricked into betraying his own side by the ISA traitor General Stratson.

Head to page two for background info on Alpha Squad's Lance Corporal Garza and Corporal Natko.