Reviving Resistance: Insomniac's Must-See Comeback on PS5

Insomniac Games, one of PlayStation's most valuable development studios, has already delivered two critically acclaimed PS5 games since the console's launch in 2023: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Currently, the studio is busy working on Spider-Man 2 and the Wolverine game. However, it's time to revisit the Resistance first-person shooter franchise on PlayStation 5 and not leave it in the past.

Insomniac has a rich history with the franchise, with Resistance: Fall of Man being one of the PS3's biggest launch titles. The game played like a World War 2 FPS with a sci-fi twist and earned acclaim for its challenging campaign and multiplayer options. The franchise included Resistance 2, Resistance: Retribution on PSP, Resistance 3, and finally, Resistance: Burning Skies for the PlayStation Vita.

While the first Resistance was a hit both commercially and critically, its follow-ups failed to generate the same level of excitement from fans. Despite positive reviews, the games didn't enjoy the same level of success, which led Sony to turn off the Resistance multiplayer servers three years after the launch of Resistance 3.

.

Even though the sequels to Resistance didn't receive as much attention as the original game, it would be a mistake to abandon the franchise altogether. With Microsoft's attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard being blocked by the CMA, the possibility of Xbox owning the Call of Duty publisher is still uncertain. This could lead to a potential future where Sony may need its own FPS to replace Call of Duty. In this case, Resistance could be the perfect fit to fill that void, even surpassing Bungie's efforts on Marathon.

Fans should be reminded that despite the Resistance franchise's lackluster sales, most of the games were highly regarded and considered some of the best PS3 exclusives. Unfortunately, accessing these games now requires players to dust off their PS3 or PSP. Currently, the only Resistance game playable on PS5 is Resistance 3, and even that comes with the caveat that the online multiplayer servers are no longer available.

Despite these limitations, Resistance 3 is a testament to why the franchise deserves a comeback. Players who revisit it through the PS Plus Premium service will be treated to a fast-paced and highly entertaining co-op first-person shooter adventure. The game features a wide variety of challenging enemy types, a decent story, and a vast array of weapons that can be leveled up and evolved into more powerful forms. Each level introduces new ideas and takes players to vastly different locations, ensuring that the game never becomes repetitive or boring.

Playing Resistance 3 will leave fans eager for a new take on the franchise with the power of the PlayStation 5 behind it. The PS3 Resistance games already boasted incredible set-pieces and monster designs, and it would be amazing to see the Resistance Chimera aliens recreated with today's graphical standards.

Insomniac Games is currently occupied with the release of Spider-Man 2 and its upcoming Wolverine game, leaving the future of the Resistance franchise uncertain. While fans may hope for a return to the series, it's unclear if the studio will have the capacity to take on another project anytime soon. However, with the potential release of a Resistance Collection on the PS5, players can revisit the beloved franchise and fill the void until Insomniac's next move.

It's highly unlikely that a new Resistance game, such as Resistance 4, will be developed anytime soon. However, a remake or remastered collection of the original trilogy could potentially breathe new life into the franchise. Even without the versus multiplayer feature, such a project could be a welcome addition for fans.

Moreover, it would be a real shame if games like Fall of Man and Resistance 2 never make it to PS Plus Premium. Currently, only Resistance 3 is available on the platform. The addition of more classic games, like the Resistance franchise, would be a great value for PS Plus Premium subscribers.

For now, those looking to play Resistance on PS5 will have to settle for the campaign of Resistance 3. Nevertheless, hopefully this underrated first-person shooter franchise gets another chance to shine in the future.