Sniper Elite: Resistance

Sniper Elite: Resistance, the latest installment in Rebellion Developments' World War II stealth shooter series, will be released soon on various platforms. 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Sniper Elite series, and if Sniper Elite: Resistance is any indication, the series is ready to start branching out a bit. The game marks a new direction for the series’ story and signals where things could go after the French liberation-focused Sniper Elite 5to help keep the games feeling fresh. There is also a new game mode that is unique to Sniper Elite: Resistance’s setting.

While Sniper Elite: Resistance’s story is turning over a new leaf, previews of the gameplay seem to promise a consistent experience full of the type of gameplay players have come to expect from the series. This includes series staples like a balance of stealth, tactics, shooting, and the game’s signature X-ray sniper shot camera. Several game modes are also returning alongside the game’s campaign and new mode. This means fans of the series can enjoy the same style of gameplay they have in previous titles while exploring a new angle on the war and meeting some new characters.

When Sniper Elite: Resistance Releases

January 30, 2025

Players won’t have to wait too long to get their hands on the new entry in the Sniper Elite series. Sniper Elite: Resistance is set to be released on January 30, 2025. There are no console exclusivity deals here, so whichever platform players want to get the game on, they can do so on the same day. The game also has a physical release on the same day, so players who prefer to have a game disc won’t have to wait, as is sometimes the case.

Anyone who wants to play Sniper Elite: Resistance as soon as possible can also get early access by pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition of the game. Early access starts on January 28, 2025, giving players a few extra days to play. Pre-ordering either version of the game will also earn players some additional rewards, including an exclusive mission, a weapon skin, and a new rifle. Any customers who pre-order directly from the Rebellion Shop also get a free Sniper Elite t-shirt which is sent out before the game is released. Sniper Elite: Resistance is also releasing day one on Game Pass, so subscribers won't have to worry about paying extra to play immediately.

What To Expect From Sniper Elite: Resistance’s Story

Sniper Elite: Resistance Is Set In Nazi-Occupied France

Player Standing On A Building With A Gun On His Back In Sniper Elite Resistance.

Sniper Elite: Resistance is the first game in the series to follow a protagonist other than Karl Fairburne. Instead, players will be taking on the role of Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent Harry Hawker as he fights from within Nazi-occupied France. The story is said to run parallel to the events of Sniper Elite 5, which also took place in France, though how much Hawker’s story will overlap with Fairburne’s is not clear. Though both characters work for the SOE, Hawker appears to be more entrenched with the French Resistance whereas Fairburne entered the country alongside the US Army Rangers.

The main plot of Sniper Elite: Resistance revolves around Hawker attempting to stop the Nazis from completing a new Wunderwaffe (wonder weapon) before they can use it to turn the tides of the war. Although during the actual war, Wunderwaffes were little more than propaganda, rarely progressing beyond the prototype phase, and the term is now used ironically to describe something that will never work, Sniper Elite: Resistance will likely take a more fictionalized approach, making this secret super weapon an actual threat.

The promotional material for Sniper Elite: Resistance on the game’s official website emphasizes the fact that the game takes place “far from the front lines.” This likely means that missions will be more clandestine and possibly be a bit more low-key. That said, the trailer does show Hawker assisting in an air strike used to blow up a dam, so there will likely still be some major action set pieces, even if the action is taking place away from the main fronts of the war.

Sniper Elite: Resistance Gameplay Details

Resistance Has Similar Stealth And Shooting To Previous Entries

The main gameplay in Sniper Elite: Resistance revolves around stealthily infiltrating mission locations and taking out targets, be they individuals or strategic points. For example, the trailer for the game revolves around a mission where Hawker is assigned to destroy anti-aircraft guns. Players have an option of how to infiltrate a given location, similar to other stealth-based games like the Hitman series. This offers some freedom and allows players to be creative in their approach to each mission.

Sniper Elite: Resistance offers a mixture of third-person and first-person shooting, as well as stealth gameplay. While exploration and some of the shooting are done in third-person mode, aiming with a sniper rifle and other weapons snaps the camera to first-person mode. This is a best-of-both-worlds situation, as third-person mode allows for greater situational awareness during infiltration whereas first-person mode allows for more precise shooting.

There are several game modes in Sniper Elite: Resistance. The campaign mode is where players experience the game’s main story, and it can be played alone or cooperatively with another player. During the campaign, players can also find resistance posters that allow them to play the new Propaganda missions. During these missions, players control a member of the French Resistance to complete smaller missions that help sabotage the Nazi foothold in France.

There are also several forms of multiplayer. For modes that pit players against one another, there are two options: 16-player online battles, and Invasion mode. Invasion mode lets players enter the campaign mode of another player and act as an enemy sniper, similar to how invading works in games like the Dark Souls series. There is also a cooperative four-player Survival Mode that pits players against AI enemies to see how long they can hold out.

A closer analog to the Invasion mode might be Deathloop's multiplayer invasions, which was similarly inspired by Dark Souls, but also features an opposing sniper.

Sniper Elite: Resistance Platforms & Editions

Sniper Elite: Resistance Is Available On Most Consoles And PC

Harry Hawker on a zipline in Sniper Elite Resistance

Sniper Elite: Resistance is being released on both current- and previous-generation consoles. Players can get the game for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. PC players have a few options for where to get the game from, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, or directly from the Rebellion Shop. PC players can also play the game through the Xbox App if they purchase it through Microsoft.

There are two different editions of Sniper Elite: Resistance. The Standard Edition costs $49.99 and only comes with the base game, with some bonuses if it is pre-ordered. The Deluxe Edition costs $79.99 and includes a few additional pre-order bonuses, including an in-game pistol, and early access. The Deluxe Edition also includes the Season Pass, so players can expect some DLC for the game down the line.

Sources: Rebellion Shop, Sniper Elite, Rebellion/YouTube