Sniper Elite: Resistance review: more of the same, and that’s great

When Sniper Elite 5 was released back in 2022, it really felt like Rebellion had finally nailed down its World War 2 stealth sim. Clearly, the team felt the same way as Sniper Elite: Resistance is more of Sniper Elite 5.

This time around the mantle is handed over to Karl’s long-time co-op partner Harry Hawker, who just so happens to also be on a mission in France in 1944. Despite feeling like a bit of an expansion pack, Sniper Elite: Resistance is a full-blown entry, with even more to do than in the previous game.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC (Via Steam)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: January 28, 2025

In typical Sniper Elite fashion, Resistance follows the well-trodden plotline of ‘the Nazis have developed a new superweapon that could turn the tide of World War 2; you’ve got to stop it’ that we’ve seen before in Sniper Elite 3 and 5.

This time around Harry is working with the local resistance fighters to take down the Kliene Blume nerve agent, which could have devastating effects should the Germans follow through with it. It’s a somewhat predictable storyline, but that’s not really why you’re here anyway.

In the Sniper Elite series you play through missions, each one containing its own miniature open world or sandbox packed with specific objectives and hidden secrets for you to take at your own leisure. I absolutely loved this approach in previous entries, and it’s just as good in Sniper Elite: Resistance.

One fear I had going in was whether the levels would feel too similar to Sniper Elite 5 due to both games being set in 1944 France, but for the most part, things feel distinct enough to warrant a return trip. Although some stages are a touch familiar – this game’s Lock, Stock, and Barrel mission feels extremely similar to the previous entry’s Occupied Residence.

Plus, there are familiar areas like Chateau houses and train stations not only returning from 5 but, multiple appearing across the game. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, and the levels themselves are still jam-packed and varied (outside of level four just being an expanded version of the first stage).

We bring the boom

(Image credit: Rebellion)

And of course, there’s the gunplay. As you would expect from a series named after it, the sniping is the star of the show once again. There are a tonne of helpful features – like the slowdown reticule that shows you where the bullet will land – that allow even a first-time player to nail satisfying long-range shots.

This is complimented by the X-Ray system, which shows a slow-motion animation of the bullet impacting with your chosen Nazi, and you’re treated to an in-depth look at how your shot obliterates their skull, guts, or testicles in graphic detail. It can be a bit off-putting at times (the teeth animation is horrid), but it’s just over the top enough to not feel disturbing.

However, the most impressive – and satisfying – bit of Sniper Elite is when you disregard these and work with wind markers and bullet drop estimates built into your scope to nail that perfect shot yourself. You also have access to the likes of machine guns, pistols, and explosive weaponry to cause a bit of fuss with or to get you out of scrapes when things awry. You could absolutely play the game running around with a machine gun, but the non-sniping weapons aren’t quite as satisfying as the main event.

I’m also a big fan of close-quarters combat; being able to sneak up on enemies for a takedown is a great risk/reward that allows you to stay silent while taking the risk to approach an enemy. Sniper Elite: Resistance is a great sniping game, but it’s possibly even better as a stealth game.

Spy vs. Spy

(Image credit: Rebellion)

There are a few multiplayer modes available in Sniper Elite: Resistance, including a wave survival mode and standard multiplayer modes like Free For All and Team Deathmatch. However, I was unable to find a match of these during the review period, with no option for bot matches available.

But I did get some matches of the returning Axis invasion mode, which allows you to invade or be invaded during a single-player game. Once you get the pop-up alerting you that a Sniper Jaeger has arrived, it immediately changes the tone of a mission. While you can try and complete your objectives as normal, that extra layer of tension can either allow the Sniper Jaeger to get the drop on you or inadvertently alert the existing enemies as you search for them.

Both sides of this mode are the absolute highlight of the game; the one-versus-one cat-and-mouse game that is introduced is such a satisfying addition that completely changes the game. And there’s nothing better than being able to outdo your opponent and take them out via a well-placed snipe or sneaking up on them for a close-range takedown.

Have a propa-ganda

(Image credit: Rebellion)

Sprinkled throughout the maps of Sniper Elite: Resistance are propaganda posters for the French resistance fighters. Collecting these in each map will unlock a new mission set in that map in the brand new Propaganda Challenge mode.

These are bite-sized arcade-style encounters that challenge your skills in the game’s various departments to take down a number of enemies within a time limit.

There’s stealth – which arms you with just a pistol and a dream – where unseen takedowns will add time to your clock. The sniping challenges give you a great look across the map as you pick off enemies one by one, with each headshot adding time.

Best bit

A screenshot of the xray mode in Sniper Elite Resistance — (Image credit: Rebellion)

Axis Invasions continue to be the greatest addition to the series. Invading or being invaded by another player mid-mission is always a treat, and the multiplayer stealth and sniping battles are incredibly satisfying, especially when you sneak in that perfect headshot.

While these only last a few minutes, and are only available in seven of the game’s missions, the Propaganda Challenge mode is a great new addition. It gives me the same feeling that Resident Evil’s mercenaries mode does.

Running through a stage and planning the optimal route adds a nice bit of extra replayability as you aim to boost your score each time. I would love to see this mode be expanded on, either via DLC (downloadable content) or whatever the next game is, because it left me wanting more.

I played Sniper Elite: Resistance at 1440p/120fps with HDR on PC. The settings on Ultra for texture detail and Medium for the other options. The game itself ran pretty much perfectly, with only a few noticeable drops here and there.

However, there were a few glitches in my experience. I had a few moments where Harry would get himself stuck on stairs or ledges. A particularly annoying one was in a mission where I had the option to poison a target; however, the prompt to use the poison in his drink never appeared, leading me to be locked out of the bonus kill option for that mission.

Should you play Sniper Elite: Resistance?

Play it if…

Don’t play it if…

Accessibility

Sniper Elite: Resistance has a number of accessibility features, including subtitle options, auto-run and climb, HUD opacity settings, and aim assist. The game also features adjustable difficulty and settings like Automatic skill upgrades.

You can adjust the subtitle colors, and there are three color-blind settings; however, these are just labeled 1, 2, and 3 rather than listing the name of the specific color blindness. There is a diagram shown to help you decide, however.

How I reviewed Sniper Elite: Resistance

(Image credit: Rebellion)

I played roughly 15 hours of Sniper Elite: Resistance. During this time I completed the main campaign, completed every Propaganda Challenge mode mission with a gold rating, and played a number of rounds of Axis Invasion as an attacker.

I reviewed the game on a gaming PC, which runs with a Nvidia RTX 3060Ti graphics card and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor. I used a Samsung Odyssey G5 27″ Curved Gaming Monitor with a Sony 3D Pulse Headset and played the game using a DualSense wireless controller.

First reviewed January 2025

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