E3 2008: Resistance 2 Impressions

Resistance has become a huge property for Sony, and so instead of releasing a sequel with visuals that are slightly updated over the original, Resistance 2 boasts a look that shares nothing in common with the first. The visual difference between Resistance and Resistance 2 is enormous to the point where it's borderline unrecognizable. If it weren't for the Resistance 2 banner below the TV screen, I'd have never known what I was playing.

Yes, Resistance 2 does indeed look that different. But don't think that it's different looking because it has different art direction, it's because the sequel as an all new animal. The engine, while loosely based on the original's, has been completely overhauled. The environments are now stuffed with objects everywhere you look, from buildings to trees, to boulders, and so forth. Resistance 2's environments, on top of not looking barren, are also enormous - far bigger than that of the original. The scope of the game has become noticeably more expansive, and it's one of the reasons why you'll have a hard time recognizing Resistance 2.

The other reason is because it simply looks much better. While the first game didn't look bad, especially for a launch game, it's surprising just how much better Resistance 2 looks. The textures are solid, the foliage looks nice, the character detail has seen improvements, and then there are the bosses. Some of you may have seen Sony's conference where a live presentation of Resistance 2 was shown off. In that presentation we see a boss that is, quite literally, as tall as a skyscraper, with a horde of amazing details, such as impressive texture work.

Resistance 2 also doesn't play much like the original, as controls have been switched around, and the feel of the game comes off a bit more realistic. It's more realistic in the sense that the weapons now have a lot more recoil, something that I don't like in sci-fi shooters, to be honest. The shooting was perfect in the original Resistance, so hopefully the recoil can be toned down or turned off in Resistance 2.

The mutliplayer maps are also large; again, much larger than what we've seen in the first game. Overall, the entire package is a huge step, nay, leap forward for the franchise, and Insomniac's skills at tapping into the PlayStation 3 are really shining through. Let's just tighten up the gameplay by offering us the ability to customize the feel of the game so that we don't have to deal with things like excessive recoil.

7/15/2008 Arnold Katayev

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