Campaign (Killzone: Liberation)

General Armin Metrac of the Helghan Army.

The campaign of Killzone: Liberation is centered around the aftermath of the events of Killzone 1. Templar serves as the protagonist, and receives his orders from Luger. The antagonists of the story are Helghast General Armin Metrac and commander of the colonial guard, Tendon Cobar. In the fifth chapter, which served as an expansion, General Dwight Stratson is the antagonist.

Tutorial

Show: Tutorial parts

These parts are shown while progressing through the campaign. To view the map and mission objectives, press "select". When you're near interactive objects or enemies an action icon will appear. Press "x" to perform that particular action. Sometimes crates contain collectible items which you can use to unlock new goodies. The color of the Helghast eyes indicates their alert status. Yellow means they're not alert. Orange means they suspect a threat. Red means that they have spotted a threat. Aim at enemies using the analog stick and hit "square" to fire. When a health bar appears on an enemy, you have a lock on him. You can reload using "triangle". Duck behind cover using "R". You can do a fast pop-up attack when firing from behind low cover. If you have grenades, enter grenade mode using "o" and aim using the analog stick. After aiming, throw a grenade by pressing "o" again. You can cancel throwing a grenade by pressing "x". Grenades can be found in Supply Depots. Your Buddy will be incapacitated when his health is depleted. He will die unless you revive him with a Syringe within the time limit. Syringes can be found in Supply Depots. To get into Buddy Ordering Mode, press "triangle" on the directional buttons. Order a Buddy to a location by going into Ordering Mode (press "triangle"). Select a strategic location using "left" and "right". Press "x" to confirm. Order your Buddy to follow you again by going into Ordering Mode (press "triangle"). Then press "o". Order your Buddy to attack a specific target by going into Ordering Mode (press "triangle"). Use "left" and "right" to select the desired target. Press "x" to confirm. To deactivate a laser trip mine, approach the emitter until you see the Tool Icon. Press and hold "x" until the trip mine has been deactivated. If your Buddy has C4 you can order him to blow up obstacles. Go into Ordering Mode (press "triangle"). Use "left" and "right" to select a C4 location. Press "x" to confirm. You can enter this tank and drive around in it. Press "x" to enter the tank. Press "down" to exit the tank. Press "x" to accelerate forward and "triangle" to reverse. Press "square" to fire a missile. Press "L" or "R" to rotate the turret. Press "L" or "R" at the same time to center the turret. Press "o" to fire the machine gun. Use the tank to crush roadblocks. While using the Jetpack: Cross areas by hovering using "x". Shoot as normal using "square" and the "o" to fire grenades.

Campaign chapters

I - A New Threat

"Two months after the ISA victory on the Space Defense Platform and the recapture of the capital, the Earth fleet has scattered the Helghast troops all over Vekta. The leader of the Helghans, Emperor Visari, has given General Armin Metrac full command over the remaining forces and ordered him to strike back with a new wave of destruction. Together with his brutal lieutenant Cobar, Metrac is slowly capturing ISA bases in the south, establishing a stronghold from which the counterattack can be launched. He has targeted the strategic ISA base at Rayhoven as his next victim. Meanwhile, ISA leaders and scientists are secretly meeting at Rayhoven to decide the fate of southern Vekta, and perhaps the entire war. The hero of two months earlier, Jan Templar, is sent to help the ISA forces hold off Metrac's attack and thwart the General's plans..."

―Introduction of chapter I

I.1 - Counter-Attack

"The battle for southern Vekta is intensifying. Orchestrating his attack from a secret location, General Metrac is poised to seize the ISA base at Rayhoven, which holds a massive cache of weapons. Reinforcements led by Captain Templar are sent to hold back the enemy while the ISA VIPs secretly meeting at the base are evacuated. 'Vekta City was not the end of the struggle, but the beginning. Our fight against the Helghast invaders goes on!' ISA Command"

―Description of the mission

The first mission primarily serves as an introduction and features a part of the tutorial. Jan Templar is dropped off in the trenches of southern Vekta, where ISA troops are fighting Helghast forces. Templar has to fight his way to Rico Velasquez.

I.2 - Retreat

"Templar is ordered back to the ISA Base to evacuate the VIPs. Rico will assist him to break through the Helghast lines."

―Description of the mission

Upon being reunited with Rico, Rico is shot by a sniper. Here Templar has to save his comrade through providing medical aid. Luger then provides Templar with his second mission, which is finding the three VIPs present at the base. These VIPs are Minister Heff Milcher, researcher Evelyn Batton, and General Dwight Stratson.

I.3 - Evacuation

"The Helghast are overrunning the base. Templar must find the ISA VIPs and ensure they are evacuated to safety."

