If there is only one word that could be used to describe Resistance 2, it would be huge. Monsters that make skyscrapers look like anthills: check. Two overly challenging, yet thrilling campaigns: check. Cooperative and competitive multiplayer that will have you playing for months into 2009 - you get the idea. Resistance 2 is a massive game in every sense of the word, and Insomniac's blockbuster sequel offers so much value that any PS3 owner unwilling to include it their library would be missing out on one of the best titles for the platform.

The story of Resistance 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off. Sgt. Nathan Hale, the protagonist of both games, has just finished defeating the Chimeran invasion in London and is picked up by the SRPA, a military division in charge of handling the Chimeran threat. The SRPA also deals with the securing and training of the "Specters", those who have been infected by the Chimeran virus, but are able to slowly combat the strain. Hale learns that he is not alone and that others like him remain to help lead America's last defense against the impending Chimeran invasion on American soil.

Combat can be definitely be challenging, especially when wrestling with some minor control issues.

The narrative is told through cinematic cutscenes that act as transition points between the game's seven chapters. While the original was praised for its attempt at taking on earth's "alternate history" in the early 1950's, Resistance 2 lacks such originality, and simply feels like more of the same, except in America. That's not to say that it's a not worth paying attention to. There are plenty of exciting moments, and seeing Hale's own internal struggle to control the Chimeran strain within his body is the most memorable part of the story. The origin of the virus also helps move things forward, but seems more of an afterthought used solely to help build the base for the sequel. But, without giving too much away, the finale is worth sticking around for, as gamers will be left in suspense, counting the days until Resistance 3.

The gameplay remains as fast and fluid as ever, with only a few minute bumps along its path. Hale is able to wield a decent assortment of weaponry, each with their own individual primary and secondary firing modes. The majority of weapons make their return from the original and the Bulls eye, Carbine, and LAARK are all back and feel more powerful than before. New additions include the Spider grenade, a weapon that, when thrown, releases branching magma-like lines along the ground incinerating anything in its path; a pulse cannon, capable of taking down the largest of enemies with ease; and a .44 magnum that delivers one-shot kills to most enemies as well as the ability to use fired bullets as explosive devices.

Some control problems remain, and at times can be the sole cause for having to use your checkpoints more often then you'd like. Pressing L2 makes Hale crouch, while holding it down causes him to run, and this quirk leads to the player often crouching when trying to run behind corners. While not the most pressing of matters, it does become an annoyance against some of the more aggressive enemies in the game.

The game slowly eases you into the action at a consistent pace, so that by the time you first begin your march into epic Chimeran ambushes, you won't feel too overwhelmed. However, the enemy A.I. is brutal, especially during the more difficult levels, and you will undoubtedly be trying many of the game's battle zones more than a few times. The Chimera will rush you in teams of varying formations, attack in waves using their larger Chimera brethren as cover, and throw grenades with accuracy similar to that of a MLB pitcher. But after extended use with each weapon, and knowledge of when to use cover, the challenge becomes manageable.

More impressive, though, are the mammoth bosses found at the end of most levels. Resistance 2 sees you battling 400-foot goliaths, a demonic kraken, and a xenomorphic swarm that shreds apart its victim within seconds. Every boss encounter in Resistance 2 is epic in scale and it's truly a treat to see what lies waiting for you at levels end. Not all of them go down with raw firepower either. A few force you to use a small amount of strategy to take them out and some of the bosses can only be killed using environmental damage. Every boss in the game seems to be more interesting then its previous incarnation, that is, until you reach the end. While the ending to Resistance 2 is a memorable one, its final boss is not. Daedalus, the main antagonist throughout the game and Hale's antithesis, is a fantastic letdown. Some may not place much emphasis on one boss fight, but it becomes an issue in a game where such villains seem to be the main focal point.

The single player campaign is an explosive, addictive, fast-paced journey; but its longevity, or lack thereof, cannot be overlooked. Offering less than 9 hours of gameplay, it leaves you feeling a bit cheated. Luckily, the multiplayer not only delivers unlimited amounts of competitive destruction, but a full-fledged co-op campaign as well. Co-op offers the ability for players to choose three classes: solider, special ops, and medic. Each class offers their own various strengths, and nothing is quite as fun as teaming up with seven other enlistees to help the resistance.

You are offered the ability to take part in sixty scenarios based on the levels within the single player campaign, where team unity is integral to your survival. Enemies seemingly have more health, and being an average soldier in the resistance means you no longer have the ability to regenerate - forcing each party to rely heavily on their medics. Medics carry a healing gun with infinite ammo that drains life from the Chimera and adds it to your team, but the weapon does very little damage, once again emphasizing the need for teamwork. This and other minor changes make the co-op feel like a fleshed out experience, rather than something that was tacked on for the sake of having it.

The environments are incredibly detailed, and look great.

The competitive modes shine just as brightly, and give players the chance to brawl with 59 other opponents. Modes include your standard deathmatch and team deathmatch, as well as core control and skirmish. The latter sees players being broken up into small groups, accomplishing as many objectives as they can before their opponents can do the same. What's impressive about all of Resistance's online modes is the same thing that's impressive about the game as a whole - its scope. While you rarely encounter matches that take advantage of all 60 players, you will be engaged in massive firefights and almost everything you experience online will be lag free. Considering the size of some of the larger matches, this is a remarkable achievement.

Resistance's trump card is its environments. Each level offers a truly fresh, visually dynamic experience. Hale's tour of duty will take you to the caverns of Utah, downtown Chicago, the redwood forests of California, and high in the sky aboard Chimeran motherships. The detail within the environments is engrossing and you often find yourself stopping between waves of enemies trying to take in all the different areas you've just explored. Despite a few visual blemishes here and there, this is one of the best looking games on the PS3.

When it comes down to it, Resistance 2 is bigger, faster, and just plain better than the original - and the original was quite good. It may have its shortcomings, but the sheer enormity of everything that is offered on the disc overshadows the game's minor slip-ups. From its onset, Resistance 2 throws you into a maelstrom of adrenaline-inducing action that never lets up. While it's unfortunate that the single player campaign is so brief, it simply doesn't matter in a package that will, ultimately, last as long as you want it to. Resistance 2 may not make any huge, innovative strides in advancing the first-person shooter genre, but it doesn't need to. It is a big game, with big guns, big monsters, and carries with it a big possibility to leave a lasting impression. Simply put, if you own a PlayStation 3 and don't own this game, you're losing out.