Video game:Sony PlayStation 3 Resistance 2

Video games continuously stimulate the imaginations of their players. By providing gamers the chance to craft their own destinies, they give new meaning to the term "alternate reality." Games that take place outside accepted history provide even more fodder for the imagination. Sony released one such game, "Resistance 2," in 2008 for the PlayStation 3.

"Resistance 2" is a first-person shooter game in which players must defeat an alien race known as the Chimera. It is the sequel to "Resistance: Fall of Man," which Sony released in 2006. The game takes place within an alternate reality in which peace reigned in Europe after World War I, and therefore World War II never took place. The game designers use the Tunguska event-a large explosion that occurred in Siberia in 1908 due to an asteroid impact-as an explanation for the Chimera's appearance on Earth. "Fall of Man" takes place as the Chimera begin to spread over Europe. Sgt. Nathan Hale, the game's protagonist, must lead a task force to retrieve a weapon powerful enough to fight the aliens. In the second game in the series, Hale travels to the United States where the Chimera began invading both the East and West coasts.

"Resistance 2's" marketing took place across multiple mediums. Sony developed several interactive websites for use in an alternate reality game that blended "Resistance 2" with real life. This marketing method gained traction during the early 2000s and led "Resistance 2" to sell just over half a million copies during its release.

Though less successful than its predecessor, critics received "Resistance 2" positively and especially praised its graphical improvements. Gamepro claimed that the game was "bigger, bolder and better than the first." Its success led to the release of "Resistance 3" in September 2011.