Sniper Elite: Resistance review

One of the most satisfying things in the world of video games is lining up a perfect long-distance shot in a Sniper Elite game before pulling the trigger and having the x-ray kill cam kick in, showing the results of your handiwork in all its gory detail. After so many entries in the series, as well as numerous Zombie Army games, it’s surprising it hasnt grown old yet, but having spent hours with Sniper Elite: Resistance, I’m happy to report that it still remains fun as heck.

Coming years after the brilliant Sniper Elite 5, Sniper Elite: Resistance puts players in control of Harry Hawker, a new protagonist who sounds a bit like a poundshop Jason Statham. If you’ve grown fond of Karl Fairburne, don’t worry: the reason for the change of protagonist here is the same reason that it isn’t called Sniper Elite 6. You see, its story runs parallel to Sniper Elite 5, and Karl Fairburne, as skilled as he is, can’t be in two places at once.

In any case, the story itself isn’t anything new: catching wind that the Germans are attempting to develop a super weapon to turn the tide of war, you’ve got the task of ruining their plans along with the help of the resistance. That means visiting numerous picturesque locations and completing a range of objectives in any way you see fit. You might try to be a ghost, sneaking behind enemy lines to skilfully lift intel, sabotage equipment and take out targets without being seen or heard. Or you might go in all-guns-blazing, maiming all Nazis that dare stand in your path. It’s your call.

If this formula sound familiar, it’s because it is: Sniper Elite: Resistance ultimately feels like a standalone expansion for Sniper Elite 5, having all the same features and modes including Axis Invasion, where players can invade other players’ games, Dark Souls-style, in order to try and take them down. And there’s once again a hint of Hitman here, too, with the freedom to complete objectives in multiple ways and in any order you wish. You can unlock new starting locations for replays, too, and expand your weapon customisation options by locating workbenches.

Some may find the overfamiliarity a bit disappointing, but fans of the series are likely to find the prospect of more missions to undertake and master very alluring indeed. As ever, the experience is highly customisable, too: a wide range of difficulty options are available, and when it comes to sniping, the effects of gravity and wind can be toggled on and off. Whether you have played all of the previous Sniper Elite games or this is your first, you’ll be able to enjoy what’s on offer here with a bit of tweaking.

There are some issues outside of Sniper Elite: Resistance possibly feeling overly familiar for some, though. There’s the AI, for example, which sometimes goes out of its way to break your immersion in the game’s world. Some Nazis appear to be incredibly stupid. The cover system can also be a bit finicky at times, and don’t be surprised if Harry sometimes refuses to mantle over a small wall you should be able to cross, or gets stuck on some scenery.

Presentation is also something that might be a bugbear for some. Playing Sniper Elite: Resistance on PS5 Pro for review, I’ve had no performance issues whatsoever, but it’s not surprising given that its visuals have a bit of an antiquated feel them. With its outdated character animations juxtaposed against sharp and detailed textures, it sometimes gives the impression that you’re playing a remaster of late-gen PS3 game. Not that it matters all that much, but there’s certainly somewhat of a budget feel.

Still, there’s no denying that Sniper Elite: Resistance is largely an enjoyable experience, with only some minor issues and a sense of over-familiarity bringing it down a little. So whether you’re a series fan who wants yet more opportunities to shoot Nazis in the knackers, or a newcomer simply wanting a game that allows you to sneak, snipe or assault your way to success through multiple open levels, you’d we wise to give this latest entry in the Sniper Elite series some attention.

This review of Sniper Elite: Resistance is based on the PS5 version, with a code provided by the game’s publisher. It’s available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.