Resistance: Retribution

Last updated

Resistance: Retribution
Resistance-RetributionPSPNACover.jpg
Developer(s) Bend Studio
Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s) Christopher Reese
John Garvin
Designer(s) Darren Yager
Programmer(s) Joseph Adzima
Darren Chisum
Artist(s) Gerald Harrison
Writer(s) John Garvin
Jeff Ross
Composer(s) Garry Schyman
Series Resistance
Platform(s)
Release
March 17, 2009
    • PlayStation Portable
      • NA: March 17, 2009
      • EU: March 20, 2009
      • AU: March 26, 2009
      PlayStation 4 & 5
      • WW: February 20, 2024
Genre(s) Third-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Resistance: Retribution is a third-person shooter video game developed by Bend Studio for PlayStation Portable. [1] It was announced on July 15, 2008, at Sony's E3 press conference and released on March 17, 2009, in North America, March 20, 2009, in Europe and March 26, 2009, in Australia. Bend Studio said in an interview with GameSpot that they worked with Insomniac Games in the initial process of the game design. [1] It is set between Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2 . Sony has discontinued online support for the game. [2]

Contents

An updated version of the game was released on February 20, 2024, for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, both as a purchasable title via the PlayStation Store and as part of the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog. The updated version has up-rendering, rewind, quick-save, as well as custom video filters. In addition, the updated version supports trophies, a feature not available on the original PSP version. [3]

Gameplay

An early screenshot of the game Resistanceretributionearlyshot.jpg
An early screenshot of the game

The game offers 8-player online multiplayer matches with modes that include Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Containment, Free For All and Assimilation.

The aiming system is designed differently, instead of pressing buttons to lock against cover, it will automatically lock the player to cover when he or she goes near cover. Aim assist, as observed in Resistance: Fall of Man, is also present in Retribution. Retribution features new characters and weapons, as well as a non-replenishing life bar.

On October 9, 2008, it was announced that players with a copy of Resistance 2 in their PlayStation 3, while having their PSP 2000 or 3000 (also works with PSP 1000) connected via AV output to the television, will be able to play Resistance: Retribution with a DualShock 3 controller. This is a new, cross-link feature of both games dubbed PSP Plus. While PSP Plus is enabled, it has been reported that aim assist will be disabled and that players would be able to remap their controls to better use the extra inputs on the PlayStation 3 controller. DualShock 3 rumble will also be supported. [4]

Also announced was Infected mode which, by connecting Resistance: Retribution to Resistance 2 using a USB cable, going into the R2 options screen, and selecting "Infect your PSP!" provides an alternate story within the alternate history. While in prison for desertion, Grayson is recruited by Specter Lieutenant David LaSalle (from the R2 storyline) and is infected with a mutated version of the Chimera virus, a different version of the virus that infects Nathan Hale. [4]

While playing in "infected" mode, Grayson wears a Specter uniform and has glowing Chimeran eyes. [4] Characters in the story will be aware of Grayson's Chimeran infection which will alter their behavior accordingly. [5] He gets to use one of the new weapons from R2: the HE .44 Magnum, which fires explosive rounds that can be triggered remotely. He has regenerative health and no longer needs to look for health packs. He can breathe underwater, allowing him to reach hidden areas that he could not reach before. Also another whole class of Intel are hidden throughout the levels. Collecting all of the "infected" intel unlocks plasma grenades and an expanded story. Infected mode ends when the player quits the game.

Multiplayer

Resistance: Retribution features 5 game modes in the online section: deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Containment, Capture the Flag and Assimilation. In Containment, both teams must fight to keep coolant nodes under their control, whoever holds the most for the longest wins (similar to Meltdown from Resistance: Fall of Man). In Assimilation one player starts out as a Cloven, the other seven are Maquis. The Cloven player has to hunt down the remaining Maquis. The Maquis cannot kill the cloven, the objective is to survive the longest. Any Maquis killed by the cloven become cloven when they respawn. Online features all the weapons found in the single player campaign except one as well as weapon spawn point where players can pick up weapons to add to their inventory. The opposing factions will be Maquis fighters vs the Cloven. [6] [7]

