For the past two decades, the Sniper Elite series has steadily risen to prominence in the stealth-action gaming arena, celebrated for allowing players immense creative freedom in tackling objectives and taking out targets. The latest installment, Sniper Elite: Resistance, further reinforces this legacy.
While technically a spinoff, not a mainline sequel, Sniper Elite: Resistance puts players in the shoes of Harry Hawker, a covert operative tasked with dismantling a Nazi super-weapon threatening D-Day’s success. Set against the tense backdrop of World War II in France, Resistance is exactly what fans have come to anticipate from the franchise—neither revolutionary nor lacking.
The campaign of Sniper Elite: Resistance is the heart of the experience, offering nine missions that should take the average player about 10 hours, although this can vary based on individual playstyles. One of Sniper Elite’s enduring strengths is its emphasis on variety and player choice, and Resistance embraces this fully. Before embarking on a mission, players can tailor their loadouts with an extensive selection of sniper rifles, SMGs, and pistols, each customizable with attachments that affect performance. In addition, players can arm themselves with an array of tools like mines and decoys.
Upon deployment, players are dropped into expansive, non-linear maps with multiple primary objectives and hidden side quests awaiting discovery. Much like its predecessors, Resistance grants the player the freedom to tackle these challenges in any manner, from stealthy infiltration to full-on assault, depending on the chosen loadout and approach.
This dedication to player autonomy is matched by the missions’ diversity, with each of the nine missions set in distinct locales. Whether sneaking through the outskirts of a French village, infiltrating a repurposed medieval castle, or navigating a clandestine weapons facility, the variety in each mission brings a sense of uniqueness reinforced by compelling environmental design. Sniper Elite: Resistance crafts an authentic world where each stage feels lifelike yet distinct, balanced perfectly between realism and creativity.
Some stages revisit locations, such as the dam from the first mission, but with enough changes to feel fresh, revealing new sections previously blocked off. This reuse doesn’t detract from the experience, as the core objectives in Sniper Elite: Resistance often involve infiltrating areas, stealing or destroying items, and escaping. Occasionally, tasks deviate to high-value target elimination. While not groundbreaking, the blend of settings, gameplay dynamics, and storyline keeps these tasks engaging throughout the campaign.
Though its plot is basic, merely a pursuit of a Nazi super-weapon across France, it serves its purpose. Harry Hawker’s portrayal, however, is less compelling. His over-the-top Jason Statham-esque cockney accent feels misplaced. Combined with the character model’s facial rendering, this creates a slight disconnect in an otherwise grounded narrative.
Despite such quirks, Sniper Elite: Resistance delivers a full-bodied experience. The return of the Axis Invasion mode, where players can invade each other’s missions, shines as a highlight, crafting thrilling, strategic cat-and-mouse encounters. This element, introduced in Sniper Elite 5, elevates the gameplay dynamic, forcing players to adapt their strategies and stay vigilant.
Beyond the campaign, Resistance offers additional multiplayer modes, including deathmatch and survival, adding depth for those seeking variety. A new Propaganda Challenge mode has been introduced, unlocked by discovering posters in each level. These challenges, inspired by Resident Evil’s Mercenaries mode, are a fun distraction but lack the depth for repeated playthroughs.
Patience remains integral in Sniper Elite: Resistance. While players can adopt a more aggressive playstyle, seasoned fans know that stealth is the key to fully enjoying the gameplay. For newcomers, embracing the deliberate pace—planning thoroughly, using tools strategically, and executing plans with precision—will maximize satisfaction. This approach not only thrives in Resistance’s regular missions but also becomes vital during the nail-biting Axis Invasion encounters.
Technically, Sniper Elite: Resistance doesn’t boast AAA polish, noticeable in character models that lack detail and animations that sometimes feel stiff. In other aspects, such as lighting and environmental detail, the game excels, creating immersive atmospheres. However, occasional AI issues, like sightlines through walls or getting stuck in scenery, pose minor frustrations, but are unlikely to significantly detract from the experience.
Committed Sniper Elite enthusiasts will look past these imperfections, especially as the series’ iconic X-Ray bullet cam continues to provide gruesomely satisfying moments, encouraging precise shot placement. Notably, Sniper Elite: Resistance will be accessible from day one on Xbox Game Pass, a strong incentive for subscribers and a convincing reason to consider a subscription.
Though it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, Sniper Elite: Resistance fulfills its mission, delivering a thoroughly enjoyable and complete experience that aligns with the beloved traits of the series. Its tactical depth and freedom of choice make it a worthwhile endeavor for longtime fans and newcomers eager to test their stealth prowess.
