Resistance 2

First person shooters have long been popular with developers looking to enliven their games and attract new players. Usually, this means using some new function, style or feel to spruce up the game. In making Resistance 2 (R2), Insomniac has failed to do any of those things. What is left is a sub-par videogaming experience.

Following immediately from where Resistance: Fall of Man finished, the game is set in an alternate future where an alien species (the Chimera) has invaded Earth. Following the capture of Europe, the Chimera have placed America firmly in their sights.

Characters are limited to carrying two guns, but the variety available is good. The Magnum, with its secondary exploding slugs, is easily one of the game's finest points.

Sadly, enemy 'intelligence' is weak to say the least; after playing the game for a short time an almost psychic awareness of their next moves can be gained as they'll either take cover repetitively or charge at you pointlessly. Chimera also fail to acknowledge any other character on the screen, and wave on wave come charging past your team mates on a bee-line for your character.

Resistance: Fall of Man sold because of public outrage concerning Manchester Cathedral. R2 completely lacks this selling point. Although boss fights are reasonably handled, good scenes are offset with dull linearity and annoying jumping sections.

The cooperative multi-player features are interesting, and competitive mode has huge levels to play about in, but these good features do not justify the game. In all, R2 is a very ordinary shooter.