It’s Been 20 Years Since This “Halo-Killer” Dropped On PS3—We Haven’t Heard From It Since 2012

Even now, Halo is one of the most recognizable names in first-person shooter games. I became a huge fan after playing Halo: Combat Evolved, and I was eager for more. Soon after the first Halo came out, many other games tried to compete with it, earning the label “Halo-Killer.” These games, mostly released in the early to mid-2000s, aimed to surpass Halo in popularity, but it proved incredibly difficult. The original Halo trilogy dominated the FPS genre, making it a tough competitor to beat.

While many games tried to compete with Halo, Resistance: Fall of Man was a particularly notable attempt. Released in 2006, it represented a significant shift for Insomniac Games, the studio known for family-friendly franchises like Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank. They wanted to create something more mature for the PlayStation 3. Although Resistance: Fall of Man didn’t quite reach the same level of success as Halo, it remains a memorable “Halo-killer.” The game launched successfully with the PS3, but after several sequels and spin-offs, the Resistance series appears to have stalled.

20 Years Later, Resistance: Fall of Man Demonstrates Insomniac Games’ Eagerness to Dive Into Darker Waters

Resistance: Fall of Man was a big departure for Insomniac Games, known for its colorful, family-friendly platformers, and it showed a new side to their development skills. In terms of how it plays, Resistance: Fall of Man is considered one of the best games on the PlayStation 3. It features responsive controls, a wide variety of weapons, and fast-paced, exciting combat. However, what truly stands out about Resistance: Fall of Man is its compelling story.

Insomniac Games is well-known for its platforming games, but their very first title, Disruptor, was actually a first-person shooter.

Resistance: Fall of Man’s Alternate History Still Stands Out After Two Decades

While Halo is set in the future, Resistance: Fall of Man has a retro feel, taking place in 1950s Britain. Players control American soldier Nathan Hale as he and allied forces battle an alien invasion by the Chimera. A mission gone wrong leads to Hale being infected, but instead of turning into one of them, he gains immunity and enhanced abilities, becoming a powerful super-soldier. With its unique 1950s setting and imaginative take on an alien invasion, Resistance: Fall of Man remains one of the most original worlds in the first-person shooter genre.

The Chimera is a Highlight, While Nathan Hale Struggles to Reach Master Chief Status

Resistance: Fall of Man shares a lot of similarities with the Halo series, particularly in how it features a frightening alien enemy. The Chimera, an invading force that grows by infecting others, is reminiscent of Halo’s Flood, but it presents a unique and terrifying threat all its own.

However, Nathan doesn’t really stand out as a character. While Master Chief is known for being stoic, he still manages to show emotion even through his armor. Many games have tried to replicate that subtle depth, but haven’t succeeded.

Despite a weak villain in Nathan, Resistance: Fall of Man is still a really enjoyable game. While it’s showing its age a bit, the core gameplay remains surprisingly fun and engaging.

The Resistance Franchise Had a Solid Six-Year Run That Abruptly Came to an End

Over six years, five games in the Resistance series were released. However, each new game earned less money than the last, which is why the series eventually ended. Despite this, fans still hope for a reboot of the Resistance franchise.

Every Resistance Game in Order

Resistance: Fall of Man (2006)
Resistance 2 (2008)
Resistance: Retribution (2009, Bend Studio)
Resistance 3 (2011)
Resistance: Burning Skies (2012, Nihilistic Software)

I’m a big fan of the Resistance games, and it feels like a lot of people have forgotten about them, which is a shame. Honestly, I bet there’s a whole new generation of gamers who’ve never even heard of it! We’re all wondering if the series is just gone for good, or if it’s just waiting for the right moment to come back. I really hope we see another Resistance game someday, whether it’s a continuation of the story or a fresh start.

Will Insomniac Ever Bring Resistance Back From the Dead?

A new Resistance game doesn’t seem likely at the moment, but it’s not out of the question. Last year, Insomniac Games CEO Ted Price mentioned the possibility of revisiting the series in an interview with Kinda Funny Games. He revealed that Resistance 4 was proposed to Sony, but ultimately wasn’t approved for development, explaining that the timing and market conditions weren’t right.

The release timing of the final Resistance game, Burning Skies, is also significant. Just a year later, The Last of Us became a massive hit on the PS3, and it really changed things. After The Last of Us demonstrated a new style of storytelling in games, Sony started prioritizing story-focused, third-person adventures. Titles like God of War (2018), the Horizon series, Ghost of Tsushima, and Ghost Yotei have since become PlayStation staples. Now that Insomniac Games, with games like Marvel’s Spider-Man and the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine, is fully aligned with Sony’s direction, it’s unlikely we’ll see a new Resistance game – it will probably remain a fondly remembered part of gaming’s past, a reminder of when developers were trying to create alternatives to Halo.

2026-01-23 00:35