Bigger, Badder and Better: Resistance 2 Reviewed

Developer Insomniac is a beautiful anomaly. Over the past eleven years, they have released twelve games without a single dud in the bunch. Their titles are admirably designed, offering compelling play built around game engines that typically take full advantage of their hardware. From the early Spyro games, to the Ratchet and Clank series, and now with the Resistance franchise, Insomniac creates action games that seize a player’s attention throughout their duration, and invite replay.

When Resistance: Fall of Man was released alongside the Playstation 3, it became the system’s flagship title. Whereas many of the launch games were wither rushed ports or half-hearted efforts like Genji: Days of the Blade, Resistance showed off the capabilities of the PS3.  As such, it has been one of the most popular titles for the system, selling in excess of three million copies. Now, nearly two years later, its follow-up has been released.

Resistance 2 is the prototypical sequel; the game retains the atmosphere and visceral impact of the first title, while improving upon nearly every play mechanic. No longer does the player have to scavenge through the environment for health packs; players can regenerate health by taking cover, reminiscent of  Halo. Players are now limited to a two weapon loadout at all times; absent is the weapon selection that would pause the game. Significant changes have also been made to the realm outside of the player’s direct control. The previous game presented intellectually-limited enemy AI: chimera would take cover, then pop out at regular intervals to shoot at the player. Now, enemies’ attacks are enjoyably complex; adversaries will rush or even flask the player. The Chimera lineage has also been expanded, from the water-based ‘furies’ to the cloaked ‘chameleon’ that can kill the inattentive player.

While we would have liked to see a friend drop into our campaign, cooperative mode is a completely different, yet satisfying mode. Using one of three classes- soldier, medic or special ops, teams of up to eight players take on mini campaigns. These randomized operations are fitted to the experience and party size so that three man teams are never outmatched in battles appropriate for an eight man party. Much like Call of Duty 4, perks are deftly incorporated to keep the player fighting- from a ‘beserk’ meter that gives players temporary assistance, to the collection of ‘gray tech’ used to unlock new weaponry.

The third mode of Resistance 2 is competitive multiplayer, which received a significant upgrade from its predecessor. When we first heard of the upgrade from forty to sixty player matches, we were skeptical, expecting tedious pandemonium. Instead, R2 handles this notion brilliantly, splitting players into five man squads, each with their own objectives. As anticipated this matches typically culminate in a satisfying all-out brawl. Generally, this mode offers the best multiplayer experience outside of COD4 and Warhawk.

Drawbacks are nearly negligible; some will bemoan the game’s single player campaign being too linear. However, by controlling the scope of the player’s expedition, the developers have created some wonderful set-pieces. Others might claim the campaign throws too many divergent activities at the gamer, and never finds its own rhythm. Personally, we treasured the game’s variety, and its willingness to shirk monotony.

Along with Little Big Planet, Resistance 2 is a must-have title for Playstation 3 owners. During this period of economic uncertainly, gamers are looking for escapist entertainment that offers a long-term play value. With its three fully-realized play modes, Insomniac’s latest opus certainly fits the bill- Resistance 2 should keep players happy until the third inevitable and highly anticipated installment.