Hands-On Preview: Sniper Elite: Resistance Expands Saboteur Sandbox Experience

As the Sniper Elite series delves deeper into its World War II backdrop, it’s become more of a sandbox for stealth-action lovers, taking cues from the Hitman games. Players find themselves as saboteurs, stealthily working to dismantle the Nazi empire from within. The series earns its stripes with the suspenseful thrill of sneaking behind enemy lines and nailing that perfect shot on an unsuspecting enemy, complete with the signature X-ray kill cam for all the grim details.

In Sniper Elite: Resistance, the developer Rebellion keeps the tradition of Sniper Elite 5’s open-ended strategies alive, letting players infiltrate enemy grounds and take down Nazis in gruesome, sometimes over-the-top fashion. This installment shines a light on the secondary protagonist of the series, setting the stage for a deeper dive when it launches in January. I got to explore firsthand a mission revolving around demolishing a German super train and hunting down intel in a hotel, all showcasing the quintessential elements that make Sniper Elite tick.

Resistance runs parallel to Sniper Elite 5, focusing on Harry Hawker, a British commando. Fans will remember Harry as the co-op companion of Karl Fairburne in previous campaigns. In Resistance, you get to see his side of the story, as he cripples the Nazi hold and empowers the French resistance, all with a vibe that could rival Jason Statham’s on-screen charisma.

While Sniper Elite 5 provided additional DLC missions for Karl to infiltrate secret weapon facilities in France, Rebellion saw an opportunity to narrate a fresh tale of wartime exploits within the same occupied country. This realization paved the way for a whole new game.

“We believed there was so much more to explore in France’s war theater, and this evolved into practically a full campaign,” said Shaw. “It turned out to be more beneficial for players to experience one comprehensive game rather than numerous smaller updates like those for Sniper Elite 5.”

In the vein of Sniper Elite 5, Resistance remains a stealth-action game, urging players to navigate through levels filled with Nazi soldiers, bases, and camps stocked with supplies and essential information. Armed with your trusty long-range sniper rifle, complete with varied ammo options for silence or enhanced damage, you also have binoculars to tag and track targets. Harry’s arsenal includes secondary weapons and gadgets designed to distract foes and sabotage their operations.

Resistance embraces that Hitman-style fashion of eliminating key figures while achieving objectives through both straightforward actions and ingenious problem-solving. The thrill of thinning enemy ranks with silent takedowns and diverting attention to slip past heavy patrols is ever-present. While stealth is usually the safest bet, Harry can hold his ground when the going gets tough, though a lower profile is advisable to avoid taking heavy fire. The enemy AI ranges from sharp and alert to occasionally offbeat, whether ignoring clear sabotage signs or fumbling with terrain navigation.

Fan feedback from Sniper Elite 5 showed strong support for the open-ended gameplay, prompting the developers to lean even further into it for Resistance. As Shaw noted, the levels cater to various playstyles, encouraging players to employ their preferred strategies.

“Sniper Elite thrives by equipping players with an array of tools and methods to handle any situation as they see fit,” Shaw explained. “We encourage observation first — assessing points of interest and enemy positions — before plotting how to navigate and complete objectives. We strive to accommodate as many approaches as possible, whether that’s providing vantage points for sniping or enabling entirely stealthy gameplay.”

The mission’s elaborate and layered design truly stood out. A particular level offered a wealth of verticality and alternative routes to reach a Nazi-commandeered hotel. My first attempt to cross a fortified bridge stealthily didn’t pan out as planned. On my next try, I chose a different path, leading me through a train yard where I tackled a side mission to destroy a train. Along the way, I methodically picked off targets and eliminated key figures for extra experience.

The mission’s highlight was reaching the hotel, featuring multiple entry points and secret corridors leading into locked areas via the building’s facade. This segment was a personal favorite, especially the adrenaline rush from ziplining away to the streets below.

Sniper Elite: Resistance largely sticks to the formula established by Sniper Elite 5, retaining the familiar objectives and gameplay loops fans know and love. It’s not a groundbreaking leap forward but rather a reinforcement of Sniper Elite 5’s open-ended stealth-action gameplay. One new element, the propaganda missions, wasn’t fully explored in my time with the game. These missions, concealed within each level, grant players control over other resistance members, showcasing their stories and unique objectives.

With a campaign planned to mirror the length of Sniper Elite 5, Resistance serves as a fitting companion to its predecessor while also inviting newcomers into its thrilling world. So far, Sniper Elite: Resistance captures the essence of taking down enemies and liberating occupied territories. And yes, those visceral kill cams? They’ll never get old.