TL;DR
Sniper Elite: Resistance offers the series' signature stealth and satisfying bullet cams, but feels more like an overpriced DLC than a full game. Set in occupied France with a familiar WWII plot, the mission structure quickly becomes repetitive, and the graphics are a noticeable step back from previous entries, plagued by blurriness and reused assets. While it brings back beloved modes like Axis Invasion, core mechanics suffer from sluggish controls and unimproved, predictable enemy AI. If you're a die-hard fan seeking more of the same, it might scratch an itch, but don't expect significant innovation. Curious if it's worth your hard-earned cash? Dive into the full review to find out!
The Sniper Elite series has maintained a consistent presence, and as a longtime player, I’ve experienced each iteration. The franchise’s signature slow-motion bullet cam, showcasing ballistic trajectories and anatomical penetration with brutal X-ray visuals, remains a visceral highlight. However, its impact feels somewhat diminished in this latest installment.
Upon launching the game, the immediate appearance of DLC prompts is concerning. Such solicitations for additional expenditure directly after purchase can be off-putting.
Story and Missions
Sniper Elite: Resistance marks the latest entry in Rebellion’s established World War II stealth-action series. Players assume the role of Harry Hawker, a Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent operating in Nazi-occupied France during 1944, tasked with aiding the French resistance in sabotaging a novel superweapon.
The narrative, however, lacks substantial depth. While Sniper Elite titles have not historically prioritized character development or intricate storytelling, the plot in this instance feels particularly underdeveloped.
The game comprises nine missions set across varied environments, including forests, harbor regions, and settlements. Despite the superficial visual diversity, the mission structure quickly devolves into repetition, characterized by familiar objectives such as destroying designated targets or acquiring specific documents. These objectives mirror those found in previous entries, offering little in the way of novel gameplay experiences.
Graphics and Presentation
The initial mission places the player in an elevated vantage point, overlooking a landscape populated by patrolling enemy soldiers. Rather than eliciting a sense of visual fidelity, the overall graphical quality proves underwhelming.
While the Sniper Elite series has never been renowned for AAA-level production values, the graphical presentation in this installment appears to regress compared to previous titles. Despite disabling motion blur, a pervasive blurriness persists. The art direction lacks vibrancy, the lighting appears flat, and both animations and textures exhibit noticeable reuse from Sniper Elite 5.
Game Mechanics and New Features
The “Propaganda” mode represents one of the game’s additions, introducing arcade-style challenges with time-sensitive objectives. The “Axis Invasion” multiplayer mode also returns, enabling players to infiltrate each other’s campaigns as enemy snipers, a feature known for its engaging and dynamic gameplay. Despite these elements, the core gameplay loop largely replicates previous installments, lacking significant innovation. Control responsiveness can be problematic, particularly during intense combat scenarios, and weapon switching feels somewhat sluggish.
Furthermore, the enemy AI demonstrates no discernible improvement. Opponents continue to exhibit simplistic behavior patterns, a recurring issue that detracts from the overall experience. Enemy soldiers often display minimal reaction to the elimination of their comrades or proceed directly into obvious traps. It is hoped that Rebellion will address these shortcomings in future releases by implementing more sophisticated AI behavior, thereby providing a more substantive challenge.
Conclusion Sniper Elite: Resistance
Sniper Elite: Resistance delivers the familiar stealth and sniping mechanics that resonate with series enthusiasts, but ultimately feels more akin to a downloadable content pack than a standalone title. The game gives the impression of repurposing elements from Sniper Elite 5, integrating existing concepts, and repackaging them under a new title.
This offering would have been more appropriately positioned as an expansion to the preceding game, offered at a correspondingly reduced price point.
Wendros sent a review code of this game. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our reviews.
