Video game console launch lineups are all about the eye candy. Shiny cars, massive landscapes, sporting events that blur the lines between reality and game. Most of the titles players will see launching are often about showing the potential of that fresh piece of video game hardware.

For the PS4, the best example of this is Killzone: Shadow Fall, Sony's first-person shooter with stunning visuals and clever uses of the console's new feature despite some key missteps.

The story of Shadow Fall takes place 30 years after the 2011 title Killzone 3, where the colonies of the Vektans and Helghast live in harmony. Players assume the role of Lucas Kellan, an undercover operative working to maintain that peace and root out any terrorist threats.

It's clear right away that the PS4 debut of Killzone is visually appealing. The cities players explore feature breathtaking vistas, with skyscrapers serving as backdrops and citizens or flying vehicles zip through. One particularly stunning sequence features Lucas escaping to safety while robotic enemies engage in a heated battle. There seems to be a lot more activity compared to earlier Killzone titles.

REVIEW: Sony steps up its game with PlayStation 4

Players come equipped with several tools that leverage new features on the PlayStation 4's controller. Aiding Lucas is the OWL, a drone players command using the DualShock 4 touchpad. Simple swipes change one of four commands: attack, shield, zipline and stun. Once selected, players issue the order to the OWL with a tap of L1. The OWL can also hack key targets, but will retreat to your position if attacked.

The OWL proves surprisingly useful, whether to distract enemies that allow players to flank their position or disrupt a foe's shields. Most of the time, the OWL worked best on the attack.

Killzone also takes advantage of the controller's built-in speaker, piping through audiologs scattered across the battlefield. It's a simple yet nice touch.

Overall, combat feels more open during several sections of the campaign. Players can approach objectives however they prefer. Players use an echo radar that points out enemies to determine the best strategy, such as using stealth to get a jump on enemies early or jumping right in with guns blazing.

Shadow Fall does suffer from some shortcomings, primarily confusing enemy behaviors. They love to duck and stay behind cover, but when they do exit the space, they'll gladly run right in front of you. Get injured on the battlefield? Don't worry. Sometimes, enemies will just wait behind cover until you're fully healed and ready to return to the fray.

Fortunately, Killzone's underrated multiplayer mode returns, with its Warzone matches. The matches split players into two teams, competing in a large match and featuring several objectives. So, instead of playing individual rounds of Team Deathmatch or Capture and Hold, several match types are mashed together into one massive brawl. Players can tackle human opponents or participate in a Bot Zone with highly competent computer-controlled players.

Killzone: Shadow Fall is Sony's showcase of the technical potential of the PS4, and the game does an solid job of presenting that vision to video game players.

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Developer: Guerrilla Games

Platform(s): PlayStation 4

Rating: M for Mature

Release Date: November 15

Score: 3.5 stars (out of 4)