―Description of the mission

During this mission, Captain Templar goes around the base at Rayhoven. First Templar secures a landing zone for a dropship, after which he rescues the researcher Batton, Minister Milcher, and finally General Stratson. The general makes it clear that the weapons depot of the base was not secured, and tasks the Captain with dealing with this.

I.4 - Sabotage

"Before escaping the base, Templar must get to the weapons depot and destroy the access platform, to prevent weapons of mass destruction falling into Helghast hands."

―Description of the mission

During this mission, the Captain has to ensure the weapons of the base cannot fall into the hands of the Helghast. Templar drives a tank in order to get to the weapon cache, and destroys its elevator, preventing weapons from being salvaged. The Captain then escapes via boat.

This chapter is ended with the following description:

"Templar and Rico escape the ISA base at Rayhoven just as it falls to Helghast troops. The weapons cache was secured and the ISA VIPs evacuated, but Metrac is tightening his grip on southern Vekta. Worse still, ISA command suddenly loses radia contact with the dropship carrying the VIPs. "Wake up, Vekta! The ISA cannot shield you from the might of Helghan! Surrender to the mercy of the Emperor!" General Metrac"

―Outro of the chapter

II - Trial Of Deception

"The dropship evacuating the ISA VIPs has been shot down by the Helghast and crashed somewhere in the swamps. Captain Templar is to lead a rescue a mission to recover any survivors before the Helghast can find them. As a first step, the harbor area must be freed from Helghast control, allowing access to the swamps. Templar approaches the harbor through the industrial area, starting at the beach. 'The withdrawal from Rayhoven was a setback, not a defeat. Our leaders are preparing the decisive strike of this war!' ISA Command"

―Introduction of chapter II

II.1 - Approach

"Navigate through the dunes and the fringes of the industrial area on your way towards the docks."

―Description of the mission

During the first mission of this chapter, Templar is dropped off by Rico on a beach near an industrial area. Lightly defended, Templar fights his way through a combination of Helghast soldiers, guard dogs, and traps.

II.2 - Diversion

"Arriving at the oil refinery, Templar needs to find a way to deactivate the pumping systems and disable the refinery. This will open the exit to the docks."

―Description of the mission

Upon arriving at the oil refinery, Templar aims to draw the attention of the Helgast. He has to deactivate the pumps of the refinery and then escape.

II.3 - Assault

"Templar must team up with Rico and fight his way through the docks, in preparation for an ISA assault to take the harbor and gain access to the swamps."

―Description of the mission

Rico and Templar are reunited at the docks, both having fought through Helghast to link up with one another. They proceed deeper into the docks, which becomes more heavily defended the deeper they go in. While advancing, they eventually come across General Metrac and Colonel Cobar, who they are tasked to chase by Luger.

II.4 - Breakout

"While Rico's team attempts to capture Metrac, Templar must fight his way to the harbor and secure a vehicle with which to search the swamps for the ISA VIPs."

―Description of the mission

With Rico chasing Metrac, Templar makes his way to an ISA hovercraft. Along the way, a message is intercepted by Luger regarding their plans to destroy the Helghast command ship in order to prevent it from falling into ISA hands. Templar manages to defeat the Helghast counter attack and secure the hovercraft. The ISA secures the harbor, and Templar takes the hovercraft to search the swamps.

This chapter is ended with the following description:

"The ISA take the harbor, recapturing a vital supply route. Metrac offers a truce, on the condition that all ISA forces leave southern Vekta. But intel recovered from the Helghast command ship indicates he deliberately targeted the dropship carrying the ISA VIPs, and has ordered Cobar to search for survivors. Templar forges into the swamps in an effort to get there first. "No more Vektan bloods need be shed. The ISA have my offer of peace. Let us see if their leaders will accept it!" General Metrac"

―Outro of the chapter

III - Revenge Of Metrac

"Metrac has offered a truce, but he may have hidden motives. He has shot down the dropship carrying the ISA VIPs, and could be playing for time until he can capture any survivors. The missing VIPs have secret information about the ISA's plans to retake southern Vekta, making it vital that Templar reaches them before the Helghast. 'The word of this butcher cannot be trusted. Peace on Helghast terms would mean slavery for all Vekta.' ISA Command"

―Introduction of chapter III

III.1 - Reconnaissance

"Templar proceeds through the swamp in search of the crashed ISA dropship."

―Description of the mission

In this mission, Templar arrives at the swamps. The Helghast have set up positions within the area, as Templar's arrival was expected by Metrac. Templar needs to fight through the swamp in order to find the ISA dropship.

III.2 - Ambush

"Templar heads deeper into the swamps in search of VIP survivors from the crashed dropship, closing in on the dropship's distress signal."

―Description of the mission

As Templar continues on his way, he gets ambushed by a Helghast unit. Rico comes to his aid, but the Helghast outnumber them, and force them to fall back. Upon being safe from the ambush, the two continue on their way to the Helghast dropship.

