At their core, theSniper Elitegames have always been about freedom of player expression. Despite what the title might have players believe, there are multiple viable approaches to each of theSniper Elitegames' impressive stealth sandboxes, even if the star of the show is undoubtedly the excellent long-range shooting mechanics and the series' trademark X-ray kill cam. The upcomingSniper Elite: Resistanceis much more than just a “side story” to 2022’sSniper Elite 5, bringing back several fan-favorite features that made a triumphant return in the past entry while also aiming for the kind of flexibility in gameplay that’s sure to draw in players who’ve admired the series from the sidelines.
Game Rant recently had the chance to both play a preview build ofSniper Elite: Resistanceas well as interview the game’s lead level designer from Rebellion Developments, Beck Shaw. From both the hands-on impressions of the title, and the conversation with the game’s developers, it’s obvious thatSniper Elite: Resistanceemphasizes catering to a wide variety of playstyles that make run-and-gun play just as viable and satisfying as taking the “perfect stealth” approach. By placing fun and freedom of player expression at the forefront,Sniper Elite: Resistanceis shaping up to be an approachable, yet still challenging,stealth actiontitle.
Rebellion Tried to Keep All Playstyles in Mind for Sniper Elite: Resistance’s Levels
Whether going in silent or guns blazing,theSniper Eliteserieshas traditionally placed satisfying gunplay and fun at the forefront of each title in the long-running World War II-era franchise. Specifically,Sniper Elite 4proved to be a major turning point that saw a slew of new players diving into the series for the first time. One ofSniper Elite 4’s hallmarks was its detailed and varied semi-open world stealth sandboxes that give players plenty of freedom in how they approach tackling each mission’s objectives, with viable options for either end of the stealth action spectrum.
Sniper Elite 5only continued to build on the series' momentum by reintroducing elements like gun customization and more opportunities for creative player expression in its levels, which the team at Rebellion sought to carry over intoSniper Elite: Resistance. Lead level designer Beck Shaw notes that designing the sort of semi-openstealth sandboxesthat feature in each ofSniper Elite: Resistance’s missions is “pretty challenging”, but that it also is “a nice challenge” that the team enjoys tackling.
“We just need to ensure that each objective or POI kind of caters to a different player style…Ensure there are high points there for sniping or open avenues so they can see a long way to get some of that sniping in there. Ensuring things like pickups are there, so they’ve got ammo if they do get stuck in the pinch…It’s an interesting challenge, and there are a lot of different things we need to keep in mind with all the different play styles. But we do try to take care to cater to all play styles where we can.”
Aside from the design of the levels themselves, theweapon customization fromSniper Elite 5that was absent inSniper Elite 4again shows up inResistanceand is another avenue for players to experiment with different playstyles. As Beck puts it, the team’s inspiration to make it a prominent feature inResistancecomes from the notion that “I think a lot of players, they enjoy experimenting with the weapon customization, just trying to tailor them to their play style or just trying something brand new.”
Sniper Elite: Resistance
WHERE TO PLAY
Offering unparalleled sniping mechanics, stealth, and tactical third-person combat, Sniper Elite: Resistance turns the attention of the award-winning series towards a hidden war, far from the front lines, deep within the heart of occupied France.In a gripping new story that runs parallel with Sniper Elite 5, Harry Hawker, agent of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), takes the lead for the first time as he discovers an insidious new Wunderwaffe - something so powerful, it guarantees the Nazis will win the war. Working with the French Resistance, this deadly addition to the Reich’s arsenal must be eliminated.Multiple Kill List targets, and different infiltration and extraction points give you an unequalled choice with how to accomplish objectives and create your own playstyle.The full campaign can also be experienced in co-op. Fight against the Nazi war machine with an ally to share weapons, items and tactical know-how, as well as help each other get back in the fight when you go down during firefights.
