The golden age of annual Grand Theft Auto releases has long passed, but during that time, many games emerged to fill the void for fans of open-world crime dramas. Titles like True Crime, Saints Row, and Mafia catered to players hungry for more. Similarly, since 2017’s Sniper Elite 4, Rebellion’s Sniper Elite series has offered a familiar alternative to the acclaimed Hitman franchise. While Sniper Elite: Resistance doesn’t reinvent the wheel or aim to surpass IO Interactive’s masterpiece, it serves as a dependable continuation for fans eager for another stealth-based, sandbox shooter.
Having played around 90 minutes of the game’s third mission ahead of its January release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X|S (including day-one availability on Game Pass), I found it to deliver the same enjoyable experience that defined its predecessors. Like Hitman, Sniper Elite: Resistance offers sprawling, open-ended levels where creativity reigns supreme. From carefully planned stealth kills to all-out chaos, the game lets players approach objectives however they see fit. Whether you’re methodically clearing maps of Nazi adversaries or experimenting with creative kills reminiscent of Agent 47’s antics, the gameplay remains engaging.
The Familiar Yet Rewarding Sandbox
Each mission comes loaded with a main objective and a suite of optional tasks: collecting intel, locating ally hideouts, destroying enemy depots, or taking out high-value targets. These objectives encourage exploration and experimentation, transforming the game’s massive levels into rich playgrounds for stealth enthusiasts. The satisfaction of tackling objectives in any order and revisiting areas to uncover secrets adds a layer of depth to the gameplay.
For instance, while nearing the end of one mission, I retraced my steps to uncover a hidden ally hideout I had missed earlier. Using drainpipes and ledges to scale a building, I finally checked the side quest off my list, feeling a rewarding sense of accomplishment. This freedom to chart your own course through each map is one of Sniper Elite’s greatest strengths, providing a sense of agency and replayability.
A New Protagonist and Added Depth
Resistance introduces some changes to keep things fresh, including new Propaganda missions that cast players as resistance fighters, adding replayability to its expansive levels. For the first time in the series, the protagonist isn’t Karl Fairburne. Instead, players take on the role of Harry Hawker, a British soldier previously relegated to co-op campaigns. This shift brings a fresh perspective to the story, though it remains rooted in the familiar WWII setting of France.
A Comforting Stealth Experience
At its core, Sniper Elite remains the comfort food of the stealth-action genre. The X-ray bullet cam—while divisive among fans—returns, though players can toggle it off for a smoother experience. The game’s lack of drastic innovation might be a downside for some, but for fans of the series, it’s akin to revisiting a favorite meal: familiar, satisfying, and always dependable.
While Resistance may not deliver groundbreaking changes, its blend of open-ended gameplay, stealth mechanics, and new elements like Propaganda missions ensures it remains a compelling entry in the series. In a landscape temporarily absent of Agent 47, Sniper Elite: Resistance fills the void admirably, offering another plate of satisfying, historically infused stealth action for those still hungry.
Leave feedback about this