Sniper Elite: Resistance Review for PlayStation 5

Having reviewed multiple “Sniper Elite” titles for this site in the past, I’ve come to expect a certain rhythm: meticulous stealth, rewarding sniping mechanics, and that grim satisfaction of watching a bullet tear through an enemy in grotesque slow motion. “Sniper Elite: Resistance” stays true to this formula, offering a polished but familiar experience that feels like both a celebration and a cautious retread of what’s come before. Set deep within occupied France, far from the bombastic front lines, “Resistance” shifts the focus to a hidden war fought in the shadows. This time, we step into the boots of Harry Hawker, an SOE agent with a knack for disruption and an unsettling talent for deadly precision. His mission is as grim as it is vital: uncover and dismantle a new Nazi Wunderwaffe that threatens to tilt the war irrevocably in the Reich’s favor. It’s a narrative that runs parallel to “Sniper Elite 5,” but manages to carve its own identity through the lens of resistance warfare.

The campaign is robust, packed with multiple Kill List targets and a variety of infiltration and extraction points. This isn’t just window dressing; the game genuinely encourages you to experiment. Whether you prefer the silent approach, slipping past patrols and eliminating targets with surgical precision, or the chaotic thrill of going in guns blazing, “Resistance” accommodates both styles with ease. The maps are sprawling and layered, offering countless vantage points, hidden pathways, and opportunities for creative carnage. Each environment feels alive with detail, from the crumbling facades of war-torn villages to dense forests concealing enemy outposts. The attention to environmental storytelling adds depth, as scattered documents, propaganda posters, and hidden relics subtly narrate the silent struggles of occupied France.

Of course, the hallmark x-ray kill cam returns, delivering its signature blend of gruesome detail and darkly satisfying spectacle. Watching a bullet pierce bone and shatter organs in slow motion never really gets old, though it does feel like Rebellion is leaning heavily on this familiar crutch. It’s still effective, but the novelty has worn thin for those of us who’ve seen it a dozen times over. Though with some minor tweaks to the physics and enhanced gore effects keep the kills feeling visceral, really making each shot carry a brutal, weighty impact.

Co-op mode always adds a fun dynamic to the experience. Tackling missions with a partner opens up new tactical possibilities; coordinating shots, sharing resources, and reviving each other during intense firefights fosters a sense of camaraderie that the solo campaign can’t quite replicate. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably fun. The cooperative experience also introduces mission-specific challenges that encourage teamwork, such as synchronizing long-distance shots to eliminate multiple targets simultaneously or executing coordinated distractions to slip past enemy patrols unnoticed. That said, “Resistance” isn’t without its flaws. The AI remains inconsistent, oscillating between unnervingly sharp and laughably oblivious. There are moments where enemies will spot you through dense foliage from half a mile away, only to completely ignore your presence when you’re crouched in plain sight a few feet away. This erratic behavior can break the immersion and undermine the strategic depth that I’m sure the game strives for.

Graphically, the game feels a tad dated. While environments are detailed and atmospheric, character models and textures lack the polish expected from modern titles. Having played a lot of these now, I can say it really feels like they are reusing assets from previous games. That’s not something I normally mind, but I wish it was done in a less obvious way. It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but it does make the game feel more like an expansion to the previous title than a true sequel. I wouldn’t be shocked if that were the case and then halfway through, they decided this deserved to be its own game. Lighting effects and weather dynamics add some visual flair, with moody sunsets casting long shadows over occupied towns and sudden downpours enhancing the stealth mechanics. Sound design, on the other hand, deserves praise. The distant crack of rifle fire, the subtle rustle of foliage underfoot, and the tense whispers of enemy soldiers create an immersive soundscape that heightens the game’s tension. The score is appropriately understated, swelling during moments of high action and fading into eerie silence during stealth sequences, reinforcing the game’s atmosphere of constant danger.

Ultimately, “Sniper Elite: Resistance” delivers exactly what fans of the series expect: solid sniping mechanics, flexible mission design, and plenty of Nazi skulls to shatter in glorious slow motion. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and it doesn’t seem interested in trying. For dedicated fans, that’s probably enough. For newcomers, it’s a competent, if somewhat conservative, introduction to the series’ brutal ballet of stealth and sniping. While it may not push the boundaries of the franchise, it remains an engaging and satisfying experience for those who revel in the art of the perfect shot.

 7.5/10

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