Resistance: Burning Skies (PS Vita) - Review

Due to the violent nature of this game. This review is for Grown Up gamers only.




One of the great things for me about owning a Vita, is that I can finally enjoy some of Sony's exclusive licenses. Uncharted was the first licence I was able to enjoy. Wipeout 2048, Disgaea 3 & even God of War Via the PSP store.



Now, it is the turn of Resistance to make is debut to the Vita. Sony have hyped this title as it is the first portable FPS to utilise dual analog sticks and hopefully finally bring the home console experience to a handheld.

The Resistance series focuses on an alternate post WW2 time line, in which Europe is invaded by an Alien race known as the Chimera. This game is the first to focus on the initial invasion of America. You play as Tom Riley, a New York Fireman who is separated from his wife and child during the attack. You spend the rest of the game trying to reunite with them and dealing with any Chimera along the way.



The result of this is very good all round shooter. The story campaign is a good length and can be brutal at time even on the normal setting. The plot and story are very B movie standard and that fits in well with the time era that game is set in.  The level design is very ropey in places and the use of scientific facilities leads to some pretty unimaginative corridors late in the game. The character models in the game are all very good looking, but not in the Uncharted level of detail. In fact, it would fair to say that the single player experience is like playing a First Person Shooter from 5 years ago. All of the ideas are in place, but the refinement of the home console experience is just missing.

Control wise though, Resistance lives up to Sonys hype. Having the 2nd analog stick on the handheld changes everything. Aiming was perfect after a tinker with settings. The use of the touch screen is put to good use and controls everything from secondary fire modes , grenade trajectories and of course, opening doors.

Set pieces are becoming the staple of the modern FPS and Resistance: BS really tries it hardest to keep the player involved and immersed in its levels. This is hard for a game tha many people will drop in for a 5 minute session and drop out again. Notably I thought the Washington Bridge level was the highlight of the campaign. Boss Battles are fantastic and the size of the bosses are more along the lines of what I was expecting at the end of Rage. Although the final boss can be real challenge, if it chooses to be,

What is a FPS these days without a mulitplayer component (The answer is nothing!). Although, having spent time in the 32  to 64 player matches of Battlefield 3. Coming back to a world where a large team deathmatch is 8 players in total, is quite a shock. Luckily, maps are small and the action is fast. It is once again like playing the online shooters of a few years ago. Multiplayer is a mixed bag and looks it is a step in the right direction for handheld gaming.

The last thing worth point out is that the game is a easy platinum trophy as 90% of trophies can be earned  during one playthrough of the campaign.

Resistance: Burning Skies isn't going to revolutionise the the FPS market. Instead, it shows a glimpse of how good a heavyweight FPS could be on the Vita. Call Of Duty... we are ready for you!

Verdict: 7 out of 10