Review: 'Resistance 3' the best of the series

By Brett Molina, USA TODAY
The beauty of sequels in video games is the ability to correct the mistakes of predecessors and create a tighter, more enjoyable experience.
Such is the case with Insomniac Games latest releaseResistance 3. The third chapter in the PlayStation 3 series is perhaps the best thus far, featuring a more focused campaign and challenging first-person combat.
The alternate universe created in Resistance is based on an invasion before World War II by an alien race called Chimera. The hostile visitors have slowly staked their claims on Earth, and are on the verge of a complete takeover in Resistance 3.
Players follow Joseph Capelli, one of few surviving humans hiding from the Chimera in the Midwest. After escaping an attack near his home, Capelli joins Russian scientist Fyodor Malikov on a trek to New York City to deliver a devastating blow to the Chimeran assault.
Once again, the series' diverse arsenal is the star of the show inResistance 3. Each weapon feels distinct, from the overall design and sounds each gun makes to the cool secondary attacks and upgrades.
Take the Deadeye, for example. At first glance, it's a simple sniper rifle, but utlitize the secondary fire and you unleash a devastating beam that decimates any foe in its crosshairs. The gun becomes even more entertaining when players add upgrades such as scopes that highlight an enemy's head and a beam that pierces objects.
Each weapon in Resistance 3 features a primary and secondary attack, such as the Rossmore shotgun that fires concussive grenades or the new Mutator, a biological weapon that can shoot a green cloud leaving foes vomiting endlessly.
The more players use particular weapons, the more experience they earn toward upgrades. In the case of the Marksman, the long-range rifle can upgrade to a better scope to shoot targets from further away.
Developers have also brought back the weapon wheel, allowing players to stop action and select from 12 weapons. Players can also tap the triangle button to quickly flip between a pair of guns. The wheel works pretty well for the most part, but when players have access to all 12 devices, the compact space makes it easy to grab the wrong weapon.