The multiplayer was disabled by Sony on May 15, 2015, making Resistance: Burning Skies to be the only entry left in the series to have multiplayer support. [8]

Plot

Two months before the Chimera's central tower in London is destroyed and their armies are defeated in Britain, British Royal Marine Lieutenant James Grayson finds his brother Johnny partially converted into a Chimera while on a mission to destroy one of the Chimeran conversion centres. Grayson reluctantly follows protocol regarding infected soldiers, and kills Johnny, but this causes him to suffer a nervous breakdown and he deserts his troops, leading his own personal vendetta against the Chimera. After destroying 26 conversion centres, Grayson is captured by the British and put to trial for capital crimes, where he is sentenced to death for desertion. The night before his execution, Grayson is visited by Lieutenant Raine Bouchard, a member of the European mainland resistance movement known as the "Maquis", who offers Grayson a reprieve in exchange for his aid and knowledge on conversion centres. Grayson is initially reluctant, but is more interested when he learns that Bouchard and her father are developing a serum to counteract the Chimera virus. Grayson agrees to the deal, though he demands his brother's jacket as an extra condition, and is released as a mercenary contracted to the Maquis.

The "Maquis" and the British forces, including Grayson, plan "Operation Overstrike", where they will enter Europe through Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, travel through Bonn, Germany, and into Luxembourg to help secure the Maquis stronghold there, and ultimately moving onto the main Chimera tower in Paris, France. Though they suffer many casualties from coastal Chimera gun towers, the forces are able to successfully make it to Bonn. Bouchard takes Grayson and the Maquis commander Colonel Roland Mallery on a special mission to investigate a new type of conversion center in Bonn. The group is separated, with Bouchard falling into the initial stages of the conversion process, but Grayson is able to rescue her, believing her to be yet unaffected, and then destroys the facility. The troops learn that the Chimera have discovered the Maquis base in Luxembourg and race to defend the base long enough to evacuate the personnel to their last stronghold in Reims, France. Dr. Bouchard insists on staying to complete one last experiment, and as Grayson attempts to evacuate, he comes to learn that Bouchard herself was infected, purposefully, at the conversion center in Bonn to allow her father to gain a sample of the virus as to develop a serum. However, before the serum can be created, Dr. Bouchard is killed by the invading Chimera forces, but Bouchard is able to finish her father's work and gains a sample. Bouchard and Grayson are forced to evacuate as the base falls to the Chimera.

In Reims, Grayson attempts to warn Mallery and the British about Bouchard's infection, but Mallery instead locks him up, considering the act to be treasonous. While in the makeshift brig, Grayson is visited by Bouchard, who seduces Grayson into having sex with her, before she leaves on her mission to take the serum to the Paris tower. After Mallery and Bouchard leave, Grayson is freed by his former commander, British Major Steven Cartwright, and Colonel Rachel Parker from the brig, and given a second sample of the serum to take to the tower in case Bouchard fails. As he travels to Paris via old catacombs, Grayson comes across thousands of dead and mutilated female bodies awaiting to be converted by the Chimera: Grayson realizes just how selfish he has been in his vendetta against the Chimera, and leaves his brother's jacket behind while continuing on the mission.

Grayson encounters Mallery as he nears the tower and discovers that he has also already been infected by the virus and is purposefully preventing him from reaching the tower. Grayson manages to kill Mallery and continues into the tower itself and the lair of the Chrysalis, the being believed to be controlling the Chimera. After using the serum, he discovers the Chrysalis herself, revealed to be Bouchard who has now been fully converted into a Chimera. Grayson manages to defeat the monster she has become: as it dies, Bouchard's human self resurfaces and warns Grayson that the serum is only a temporary measure, as the Chimera have evolved a more advanced method of converting humans, and that they are already developing new ways to recover from their losses: she also remarks that the Chimera have already conquered worlds beyond Earth, and they are simply too evolved to defeat. As the virus consumes her utterly, Grayson kills Bouchard to put her out of her misery.

