Nazis. I hate these guys.
I am a big fan Rebellion’s Sniper Elite series, not just because I don’t tire of sniping off Nazi testicles with the games signature 3D, slow-mo kills that allow players to really see the wraith a bullet causes. But because also I love the freedom that the developers give the player to attack their goals. Players are able to go in loud or take the more stealth approach by hiding bodies and moving carefully through the large open maps. Sniper Elite 5 is a fantastic entry in the series and Resistance continues that blueprint if not a bit too much for my liking.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $49.99
In Sniper Elite: Resistance players will take control of a new lead character in Harry Hawker. Harry isn’t new to the series though as he has been seen in past games and was playable in Sniper Elite 5. Harry largely plays the exact same as the series mainstay, Karl Fairburne. Which will make the game really easy for newcomers to get into, the story of Resistance happens alongside the events of Sniper Elite 5. As with the previous games, each level is a large open area for players to explore. Harry will receive a mission before each level, but as players explore more and more of the open worlds, they will find sub-objectives and more to attack in the large areas.
Much like the Hitman games, players are able to eavesdrop on npc’s to help find opportunities to take out their targets. Indeed, one of the highlights of the Sniper Elite series is the free nature that players have to achieve their goals. As I have said, Resistance is built off the bones of Sniper Elite 5, while it’s true that this is a new area of France that wasn’t seen in the 5th entry, everything surrounding it though just feels like we have done it before. Weapon wheels, weapon stats and even the upgrade screen all of it is the same, which makes this feel more like an expansion than a full priced game.
That’s not to say that the developers haven’t added anything new to Resistance, in fact there is a new grenade type as well as a new game mode, Propaganda, which sees players tasked with completing time-based challenges, but in order to unlock these missions’ players will need to collect propaganda posters throughout the main campaign. Everything else is returning from 5, the asymmetrical multiplayer mode is back and will see players campaigns invaded by another player who is a German sniper. I wasn’t able to test this for review purposes, but I have played both sides of this mode in the last game, and it ramps up the intensity of campaign levels for sure. Another returning feature is the 16-player competitive multiplayer mode as well as the ability to play the campaign co-op with a partner.
It might sound like I didn’t enjoy Sniper Elite: Resistance but I assure you, it’s a solid entry in the Sniper Elite series just as much as 5 is. Sniping fascists and Nazi’s have never felt or looked better. Gameplay is tight, graphics are great, and there are some fun game modes. Truly, my biggest issue with the game is it just feels like it should be an expansion to Sniper Elite 5. Resistance isn’t though, it’s a full-priced game replete with season pass and the obligatory ‘Kill Hitler’ mission. I hope the next game in this legendary series does more to differentiate itself from this one with more than adding a new mode or weapon. Still, like I said at the outset; sniping Nazis is fun, and when it comes to Sniper Elite: Resistance, well, “if it ain’t broke.” as they say.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.