[Timgt5]

The third and what looks like final game in the Resistance trilogy has now been launched. Does it make a fitting ending? Please read on.

Resistance 3
Released: September 6 2011
Game Type: First Person Shooter
Genre: Science Fiction.
Developer Insomniac
Publisher: SCEA
Platform(s): PS3

Background:

The Resistance series takes place on Earth in an alternate timeline. In this history the Bolshevik revolution was crushed in its infancy and Adolph Hitler never came to power.

In this timeline a mysterious object crashes into Siberia in 1903 and years later a wall is built between Russia and the rest of Europe. Russia goes completely dark. Rumors abound and the governments of Europe receive disturbing information from a few who have managed to leave Russia, and the information is kept from the public. In 1950 a hideous group of aliens called the Chimera emerge from Russia and began an assault on continental Europe.



Armed with massive firepower and advanced technology the Chimera overwhelm western Europe in a manner of weeks. Having conquered Europe, the Chimera bore under the English Channel and launch an assault against the UK.

The US responds by sending troops and equipment to the embattled English forces. Nathan Hale is among the first wave of army rangers sent in to establish a beach head and rendezvous with the remaining British army. Having no real knowledge of their new enemy, the American forces are quickly defeated. Hale is the only survivor. Like others he was infected with the Chimera virus, but was resistant to its effects. Hale joins various British units and continues to fight the Chimera. Having slowed them down in London, Hale is spirited away by American black ops forces.

In Resistance 2, Hale begins training in Iceland at secret base. He is now part of a unit called the Sentinels. These men like Hale, were infected but can resist the effects of the virus. Helping the sentinels is Russian scientist, Malakov. Dr. Malakov is working on a vaccine and studying the origin of the Chimera. The Chimera have now invaded the US and Hale along with his team are trying to repel them. As the game progresses Hale’s ability to resist the virus wears down and he begins to succumb to its full effects. At the end of Resistance 2 Hale’s team mate, Joseph Capelli makes a fateful decision and terminates Hale in final act of mercy.

Plot of Resistance 3

At the beginning of Resistance 3, Dr. Malakov has synthesized a vaccine using a protein recovered from the deceased Nathan Hale. Joseph Capelli is inoculated against the effects of the Chimeran virus but is dishonorably discharged from the Army for his part in Nathan Hale’s death (Hale was held up as a hero)

Four years later, the war is over and mankind has lost. Ninety percent of the human race has been wiped out, with the rest scattered and hiding from the Chimera. The Chimeran invasion has now turned to occupation and the Chimera have begun terra-forming the Earth to their liking, drastically reducing the world’s temperature and opening a wormhole to bring in something even worse.

Joe Capelli has given up fighting the Chimera and is in hiding with a group in Oklahoma. There he married and has had a son. Dr. Malakov has tracked down Joe and persuades him to do one last mission. Joe reluctantly agrees to escort Dr. Malakov to the ruins of New York City where the wormhole is centered. Malakov believes that shutting the wormhole down could cripple the Chimera. So the two men begin a perilous journey across the US.

The narrative is very well written, with several well placed twists and turns. The story is somewhat less epic than Resistance 2, but it does carry the concept of a reluctant hero very well and brilliantly conveys the desperation of war against a powerful occupier.

Gameplay:

Insomniac did not tinker much with the formula from the previous games. Two changes from Resistance 2 were enacted though. Since Capelli, unlike Hale is not infected with the Chimera virus he must rely on finding health packs when injured rather than hide and wait for regeneration of health. This speeds up the pace of the game considerably, especially in multiplayer mode.

The other big change is the return of the weapon’s wheel from Resistance, the Fall of Man. Since Insomniac loves to create bizarre and very cool weapons for the players to try out the wheel is simply more fitting than the “carry only two weapons” thing in other games. Speaking of weapons there is a nice bit of old and new in here. The Bullseye, Magnum, Carbine, and Auger are all present. One cool new one is a Cryo-gun which freezes the enemies with liquid nitrogen allowing them to be shattered like glass. This time around weapons acquire upgrade points as they are used. These in turn unlock greater power and new capabilities. This system works very well and comes in handy later in the game against some of the more powerful enemy AI.

The gameplay mechanics are smooth for the most part. Even going back and forth using the weapon wheel is a quick transition. The Chimera are a tough opponent, hard to kill and fast moving. There are also some specialized Chimera that require additional strategy to take down. The game’s friend and foe AIs are solid and well executed. The only thing I really miss are the boss battles from Resistance 2, some of which were beautifully epic. This game is scaled down from its predecessor but just as intense. The multiplayer is very good overall with the only caveat being that you can only play Co-op with people on your PSN friends list.

Sights and Sounds:

In terms of visuals Resistance 3 is a blend of the previous two games. Some of the saturation of Resistance 2 is left here along with the more detailed textures of Resistance Fall of Man. It is a very good looking game overall, with nice scaling and particle effects. The frame rate for the most part is very smooth even with a lot going on the screen ( very important in an FPS) The game is not in the same league as a Killzone 3 or Crysis 2, but it is not far behind either.

The sound and fury from the previous games is also here. Battles make good use of the speakers and the soundtrack is excellent. The voice work overall is very good; setting the right tone to complement the narrative.

Kids Corner:

Resistance 3 is a rather dark story, packed with a high amount of violence. There are lots of battles and carnage on display here. Objectionable language is also present, but used very sparingly. There are no issues involving sex or nudity in this title.

In Summary

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Resistance Trilogy and hate to see it come to an end. This came is very fitting closing to the series.

Some Footage below: