Publisher: Sony Price: �24.99 Format: PSP Age rating: 16+ DESIGNED to revive the PSP s flagging fortunes, Retribution is a stunning third-person shooter set weeks after the alien invasion depicted in the original Resistance game on the PS3. With Britai

Publisher: Sony

Price: �24.99

Format: PSP

Age rating: 16+

DESIGNED to revive the PSP's flagging fortunes, Retribution is a stunning third-person shooter set weeks after the alien invasion depicted in the original Resistance game on the PS3.

With Britain and Europe lying in ruins, it's up to a new protagonist - James Grayson, a former Royal Marine - to give the invading Chimera a bloody nose.

Despite his chirpy cockney accent, Grayson is an endearing chap, gamely fighting his way across Europe. After stumbling across a Chimeran conversion centre, he discovers his brother has been hideously disfigured and is forced to put him out of his misery. This causes him to go awol from the army before eventually linking up with the Maquis, a European resistance movement.

After that lengthy introduction, it's straight into the action. There are more than 20 missions to complete, each one tougher than the last, with a dozen futuristic weapons at your disposal. Each has its own strengths and you'll find yourself constantly swapping between them to take out different types of alien. As well as familiar kit such as an assault rifle and rocket launcher, there's a bunch of new weapons to play with, including a chain gun that proves particularly adept at taking down heavily-armoured Titans.

While the PSP lacks a second analogue stick - forcing players to use the face buttons to line up targets - it's not as bad as it sounds. An auto-aim system helps you zero in on an enemy, while Grayson will automatically seek cover whenever possible. It all works well and takes away some of the frustration associated with the PSP's controls.

Once you've worked through the single-player campaign, you'll find the multiplayer content is just as good. Up to eight players can compete locally or online, across five game modes and maps. As an added bonus, if you've got a PS3 and a copy of Resistance 2, you'll be able to connect your PSP to your television and play with a DualShock 3 controller.

With a top-notch orchestral score, some brilliant action sequences and a comprehensive set of multiplayer options, Resistance Retribution is one of the finest shooters to grace the PSP.