Review - Sniper Elite: Resistance - Joining the French Resistance on World War II

Despite not presenting significant graphical innovations compared to Sniper Elite 5, the game stands out for the detailed design of the scenarios and the immersive atmosphere of France, occupied during the war.

The game maintains the classic formula of the series, putting together elements of stealth, tactical shooting and exploration on open maps. The player steps into the shoes of Harry Hawker, an agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), who infiltrates an occupied France to prevent the development of the villains' secret weapon called "Kleine Blume".

The game offers multiple approaches to completing missions:

The iconic "kill cam" returns, showing in slow motion the bullet's path and its devastating effects on the enemy's body. Although it’s visually impressive, some critics have pointed out that the mechanic starts to feel repetitive after several hours of play.

The game has nine main missions , each set in an open map filled with secrets, collectibles, and side objectives. Settings range from bombed French villages to underground labs, offering visual diversity and unique challenges.

One of the highlights is the freedom that’s given to the player to explore and complete objectives in any way they prefer. For example, in an early mission, the player can destroy a dam using explosives or manipulating the environment to cause more damage.

Propaganda Missions

Each main mission contains a hidden Resistance poster. Upon finding it, the player unlocks a Propaganda Mission, where they take on the role of a member of the french resistance in challenges running against the clock. These missions test stealth, combat and precision skills, offering rewards such as medals and new weapons.

Additional Modes

In addition to the main campaign, the game also offers:

- Co-op Mode: Play the campaign with a friend.

- Axis Invasion: Allow other players to invade your campaign as enemy snipers.

Online Multiplayer

The game offers competitive modes for up to 16 players, such as No Cross, where the objective is to eliminate opponents without crossing certain areas. There is also Survival Mode, where up to four players face waves of enemies.

The game offers a vast arsenal of authentic World War II weapons, including sniper rifles, submachine guns and pistols. Some of the guns available are:

- Rifles: The classics Kar98k and M1 Garand, ideal for long-range shooting.

- Submachine guns: Ones like the Thompson and MP40, perfect for short-range combat.

- Pistols: Ones such as 1911 and Luger, useful in emergencies.

Workbenches are scattered across the maps and allow you to customize and improve weapons. Each mission contains up to three workbenches: one for pistols, one for submachine guns, and one for rifles. Improvements include silencers, scopes with increased zoom, and higher capacity magazines.

The story takes place in 1944, parallel to the events of Sniper Elite 5. The protagonist, Harry Hawker, is a seasoned SOE agent, with linguistic skills and a past rich in conflicts. Despite his charismatic personality, many people criticized him, considering that the character lacks depth compared to Karl Fairburne, the classic protagonist of the series.

The plot revolves around Hawker's mission to prevent the development of "Kleine Blume" , a chemical weapon that could change the course of the war. The narrative is driven by interactions with members of the French resistance, such as Marie Renarde , and confrontations with the villain Otto Krugger , a megalomaniac fascist officer.

Visually, the game maintains the standard established by Sniper Elite 5, with realistic graphics and detailed environments. The soundtrack, consisting of epic music and immersive sound effects, complements the game's tense atmosphere. The dubbing in British English is also well executed.

- Silencers: Eliminate enemies without alerting others.

- Distractions: Use rocks or bottles to lure enemies into traps.

- Explosive Traps: Place mines or traps on routes frequented by patrols.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Sniper Elite: Resistance is a solid addition to the franchise, offering an accessible and fun experience for new players while maintaining the classic elements which fans love. Although it doesn’t bring revolutionary innovations, the game stands out for its freedom of approach, well-designed maps and additional modes that extend its duration.

For fans of tactical shooting games and World War II, this game is a recommendation. However, those looking for a significant evolution in the series' formula may be a little disappointed.