For two decades, Sniper Elite has steadily risen to the top ranks of the stealth-action genre, renowned for giving players the freedom to tackle objectives and dispatch foes their way. Enter Sniper Elite: Resistance, a fresh installment that reinforces this essential identity.
Though it’s technically a spinoff rather than a direct sequel, Sniper Elite: Resistance casts players as Harry Hawker, a Special Operations Executive agent on a mission to thwart a secret Nazi super-weapon that could endanger the forthcoming D-Day operation. This adventure takes Hawker through the battlegrounds of World War II France. Essentially, Sniper Elite: Resistance delivers precisely what fans anticipate—no more, no less.
In the tradition of its predecessors, Sniper Elite: Resistance boasts a campaign that’s the heart of the experience. Comprising nine missions, the campaign promises about 10 hours of gameplay for most, though this can vary depending on one’s approach. A hallmark of the series, the emphasis on variety and player autonomy is strongly present. Before tackling a mission, players can tailor their loadouts with an assortment of sniper rifles, SMGs, pistols, and numerous unlockable attachments, impacting weapon performance. Players also have access to tools like mines and diversions.
Once equipped, players enter expansive, open-ended maps with at least three primary missions and secret side quests awaiting discovery. Similar to recent titles, how these are approached is entirely up to the player—whether stealthily, guns-blazing, or a blend of both. This freedom is complemented by the game’s broad mission diversity. The missions take players to varied locales, each with multiple points of interest to explore. One mission may lead players through an old French village outskirts, into a medieval castle-turned-Nazi stronghold, and finally, into a covert underground armory, while another shifts the action to a multi-floor hotel, nearby neighborhoods, and a local train yard.
Each mission feels distinct, thanks to thoughtful environmental design. These settings straddle a nice balance between uniqueness and realism, providing stages that appear credible with authentic architecture and detailed environments.
While the environments change constantly, the main objectives mainly involve infiltrating areas, retrieving documents, or demolition, followed by a swift exit. Occasionally, missions require targeting a high-value adversary. However, the variability in settings, gameplay opportunities, and story context keeps these tasks compelling throughout the campaign.
On the flip side, the story is simple and straightforward. Players chase down the Nazi arsenal across France, which, although not deeply explored, serves its purpose in motivating the narrative and the action of the game.
Yet, Sniper Elite: Resistance’s protagonist, Harry Hawker, can be somewhat off-putting with a harsh, exaggerated cockney accent that seems misplaced in the game’s otherwise grounded setting and storyline. The discrepancy between the voice and character model might be part of a broader concern addressed below.
Sniper Elite: Resistance is more than just its campaign; the return of the Axis Invasion mode, introduced in Sniper Elite 5, might just steal the spotlight. This mode invites a real player to intrude on another’s mission, leading to an exhilarating game of cat and mouse. A notification signals the invasion, setting off a tense duel that can result in some of Sniper Elite’s most memorable moments. Players must now use their strategies not only against AI but a real, thinking opponent, making for a thrilling experience.
The game also includes traditional multiplayer modes like deathmatch and survival, along with the new Propaganda Challenge mode, accessed via on-board posters in each level. Although these challenges offer a short-term diversion, they may not hold players’ interest beyond an initial playthrough.
Long-time fans of Sniper Elite know that while the game offers the option to charge ahead with guns blazing, real gratification comes from a more methodical approach. The best results come from taking the time to scout, plan, and execute. For new players, overcoming this learning curve uncovers the satisfaction derived from each completed mission phase—from using binoculars to tag enemy patrols to crafting and executing a strategy step-by-step.
This sense of accomplishment only heightens with the proper use of tools like decoys and explosives, aligning sniper shots with loud environmental noise, and outmaneuvering real individuals during Axis Invasions.
Technically, the game has its ups and downs. While the environments are detailed and the atmospheric lighting is impressive, character models lack polish, especially in the sepia-toned cinematic sequences that highlight the game’s subdued facial details. Some animations feel out of place but don’t significantly disrupt gameplay.
Familiar issues, like occasional AI inconsistencies and characters clipping through the environment, mark the technical performance. These problems, while minor, could frustrate players if left unaddressed by Rebellion developers.
Despite its quirks, Sniper Elite: Resistance’s X-Ray bullet-cam remains as gruesomely satisfying as fans would expect, motivating players to master their shots with precision.
Sniper Elite: Resistance debuts as a day-one Xbox Game Pass release, a compelling option for subscribers or a convincing reason to try a month-long subscription.
In conclusion, Sniper Elite: Resistance doesn’t revolutionize the series or the genre but focuses on providing a complete, entertaining experience that continues the franchise’s legacy without venturing far from its roots.
