Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Shooter
Sub-Genre: First Person Shooter
Release Date: Nov 4th, 2008
Additonal Info: Two separate campaigns
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Shooter
Sub-Genre: First Person Shooter Horror
Release Date: Nov 17th, 2006
Additonal Info: Online compatible
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Action
Sub-Genre: 3D Platformer
Release Date: Oct 23rd, 2007
Additonal Info: No online
Developed by Insomniac Games, Resistance 2 is on its way to be one of the biggest exclusives released on the PlayStation 3. Being the third title to release from Insomniac for the PS3, we'd like to take a look at the evolution of the game's graphics since its beginning. The first photos compare images from the first build of Resistance known as Project I-8, and lead up to the first new screenshots of Resistance 2. Click the images to enlarge.
As you see in the images above the engine has progressed in providing higher quality textures, larger color palette, normal maps, and shading. Also lighting and shadows have been improved. You will notice that from I-8 to the final product they added such things as self-shadows, where non-static characters in the environment cast shadows on themselves and other objects. This is just one of the small yet notable graphical upgrades you will probably see improved on more in Resistance 2.
Also with technology constantly advancing, we probably see differed rendering and full screen anti aliasing when Resistance 2 releases.
Another graphical upgrade you will notice is the use of texture streaming. The first Resistance as you all know didn't use the technology, so Insomniac had to make choices about where they spent their high-res textures. Then during the development of Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Insomniac added the feature to their game engine.
"Starting with Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction we are supporting texture streaming, which will make the worlds look even better, and will also consume even more space on disc," wrote Brian Hastings, Insomniac's chief creative officer. "With streamed textures, streamed geometry and streamed audio, even with compression, you can quickly approach 1GB of data per level."
With the first Resistance hitting 17.5 GB in size, it will be amazing to see how large Insomniac will make Resistance 2.
Lastly we'd like to point out that Insomniac is going to great lengths to put as much action on the screen as possible. As you see above, not only will you be fighting dozens of Chimera soldiers but building size Goliaths as well.
In an interview with VideoGamer, Brian Hastings goes over the technology and procedures they used to fit all of the action into Ratchet and Clank Future at 60fps, which we can only assume will get better in Resistance 2.
"The tech and gameplay teams have moved tons of things over to the SPUs that used to run on the PPU. Collision and physics are entirely running on SPUs now, which allows us to put much more on the screen at once than we were able to with Resistance. Moving more and more code to the SPUs is an ongoing process and I think we'll continue to see major benefits from this for several more years," said Hastings.
This is probably the reason why Insomniac is pushing multiplayer from 40 to 60 player matches, and 2 player to 8 player Co-Op. They have spent enough time with the Cell architecture to understand how it works and how to optimize their games for it.
With Resistance 2 still far off from release, you can bet on seeing even more improvements over the course of the next few months. Until then, you can help out on the Insomniac forums by letting the developers know what you want to see in your Resistance sequel.

Resistance 2
Resistance 2
Resistance 2
Resistance 2
those pics show the progress, gonna get this on day 1 :D
WOW! looking at the detail in the grass in the last picture, makes me want to sh#t myself, and it even looks like they're in-game screenshots. Hot-Damn!
That does look pretty damn impressive. I mean resistance looks great, and #2 pics look to put it to shame. Very Nice.
This game raises the bar!
that is quite the difference, good stuff
wow. this game is going to be a graphical monster. just look at Rachet & Clank, it has amazing visuals and it ran a 60fps! I cant wait to see what R2 will look like maxed out at 30fps :D
sweet
Pictures aren't the same so you really can't compare them, nevertheless, they don't seem that much different. Resistance 2 just has better texture quality and lighting/shading, I sense some blurring too.
the huge stalkers arent chameleons!!!! They are goliaths and were present in the first game. Chameleons are chimeras with clocking ability, not stalkers. This was mentioned on insomniacs podcast too so you may want to edit and correct the info you've put there. Otherwise nice job on the comparisons.
@ darksora
Thanks...we've updated the article
The chimera are a lot more detailed in the second game.. if that can be possible. But seriously, I like them a lot better - and they look scarier without the masks. What they need to add though is for them to be able to attack with their teeth.. like latch on to you if you get close enough, and maybe an action to dodge their attack.
Wow, something to droll over, can't wait. I hope Insomniac make enough copies of this game because it's going to sell by the trailer load, hope they also shoot for a global launch date. Love to play on launch day with my Euro mates all the way from Elmsford in Westchester, NY.
That's some improvement!! Don't know why other PS3 devs can't do this well. Oh that's right, we're dumbing down our multi-plats for the 360. My mistake.
im getting the impression that this game could have been rushed ; )
psn id: ryanh7
has anyone else noticed how the newer chimera look more intelligent? it seems to me as if they look eviller, and like they are actually thinking. that's gonna make it way more intense in game.
Those aren't stalkers. Those are Goliaths - you see them in the later levels of Resistance 1.
CORRECT YOUR INFO PSU!
I love insomniac....there showing the ps3 is what it is...a beast....