With the Chrysalis destroyed, the British and Maquis forces are able to destroy the Paris tower and free Western Europe from the Chimera. After memorializing Bouchard's death, Parker and Cartwright offers Grayson a commission with the British Army as a major, and returns his brother's jacket to him, encouraging him to keep it instead of placing it at Bouchard's memorial. Grayson declines Parker's commission, instead enlisting as a colonel in the Maquis. Grayson leads a Maquis force into the heart of Russia to discover the source of the Chimera invasion, but Grayson goes Missing in action during the battle to liberate Warsaw, though rumors spread of a British soldier in Russia that has become known as the "Cloven Killer". The last scene shows Grayson standing before Saint Basil's Cathedral before turning around after the end credits; revealing his eyes now golden yellow, a symptom of having been infected by the Chimera virus.

Collector's Edition

Resistance: Retribution Collector's Edition, released in Europe, includes four concept art postcards and a promotional code to download an exclusive Resistance: Retribution theme for the PSP. [9]

Demo

On January 16, 2009, Sony announced that a downloadable demo of Resistance: Retribution would be available for those who pre-order the game. The offer was exclusive only to Amazon until it was expanded to retailers Best Buy, GameStop, and Game Crazy. The demo features single player gameplay and the option to try Resistance Connect with both the Infected mode and Resistance: Retribution Plus. [10] On February 12, 2009, the demo was released on the European PSN Store for download. It was also released on the North American PSN Store on March 12, 2009.

Reception

Resistance: Retribution received generally favorable reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [11] GameTrailers praised the presentation and gameplay and also awarded the game their Best PSP Game of 2009 title. [28] GamePro reviewer Heather Bartron praised the game's cover mechanics for evading enemy fire and the game's well-placed checkpoints and level designs. Bartron wrote the game would appeal to both casual and experienced gamers, although she disliked the repetitiveness near the end and that most of the game's elements were left unchanged from the previous titles. [17] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four eights for a total of 32 out of 40. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation Portable</span> Handheld game console by Sony

The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 11, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 2005, and is the first handheld installment in the PlayStation line of consoles. As a seventh generation console, the PSP competed with the Nintendo DS.

<i>Resistance: Fall of Man</i> 2006 first-person shooter game

Resistance: Fall of Man is a 2006 first-person shooter video game for the PlayStation 3. It was developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is set in an alternate history 1951, and follows Sergeant Nathan Hale as he and the human resistance forces attempt to drive a mysterious alien-like invasion out of the United Kingdom. The story continues in Resistance 2.

<i>Mega Man Powered Up</i> 2006 video game

Mega Man Powered Up is a side-scrolling platform video game developed and published by Capcom. It was released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld game console in March 2006. It is a remake of the original Mega Man game released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Players control the eponymous star Mega Man who must stop Dr. Wily from conquering the world using eight robots called Robot Masters. Unlike the original game, players can control these eight Robot Masters under the right circumstances. Other new features include a level creator mode and a challenge mode.

<i>Gran Turismo</i> (2009 video game) 2009 video game

Gran Turismo is a 2009 racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. The game was announced at Sony's E3 press conference on May 11, 2004, alongside the original PSP. Following five years of delays and speculation, during which it was variously known as Gran Turismo Portable, Gran Turismo 4 Mobile, Gran Turismo 5 Mobile and Gran Turismo 4.5, it made a reappearance at E3 on June 2, 2009, in playable form. It was released on October 1, 2009, as one of the launch titles for the new PSP Go. As of September 2017, Gran Turismo has sold 4.67 million units, making it one of the best-selling PSP games. On June 1, 2010, the game was re-released as part of Sony's Greatest Hits budget line of video games.

<i>Resistance 2</i> 2008 video game

Resistance 2 is a 2008 science fiction first-person shooter video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. The game was released in North America on November 4, 2008, in Australia on November 27, 2008, and in Europe on the following day. Resistance 2 is the sequel to the best-selling PlayStation 3 launch title Resistance: Fall of Man.

<i>God of War: Chains of Olympus</i> 2008 video game

God of War: Chains of Olympus is an action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by Ready at Dawn, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It was first released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console on March 4, 2008. The game is the fourth installment in the God of War series, the second chronologically, and a prequel to the original God of War. It is loosely based on Greek mythology and set in ancient Greece, with vengeance as its central motif. The player controls Kratos, a Spartan warrior who serves the Olympian gods. Kratos is guided by the goddess Athena, who instructs him to find the Sun God Helios, as the Dream God Morpheus has caused many of the gods to slumber in Helios' absence. With the power of the Sun and the aid of the Titan Atlas, Morpheus and the Queen of the Underworld Persephone intend to destroy the Pillar of the World and in turn Olympus.

