I often reminisce about the era when Grand Theft Auto games were released almost annually rather than once a decade. During those off years, numerous games attempted to fill the gap for players craving open-world crime dramas: True Crime, Saints Row, Mafia, Scarface, Crackdown—the list is extensive. Presumably, none of these developers aimed to dethrone Rockstar. However, they recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the genre's popularity by offering players a new alternative while Rockstar was crafting the next GTA. Since 2017's Sniper Elite 4, I've seen the Sniper Elite series in a similar light, this time filling the void left by Hitman. Rebellion's Sniper Elite: Resistance won't surpass IO Interactive's remarkable Hitman series, nor does it seem to introduce many new elements compared to its recent predecessors. But if you've enjoyed this genre before and are eager for another installment, Sniper Elite: Resistance appears to be a dependable substitute.

I recently spent about 90 minutes playing the game's third mission before its January launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox Series X|S, which will also be available on day one via Game Pass. Despite struggling to find significant new experiences, I had a good time. This suggests that the sixth game in the series, the first since 2022, is as enjoyable as the last few entries—at least based on my initial impressions. Similar to Hitman, the levels are vast and open-ended, offering multiple ways to complete objectives. In recent sequels, Rebellion has introduced more creative kills, reminiscent of Agent 47's work, such as hiding a grenade in wrapping paper or assassinating Hitler with a bowling pin. Each mission includes a main objective and several optional objectives, such as collecting intel, locating ally hideouts, destroying enemy weapon depots, and eliminating high-value targets.

The sandbox-style gameplay allows you to decide how to achieve your goals, whether by sneaking past everyone or engaging in a full-on assault. Some players may prefer to focus on the campaign, but I've always found Sniper Elite to be one of the better series for enticing me to clear each map of all its mission markers. As a stealth experience, I've always appreciated the challenges presented. Even with just 90 minutes of gameplay, I couldn't resist investigating every optional objective. Once, nearing the end of a main objective, I realized I had overlooked a secret ally hideout earlier in the level. I retraced my steps through the Nazi-infested mansion to climb a building and complete that side quest. Sniper Elite provides a vast playground with multiple viable routes, allowing you to explore at your own pace and order.

In the absence of Agent 47 for the foreseeable future, I'm content with this Historical Hitman substitute. I've played all these games, and while none have truly blown me away, none have been bad either. The studio seems to have a higher opinion of its signature X-ray bullet cam than I do—in Sniper Elite 5, I eventually turned it off to avoid slowing down my missions—but I still enjoy the format. From level to level and game to game, they offer a consistent, comfort-food experience. Like cooking your favorite meal repeatedly, you know what to expect with Sniper Elite. It may not introduce new flavors, but it's a reliable choice when you're unsure what to play. I don't mean to undervalue the game; I genuinely enjoy these titles and eagerly await a new one every few years.

This sequel isn't entirely devoid of new experiences. The broad strokes are familiar, but Rebellion is introducing Propaganda missions, which I didn't get to experience. These missions cast players as resistance fighters, adding replayability with new objectives on subsequent playthroughs. This will also be the first game in the series to feature a protagonist other than Karl Fairburne. Instead, it introduces Harry Hawker, a British soldier who has appeared in past games, usually as a co-op backup character. This change will give the story a different voice, though the lack of a number in the title and the concurrent timeline with Sniper Elite 5 suggest it's a continuation of what worked well before. Rebellion is keeping the setting in France, unlike previous sequels that moved to new countries. If Sniper Elite is comfort food, Resistance is like enjoying a second helping of your favorite dish. If you're still hungry, dig in.

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