Sniper Elite: Resistance Sticks Close To The Series, And I Couldn't Be Happier About It

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There aren't many games where one mechanic can leave such a significant impression on me, but Sniper Elite is at the top of the list. Specifically, the way you can zoom in and see an X-Ray of your enemy that you are shooting at to watch as the insides of their skull explode is probably one of the most gruesome, coolest mechanics I have seen in a game. And after trying it out, I am confident the good times will continue in Sniper Elite's newest entry, Sniper Elite: Resistance.

Like the other games in the series, you play as a sniper in the third person with a mission to complete. You are dropped onto a decently sized map and can tackle the mission you were assigned however you want to. You can try going full stealth and making sure nobody notices you with your sniper, or go all out and start shooting everyone that shows up with your automatic machine gun or pistol. You have multiple other tools in your arsenal to contribute, like being able to sabotage alarms and boobytrap bodies or use grenades to take down groups of soldiers.

In a way, Sniper Elite is a third-person sandbox, and while it isn’t a free form as something like HITMAN is, it’s still a very enjoyable romp that feels wonderful to play. In past games, I would find myself roaming around the map trying to trick shots with my sniper to see what close-up X-Ray shots I could get, and there are some pretty gory ones. There was one where the bullet went straight through an enemy’s eye and made it explode one that deflated a brain, and even one that popped a testicle. It’s a well-made experience with a solid story attached to it and a very beautiful world to run around in.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is more of the same, which isn’t a bad thing. Rebellion has a great gameplay loop and premise, and while I generally like to see companies trying something new, I’m glad they didn’t stray too far away from the mechanics that work. Other than a new story and playing a brand new protagonist, Harry Hawker, it all felt very familiar to experience. The story itself runs parallel to Sniper Elite 5, detailing a mission to get behind nazi enemy lines to stop them from completing and using a devastating weapon that could change the tides of war.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out a mission of the game and play for around 90 minutes, and I had a blast. Even though my connection wasn’t the best, since I am in Indonesia, I could still get pretty far into the mission, kill many enemies, and die many, many times. Roaming through the dark streets lit up only by street lamps and lights coming from houses made me feel like I was infiltrating enemy lines like a spy, even when I was blazing. I found that going stealthy got me a bit further and had me closer to completing the mission, but I couldn’t resist the call of using that sniper to obliterate the jaw bones of the enemy soldiers and see how it all happened in front of me.

If you are looking for a revolutionary evolutionary step in the franchise, Sniper Elite: Resistance won’t be the game for you. But that doesn’t necessarily make this a bad game. Sniper Elite’s gameplay loop and mechanics are solid, and more of the same is a nice way to unwind with something you know will be just straight fun. This is a safe bet game where you know exactly what you’re getting since you’ve played it before, but it will be a new story, levels, and updated visuals. This will be the perfect game if you’re looking for more Sniper Elite or a solid third-person shooter.

Sniper Elite: Resistance can be pre-purchased for $49.99 ahead of its January 30th release.

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