Sniper Elite: Resistance, brought to us by Rebellion, offers a fresh twist to the much-loved series. In this iteration, we find ourselves following the journey of Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent Harry Hawker. His mission parallels the events of Sniper Elite 5, which I had the pleasure of reviewing on the PlayStation 5 back in 2022. This time, as Karl Fairburne is engaged elsewhere, Harry embarks on a unique mission set in occupied France, far from the central conflict zones. The stakes are high, as Hawker uncovers a new Nazi superweapon, a "Wunderwaffe," that has the potential to shift the balance of the war in Germany’s favor. Your task is to collaborate with the French resistance and dismantle this threat before it’s too late.
Alongside the main storyline, you’ll also explore the world of the French Resistance through the intriguing Propaganda missions. These missions emerge when you discover various Propaganda posters scattered throughout the campaign. They are shorter, yet packed with adrenaline, demanding you to be stealthy, swift, and lethal while disrupting the enemy’s hold in hopes of ending the Nazi occupation decisively.
You have five levels of difficulty to choose for your journey: Civilian, Cadet, Sharpshooter, Sniper Elite, and Authentic. Opting for Civilian allows you to enjoy the narrative and explore without too much combat stress. Cadet caters to those getting their feet wet in shooters with a bit of challenge. Sharpshooter strikes a balance, offering a moderate level of difficulty. Sniper Elite pushes seasoned veterans with a demanding experience, while Authentic mode immerses you with realism, making you consider factors like wind direction and range.
As you dive into the action, you’ll maneuver Harry with the left analog stick, surveying and aiming with the right. Sprinting is possible by pressing the left stick, while the right one lets you zoom in with binoculars. Tagging enemies happens with a bit of focus using your binoculars, which is quite handy. Press R3 to enter a focused state, and use the Square and Triangle buttons for melee actions. If you find yourself under fire, tapping X lets you dive into cover for protection.
When it comes to combat, L2 lets you aim while R2 handles firing. The L1 button opens your radial menu for weapon switching. Quick access to your rifle or pistol is via the D-Pad, with scope adjustments available by pressing left or right. Holding your breath for precision shooting is done by clicking L3. Use R1 for items and access your map with the Touchpad to strategize your next move.
Beyond the Campaign and Propaganda missions, you can engage in Axis Invasion Mode, where you step into the shoes of sniper Jäger, hunting other players online. Keep in mind, this mode requires a PlayStation Plus membership. You can choose if other players can invade your game freely, by invitation, or not at all. Survival Mode is another addition, tasking you with defending positions against enemy waves. How long will you last?
As you progress in Campaign Mode, you’ll earn Skill Points, unlocking abilities across categories like Combat, Equipment, and Body. Combat upgrades might include the ability to get back into action with a med kit, while Equipment skills could help you scavenge ammo from weapons. In the Body section, you can enhance your health or quicken recovery times.
The game offers a comprehensive trophy list, featuring a Platinum trophy for those seeking a challenge. Interestingly, Sniper Elite: Resistance is a Cross-Buy release, allowing you to grab both PS4 and PS5 versions without extra costs. Each system has its unique set of trophies, spread across Bronze, Silver, and Gold categories. Objectives range from completing specific missions to achieving particular feats like striking every organ with rifle shots or eliminating 350 foes with sniper precision. There are additional challenges for gameplay styles like using booby traps effectively.
There’s also a special side mission section with its own trophies, named Lights, Camera, ACHTUNG! Here, the objective focuses on preventing Hitler from filming propaganda by decisively ending his visit to a film studio. It features thrilling tasks, such as taking out Hitler from over 250 meters away or going undetected, all contributing to your trophy collection.
Sniper Elite: Resistance, by Rebellion, truly reinvigorates the franchise. Tasked with an exciting mission away from battlefield trenches in France, you’ll find yourself racing against time to thwart the Nazis’ plans. Launching on January 30, this Cross-Buy title ensures both PS4 and PS5 players can enjoy its rich offerings, complete with separate trophy lists. Get ready to dive into a compelling wartime narrative, blending stealth and action seamlessly. The game is set to enthrall both seasoned veterans and newcomers alike, offering a robust and engaging gameplay experience.
Disclaimer: This Sniper Elite: Resistance review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Rebellion.