<i>Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity</i> 2007 video game

Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity is a 2007 video game for the Wii console based on the animated television series Code Lyoko. It is the second game based on the French animated television series Code Lyoko. PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable ports of the game were released in 2008.

<i>Prototype</i> (video game) 2009 video game

Prototype is a 2009 action-adventure video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Activision. It was released in June 2009 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. In July 2015, the game was re-released alongside its sequel as the Prototype Biohazard Bundle for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Separate versions of the two games became available in August 2015. In Prototype, players control an amnesiac shapeshifter named Alex Mercer as he attempts to stop an outbreak of a virus called Blacklight in Manhattan, which mutates individuals into powerful, violent monsters. Alex also attempts to uncover his mysterious past while coming into conflict with both the US military and a black operations force called Blackwatch. Outside of the main story, players can freely explore the game's open world and engage in several different side activities.

PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a division of Sony.

<i>PixelJunk Monsters</i> 2007 tower defense video game

PixelJunk Monsters is a tower defense video game developed by Q-Games for the PlayStation 3. The second game in the PixelJunk series, it was originally released in Japan on December 6, 2007 and worldwide by Sony Computer Entertainment on the PlayStation Store on January 24, 2008. The game was released for the PlayStation Portable under the title PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe.

God of War is an action-adventure game franchise created by David Jaffe and developed by Sony's Santa Monica Studio. It began in 2005 on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) video game console and has become a flagship series for PlayStation, consisting of nine installments across multiple platforms. Based on ancient mythologies, the series' plot follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War and comes into conflict with various mythological pantheons. The earlier games in the series are based on Greek mythology and see Kratos follow a path of vengeance against the Olympian gods; the later games are based on Norse mythology and see Kratos go on a path of redemption while also introducing his son Atreus as a secondary protagonist.

Resistance is a series of first-person shooter and third-person shooter video games developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita video game consoles. The series takes place in an alternate history 1950s, in which an alien civilization known as the Chimera have invaded and conquered Earth, expanding their armies by capturing humans and transforming them into monster-like super soldiers to fight for them. The player takes the role of one of the remaining human armed forces as they fight against the Chimera invasion. The series is noted for its use of both conventional and futuristic weaponry, reflecting Insomniac's previous work on the Ratchet & Clank series.

<i>PaRappa the Rapper</i> 1996 video game

PaRappa the Rapper is a rhythm video game developed by NanaOn-Sha and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation in Japan in 1996 and worldwide in 1997. Created by music producer Masaya Matsuura in collaboration with artist Rodney Greenblat, the game features unique visual design and rap-based gameplay and is considered the first true rhythm game. It was ported to the PlayStation Portable in 2006 in celebration of its 10-year anniversary. A remastered version of the original PlayStation game was released for PlayStation 4 in 2017 for the game's twentieth anniversary.

<i>Ape Escape</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Ape Escape is a 1999 platform video game developed by Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. The first game in the Ape Escape series, the game tells the story of an ape named Specter who gains enhanced intelligence and a malevolent streak through the use of an experimental helmet. Specter produces an army of apes, which he sends through time in an attempt to rewrite history. Spike, the player character, sets out to capture the apes with the aid of special gadgets.

<i>Resistance 3</i> 2011 video game

Resistance 3 is a 2011 science fiction post-apocalyptic first-person shooter developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Resistance 3 is the final installment in the Resistance trilogy. Resistance 3 is the first in the series to support 3D and PlayStation Move and was the first to introduce the PSN Pass program. The game shifts away from the military aspect of Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2 and takes on a post-apocalyptic survival-horror feel.

<i>MLB 10: The Show</i> 2010 video game

MLB 10: The Show is a baseball simulation video game created by Sony Computer Entertainment's San Diego division. The MLB: The Show series of video games is the longest officially licensed baseball simulation game on the PlayStation. The game is made for Sony's own PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable. It is the direct successor to MLB 09: The Show, and was released on March 2, 2010. The game presents a number of new features, including catcher mode, and Home Run Derby.

