Resistance: Burning Skies Review

Although Sony’s two principal PS3 shooters series were adapted into a pair of PSP titles, substantial changes were required to accommodate the subordinate hardware. From the top-down perspective used to depict Helghast homicide in Killzone: Liberation to Resistance: Retribution’s simplified third-person aiming, both games offered valiant interpretations of their respective franchises. Before the release of Resistance: Burning Skies for the PS Vita, many assumed that the twin sticked, graphically adept portable was capable of delivering a concession-free experience, and anticipated the title delivering console-quality action. Although the game may engross software-starved owners hoping for first-person shooting on the go, a number of deep-seated deficiencies make Burning Skies feel decidedly dated.

Whereas Resistance 3 frequently served up open battlefields for players to engage in Chimera carnage, Burning Skies’ early stages often relegate players to linear pathways- restricting travel with the sporadic invisible wall. Abundant environmental objects divulge how the title is to be played, urging players to take cover by ducking behind a barrier or hugging a corner. From a shielded position, a press of the left trigger brings up the iron sights allowing players to blast any six-eyed scum to bits, with a tap on the direction pad permits gamers to extend their gun barrel around bends. Unfortunately, the Chimera obey strict path finding techniques allowing players to exploit the game’s lackluster AI and easily mow down processions of obedient foes. Likewise, players can periodically plink away at elevated enemies while not even surfacing from cover. Other antagonists either pop up like gophers or simply stand in place while unleashing a barrage of bullets.

Compounding the enemy’s absence of adaptability is the quantity of simultaneous attackers. While console iterations of Resistance offered up legions of incensed invaders, Burning Skies produces small groups of respawning antagonists, sullying any sense of fighting against an overwhelming offensive. Mercifully, the intensity does heat up during the concluding stages of the title’s six-stage campaign as the players is thrust into open areas which are often devoid of protective positions.

Generally, the game’s controls are efficient, giving players an advantage over encroaching aggressors. FPS enthusiasts will find that the Vita’s analog sticks offer an intuitive method to move and aim, offering players the ability to tweak the control scheme to their liking with acceleration and sensitivity settings. With face buttons entrusted with rudiments like jumping, crouching, reloading and weapon selection, Burning Skies utilizes the system’s touchscreen for supplemental functions. From marking an opponent with a Bullseye tag or SW.A.R.M. Rockets, throwing a grenade, or interacting with the environment, players will frequently be asked to touch and swipe the Vita’s screen. For players with diminutive digits, this means that you’ll be prone as your fingers are removed from the controls. Those with larger hands will obscure some of the on-screen action as the engage the secondary functionary of their arsenal.

Even the game’s signature propaganda-influenced cut scenes oblige an occasional tap, to prevent the Vita from dimming its screen in anticipation of sleep mode. Beyond being unskippable, these cinematics suffer from noticeable artifacting. While these sequences do establish Burning Skies’ context between the first two console titles, they reveal little about our new main hero, Tom Riley. Most of what we learn about the firefighter steams from his chivalrous in-game actions, or his hackneyed motivation to save his wife and daughter from imminent harm. Lacking the depth of Nathan Hale, Riley’s representation of a selfless heroism and unflinching bravado offer little more that action figure characterization.

Complementing the seven hour, single player campaign, Burning Skies offers a trio of multiplayer competitive options. With Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Survival- where fragged foes are reincarnated as Chimera until a single human remains, eight participants can enjoy habitually lag-free, Party voice-chat capable contests. Save for a glitch that renders gunfire at full volume regardless of how far away the discharge is from the player and the ability to spawn camp, the title’s maps show promise. With the ability to unlock weapons from the main storyline and earn XP-multiplying bonuses via Near, the game’s frantic online combat is where Skies truly shines.

Graphically, the title is moderately impressive, exhibiting smoke and ember effects amidst its detailed texture maps. Evidently, Burning Skies decision to limit the number of concurrent on-screen foes aids the game in maintaining a steady framerate, even during fierce firefights. Weapon models are especially eye-pleasing, with customizable mods showing up on-screen. Sonically, the title is elevated by a stirring symphonic score which accentuates key sequences. Regretfully, this soundtrack isn’t used often enough, and even abruptly ends during pivotal set pieces.

With elements such as far-flung checkpoints, effortlessly exploitable A.I, and ammo which is inexplicably littered around the edges of each stage, Resistance: Burning Skies core campaign can feel like a FPS from the mid 2000’s. While far from unplayable, the title’s weakness is that is doesn’t deliver any innovation, content in offering a serviceable imitation of the 2007 console title. Similarly, Burning Skies’ multiplayer component doesn’t break any new ground, but fighting against human opponents allows the game to showcase its devastating weaponry and attractive visuals.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

21 comments

  1. I saw Destructoid gave it a 2/10. Was it really THAT bad. That must be awful. Unplayable.

    • You have to understand that D-toid is about humor and news, and their reviews reflect that. Sterling gives games he mildly dislikes 0-2 all the time and gives games he wants to promote (like Deadly Premonition) high scores.

    • This and the Gravity Crash scores are worrying me. Sony better deliver at E3 this year.

  2. I don’t know how you could give a nod to the MP. OI can’t even connect to a game. The matchmaking is all messed up.

  3. Well, there goes my good name!

    Waiting for the Resistance:BS jokes to start.

  4. I noticed this is getting pretty average review scores. Maybe by the time I get a Vita it will be fairly cheap. (Greatest Hits line, perhaps)

  5. bought and download this on Tuesday after waiting weeks. After playing through the single-player campaign, I’m disappointed.

    Long cut scenes are there to hide the loading. That doesn’t make them any better and like the review said they are grainy.

    AI is dumb as a box of bagels. They usually just stand around except for the spider things- they at least come at you.

    Graphics aren’t that good, and there’s is slowdown in MP.

    Final recommendation: Save your money.

  6. Great review, Deagle. Screens looks pretty good, so I may have to try a demo when I get a chance.

  7. A C+ from Desert is like a D- From NOLA. Yikes.

  8. Bought it blind on Tuesday. It’s not the best FPS out there but it’s decent enough. I wanted to shoot Chimera during my breaks and that what I got. Nothing more, nothing less.

  9. I’m guessing Sony rushed this. Sound like insomniac should of have a hand in development. Still, might have to GF it.

  10. I payed a demo at a Sony event and wasn’t expressed. I thought the game just wasn’t all that interesting with touch cobtrols and dumb enemies.

  11. For true Resistance fans this is a must have title way better than the C+ you gave it.

  12. Damn, Deagle wasn’t that your pick of the week.

  13. So far, it’s what I expected. Good but not great. I do wish they would patch the matchmaking.

  14. Deagle you nail the reviews and turn them out quickly. I’m surprised you don’t write for one of the major sites or mags.

    About R:BS, all the MP matching comments have me worried. Going to have to wait on this one. I’m not doubting you, but did you play the game before it was released to the public?

  15. FreddieFingers

    I don’t know why they don’t port the N.O.V.A. games over to Vita. It would be easy and inexpensive and they could sell all three for cheaper than this one.

  16. Let me guess. Not enough bullet drop for you?

  17. You make it sounds like the game is riddled with problems. The demo wasn’t all that bad. Just average.

  18. The demo wasn’t bad at all. Don’t really know why you gave it a C.