The Sniper Elite series has consistently brought us deeper into the chaos of World War II, evolving over time into a thrilling stealth-action experience reminiscent of the well-loved Hitman games. Players are invited to step into the boots of a saboteur determined to disrupt the Nazi regime from within. The series truly shines in capturing the intensity of covert operations, culminating in that one satisfying, stealthy shot that takes down an unwary Nazi – enhanced by the unforgettable X-ray kill cam feature.
In Sniper Elite: Resistance, Rebellion, the game’s developer, continues to build on Sniper Elite 5’s expansive, open-ended missions. The game retains the series’ signature schlocky flair as you decimate Nazis with style. This time, however, the spotlight shifts to another key figure in the story, offering fans a fresh perspective. I had the chance to dive into a sneak preview of a mission that involved blowing up a massive German train and slipping through a hotel teeming with intel, and it was clear this new installment has plenty to offer.
Resistance runs parallel to the tales of Sniper Elite 5, but it focuses on British commando Harry Hawker. Many will remember Harry as the alternate character available in the cooperative mode alongside Karl Fairburne. Resistance essentially gives us a glimpse into Harry’s escapades while Karl embarked on his own adventure in the previous game. Our story follows Harry’s efforts as he aims to weaken Nazi authority and bolster the French resistance, all while giving off that unmistakable Jason Statham vibe.
While Sniper Elite 5 offered DLCs that took Karl into secret bases across France, the creators saw untapped potential in crafting a standalone campaign. Shaw from Rebellion remarked, “We realized there was a lot left to explore in France’s theater of the war. Developing a whole campaign made more sense for a richer player experience than numerous smaller updates like in Sniper Elite 5.”
True to the series, Resistance plunges players into dense, enemy-ridden territories. You’ll use your trusty sniper rifle alongside binoculars to tag targets and scout ahead, plus a slew of secondary tools for sabotage and distraction. The Hitman-style mechanics are intact, allowing players to creatively dispatch their foes or solve problems in unique ways. Despite being capable in a firefight, Harry thrives when deploying stealth tactics to evade detection – an approach that usually keeps you out of trouble, given just how quickly he can be overwhelmed in open combat. The enemy AI plays its part well in maintaining the challenge, although there were a few quirky moments where it didn’t quite act as intelligently as expected.
Shaw explained the design intent for Sniper Elite: Resistance by mentioning, “Our goal is to provide players with a toolbox of options in any scenario. From observing and marking points of interest to choosing to snipe from afar or stick to shadows – we want players to approach objectives uniquely.”
One particular mission stood out, offering a complex and vertically layered environment that let players follow various routes to their objective. On one hand, my attempt to stealthily cross a bridge ended in chaos after being detected. On the other hand, another try saw me approach through a train yard, checking off a side mission to demolish a train while thinning out enemy numbers and picking off priority targets.
The real highlight was infiltrating a hotel teeming with hidden entryways and secret paths around locked doors, accessed by scaling the building. My getaway via zipline into the streets below marked the mission’s pinnacle, adding an exhilarating close to the events.
For those familiar with Sniper Elite 5, Resistance might feel like a familiar yet engaging continuation. It leans into the series’ established principles rather than introducing drastic changes. An intriguing addition is the hidden propaganda missions embedded within each level, where you assume the roles of other resistance members with unique storylines and goals, though I couldn’t explore this feature just yet.
With a campaign on par with Sniper Elite 5’s length, Resistance serves as a great companion piece to its predecessor while also being an accessible entry for newcomers. The game promises the familiar thrill of striking down fascists and liberating towns, all wrapped up in the exhilarating and ever-impressive kill cam sequences that fans have come to adore.
