Portable Chimera Punishment- Resistance: Retribution Reviewed
Resistance: Retribution for the Sony PSP. Developer: Sony Bend, Publisher: SCEA
Anyone that’s tried playing a first or third person shooter on the PSP is immediately aware of the portable’s Achilles heel- the lack of a second analog stick. Using the face buttons to move a cursor is cumbersome and less than instinctual, as shown by the Coded Arms and Medal of Honor games. When we first heard that Sony was adapting a PSP title based on the popular Resistance console series, we were initially worried. However, once we heard that the conversion would be handled by the competent team at Sony Bend, developers of the two inspired Syphon Filter portable titles, our fears abated.
As the subtitle indicates, Retribution’s narrative focuses on vengeance. Lead character James Greyson, is required to euthanize his brother, who is infected with the Chimerian virus. Overcome with malicious rage, Greyson deserts his station, and embarks on a crusade to eradicate any Chimera conversion centers. Before long, the British Marines catch up with Greyson, and imprison him for abandonment- until a French agent shows up soliciting his expertise to dispatch a more lethal wave of Chimera. Unlike most home console to portable conversions, no corners were cut in Retribution’s development; Cornelia Hayes O’Herlihy reprises her role as narrator, while the action is accompanied by a Gary Schyman’s beautiful orchestral soundtrack.
Players move Greyson with the analog stick, while the PSP’s buttons are use to aim. However, unlike other PSP action titles, the auto-aim is extremely forgiving, effortlessly locking on to any enemies in the player’s field of vision. Retribution also employs a cover mechanic, when players press against a wall in the environment. Once near an appropriate defense structure, players can tap the right shoulder button to fire, while letting go returns to a secured position. This system works well, although it seems that enemies require an immoderate amount of hits to drop.
With challenges integrated into each level, an unlockable arsenal and a wealth of hidden intel documents, Retribution’s developers clearly sought to add depth to the single player campaign. PS3 owners who own Resistance 2 can alter the games narrative by playing the ‘infected’ mode, which contaminates Greyson with the alien disease. Once defiled, the protagonist gains the ability to breathe underwater, and to regain health over time, as well as obtain the deadly .44 Magnum revolver from Resistance 2. Unfortunately, Greyson’s glowing eyes and new skin fail to show in the game’s cinemas- additionally, players must ‘re-infect’ the title every time they quit the game.
With five multiplayer maps and an equal number of modes, Resistance: Retribution offers an unexpected amount of diversity for a PSP title. Players can engage up to eight opponents via a wi-fi connection in the conventional deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the flag, and conquest modes. The one novel approach to multiplayer skirmishes is found in assimilation mode, where a empowered Cloven attempts to infect a team of Maquis. As the humans fall, the remaining survivors grow in strength, creating an addictive battle when friends quickly turn to foes.
Graphically, Retribution is in the top tier of graphically luxurious PSP titles. Each of the game’s levels recall the environmental architecture of the PS3 game, and has a surprising level of textual detail. Whereas many action games for the portable system feel claustrophobic with diminutive playfields and narrow corridors, Retribution retains the scale of its now-gen console counterpart.
Along with the God of War: Chains of Olympus and the two Syphon Filter titles, Resistance Retribution is one of the best action games available for Sony’s portable system. A twenty mission single player campaign is augmented by a handful of competent multiplayer modes, and new modes for Resistance 2 owners, creating one of the better PSP packages offered to players this year.
I picked it up this week, and love it. One of my favorite PSP games ever.
This shows that you are all Sony loving fanboys.
This is one of the only reviews that mentions it takes like 20 shots to shoot down a Chimera. What the hell is up with that.
Is there any lag on the multiplayer? I tried playing MoH and it was al lag-o-tastic
Cool, I need to grab this one and Patapon 2 when that comes out.
That Chimera skull on the back of that guys jacket is sooo damn cool. I’m gonna put one on the back of mine right above my confederate flag. Hell yeah!
No, most site have given this pretty awesome reviews.
I just realized there was a demo for this that I haven’t played. Seems hard.
Are you actually hitting them with every shot. the screen is so damned small its hard to tell.
Nice review, got me all psyched that there’s a decent PSP FPS game.
WTF, this game has underwater section and plays just like Syphon Filter. I bet they used the same damn engine.
I’m glad you guys like PSP games, so many other sites are like “teh PSP has no good games, dudez”
Long live the PSP, baby!
online sucks so bad it’s got nothing but campers on which really sucks. Stick with a PS3 is you want a multiplayer game, yo.
I heard it has some pretty grainy textures in it. My friend bought it last week.
I bought this at Target and there was no game in the case. i took it back and the damn lady thought I did it. She wouldnt even give me a new one. Like what am I gonna do wit two games? Anyway, I spoke to a manager and its all cool now. So holla.
Whats with all the kids posting here today?
Who would have thought they could doa decent version of Resistance on the PSP? Quite a miracle!
ending your post with ‘holla’=so stupid it’s not even funny.
Well the PSP is marketed toward the young ‘urban’ market.
Awesome review.
Wow, amazing looking screenshots.
At $30 I would have picked this up, but $40 it a bit too steep, especially after a $20 Loco Roco 2
I’ve noticed a lot of people in the game industry ignore the PSP- Giant Bomb, CAG, 1Up, etc.
I bet this game uses the exact same engine as SF.
