Rebellion’s sixth installment in the Sniper Elite series, Sniper Elite: Resistance, continues its tradition of delivering a thrilling experience centered around taking down Nazis. However, this game feels rather familiar, as it heavily leans on its established formula without significant innovation, raising concerns about the series’ progression.
Set during World War II, Sniper Elite: Resistance allows players to switch perspectives from the iconic protagonist Karl Fairburne to Harry Hawker, a British soldier. Players embark on missions that involve stealthy infiltration, sabotage, and, of course, sharpshooting. The game retains its signature deep ballistic physics model and features the notorious X-ray killcam, allowing players to see their shots in gruesome detail.
Despite these appealing elements, the campaign often elicits feelings of deja vu due to its repetitious nature. While the sniper mechanics remain solid and satisfying, veterans of the series might find the lack of fresh experiences a drawback. The killcam itself, which once felt innovative, has become somewhat tedious, leading many to skip it in favor of focusing on mission objectives.
In essence, the missions guide players through vibrant maps across the French countryside, filled with main and optional objectives. While tactical play is encouraged, the game’s gunplay elements can feel clunky and janky. Issues like inconsistent cover mechanics and cumbersome controls can detract from the enjoyment, leaving players frustrated in high-pressure situations.
The lack of innovation extends into the skill progression system, which reuses the same skill tree from Sniper Elite 5. This raises concerns over creativity and resource management within Rebellion. While the game’s graphics and mechanics generally meet player expectations for a modern shooter, the absence of fresh content may hamper its overall appeal.
One of the game’s stand-out features is its variety of modes. Resistance supports co-op gameplay, which enhances the campaign experience for those playing with friends. Additionally, the Invasion mode invites players to invade another’s campaign, creating a tense and engaging gameplay experience. Combined with traditional PvP offerings like No Cross, the multiplayer aspects of the game add significantly to its replay value.
Unfortunately, there are also forgettable moments, such as the Propaganda missions that seem uninspired compared to the richer core gameplay. Bugs, like invisible walls or issues with movement, further illustrate a lack of polish, even though many were addressed in a pre-launch patch.
In conclusion, Sniper Elite: Resistance is a fun experience, especially for newcomers to the series, but it struggles with the weight of its legacy. It manages to entertain with its sniping mechanics and secondary modes, yet old players may feel the campaign’s repetitiveness diminish its allure. The hope remains that future entries will innovate beyond existing formulas, helping the series maintain its edge in a competitive gaming landscape.
