Having a long running series can be tricky, as you need to keep each installment fresh for returning players. Meanwhile, you also need to make the series approachable for new players at the same time. For many years, Rebellion’s Sniper Elite franchise has accomplished this. Does Sniper Elite: Resistance continue landing successful head shots? Or does it it a little off the mark? As a newcomer to the series, I was taken aback at how much fun I had playing this latest installment.
Developer & Publisher // Rebellion
Platforms // Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S (Xbox Game Pass Ultimate), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC
MSRP & Release Date //$49.99, January 28th, 2025
Reviewed On // Xbox Series X
Premise of Sniper Elite: Resistance
Taking place during World War II, our heroes help the French Resistance take down the Nazi threat and prevent them using a dangerous super weapon. While the story is not the focus of Sniper Elite: Resistance, the main character is talks often.
He gives his insight, presenting a gruff war vet that’s ‘seen it all’ and can easily focus on the mission at hand. In addition, cut-scenes before each mission give context to what’s going on. It helps make you care about completing objectives across the game’s nine missions.
The story functions more as a ‘set dressing’ for the dynamic gameplay experience, but what’s here is solid and enjoyable. One stand out mission regarding the game’s narrative set-up, was the opening mission. The protagonist’s interaction with a French Resistance leader felt organic and was great set up for the game’s co-op mode.
Design/Structure
Each mission of Sniper Elite: Resistance goes as such. One or two players work together to complete various objectives across rather large maps. You could tackle them in any order and once the ‘main’ missions are completed, one player must get to an evacuation point.
Upon completion of each mission, players earn skill points which can be used for three different sets of skill trees. During my playtime, I unlocked the health related skills but the game offers a wide number of options.
There are also challenges the player can complete, which unlock items and guns that can be equipped for custom load-outs. All of these options present a game that encourages unique play styles.
Gameplay of Sniper Elite: Resistance
Each mission involves one or two players exploring large maps and completing objectives. They often involve finding intel or other collectibles around the map and blowing up key locations.
There is no limit on how to approach a situation, with the AI dynamically reacting to your choices. Meaning, the game can become stealth focused or a traditional third-person shooter depending on your approach.
The Co-Op Experience
When Lord Addict of the Iron Lords Podcast and I started out, we went in guns-blazing and were met with a high level of challenge. As newcomers to the series we had to learn controls and other mechanics on the fly. By the time we hit the third mission, we found our groove and adjusted our gameplay accordingly.
The co-op support for Sniper Elite: Resistance creates a very unique experience. Since players have the freedom to explore the map with no tethering, it makes completing objectives dynamic. There were multiple times where I was exploring an underground area, while Addict was picking off foes from a distance.
This freedom did create some problems however, as when a player begins to die, you need to rush over to them to revive them. If you fail, you have to restart from the last checkpoint. Thankfully, the checkpoints and auto-saving is quite generous, but this could cause minor frustration for some.
One point of frustration that myself and Addict both experienced, was map system. While does a good job giving you the lay of the land, actively finding the objective can be cumbersome. There were multiple times we spent longer than needed trying to find things, despite being in the general area of interest the game highlighted.
Of the four missions myself and Addict played, these map problems showed up across nearly all off them.
Gunplay/Combat
The highlight of the experience was the gunplay. Every weapon I used felt fantastic to shoot with, having great impact and the game doing a great job telling you where your shot lands. In addition, the art of a good snipe is amazing.
Controls for sniping feel responsive and when you nail the skill shot, the game has a cinematic bloody kill. Slowing things down and almost going into Mortal Kombat territory, it is a visceral experience getting a great chain of sniper shoots.
While specific guns don’t feel all that different from one another, the overall shooting with pistols and assault rifles are great.
Audio
When your game is called Sniper Elite, the sounds of each gun are important to nail. The impact of every shot sounded fantastic, feeling authentic to the weapons of the era. General sound effects also have a nice crunchy impact, making every encounter sound as intense as it looks.
Musically, the score is filled with fitting music for every scene. When generally exploring, it adds to the atmosphere. But when in intense gunfights, heroic sounding war themes start blasting and it makes each encounter memorable.
The voice acting overall is solid as well, with every line-read sounding good and fitting the WWII era the game takes place in.
Presentation
Both myself and Addict were impressed with the game’s visual quality. Sporting large, expansive maps to explore, each location looks high quality. Strong lighting as you sneak or shoot your way through only helps highlight how detailed each location is.
Large mansions filled with paintings and other goodies, a vast town filled with buildings, and tunnels to explore. Each area is filled with a variety of interesting things to look at.
In addition, the game sports good animation work. One example is how your player character moves around, with Addict pointing out how realistic running up the stairs looks when my character did it.
Performance
Addict and I played on Xbox Series X, with the game running at a high resolution at a locked 60FPS. I didn’t feel a single frame rate drop during my time with the game.
I did, however, experience one time where I was disconnected from a match, It wasn’t a problem since when Addict added me back to the match, it was almost instantaneous with the fast loading times.
Closing Thoughts on Sniper Elite: Resistance
As a newcomer to this series, I walked away impressed. With vast levels to explore, varied gameplay options to take for each mission, and some impressive shooting, Sniper Elite: Resistance nails that head-shot despite minor issues with the in-game map.
I look forward to completing the game and sharing my final thoughts on Rebellions latest efforts.
Note – An Xbox Series X key was provided for the purpose of this coverage.
