The X-ray kill cam is still nuts
By Paul Hunter
The Sniper Elite series has long been a favourite among stealth-action fans, offering a thrilling blend of tactical shooting and stealthy gameplay. Now, developer Rebellion returns with the latest instalment, Sniper Elite: Resistance, which builds upon the franchise's established formula.
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Resistance follows the exploits of new British operative Harry Hawker as he infiltrates Nazi-occupied France on a covert mission. Unlike previous entries starring the series' stalwart protagonist Karl Fairburne, this new chapter provides a fresh perspective by placing you in the shoes of Hawker, a seasoned marksman with his own unique skillset and motivations.
Set concurrently with the events of Sniper Elite 5, Resistance follows Hawker's covert mission to infiltrate Nazi-controlled France and disrupt the Germans' sinister plans. Intelligence has revealed that the Axis powers are developing a terrifying "Wunderwaffe" or "wonder weapon" that would guarantee the Nazi win the war. Your objective is to sabotage this project and prevent the Nazis from unleashing their devastating new technology upon the Allies.
What exciting about Resistance's narrative is its focuses on the French Resistance movement. As Hawker, you'll collaborate closely with these brave partisans, working together to undermine the German occupation from within. This provides a refreshing change of pace from the lone-wolf antics of previous protagonists, allowing you to forge meaningful connections with your comrades-in-arms.
The story also benefits from a strong sense of historical authenticity. Resistance seamlessly weaves real-world events and figures into its fictional tale, grounding the experience in the harsh realities of the war. You'll encounter Nazi officers based on actual historical figures, adding a layer of gravitas to your confrontations with these antagonists.
Moreover, the narrative is bolstered by well-written dialogue and compelling character development. Hawker himself is a complex and multifaceted protagonist, driven by a mix of patriotism, pragmatism, and a hint of personal vengeance. His interactions with the French Resistance fighters, each with their own motivations and backstories, help to flesh out the story and make the stakes feel genuinely high.
Sniper Elite: Resistance's core gameplay loop revolves around carefully surveying your surroundings, planning your approach, and executing your objectives with surgical efficiency. You'll need to make full use of the game's robust stealth mechanics, utilising cover, tall grass, and environmental distractions to silently eliminate your targets without drawing unwanted attention. This is especially true if you play on the harder difficulties where alerting nearby Nazi soldiers can earn you a quick death.
Resistance appears to use the same engine that powered Sniper Elite 5, and as such, there's a strong commitment to authenticity. The ballistics system, which factors in variables like wind and distance, makes long-range shots a genuine challenge that requires careful consideration. Mastering the art of holding your breath in for a well-placed shot is immensely satisfying, especially when the gruesome X-Ray Kill Cam showcases the devastating impact of your bullet. The X-Ray Cam accurately shows the exact organs or bones you've hit and you earn XP based on how challenging it is to hit those body parts.
Resistance also provides you with a diverse array of tools and gadgets to aid in your covert operations. From silenced pistols and scoped rifles to explosives and decoys, the game offers a wealth of options to suit your playstyle. During the campaign you can also find a few workbenches in every mission, with each bench unlocking more attachments and modifications for your firearms. Experimenting with different loadouts and approaches adds a layer of strategic depth, allowing you to tackle each objective in a manner that best suits your skills and preferences.
Moreover, the level design in Resistance is a particular highlight. The environments are expansive and meticulously crafted, offering multiple paths and vantage points for you to exploit. Building may have crawl spaces for you to sneak through, or pipes on the outside for you to climb, offering many different ways to approach each situation. Whether you're sneaking through the shadows of a picturesque French town or infiltrating a heavily fortified underground Nazi stronghold, the game consistently presents you with a range of options to reach your goals.
Alongside the single-player campaign, Resistance also introduces a new gameplay mode called Propaganda Missions. These time-based challenges task you with eliminating as many enemies as possible within a set time limit, rewarding you for stealthy and precise kills. While not a revolutionary addition, these missions provide a welcome change of pace and an opportunity to hone your sharpshooting skills. In order to unlock Propaganda Missions you need to find Nazi posters in campaign missions, giving you a good incentive to search maps high and low.