Resident Evil is a biopunk action horror film series based on the Japanese video game franchise by Capcom.

<i>Resistance: Burning Skies</i> 2012 video game

Resistance: Burning Skies is a first-person shooter video game for the PlayStation Vita, part of the Resistance series. The game was developed by Nihilistic Software and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in May 2012. It was announced in August 2011 at Gamescom. In the game, players control the character of Tom Riley, a firefighter who fights against an enemy called the Chimera during their invasion of the United States.

NBA is a series of six basketball video games developed by San Diego Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The games are licensed by the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are one of several different NBA-focused basketball video game series. The games released in the series are NBA, NBA '06, NBA '07, NBA '08, NBA 09: The Inside, and NBA 10: The Inside. It is the successor to the NBA ShootOut series.

<i>Epidemic</i> (video game) 1995 first-person shooter video game

Epidemic, known as Kileak: The Blood 2: Reason in Madness in Japan, is a first-person shooter video game developed by Genki for the PlayStation console. It is a sequel to Kileak: The DNA Imperative.

References

  1. 1 2 Cocker, Guy (July 15, 2008). "E3 2008: Resistance Retribution Impressions". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  2. Makuch, Eddie (February 11, 2015). "Another Resistance Game Going Offline". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  3. "PSP Game Resistance Retribution Hits PS Plus Classics With New Trophy List on PS4 and PS5". IGN.com. February 20, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Garvin, John (October 9, 2008). "Resistance: Retribution & Resistance 2 Interoperability and Then Some". PlayStation Blog . Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  5. Tsang, Alan (October 9, 2008). "Infect your PSP with Resistance 2 and Retribution connectivity". Engadget (Joystiq). Oath Inc. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  6. Miller, Greg (February 25, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution Multiplayer Hands-on". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  7. "Capturing the Flag". IGN. Ziff Davis. February 24, 2009. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  8. McWhertor, Michael (February 10, 2015). "Resistance: Retribution for PSP is going offline in May". Polygon . Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  9. Kev J. (March 12, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution Collector's Edition Details". Electronic Theatre. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  10. Cardona, Cristian (January 16, 2009). "UPDATED: Try Resistance: Retribution Two Months Before It Comes Out!". PlayStation Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Resistance: Retribution for PSP Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  12. Sterling, Jim (May 12, 2009). "Destructoid review: Resistance: Retribution". Destructoid . Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  13. Edge staff (April 2009). "Resistance: Retribution". Edge . No. 200. Future plc. p. 124.
  14. Whitehead, Dan (March 13, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution review". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on July 31, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Leonardi, Domenico (March 5, 2009). "Resistance Retribution: voto da Famitsu" [Resistance Retribution: Voted by Famitsu]. Everyeye.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  16. Reiner, Andrew (May 2009). "Resistance: Retribution: Sony Bend Offers a Side Story with Character". Game Informer . No. 193. GameStop. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Bartron, Heather (June 2009). "Resistance: Retribution". GamePro . Vol. 21, no. 6. GamePro Media. p. 83. ISSN   1042-8658. OCLC   19231826. Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
  18. Schaller, Kevin (March 20, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution Review". Game Revolution . CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  19. Watters, Chris (March 18, 2009). "Resistance Retribution Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  20. McGarvey, Sterling (March 20, 2009). "GameSpy: Resistance: Retribution". GameSpy . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  21. "Resistance: Retribution Review". GameTrailers . Viacom. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  22. Hopper, Steven (March 10, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution – PSP – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  23. Shoemaker, Brad (March 30, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution Review". Giant Bomb . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  24. Miller, Greg (March 10, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  25. McCarthy, Dave (March 10, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution UK Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  26. "Review: Resistance: Retribution". PlayStation: The Official Magazine . No. 19. Future US. May 2009. p. 78.
  27. McGee, James (March 30, 2009). "Resistance: Retribution (PSP) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  28. GetThumble (December 31, 2009). "GT [GameTrailers] GotY Awards 2009 – Best PSP Game". YouTube . Alphabet Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2018.