TSA’s Top 100 of 2011 – #21 Resistance 3

You have to feel for Insomniac Games a little. Vanguards at producing quality titles at an almost insane rate, if there is one thing that seems to constantly go against them in relation to their Resistance series, it’s timing. Releasing the first Resistance as a launch title for the PS3 back in 2006, the studio had the unenviable task of producing Sony’s “Halo killer”, especially since Killzone on the PS2 seemingly wasn’t up to the task. Ironically, Guerrilla Games’ series would come back to haunt them in the future.

Resistance: Fall of Man, though a solid FPS, didn’t live up to the almost impossible pressure that was placed on its fledgling shoulders. We enjoyed it for what it was: a romp through merry 1940s England as a generically twisted super-race spreads its virulent grasp on humanity from the east. It suffered from some glaring issues, however, main protagonist Hale having as much personality as a damp sponge being the most obvious.

This particular problem Insomniac attempted to address in 2008’s Resistance 2. It was a competent follow up, but unfortunately this time the title suffered from a whole host of different gripes. The campaign mode felt uneven, with the removal of local co-op deemed by the series’ fans as an egregious omission on Insomniac’s behalf. Such mistakes were allegedly taken to heart by Insomniac, Senior Community Manager James Stevenson going so far as to brand Resistance 2 “a failure” for its hardcore following.

The biggest issue with Resistance 2 wasn’t its shortcomings within the game, however, but the arrival of another FPS exclusive. Two months after Resistance 2’s release, Killzone 2 launched in Europe and practically obliterated the former’s online community in one unmerciful swoop. People still played Resistance 2 online, of course – and they still do to this day – but up against the Dutch behemoth of Killzone 2, Insomniac’s offering started to look a little more weary. Sure, Guerrilla’s game had its own well-documented ailments, but when contrasted with Resistance 2 there was no real comparison. Killzone 2 was a better game, and, once again, timing had, perhaps unfairly, stymied Insomniac’s plans for a mega-hit.

Consummate professionals that they are, the Burbank based studio have been hard at work since Resistance 2’s launch to rekindle the spark that set the Resistance franchise on its way back in the early days of the PlayStation 3. We’ve been hearing about the third part in the series for what seems like eons, snippets of information appearing in the most unlikely of places. From billboards in unreleased movies to live-action teaser trailers, it wasn’t until the Spike Video Game Awards last week until we saw some actual gameplay footage of the title.

We’re still in the USA, most video seen so far focusing on the boondocks, with Chimera attacking trains and a ragtag group of survivors. It looks deliciously downbeat, a tangible sense of defeatism permeating the action as new and strange Chimera set upon the remnants of humanity.

A famous man once said: “History doesn’t repeat itself. It does rhyme, however,” and, just like before, Insomniac look set to be on a minor collision course with Guerrilla Games for PS3 FPS fans’ attention when the third editions of their respective franchises launch next year. This time, however, the tables are slightly turned, with Killzone 3 launching first – on February 28th – while its Insomniac rival won’t rear its chimeric head until at least September; over six months later.

Will the reverse of what happened with Resistance 2 and Killzone 2 affect their upcoming sequels? Will we be lauding both Killzone 3’s campaign and online modes only for Resistance 3 to come along and blow it out of the water? Who knows? What we do know is 2011 is shaping up to be one hell of a year.