III.3 - Catastrophe

"Templar must fight off a Helghast attack, then make his way through the rocky islands and try to locate the VIP survivors who have been taken prisoner."

―Description of the mission

While Rico is off to obtain medical supplies for the pilot of the dropship, Helghan snipers and heavy units attack the dropship. The pilot is killed, and the dropship largely destroyed, while Templar has to defend what remains of the aircraft. After doing so, communications with Rico become bad, while Templar himself also loses contact with Luger. When the communications were fixed between Luger and Templar, the Shadow Marshalls had also found the location of a Helghast outpost. Before coming at the base, however, Colonel Cobar would be found, having executed one of the three VIPs, and warning Templar that further advancement would result in more killed hostages.

III.4 - Pursuit

"In a desperate effort to rescue General Stratson, Templar follows Cobar's tank to the Helghan outpost Mobile Command has located in the swamps. Once there, he must disable any threats to incoming ISA reinforcements."

―Description of the mission

Templar still follows Cobar, however. Under guidance of Luger he takes care of a Helghast fuel depot and defeat Cobar. The ISA rescue General Stratson from his captivity.

This chapter is ended with the following description:

"Following the rescue of General Stratson and the death of Cobar, Metrac warns that there will be no more negotiations. He reveals that he has recovered weapons of mass destruction from the ISA base at Rayhoven, and will use them within hours unless the ISA surrender. Rico and Evelyn Batton are being held hostage, but a search of Cobar's tank reveals the location of Metrac's secret base... "We offered an end to this war, but the ISA spurned it. Now they must kneel before us, or all southern Vekta will perish!" General Metrac"

―Outro of the chapter

IV - Fate Of The Heroes

"Having learned the location of Metrac's base, General Stratson orders a pre-emptive air strike, sacrificing allied hostages. However, Luger belies that Metrac has not yet extracted the launch codes for the weapons of mass destruction from captured ISA researcher Evelyn Batton. Against orders, she and Templar infiltrate the base to rescue Evelyn and Rico before the bombing begins. 'Once again, Metrac shows his total disregard for human life. We cannot surrender to Helghast tyranny!' ISA Command"

―Introduction of chapter IV

IV.1 - Infiltration

"Traverse the mountain valley and reach the Helghast Base."

―Description of the mission

Luger and Templar have decided to go off-course in order to save Evelyn and Rico. They fly to a secret mountain base of the Helghast in order to rescue the two.

IV.2 - Revelation

"Forging deeper into Metrac's base, Templar has to locate and rescue the captured weapons researcher Evelyn Batton and Rico."

―Description of the mission

Upon breaching the outer security and arriving at the base proper, Templar continues on and demands Luger go back. Luger, however, refuses, stating she has personal reasons to aid in this attempt. The two continue on with their search. Evelyn is eventually rescued, while the location of Rico is determined.

IV.3 - Confrontation

"Reaching the air base, Templar needs to find a place for Evelyn to hide, then rescue Rico before the ISA bombers destroy Metrac's base."

―Description of the mission

Templar continues to work on getting Rico to safety. The air base is heavily defended by Helghast forces, but the threat of their nuclear arms is rendered void as Evelyn provided the Helghast with faulty launch codes. There are two Helghast jet fighters in the air base, one which will take off when a checkpoint triggers where if Templar gets runned over by it, he will instantly be killed and the other is the one where a Helghast pilot carrying a revolver with a keycard will try to take it off and Evelyn will enter. Letting the pilot leave by entering another jet fighter will fail the mission. When Evelyn enters another jet fighter, however, Templar lowers the platform and the mission continues. After lowering the platform, Templar then faces spider mines, Helghast soldiers, and Helghast auto-turret. When Templar defeats them, the gate will open, leading to a battle with Metrac. Metrac would be killed by Templar, but not before Rico was sent away via a Helghast dropship.

IV.4 - Liberation

"With Metrac dead and Rico taken away in a Helghast dropship, Templar needs to find his way back to the jet fighter and escape the doomed Helghast base with Evelyn."

―Description of the mission

Following the death of Metrac, the ISA have started their bombing of the Helghast air base. Templar has to escape with Evelyn, while the Helghast make a desperate last stand.

V - Root of Evil

"Metrac is dead and his forces routed, but fighting continues in southern Vekta. Luger and her shadow marshals have traced Rico's tracking signal to an ISA desert base near Sedah City, which is under heavy attack from Helghast forces. General Stratson orders Templar to contact General Mandrake at the desert base and investigate Rico's connection to the attack. 'There are more battles ahead. But with courage and firm leadership, Vekta will be strong once again!' General Stratson"

―Introduction of chapter IV

V.1 - The Hunt

The chapter starts with Templar in a vehicle headed for the desert base, only to find it overrun with Helghast. He has to fight back against the Helghast forces and find a new means of transportation after his own vehicle is destroyed. Having done so, Templar advances toward an ISA base further down the road, fighting through a number of Helghast and a couple of Helghast tanks.

