Those familiar with the site know that I like the Resistance series a lot, maybe even too much. With Sony’s press conference wrapped up and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena’s floor covered with PlayStation 3 kiosks, I made my way towards Resistance 3.

Picking the game up a few things immediately stood out to me. First, I had to turn off the inverted Y-axis. Second, it was obvious Insomniac’s latest chapter in mankind’s final days has taken full advantage of the three year development cycle. Resistance 3 may not wow you in the same way a Crysis or Killzone game might, but what it lacks in tech it more than makes up for in character. The demo level really felt lived in, like there had been a struggle a long time ago. The demo picks up in a small gated area, fenced in with some derelict buildings. The sole landmark is an old water tower. A few survivors stand with you, holding off the Chimeran assaults.

With the arena closed off, the level became a great place to show off the return of Fall of Man’s weapon wheel. Capelli’s arsenal consisted of four series staples: the Marksman; the revolver; the Auger; and the Bullseye. With Hybrids and the all-new Longlegs coming in from various entry points, the fight quickly moved from one portion of the map to another. One moment I was zoomed in with the Marksman, delivering bursts of fire. The next I had pulled the revolver, planting slugs in the backs of unsuspecting Hybrids, only to detonate the rounds with its secondary fire.

As more and more Longlegs dropped in, leaping long distances into the firefight, it became clear the weaponry I had been using wasn’t going to cut it. The brief pause between the leaps of the Longlegs was the sole chance to uncork a Bullseye tag. A moment later you’d hear the satisfying confirmation of your Bullseye rounds hitting home from off-screen.

With the amount of Chimera increasing, the other NPC resistance fighters and I were forced to retreat. Cornered in a locked alley we quickly found ourselves to be sitting ducks as the Chimera surrounded us on the roofs above. Pulling up the weapon wheel again I unsheathed the Auger, placing a protective barrier in front of my friends and I. Taking aim I picked off the remaining Hybrids above with a few shots delivered through the building’s walls.

Making our way through the alley, the fight spilled out onto the street. Abandoned cars cluttered the town – no one has lived here for a long time. A pack of Chimera trades fire with us from the far side of the street. A few hold their positions, keeping their cover handy, while a pair close the distance. I take the opportunity to pistol whip the pair of them and duck behind one of the cars. At this point I’ve realized I’ve begun to run low on ammunition and health. In the heat of the moment I run towards a ladder, which appears to lead to a nearby gas station’s roof, hoping to find a health pack. At this point a Chimeran drop ship arrives on the scene, and I know I’m in trouble.

I pick off a few of the new crop with the Marksman, and in my periphery, I see the alluring yellow glow of some Sac Serurm – Resistance’s health pack. The item’s sitting on a fire escape, adjacent to the roof. I jump from the roof, sprinting towards cover and the fire escape. I drop another Hybrid, climb aboard the scaffolding and run for the Serum. Below, a Ravager arrives on the scene; it’s too late for me. Game over.

Rather than try my hand again, I was satisfied in death. Resistance 3 feels solid, meatier than the arcadey feel of Resistance 2. Chimeran deaths looked more realistic, providing some surprisingly satisfying animations without being over-the-top. The general mood of the title was also clearly prevalent, which should please fans of Fall of Man. But, perhaps most encouraging, was the small taste of more varied weapon tactics, which has remained one of critics’ biggest issues with 2. Resistance 3 by all accounts is shaping up to be the sequel many fans wanted in the first place. Whether or not that’s enough to renew the series’ relevance still remains to be seen, but I’ll be getting it.