Resistance 2 for the Playstation 3 gets a huge update today, as well as its first downloadable content, including a bit of absurd nickel and diming.

The update finally adds the ability for multiple characters in split-screen co-op. Previously, player two was always reset to zero experience points after a game, meaning your split screen partner could never advance. That's finally fixed, making the already excellent co-op campaign even better. There's also a new "superhuman" difficulty level that offers an increased challenge and increased rewards.

In terms of paid content, you can buy three new maps for six dollars. The maps only apply to the competitive game, and they're built for twenty players (down from the biggest maps' capacity of 60 players). These three maps are from the game's better environments, including two in the Twin Falls "Main Street USA" area and a third in the Orrick logging town. These bits of 50s Americana give Resistance 2 a lot more character than the silly alien bases, so I'm glad to see Insomniac focusing their new content here. Here's hoping there are more co-op campaign maps in the works.

Finally, in a move more reminiscent of frippery like Little Big Planet than a serious shooter, Sony is selling new character models. For a dollar each, you can be either of two chicks, or one of various zombies. Whatever you do, please don't encourage Sony by buying these silly things.

You can read more details about the patch and downloadable content here.