9.5

Resistance: Retribution

An above average first person shooter from the PlayStation 3 arrives on the PSP in Resistance: Retribution that successfully manages to capture the uniqueness of its big brother, ensures for an almost flawless gaming experience and adds something new to the genre.

Even though the PS3 version featured a variety of tweaks and challenges in terms of gameplay and control, the developers have managed to successfully create a new game on the PSP that's still firmly set in the Resistance universe. In essence, the game is a third person shooter that plays remarkable well on this great little console.

Features

• Game: A third person action-adventure game created specifically for PSP that bridges Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2.

• Storyline: Dramatic storyline set against the battle to retake the European continent, follows a single soldier’s grim determination to avenge his fallen brother.

• Engine: Utilizes Bend Studio’s third generation PSP engine that allows for more enemies on screen, more detailed characters with higher resolution bitmaps and specular highlights, and a memory buffer system that allows for larger and more detailed worlds.

• Revolutionary Targeting System: Advanced third person targeting system designed specifically for the PSP.

• Portability: Liberal checkpoint system makes the title ideal for small bursts of gameplay perfect for the on-the-go gamer.

• Weaponry: Weapons include favorites from Resistance: Fall of Man like the Auger, Carbine, and LAARK, as well as new weapons based on hybrid Alien/Human technology – including the BM001 Razor and the Longbow 1S-1K “One shot, one kill” sniper rifle.

• Enemies: Over 10 different types of enemies, including Chimera from Resistance 2 and Resistance: Fall of Man – including the Titan, Slipskull, Hybrids and Leapers – and all new enemies like the Hag and Cloven.

• Multiplayer: Intense eight player multiplayer gameplay with five game modes including Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Containment and Assimilation available via ad-hoc and infrastructure.

• Resistance Franchise: Web based franchise that ties into the Resistance franchise web portal.

The game is set weeks after Resistance: Fall of Man and follows the story of former British Marin, James Grayson that after a person tragedy, sets his sights on the absolutely destruction of the Chimera. Although it's a war that he cannot win, Grayson eventually joins the European resistance, the Maquis and from there, hell is about to be unleashed on these alien invaders. Clichéd? Yes! Engaging? Definitely. The story of Resistance: Retribution is classic sci-fi that of course goes hand in hand with this genre and features some great supporting cast to liven things up.

Control wise, Retribution works extremely well on the PSP with the analog stick used for movement, the face buttons to aim, shoulder buttons to fire and the D-pad for interactivity with the gaming environment. Although the aiming does take a little getting use to, thankfully the developers have an aim assist included in the title which makes things rather fun and could be considered an automatic targeting system at times. The best part of this system is that you are not just locked onto one enemy and changing between foes is as simple as pushing a button.

The AI of the game is at times on the difficult side, however if you use your weapons wisely, this will assist in defeating them, especially the boss levels which are worth the entry price into this addictive third person shooter. You have two attacks, primary and secondary that is matched with a variety of futuristic weapons. To keep the game fair, not all guns can be used with the auto targeting system of the game which means weapons such as rocket launchers need some manual input.

At times, it feels like Serious Sam with the amount of enemies in the gaming environment and best of all, nothing seems too forced or contrived in the gaming world which only just adds to the atmosphere when the enemies are pouring in. Thankfully you can use the gaming environment for a cover system and my only gripe is the lack of a "anywhere" save, although checkpoints are common. Without spoiling the game, there are also some great areas that is not just reliant on a third person shooter view. Think BIG and WATER!

Like the PS3 version, the PlayStation Portable game supports a great online mode that allows you to challenge up to seven other players in a variety of different modes that include Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flat, Free for All, Containment and Assimilation. Add in a ranking system, clan support and even a chat ability and its easy to see why so many people are playing this title online. It's as good as the single-player mode, only with live players.

If your PSP is connected to the PlayStation portable, your main character James Grayson becomes infected by Nathan Hale from the PS3 which is kind of quirky as you take on his abilities from the other game. You can even play Retribution with your PS3 controller that is quite fun, provided you have it connected your system to the TV as it's note quite the same on the small PSP screen.

Graphically, this is probably one of the best titles we have seen on the PSP for a long time with detailed gaming environments, great character design and a plethora of special effects. Add in a kickass soundtrack and realistic soundtracks and it's time to listen to this game with headphones to truly enjoy the atmosphere of this world gone wrong.

At the end of the day, Resistance: Retribution nicely compliments the PS3 version of the game with sturdy gameplay, a great storyline and an endless amount of nasties for you to send into the ether. The control system may take some players time getting use to but once you have mastered the controls, you'll be hoping that Sony release another game for the PSP. Fun from start to finish and proves that the PSP is long from dead. Long live the Resistance! Long live the PSP!