Resistance 2

THE BAD:

> Stiff difficulty curve

> Online Co-Op levels involve a lot of back-tracking and frustrating map layouts

> With 60 players online at once some maps turn into full blown skirmishes where you may spawn in a enemy's line of fire

> Boss battles are a bit easy compared to the common enemies who are usually very tough

> Graphics can be distorted or blank at time, explained later

SUMMARY:

Rougly two years after the original Resistance Fall Of Man game was released on launch of the PS3, the sequel is now available. Like most sequels, Resistance 2 shares much of the same game play and dynamics of it's predecessor with several new twists and modifications.

The war against the Chimera has now moved to the American coasts, after a two year respite, and Liutenant Nathan Hale is now a member of a group known as the 'Sentinels'. A elite task force of men like Hale who have been infected by the Chimera virus, but use inhibitor solutions to stop it from mutating them into their enemy. Nathan is in charge of Echo squadron, and throughout the game spearheads most of the Sentinels operations. The story is tightly written and the cliff-hanger ending, while confirming a third game in the series, also leave a lot of speculation and questions as to how it will come about.

Game play has changed somewhat in this sequel. Hale can no longer carry a vast number of weapons and grenades, limited now to two main weapons and several types of grenades. The health bar has also been removed, and in it's place is a Call Of Duty style regen system. However aside that there is no other changes.

Much more weapons are now available, most of which are 1950s military weapons upgraded with alien technology procured from the Chimera. The is a extensive selection of weapons, ranging from a M2 assault rifle to a dissecting saw gun. Each weapon has it's own primary fire and separate secondary fire types.

The campaign's levels are linear, but wide enough to hide that. Each level is designed well and creates vicious firefights and ambushes. Strategic planning is needed to conserve ammo and eliminate enemies quickly before they have time to fan out and dig down into defensive position. There are many types of enemy in Resistance 2, from simple drones to stealthy, deadly chameleons who are camouflaged and armed with nasty claws and a one hit kill ratio. The game make you tense throughout as you strive to make it to the next area without using too much ammo in case there is a tougher challenge to come, and there always it.

To me, the chameleon is perhaps the best enemy in the game. There is no warning to say where they would be. No habitat they will not go into. The moment the screen begins to shake and you hear them howl for your blood, you panic. If you do not locate them in time then quite simply put; you're going to die very painfully.

In addition to the single player campaign mode, you also have a separate set of campaigns for up to 8 players online. There are several levels, and several different missions for each one. An example would be Chicago, there are 10 missions available for it meaning you have to play it at least 10 times. While playing these missions, you must select one of three classes. Soldier, the tank of the unit, medic, the doctor, and finally the special ops, the tacticians who create ammo for the team.

Each class can be leveled up to 30, and with each level that passes you gain new Berserk skills for your class or a new secondary weapon to use alongside the set primary weapon. Berserk skills range from inflicting more damage, lessening damage taken, and turning completely invisible. Each class has a set of exclusive Berserk skills each to help them with their roles on the battlefield and are extremely useful when turning the tide against poor odds.

For competitive game, up to 60 players can play on four different game modes. Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Core Control, and Skirmish. Players are divided into squads and are rewarded points for staying together on the battlefield and working with one another to accomplish set objectives throughout the game. Clans are also supported online and the 'Allies' menu can be called up from the lobby to easily create or join a part with friends. Unlike the Co-Op online character level up system, the competitive games are different. Character are leveled up to 50, and different sets of Berserks are available along with a lot more options for customisation.

However for all it's accomplishments, there are always issues. Resistance 2 is not perfect. In single player the graphics will sometimes randomly downscale to similiar standards of the original game. The difficulty curve in the game will swiftly swap from a stroll in the park to a sprint through hell's highway in any given second. The game's difficulty also creates frustration and I found myself having a on/off relationship with it throughout my turmoil. Boss battles are too simple, par the final one of course, and the dialouge and voice acting only reach good at most time and average at others.

So in conclusion, Resistance 2 does little more than better the first one. It has been improved, yes, but only just enough to notice. That does not mean it is bad. Heavens no. A compelling plot and good lengthed campaign, combined with stunning multliplayer support and free DLC makes Resistance 2 perhaps the best multiplayer game to arrive on a console since Halo 3.

Score

Graphics > 8.6, usually quite good but will suddenly downscale for no reason

Gameplay > 9.3, standard FPS formulae married to revolutionary dynamics and AI. Enemies hunt for you, wait for you, they are ready for you.

Sound > 7.8, solid is the best way to describe it. Good dialouge but that is all that can be said for it.

Story > 9.0, It's orginal yet still classic at the same time and the ending is what I would describe as a 'perfect' lead into the 3rd game.

Lifespan > 9.7, along with it's two seperate campaign modes there is also the massive online battles to enjoy. It's online doesn't top the chart, but is still the best seen in 2008.

Overall > 44.4 out of 50, 88.8%, 4.4 out of 5

Reviewer's PS3 Best Multiplayer Game 2008

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Reviewer's Multiplayer Game of the Year 2008