Sniper Elite: Resistance — A Fresh Hero, Same Great Action
For fans of the long-running Sniper Elite franchise, the newest installment, Sniper Elite: Resistance, delivers exactly what they crave—tactical stealth gameplay, breathtaking sniper shots, and the visceral satisfaction of taking down Nazis one bullet at a time. However, this time, there’s a twist: Karl Fairburne, the series’ longtime protagonist, is nowhere to be found. Instead, players step into the boots of a new hero—Harry Hawker. While this change might seem jarring at first, rest assured, Hawker is every bit the skilled marksman and ruthless tactician that fans of the franchise expect.
Karl Fairburne’s absence could have been a risky move, but Sniper Elite: Resistance makes it clear from the outset that Harry Hawker is more than capable of filling the void. Hawker is cut from the same cloth as Fairburne—an expert marksman, a master of stealth, and a soldier capable of turning the tide of war with well-placed sniper fire. But where Fairburne often carried the stoic demeanor of a seasoned warrior, Hawker brings a slightly different energy to the fight. He’s just as deadly, just as cunning, but there’s an aggressive edge to his tactics that make him feel like a fresh addition to the Sniper Elite universe.
The gameplay of Sniper Elite: Resistance will feel immediately familiar to fans of Sniper Elite 5. That’s a very good thing. The franchise has always excelled at offering an engaging blend of precision sniping, tense stealth segments, and all-out action when things go sideways. The game doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to—what it does is refine and perfect what already works.
The signature X-ray kill cam remains as gruesome and satisfying as ever. Watching a well-placed shot travel across the battlefield and explode inside an enemy’s skull is still an unparalleled thrill. The physics of sniping—wind resistance, bullet drop, and heart rate management—continue to be a rewarding challenge. Players who enjoy setting up the perfect shot and taking down enemies from hundreds of meters away will find endless satisfaction in this game.
Yet, Sniper Elite: Resistance also accommodates those moments when stealth fails. If Hawker is spotted or surrounded, he isn’t doomed. The game provides a variety of tools to fight his way out, whether through a sudden burst of close-quarters gunfire or by slipping away and hiding until the enemy loses track of him. This flexibility ensures that no two encounters play out exactly the same way, and players have the freedom to adapt their strategies on the fly.
While the core gameplay remains unchanged, Hawker’s story injects some new life into the familiar World War II setting. Instead of retreading Karl Fairburne’s lone-wolf sabotage missions, Sniper Elite: Resistance introduces players to a fresh perspective within the resistance movement. Hawker’s journey is deeply entwined with local insurgents, adding new layers to the overarching war narrative. The missions feel a little more personal, the stakes a little more intense, as Hawker fights not just as a skilled sniper, but as part of a larger rebellion effort.
The game’s level design continues to shine, offering sprawling, open-ended environments filled with opportunities for creative approaches. Whether players prefer to set traps, engage in long-range sniping, or get up close for brutal melee takedowns, Sniper Elite: Resistance provides the freedom to play their way. The enemy AI is sharp, ensuring that every mission remains tense and unpredictable. Nazis are ruthless in their patrols, and slipping through their defenses requires patience, strategy, and precise execution.
At its core, Sniper Elite: Resistance is everything fans of the series could want—tight, polished gameplay, satisfying stealth mechanics, and an exhilarating focus on precision sniping. While Karl Fairburne has been the face of the franchise for years, Harry Hawker proves to be a more than worthy successor. He’s every bit as lethal, every bit as strategic, and just as dedicated to eliminating the Nazi menace.
The decision to introduce a new protagonist while keeping the core gameplay intact was a smart move by the developers. It allows the series to feel fresh without alienating longtime fans. Ultimately, if you loved Sniper Elite 5, you’ll love Sniper Elite: Resistance. It’s a different name on the battlefield, but the mission remains the same: take down the enemy, one bullet at a time.
Brian’s Grade: A-
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