Kombo’s Review Policy: Our reviews are written for you. Our goal is to write honest, to-the-point reviews that don’t waste your time. This is why we’ve split our reviews into four sections: What the Game’s About, What’s Hot, What’s Not and Final Word, so that you can easily find the information you want from our reviews.
What the Game’s About
Resistance: Retribution is the expansion of the alternate WWII timeline franchise popularized on the PS3 with FPS action and survival horror undertones on the PSP. The overall theme is that humanity is fighting a monstrous force called the Chimera that will wipe out humans if nothing is done. Retribution puts you in control of James Grayson, a British soldier who had to kill his own Chimeran infected brother and from that point vowed revenge on every other living Chimera by any means necessary.
After stepping over his bounds, Grayson is thrown in prison for his rogue attitude and left to die. Fate would have him be called back into service as the Maquis resistance fighters on the mainland of Europe need to muster any force they can to reclaim some land and drive the Chimera back to gain a foothold. Developed by Sony Bend Studio, there are many similarities between their past critically acclaimed Syphon Filter games on the PSP as well as plenty of new features to fill the gaps between the first and second Resistance games on the PS3.
What’s Hot
Resistance is a gritty and non-idealized look at an alien invasion. There is no such thing as peaceful coexistence and someone like the main character Grayson knows that. He just hopes he has enough dynamite to afford another day alive before the Chimera get the upper hand. Grayson fits perfectly in the context and tone of the world and is a stronger main character than Nathan Hale, the star of the console games. The gruff exterior combined with a cavalier attitude about living or dying is perfect for the kind of setups and missions Grayson accepts. Deep down, you know he cares about saving the world at large, but you’d never get him to admit that. Along with nailing the motivation for the game, the gameplay backs it up as well.
Retribution rejects the FPS roots of the console game and opts for a 3rd person affair. Using a modified engine that the two previous Syphon Filter games on the PSP used, Retribution trades stealth maneuvers for a cover based system to trade bullet volleys when Chimera encounters happen. There is a built in system that is intelligent to know when you should take cover and when you are free to move around the battlefield called Europe. Well mapped controls make aiming at and advancing towards enemy fortifications easy and not frustrating. In fact, if you own a PSP-2000 or PSP-3000, you can hook up your PSP to your HDTV and play with a DualShock 3 controller and experience a PSP game like you have never before.
The PS3 Resistance games were visually arresting with the contrast of old 1950’s décor contrasted with futuristic weapons and buildings from the Chimera. Retribution continues that tradition to the PSP with some equally impressive visual flourish and might. Fighting through old bombed out cities only to find imposing Chimera conversion centers with vast tunnel networks is visually dynamic and creates a mysterious and frightening atmosphere that you feel compelled to explore. You’ll certainly want to play the game twice through, once in the standard mode and another with your PSP “infected” where you are granted the same powers as Nathan Hale with health regeneration.
What’s Not
For as smartly as Retribution is designed there is an unmistakable feeling that this is Syphon Filter: Resistance: Retribution. Some moments in the game could very well be from Sony Bend’s previous titles with the Resistance coat of paint on top. This isn’t the worst thing to happen to the game because of how great the Syphon games were, but it would have been nice to see Retribution stand on its own and only barrow a few things from past titles.
What could have used more fine-tuning is the targeting system in place. Since there are many enemies at once and the PSP isn’t the best for precise shooters, a generous auto-aiming mechanic was implemented. The result is something that is competent and eases control frustration but is too touchy and sensitive.
Lastly, enemy AI is dumb. Intelligent enemies are something that the Resistance franchise is known for and Retribution doesn’t have it in spades. At the very best, it’ll throw a lot of enemies at you but they’ll likely find a comfortable routine of finding cover and popping out to shoot you. The predictability makes all encounter scenarios not unlike the others. Chimera with the Auger weapon are underutilized because it would defeat the purpose of the cover system and all you need to do is find a wall and have patience.
Final Word
Pulling off a Resistance game on the PSP sounds like a monumental task, but Sony Bend was up for it. In one swoop, they have expanded Resistance’s universe while making a great game that can stand on its own. Similarities aside to the Syphon Filter games, Retribution is a memorable experience on the PSP and an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
