Resistance: Fall of Man

Story:
This game takes place in an alternate 1950's where World War II never had a chance to happen, though, Europe's still ravaged by war.

As the game will explain, a terrifying virus that mutates humans into alien-like creatures, referred to as "The Chimera", has spread through Europe, leaving nothing but devastation in its path, until all that's left is England, where soldiers fight damn hard to keep it. This is where we pick up.

You spend the game in the boots of Nathan Hale, a U.S. Army Ranger, sent to Britain as part of a task force to assist in the british fight off the Chimera and turn the tide of the war.

Within moments of arriving, your squad is ambushed and infected with the Chimeran virus. While everyone else is left comatose during mutation, you remain awake. Though the mutations don't change any of your in-game abilities, it does an awful lot to the story. Others begin to notice that Hale is moving unnaturally faster and stronger, has 'videogamey' healing abilities, and possesses the Chimeran signature "Yellow Irises" in his eyes.

Gameplay:
If someone forced me to find a resemblance, I'd say that the overall experience felt a lot like the last quarter of Half-Life 2! Aside from the running, shooting, taking cover and healing that you'd find anywhere, you're spending a lot of time alone as you fight in streets, tunnels, and Chimeran complexes, carrying an armory's worth of weapons(some human, some Chimeran) and ammo.

Throughout the game, I was never faced with a moment where I was bored. None of it gets old, you're always kept busy with either a minefield to work through, new creatures to fight off, or new weapons to master...

...and when you're done, to add a bit of replay value, there are even more weapons unlocked for your next play-through!

Graphics:
While I'm reviewing this game at a time closer to the launch of its sequel, I have to make the praising note that, while the game was made 2 years ago, it's still been able to hold up to the stunning graphics of games being released now, at the tail-end of 2008. It's got a few visual 'hiccups' here and there, like tree roots popping-in or bodies finding amazing ways to get stuck in walls, but this only happens maybe 1% of your overall time playing the game, so it's nothing to worry or care about.

Sound:
The sounds of everything in this game rock! From the simplest things like hearing yourself walk faster as you go up or down stairs, bullets clattering against a steel barrier that you're ducked behind, angry barks and grunts of Chimeran soldiers, to the barely audible breathing noises as you shift through the dark with your rifle. They all set their own seperate, yet equally awesome ambiance, and could all be perceived with crystal clarity.

It's not often that the sounds in a game are impressive enough to make you hit pause and have your own personal "whoa." moment, so this game came as a refreshing surprise.

Multiplayer:
Nothing special..

Side Notes:
- Minus a few hiccups, the graphics are as impressive by today's standards as it was 2 years ago.

- The sound work in this game is incredible!

- Helpful hint: Dualshock 3 rumble support was added after release for this game. In order to enable it, play an online multiplayer match. It'll download all of the updates you need.

Final Say:
If you're a fan of First-Person Shooters and haven't taken a crack at this game yet, this game will keep you entertained start to finish. Definitely worth at least one play-through.

...Play this game.