Another welcome mode is the returning the Axis Invasion, where you can infiltrate the game sessions of other players. Donning the mantle of a German sniper, your objective is to hunt down and eliminate the opposing player, Harry Hawker. This cat-and-mouse dynamic adds an exciting layer of tension, as you must carefully track your target while avoiding detection yourself.
Rounding out the package is a suite of competitive online multiplayer modes. Whether you're engaging in team-based deathmatch or free-for-all skirmishes, the online component offers a thrilling test of your stealth and marksmanship abilities against skilled human opponents. For those who prefer co-operative multiplayer, the Survival mode lets you team up with up to three other players against waves of enemies. With so many different game modes to choose from, Sniper Elite: Resistance has ample replayability.
Sniper Elite: Resistance boasts a visual presentation that, while not quite revolutionary, still manages to impress. The game's environments are meticulously crafted, with a level of detail that helps to immerse you in the war-torn landscapes of Nazi-occupied France. From the picturesque French countryside to the gritty urban settings, the art direction shines, capturing the grim atmosphere of the era.
The character models look great, however, it's the game's attention to environmental storytelling that truly stands out. Scattered documents, overheard conversations, and subtle environmental cues all work together to paint a vivid picture of the Nazi-controlled world around you.
The sound design in Sniper Elite: Resistance is equally impressive, with a strong emphasis on true-to-life effects. The crack of your rifle, the thud of a body hitting the ground, and the distant rumble of artillery all contribute to the game's tense and realistic soundscape. The voice acting, delivered in a range of accents and languages, is generally well-done, helping to bring the diverse cast of characters to life.
One particularly noteworthy aspect of the audio is the way it is used to enhance the game's stealth mechanics. The sound of your footsteps, the rustling of leaves, and the clink of spent cartridges all serve as crucial feedback, allowing you to gauge your approach and adjust your tactics accordingly. The attention to detail in this regard is commendable, as it directly impacts the core gameplay loop.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Genre: Tactical Shooter, Stealth
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
The Sniper Elite series has long been a favourite among stealth-action fans, offering a thrilling blend of tactical shooting and stealthy gameplay. Now, developer Rebellion returns with the latest instalment, Sniper Elite: Resistance, which builds upon the franchise's established formula.
Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Resistance follows the exploits of new British operative Harry Hawker as he infiltrates Nazi-occupied France on a covert mission. Unlike previous entries starring the series' stalwart protagonist Karl Fairburne, this new chapter provides a fresh perspective by placing you in the shoes of Hawker, a seasoned marksman with his own unique skillset and motivations.
Set concurrently with the events of Sniper Elite 5, Resistance follows Hawker's covert mission to infiltrate Nazi-controlled France and disrupt the Germans' sinister plans. Intelligence has revealed that the Axis powers are developing a terrifying "Wunderwaffe" or "wonder weapon" that would guarantee the Nazi win the war. Your objective is to sabotage this project and prevent the Nazis from unleashing their devastating new technology upon the Allies.
What exciting about Resistance's narrative is its focuses on the French Resistance movement. As Hawker, you'll collaborate closely with these brave partisans, working together to undermine the German occupation from within. This provides a refreshing change of pace from the lone-wolf antics of previous protagonists, allowing you to forge meaningful connections with your comrades-in-arms.
The story also benefits from a strong sense of historical authenticity. Resistance seamlessly weaves real-world events and figures into its fictional tale, grounding the experience in the harsh realities of the war. You'll encounter Nazi officers based on actual historical figures, adding a layer of gravitas to your confrontations with these antagonists.
Moreover, the narrative is bolstered by well-written dialogue and compelling character development. Hawker himself is a complex and multifaceted protagonist, driven by a mix of patriotism, pragmatism, and a hint of personal vengeance. His interactions with the French Resistance fighters, each with their own motivations and backstories, help to flesh out the story and make the stakes feel genuinely high.
Sniper Elite: Resistance's core gameplay loop revolves around carefully surveying your surroundings, planning your approach, and executing your objectives with surgical efficiency. You'll need to make full use of the game's robust stealth mechanics, utilising cover, tall grass, and environmental distractions to silently eliminate your targets without drawing unwanted attention. This is especially true if you play on the harder difficulties where alerting nearby Nazi soldiers can earn you a quick death.
