Summary

Resistance: Fall of Man takes players on a harrowing journey through an alternate 1951, where they must battle the alien Chimera to save humanity. Its compelling narrative and engaging gameplay make it a standout title in the world of video games.

Release Year: 2006
Genres: Adventure, Shooter
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Developers: Insomniac Games
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment

Introduction

Dive into a gripping alternate history with Resistance: Fall of Man. This first-person shooter combines intense combat, a rich narrative, and a unique setting to deliver a memorable gaming experience.

Synopsis

“Resistance: Fall of Man” is a first-person shooter video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game was released as a PlayStation 3 launch title in the United States on November 17, 2006, and in the PAL region on March 23, 2007.

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.

In the early 1900s, an insect-like alien race known as the Chimera arrive in Russia. Using advanced technology, they infect hundreds of civilians and subject them to artificial evolution, creating a diverse army of creatures ranging from simple foot soldiers to spider-like giants.

By 1949, all of Europe has fallen to the Chimera. The following year, a vast invasion force tunnels under the English Channel, conquering much of England and leaving only scattered pockets of human resistance.

In 1951, the United States, despite taking a position of neutrality in the conflict, sends a task force to assist the UK as part of “Operation Deliverance”. Among the soldiers is Army Ranger Sgt. Nathan Hale.

However, soon after landing in York, Hale and his squad are ambushed by enemy troops, who infect them with the Chimera virus. Hale, the only survivor, discovers that he has an innate resistance to full infection.

Instead, he gains increased strength and reflexes, the ability to instantly heal light injuries, and gold-colored irises, a common trait of the Chimera. Sent to a Chimera conversion center in Grimsby, Hale meets British intelligence officer Captain Rachel Parker and helps her escape.

In turn, Parker allows him to accompany British forces launching an offensive in Manchester to recover a missing convoy. The game, along with its sequels Resistance 2 and Resistance 3, shut down its online servers on April 8, 2014.

The gameplay of “Resistance: Fall of Man” takes many cues from classic shooters such as Doom and Quake. The player is able to hold every weapon in the game at the same time, movement does not affect the accuracy of weapons, and the player runs at the same speed in any direction, making old-school tactics such as circle-strafing viable.

The health system is a hybrid of the regenerating health system popularized by Call of Duty 2 and the older fixed-health system; the health bar is divided into four segments, each of which will regenerate if partially depleted but require a first aid item (Sym-Bac) to be picked up if fully depleted.

In keeping with this old-school theme, enemies are far less “crunchy” than in most modern games, with even the common Hybrid enemies able to withstand multiple headshots from basic weapons.

The game’s story is presented as a journal narrated by non-player character Captain Rachel Parker of the British army, who chronicles the story of protagonist, the sole survivor of a failed American attack on the Chimera threat in Britain circa 1951.

The game was generally well-received, garnering particular praise in view of its status as a launch title and winning several awards. As of 2007, the game sold more than 2.1 million copies. The story continues in Resistance 2.

Characters

The game centers around Sgt. Nathan Hale, the sole survivor of his unit, and features other key figures including British soldiers and scientists working to understand and combat the Chimeran threat. Each character contributes to the unfolding story of resistance and survival.

Gameplay

Gameplay focuses on tactical combat against the Chimera, utilizing a variety of weapons and strategies. Players navigate through diverse environments, from desolate cities to eerie underground facilities, facing off against different forms of Chimeran forces.

Conclusion

With its unique blend of alternate history, intense action, and deep lore, Resistance: Fall of Man offers an engrossing experience that stands out in the first-person shooter genre. It laid the groundwork for its sequels, expanding upon the dark and immersive world it introduced.