I wish i hadn’t sold my PSP now that a few good games have come out.
Who said the PSP is dead?
I bought this today and love it. Great graphics and play, and it’s better than the demo.
Graphics look very nice. Seems like a good purchase (for the right price, of course).
See, I still can’t buy into this game, despite the review, and the positive comments here. Something about a dual analog stick game being mapped to a single (shoddy) analog stick and four digital buttons doesn’t sit right. It would be different, I think, if movement was done with the face buttons and aiming with the stick, like in Dreamcast Quake or N64 Goldeneye, but the other way around (which would map to the standard Halo-ish controls) just doesn’t sit well.
This looks amazing, really makes getting a PSP tempting. If I do ever get one, it’ll be before a DSi, that’s for sure. I already have a DS, never got the logic in getting basically the same system again when you could get a brand new one.
Anyway, game looks great
Oh, wow I didn’t even know that there was a Resistance game on the PSP. I just got that system a month ago so I WILL get this game for sure!
This is an excellent game. Highly recommend this game and those who are interested in this title, try out the demo on the Playstation Network.
These graphics are amazing for a handheld console. I am still using the gameboy. I guess I am a little behind.
This is one of the few titles that makes me want my PSP back.
Damn pretty, and a nice boost to the understocked PSP library. Still, those rumors of an all-download PSP2 make me hesitant, as unless Sony does something awesome (like let us DL old PSP games), I’m not sure whether its worth it to sink in now, or wait for the downloadable version.
This so far is one of the best games I have played on my psp. Worth every dollar i spent.
Those are some impressive graphics.
Nice review on the game. I’m glad that the switch from Console to portable didn’t screw over the game and you guys really emphasized that. I’m not really into the Resistance series but I’ll check it out.
im surprised by the graphics of this game
Wow this game is amazing, great review! Also Gamestop is doing a promotion for this game. If you buy a Playstation Portable you get this game for 19.99
great review. i really enjoyed syphon filter on the psp. looking forward to checking this game out. only 5 multiplayer maps kinda sucks though.
It’s times like this where I wish I owned a PSP.
The problem with adding the cover system to games is that enemies always get way stronger to make up for it – to discourage you from fighting them face to face. I really liked Resistance 1, and would have liked 2 more if the co-op hadn’t been worthless and broken (yes, it’s now fixed, but they lost me as a fan with that because it took so long), but I don’t know if I like Resistance PSP becoming a cover-style fps…
But yeah, the graphics look great, this review means I’ll probably at least try it out before making a final decision.
Never played Resistance. Is the PSP version a good place to start?
Having played this game this review is EXACTLY how I felt.
It was a nice PSP game… thank god another one came out, but yeah the multiplayer did ruin my taste for the game.
Looks fantastic for a PSP game. Can’t wait to pick this up. Haven’t had any game time on my PSP in awhile. Just need to burn through my backlog of games and scrape together some money!
Now that I’ve been spoiled with two analog sticks for use in shooters, I’m very skeptical that using one would be effective.
The single player campaign sounds like it’s worth the value, but I’m not sold on multiplayer. I don’t know, Goldeneye succeeding in doing it, perhaps this can too.
~HotShotX
This game is soo fun i just got it two weeks ago and I have a blast! It really looks great for a psp title.
Can’t go wrong with another good action game for the PSP. I enjoyed the first Syphon Filter game, so I will have to look into picking this up in the future.
Looks to be a fun game. I played the PS3 versions and they were pretty good I’m expecting a lot out of this one. : )
i gadda say, the visuals on this are impressive.
wow, that game acctually looks good for a psp game, i don’t own one myself but dang. Since I’m a Resistance fan, i might acctually have to rent this game and borrow a friends psp lol
Pretty good review. I would have liked to hear a little more on the controls and if the game is kept from getting too repetitive (different locales, driving levels, etc.), but those are just personal preference. Overall though if felt like it gave me a good feel for the back drop and story of the game, along with a few of the things that make it unique. Keep up the good work man.
Great review, context went really good with the pictures. Keep them coming!
dbrev42@gmail.com
I wasn’t a huge fan of Resistance 1 or 2, but for some reason, this one looks fun. The amount of hits on the chimera is going to be annoying, though. That was one of my problems with the first one.
nice review. after that review, I will definately be picking this up.
I can’t wait to check out RR. I have R2 for the PS3 and want to link it up to play Infected mode. I also need to pick up a component cable so I can output to a TV and use the DualShock.
Very good review, I bought the game for my friend’s birthday.
Keep up the good work.
Dust off the PSP good games are back.
The games looks fun, I might get this but i’m gonna have trouble fitting it on my memory stick 😉 psycho419@gmail.com
this looks like a good game, just might have to get it 😀
Psycho419@gmail.com
Nice Review. Hopefully, inspires a step in the right direction for PSP games.
I actually was not sure whether i should pick up this game or not. Everybody around me was saying it is definitely worth the buy but i was not sure if i would like it. Thanks for helping me out i will definitely buy it as soon as i get some money
It does but there are a lot of improvements.
My PSP is gathering dust and will most likely continue to do so.
great review. Don’t have a psp but this looks good. Great site!
That was a great review, nice to see some psp love. great site, keep up the good work.
I love this game too – PSP needs this! The game has so much going on too, there is a tournament and tips and tricks. Check out the facebook/myspace for the info!