Resistance: Retribution

When Sony sent its handheld into battle against an alien threat in 2006, few expected it to become one of the most technically accomplished shooters on the small screen. Resistance: Retribution brought the atmosphere of an alternate history, where humanity faces an invasion of ruthless Chimera instead of the Second World War, into the palms of players who wanted a full-fledged action experience on the go.

Unlike its big brothers on the PlayStation 3, the handheld version bet on a third-person view, which proved a clever decision. Aiming and shooting on a console with a single analog stick was easier to manage precisely in this perspective, where the game automatically helped the player with targeting and thus freed up space for tactically minded progress. An arsenal full of inventive weapons that shot around corners or unleashed swarms of projectiles gave the battles with the Chimera a distinctive flavor.

The narrative followed Sergeant James Grayson, a British soldier driven by personal revenge across occupied Europe. The story tied into the events of the series' first entry and expanded the mythology that Insomniac Games had built as an alternative to the war shooters popular at the time. The game itself was developed to order by Bend Studio, the creators of the Syphon Filter series, who had rich experience with action on a handheld.

Culturally, Retribution fit into Sony's effort to prove that a handheld device could offer an experience close to home consoles and not remain merely a simpler spin-off. For PlayStation 3 owners the game also offered a link with the series' second entry, which brought small bonuses into the gameplay and strengthened the sense of one big world.

In a world where handheld shooters often settled for compromises, Retribution stood out with its ambition. It was a work that took its source material seriously and tried to carry as much as possible of the grand action onto a screen that fits in your pocket.

Why play: If you want to experience a full-fledged sci-fi shooter on a handheld with cleverly solved controls and the dark atmosphere of an alternate history, Retribution is one of the best candidates.