It just shows that the other devs are too lazy....not the hardware being bad.....dumb devs.....Damn xbox ......it's a console that simply is stupid......This will show those xbots what's better than that gears 2.....Resistance 2.
psn id: gingo... i am so excited about this title its going to between resistance 2 and metal gear solid for GOTY
hi gingo... u know me.
Pretty.
just me or duz the armor for resistance 2 look kinda like r&c?
The new chimera on the last pic looks kick a** cant wait to get this game and + 60online THIS IS A MUST GAME for anyone
psn id J08hawks
IM getting that game
This game is AWESOME!!!!!
Can't wait to play it
Insomniac games are developer gods. Must buy, day one! Possibly my first pre-order ever.
Ok, I know its to early but lets compare some second year PS3 games to second year 360 games. PS3: MGS4 and Resistance 2 look and will play way better than HALO 3 and Bioshock. So which console is doing better with the timeframe given? I think we all agree with PS3!
I agree with you Lp47PS3.....I think PS3 is finally starting to gain some ground. And Halo 3's 16 player online to Resistance 2's 60 player. It'll hopefully beat Halo's online.
WOAH!!!!Now THAT is progress ps3 style,and Resistance 2 haswn't even kicked into high gear yet!!
can't wait getting it day 1 peace
I can't wait for this game. I loved the first one and am still playing it. As with most series progressions, they improve and Insomniac has done a phenomenal job on the PS3. It is truly amazing what they are beginning to pull of on the PS3. I don't think this game has been hyped at all and I am not worried about a letdown as many titles on both consoles have done in the past. I have full confidence in Insomniac and what they are capable of achieving. I just hope it releases on time. From graphics to AI, Insomniac is reported to be pushing the bar even higher for this series which I think will become a flagship for the PS3 like Gears for the 360.
this is our halo for the ps3
This is not our HALO...This is our Resistance and I 'll be picking it up on day one Just like I did with R:FOM on launch day.
id say halo is more the flagship for 360 considering sales and that gears is for pc aswell, and R2 will probably be awesome! Insomniac are great devs
what games come out in now in spring for the ps3? couse i need something to play while im waiting for R2 and FFXIII and so on
I love insomniac.
Wow,Resistance 2=BEAST!
Day one buy for me
BTW I hope they show us some gameplay footage soon!;)
I can't belive this game gonna rock so hard that xbox will die in one day after game comes out
This game looks awesome.
I sure hope you can take control of a goliath in this one.
quite remarkable
nice
if u look only at the pictures of R2, u think 'nothing special' but now... WOW xD
^^
I hope that they make this game motion more fluid and not stiff which is why I didn't play RFoM 1 all the through. Although the game graphics are off the hook they should had include more gore like when you kill a Chimera they just hit the ground where the guts, blood body part flying I would also like to see a transition from FPS to TPS sort of an option maybe include both.
can't wait for this game does any1 no when abouts this game is coming out???
q4 proly
Awsome! this is definatly a 1st day purchase!
awesome game !
well..the goliaths still look the same and all they did was change the looks of the hybrids??and yea the background does look different and the colors are better,but wat we need is the info on the background of the game and a bit of the story line!!!
omg
I hope there is a demo of this but if not so be it, this game's progression is already apparent.
I will be getting this on pre order, it looks great and i loved the original, keep it going Insomniac
sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mannn.... i'ts awesome!!!!!!
Gief that game!!!!!!!!
yea dis game looks preety crazy.......its gonna b my first pre-order:)
Damn those pics made me realize Resistance 1 to resistance 2 is a huge leap in every way, almost as if it was a new game for a nex-gen system that will come out with the games release.
i still play resistance 1 online. this is going to be AMAZING online. First Day its mine
i thinkall of us agree this is a day one buy we will forget all about cod 4 o and HALO WHO? the year of the playstation
puhlease,this game is definitely not gonna be better than cod4 and insomniac is not one of the best?
Insomniac is one of the best company for making good and attractive games.Yes this gonna be better then cod 4 belive me.
Could it be... do I see COULOR in resistance for me the 1 toned game play ussaly either blue or tanned was the one big downfall of the game cas all it manged to do was make me feel depressed while playing it
Of course this game is going to be better than COD4! Haven't you read anything on it yet?! 60 player squad based online combat crushes anything that's been done before it, period!
As far as the single player, the first Resistance is already better than COD4 in that department... so the two seperate campaigns in Resistance 2 will easily crush COD4 in that department too.
This is looking real good.... Can't wait for it to become a reality. Will definately get this game as soon as it hits the shelves. I will also keep supporting Insomniac as the are one of the very few developers that actually worked hard to get their heads around the Cell technology... And the got it right for sure. And things will only get better and better.
Resistance :Fall Of Man was my first game on the PS3, I recently finished Rachet & Clank and I was actually suprised at how much fun that game was...
So I will wait for Insomniac to bring out the next list of games and I'll pick 'em up as they come along.
ths game looks like it will be amazing, especially when we know that the last resistence already delivered