I’ve been a fan of the Sniper Elite series for quite some time, and I believe the fifth installment was a turning point for the franchise. Of course, the game wasn’t perfect—it had its technical issues and flaws—but considering its limited budget, it delivered a solid and enjoyable experience.
Sniper Elite: Resistance chooses not to make any major changes and instead continues the same path laid out by Sniper Elite 5. As a spin-off, it combines both single-player and multiplayer content, keeping the familiar feel of previous games while offering a fun—though not particularly innovative—experience.
A New Lead Character
For the first time in the Sniper Elite series, players no longer step into the boots of the iconic Karl Fairburne. Instead, the story focuses on Harry Hawker, a British agent from the SOE. The events of the game run parallel to those in Sniper Elite 5, with Harry being sent to France to cooperate with the French Resistance and sabotage the Nazis’ plan to build a top-secret weapon that could change the course of the war.
Story Takes a Backseat
Let’s be honest—the Sniper Elite games have never been known for their storytelling, and Resistance is no exception. The characters lack depth, the writing is average at best, and the voice acting feels very similar to previous games. But that’s okay, because the heart of Sniper Elite has always been its gameplay: large, complex maps that encourage creative use of gadgets and stealth mechanics.
Each mission drops you into a new environment and offers a different flavor of combat and stealth gameplay. That variety keeps the experience engaging, even if the narrative isn’t particularly strong.
Solid Map Design and Familiar Gameplay
In terms of stealth tools, this game performs about the same as its predecessor. Each mission brings you to a new location, and the map design is easily one of the game’s biggest strengths. From start to finish, the game not only creates a convincing historical setting with impressive detail, but also makes exploration feel rewarding and never dull.
The core gameplay is exactly what makes this series stand out: sneaking through the outskirts of towns, scouting enemies from a distance with your binoculars, and infiltrating enemy territory like a skilled sniper. Whether you’re crossing a heavily guarded checkpoint or moving quietly through a war-torn city at night, the mission design never feels repetitive.
Freedom of Choice and Replay Value
One thing that helps balance the game’s lack of innovation is the freedom of choice it gives players. Each map includes side activities, collectibles, and optional content alongside the main missions. Most importantly, it’s up to you to decide how you want to complete each mission. Whether you’re infiltrating a building, assassinating a key target, or distracting guards, there are always multiple ways to reach your objective.
Exploring different areas is a joy, thanks to the game’s detailed design. You’ll often discover hidden paths, special side missions, or secret zones that offer unique challenges and surprises. This level of freedom and discovery helps keep the game from feeling repetitive and keeps things fresh throughout the campaign.
Engaging Stealth and Tactical Tools
The game also introduces new challenges and rewards exploration with features like eavesdropping on enemy conversations, using workbenches to customize weapons, and more. You can easily spend 2–3 hours or more in a single map and come away feeling fully satisfied with your experience.
Stealth remains a highlight, which is no surprise given the series’ legacy. The enemy AI has improved significantly, making them more alert and responsive than in previous titles. This makes sneaking through Nazi-occupied zones genuinely exciting. That said, most mechanics still feel very similar to Sniper Elite 5. If you’ve played that game, don’t expect many surprises—but since that formula worked well, I personally didn’t mind seeing it repeated here.
Some Old Issues Remain
Unfortunately, some of the issues from the previous game have carried over. For example, the character movement can feel slow and slightly unresponsive, especially when taking cover or interacting with the environment like climbing over obstacles. There are also some minor animation glitches and bugs. However, the shooting mechanics have been improved, and weapons feel more satisfying and responsive when fired.
Sniping Is Still a Thrill
As expected, you’ll spend most of your time using sniper rifles, and the experience is still top-notch. Locking onto targets from a distance, calculating the range, holding your breath, taking the shot, and watching the brutal X-Ray kill animations never gets old.
Campaign Length and Extra Content
The single-player campaign is a bit shorter than that of Sniper Elite 5, taking around 10 to 15 hours depending on your playstyle. Still, Resistance offers a good amount of content. Modes like Invasion (first introduced in Sniper Elite 5) and co-op gameplay are still available, expanding the game’s replayability and giving players more ways to enjoy the experience.