Resistance appears to use the same engine that powered Sniper Elite 5, and as such, there's a strong commitment to authenticity. The ballistics system, which factors in variables like wind and distance, makes long-range shots a genuine challenge that requires careful consideration. Mastering the art of holding your breath in for a well-placed shot is immensely satisfying, especially when the gruesome X-Ray Kill Cam showcases the devastating impact of your bullet. The X-Ray Cam accurately shows the exact organs or bones you've hit and you earn XP based on how challenging it is to hit those body parts.
Resistance also provides you with a diverse array of tools and gadgets to aid in your covert operations. From silenced pistols and scoped rifles to explosives and decoys, the game offers a wealth of options to suit your playstyle. During the campaign you can also find a few workbenches in every mission, with each bench unlocking more attachments and modifications for your firearms. Experimenting with different loadouts and approaches adds a layer of strategic depth, allowing you to tackle each objective in a manner that best suits your skills and preferences.
Moreover, the level design in Resistance is a particular highlight. The environments are expansive and meticulously crafted, offering multiple paths and vantage points for you to exploit. Building may have crawl spaces for you to sneak through, or pipes on the outside for you to climb, offering many different ways to approach each situation. Whether you're sneaking through the shadows of a picturesque French town or infiltrating a heavily fortified underground Nazi stronghold, the game consistently presents you with a range of options to reach your goals.
Alongside the single-player campaign, Resistance also introduces a new gameplay mode called Propaganda Missions. These time-based challenges task you with eliminating as many enemies as possible within a set time limit, rewarding you for stealthy and precise kills. While not a revolutionary addition, these missions provide a welcome change of pace and an opportunity to hone your sharpshooting skills. In order to unlock Propaganda Missions you need to find Nazi posters in campaign missions, giving you a good incentive to search maps high and low.
Another welcome mode is the returning the Axis Invasion, where you can infiltrate the game sessions of other players. Donning the mantle of a German sniper, your objective is to hunt down and eliminate the opposing player, Harry Hawker. This cat-and-mouse dynamic adds an exciting layer of tension, as you must carefully track your target while avoiding detection yourself.
Rounding out the package is a suite of competitive online multiplayer modes. Whether you're engaging in team-based deathmatch or free-for-all skirmishes, the online component offers a thrilling test of your stealth and marksmanship abilities against skilled human opponents. For those who prefer co-operative multiplayer, the Survival mode lets you team up with up to three other players against waves of enemies. With so many different game modes to choose from, Sniper Elite: Resistance has ample replayability.
Sniper Elite: Resistance boasts a visual presentation that, while not quite revolutionary, still manages to impress. The game's environments are meticulously crafted, with a level of detail that helps to immerse you in the war-torn landscapes of Nazi-occupied France. From the picturesque French countryside to the gritty urban settings, the art direction shines, capturing the grim atmosphere of the era.
The character models look great, however, it's the game's attention to environmental storytelling that truly stands out. Scattered documents, overheard conversations, and subtle environmental cues all work together to paint a vivid picture of the Nazi-controlled world around you.
The sound design in Sniper Elite: Resistance is equally impressive, with a strong emphasis on true-to-life effects. The crack of your rifle, the thud of a body hitting the ground, and the distant rumble of artillery all contribute to the game's tense and realistic soundscape. The voice acting, delivered in a range of accents and languages, is generally well-done, helping to bring the diverse cast of characters to life.
One particularly noteworthy aspect of the audio is the way it is used to enhance the game's stealth mechanics. The sound of your footsteps, the rustling of leaves, and the clink of spent cartridges all serve as crucial feedback, allowing you to gauge your approach and adjust your tactics accordingly. The attention to detail in this regard is commendable, as it directly impacts the core gameplay loop.
The Verdict
Rebellion's latest installment in the Sniper Elite franchise, Resistance, is a solid entry that will undoubtedly satisfy longtime fans of the series. While it may not reinvent the wheel, the game's core stealth-action gameplay remains as compelling as ever, with a focus on methodical, tactical approaches to each objective. Hawker's introduction as the new protagonist is a welcome change, offering a fresh perspective on the Sniper Elite formula. When you toss in a ton of single-player and multiplayer game modes beyond the core campaign, Resistance offers a meaty package that tactical shooting fans should not miss.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Sniper Elite: Resistance details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PCDeveloper: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Genre: Tactical Shooter, Stealth
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
A key was provided by the publisher.