Arriving at the second base, the Helghast have overrun the ISA forces, with only a handful of stragglers managing to have survived. They also greatly wounded General Mandrake, who is barely able to infrom Templar where Rico hid before he died. Advancing deeper into the base, Templar sees Rico climbing down a shute with three Helghast soldiers, taking one out before the other two escape with Rico.

V.2 - Defection

The chapter starts with Templar climbing down into the sewers, shortly after doing so, he's informed by Evelyn that a Helghast attack force is stationed within. While advancing through the sewers, Evelyn concludes that the Helghast overran the desert base by infiltrating via the sewers, attacking the base from within. Fighting through more and more Helghasts forces, including a sniper, Templar gradually advances on one of the drainage controls, needed to drain a part of the water so he can continue.

While fighting, Evelyn also points out how the emergency exists which are accessed through the sewers have lock codes only known to top ISA officials. As such, she also wonders how the Helghast got hold of them. In order to find answers, she contacts the ISA Defense Department. At the same time, Templar himself activates the second drainage controls, enabling him to make use of the floodgate. Templar eventually manages to get to Rico who carries a Helghast gun, and a small fight between the two breaks out, as Templar is convinced Rico has turned traitor.

V.3 - The Invader

The chapter starts with two Helghast soldiers informing one another of a security breach, while the elevator with the missiles rises up to them. Caught off-guard, Rico kills the two soldiers before they can shoot back. Shortly afterwards, Evelyn informs Templar that there are disguised Helghast soldiers in the sewers and that as such, Templar needs to take out the manholes to stall them. While taking out the manholes, Evelyn also learns from the Defense Department that Stratson requested all sewer lock codes for security purposes, which is what gave the Helghast their way into the base.

After destroying all the manholes, the at the base Helghast become desperate, while other Helghast overran the ISA roadblock on the west highway. Evelyn orders Templar to retake that roadblock so ISA forces can enter the area. Evelyn also informs Templar that Helghast were found in the sewers of Vekta City, and that it appeared that every major city on Vekta was targeted for attack.

Taking over the roadblock, Templar and Rico had to fight back against numerous Helghast forces. While holding out, Evelyn informed Templar that Stratson had entered Sedah City, with General Murphy probably being his next target, as his death would provide Stratson with full control over the south. Realising they can't break through with normal infantry, the Helghast ordered heavy armor in the form of a tank to be sent to the highway roadblock to find victory. However, Templar and Rico managed to take out the tank, and defeat the Helghast on the highway.

V.4 - Resurrection

This chapter starts with General Stratson in Sedah City, escorted by two ISA soldiers. He informs them that military strength is the only way to restore order over Vekta, and tells them he must pay General Murphy a visit. He orders the ISA to stay alert on the false premise that an assassin could show up at any time.

Cutting back to Templar, Evelyn informs him that General Murphy is in the ISA command center in the east, in the old Royal Vektan Palace. She also informs Templar that in the past few weeks, a number of senior government officials and generals were assassinated, and that if Murphy is killed, Stratson will take full command of the ISA forces in the south of Vekta. Templar starts to advance down the highway, fighting through Helghast forces, when Evelyn informs him that they've lost contact with General Murphy.

Shortly after, she also informs Templar that Luger found evidence that General Adams and Stratson were secretly in contact with General Metrac before the SD platform crisis. The plan was that Metrac attacked the outer cities of Vekta, drawing off the ISA forces, while Stratson launched an assault from within. Proceeding through a train station, Templar has to face off against a Helghast APC and regular troops, including some ISA reinforcements. Evelyn also informs him that Stratson sent Templar into a trap at the desert base, and that his ISA troops are still loyal to him.

Arriving at the former palace, Templar confronts Stratson, who is guarded by two Helghast snipers. Stratson eventually walks off, leaving the Helghast to fight against Templar, ultimately being beaten by the Captain. Stratson comes out of the palace and fires a couple of rounds at Templar before retreating into the palace again. He then moves to the upper floor, and exits the building again, this time with Helghast reinforcements on the ground floor.

When Stratson gets greatly injured, he enters the palace one last time. He leaves the building in a large exo, fit with a chain gun and grenade launcher, a last resort to defeat Templar. Ultimately, his exo gets destroyed, and Stratson makes a final plea explaining his motivation before being taken away by ISA soldiers.

The chapter ends with Visari stating that the nukes have been brought to Pyrrus and Konstantin, and that the war will end on Helgan.