Sniper Elite: Resistance is the latest chapter in Rebellion's long-standing saga of WWII stealth and sniping. As someone who's spent considerable time with this game, I can say it captures the essence of what made the series beloved but also highlights a creeping sense of familiarity that borders on the mundane.
The gameplay mechanics are where Resistance shines brightest. The sniping is as tense and rewarding as ever, with the signature X-ray kill cam providing that visceral satisfaction of watching a bullet navigate through the human body with grotesque detail. The game maintains its commitment to tactical stealth, encouraging players to use patience and strategy rather than brute force. Yet, while the core gameplay loop is still engaging, it's hard to shake the feeling that you've played this before. Each mission feels like a remix of previous levels from Sniper Elite 5, with new locales but the same old song.
Sniper Elite: Resistance introduces Harry Hawker as the protagonist, replacing the series' mainstay, Karl Fairburne. Harry's character brings a fresh, somewhat lighter tone to the narrative, which is still steeped in the grim realities of WWII. However, the story here doesn’t venture beyond the familiar territory of thwarting Nazi superweapons and covert operations. It's serviceable for driving the gameplay forward but lacks the depth or twists to make it memorable on its own.
Visually, resistance is a mixed bag. The environments are well-crafted, providing a beautiful backdrop to the action, with some levels standing out for their atmospheric detail. However, character models and animations seem stuck in the past, not fully utilizing the power of current-gen consoles or high-end PCs. The sound design, on the other hand, continues to excel, with the gunfire, environmental noises, and the iconic sound of a bullet piercing flesh all contributing to an immersive experience.
One of the strengths of Sniper Elite games has always been replayability, and Resistance is no different. Multiple paths, optional objectives, and collectibles encourage multiple playthroughs. The addition of propaganda challenges, which are timed stealth or sniping tasks, adds a new layer of challenge. However, the lack of significant innovation in mission structure or enemy AI might not be enough to keep veterans of the series hooked for long.
The multiplayer aspects, including co-op and the adversarial Axis Invasion mode from Sniper Elite 5, are well implemented. They offer a fun diversion from the single-player campaign, though they don't introduce anything groundbreaking to the formula.
Sniper Elite: Resistance is a game that does what it does well, but it's hard to ignore the sense of déjà vu. For fans of the series, this game will feel like a comfortable pair of boots, offering more of the tactical sniping action they love. However, for those looking for progression or evolution in the series, Resistance might leave you yearning for something new. It's a solid 7/10, delivering fun and replayability but not quite pushing the franchise into new, exciting territory.
This game is recommended for those who appreciate the niche of WWII sniping games without needing much innovation, but if you're looking for a reason to revisit the series after Sniper Elite 5, you might find it lacking in fresh inspiration.
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