Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Solid"

Pros:
-Guns are unique and creative
-Campaign is fun
-Multiplayer is great and features 60 player battles
-Co-op is fun
-Boss battles are epic
-Good map design
-Chimera are excellent enemies

Cons:
-Weak storyline and characters; terrible ending
-Doesn't do much different from other shooters

First person shooters are a dime a dozen and it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, and while Resistance 2 may not succeed at being too unique, it's still a high quality shooter that's worth picking up.

Resistance 2 picks right up after the events from Resistance 1, you play as Nathan Hale once again and you get picked up from London by an elite soldier squad. During the ride back to head quarters you learn that the resistance task force is building up an elite solider squad called Sentinels, which consists of people who have the Chimera virus, and you are their prime candidate. The story line is pretty generic and forgettable, just consisting of standard military grunts with little personality and without spoiling anything, the ending is very underwhelming and disappointing.

The campaign it's self however is more enjoyable as you fight your way across many different locations including military bases, Chimera infested suburbs, woodland forests, war torn San Francisco streets, and more. The campaign also features some epic boss battles, all of whom are very large. Each boss has it's own unique way of beating them and they provide a truly memorable experience. The Chimera also make excellent enemies and put up quite a fight; they take cover, throw grenades, flank your position, you will certainly enjoy the challenge they provide. Especially on higher difficulty settings. The campaign it's self is of pretty decent length and it does provide an overall good experience that you will enjoy playing through again.

When it comes to gameplay, Resistance 2 is very solid and enjoyable. Each gun is unique and has multiple functions, for example the Bullseye is capable of "painting" a target with it's secondary function, then where you fire the primary shots the bullets will follow the target wherever they go. The revolver is capable of firing both standard, and explosive bullets. The shot gun can fire a more accurate single shot, or with the press of the secondary fire, release a quick double shot. And the Auger is capable of seeing and shooting enemies through walls, as well as placing a temporary shield in front of you with the secondary fire. There are plenty more weapons then the one's I mentioned, and each one is unique from the last and has it's own secondary abilities.

There are also a variety of grenades you can throw as well. From the Hedgehog Grenades that fire out spikes, to standard frag grenades and more. Overall though the gameplay of Resistance 2 is pretty standard fare, it doesn't really try anything new. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it still gives Resistance a sort of "been there, done that" feeling, it doesn't try to stand out from the crowd so much. The gameplay may be great, but the market is over saturated with shooters as it is and Resistance plays it a bit too safe. Given the creativity of Insomniac, it leaves one to wonder what they could have done with the shooter genre had they taken more risks. But regardless this isn't big complaint and what Resistance does, it does well. It provides great gameplay.

The multiplayer is Resistance 2's strongest aspect. Featuring both competitive and co-op, Resistance 2 is packed with features that will provide endless hours of gameplay. The competitive multiplayer has a variety of different modes and matchmaking types, and can be played with up to a total of 60 players online. This is quite an epic sight to see and it amazingly plays perfectly smooth without any hint of lag or connection problems in sight, Insomniac did a perfect job with multiplayer. Resistance 2 uses a load out system that is similar to other games, you choose your weapon and select your power and you go from there, many of the weapons and abilities have to be unlocked but the level up system is very rewarding and addictive.

Co-op is also an excellent experience, featuring up to a total of 8 players, you fight as a team in a variety of different missions. Similar to the competitive multiplayer, co-op is class based with each person have their own role. For instance the medic will obviously focus on keeping his allies alive, where as the specialist can give his team ammo and strike enemies from longer range, and the soldier focuses obviously on taking large groups of enemies down and dishing out the pain. You also level up in co-op as well but separately from your competitive level, making Resistance 2 all the more addictive. You unlock new upgrades, clothing attire, weapons, and more. Resistance 2 simply offers one of the best competitive and co-op experiences around.

Maps are also well designed, they scale back when there is a smaller number of players, and expand when there are more players. Each map features a good amount of variety in them from one having large buildings you can run around in, as well as undergound sub way battles and brutal street to street shoot outs, all on the same map. Where as another features a large field with a variety of Chimera structures you can bunker down in. Or a large canyon with many caves and path ways, or a logging town with many homes you can fight in. There is a good amount of maps and they play great with any number of players and for any game type. Insomniac truly out did themselves with the maps.

Visually Resistance 2 is impressive but it's not going to make your jaw drop. Overall it's pretty decent but there are far better looking games out there.

While Resistance 2 may not do too much to stand out from the many other shooters on the market, and the storyline may be disappointing, it still offers a solid campaign and great gamplay, and features a truly amazing multiplayer and co-op experience that you don't want to miss. Insomniac has delivered a great game that shooter fans should pick up.

Resistance 2 get's an 8/10