STACK #243 January 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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The Sniper Elite series sneaks back in this month with its latest entry, Resistance .We had a chat with Beck Shaw, the lead level designer on the game at Rebellion, to find out more of what’s in store. Words Amy Flower VIVE LA RÉSISTANCE!

the weapons in Sniper Elite: Resistance tend to be French, such as the Berthier 1916 rifle or the Modele 1935A pistol. This helps give Sniper Elite: Resistance its own unique flair. Axis Invasion mode is back! What new and exciting features can players look forward to here? Axis Invasion was one of the most popular new modes in Sniper Elite 5 , so we had to bring it back! We’ve designed all the levels in Sniper Elite: Resistance with both Axis Invasion and cooperative play in mind, and there are competing vantage points and different entry and infiltration points that players can use to gain the upper hand against each other or complement their co-op partner. So, fans should expect that Axis Invasion will bring that nail biting cat-and-mouse sniping gameplay that they’ve always dreamed about while watching their favourite World War II movies. As well as being a cool collectible with its own unique artwork, finding each poster will unlock a Propaganda Mission. This is a brand-new style of side mission where you become a Resistance Fighter and are tasked with completing time sensitive challenges centred around sneaking, sniping and shooting. There will also be some Easter eggs and collectables that carry on from the events of Sniper Elite 5 for fans to look out for. Ultimately, what do you most hope that players gain from their experience with Sniper Elite: Resistance ? Most of all, we hope people have fun! The Sniper Elite series has always given players the chance to complete their objectives in the way that suits their playstyle. We build this into the game by creating sandboxes with different paths, optional objectives and a hugely diverse array of weaponry. This means whether you like to play stealthy or just run-and-gun, there is something for everyone. We can’t wait to see the different paths players take to achieve their mission. Are you prepared to hint at any special Easter eggs or other hidden goodies that players should keep an eye out for? The thing that players should keep an eye out are the new propaganda posters hidden in each mission.

Can you please give us some quick insight into the story this time out? Sniper Elite: Resistance follows Special Operations Executive agent Harry Hawker as he uncovers a Nazi plot to launch an insidious new Wunderwaffe - something so powerful, it guarantees the Nazis will win the war. This new standalone story is the first time Harry takes the lead in a Sniper Elite game and we’re really excited to see how fans react to our new protagonist. With the game set in the real-world past, what lengths do you go to in order to ensure historical accuracy (where relevant)? Accuracy is really important for a lot of players, but it’s also important to make sure things are fun, so there can be a bit of a balancing act. We work with the Imperial War Museum to ensure that the weapons in the Sniper Elite series look and handle as close to the originals as possible. Our design team also travel to the locations in the game. This ensures we understand the landscapes and can incorporate those key

features and aesthetics into the sandboxes that we create for each mission.

Are there any new authentic weapons that you’d like to highlight? One of the cool things we’ve tried to do with Sniper Elite: Resistance is put an emphasis on the weapons that Resistance fighters used

while fighting behind enemy lines. So, whereas in Sniper Elite 5 your starting weapons tended to be those issued by the US or British army,

• Sniper Elite: Resistance is out Jan 30

A SHAW FIRE TIP! “It’s always best to take a moment to survey the landscape and find out where the enemy guards are and see if you can identify their patrol patterns. It’s easy to pick off the first Nazi you see, but that can quickly lead to attracting unwanted attention and your situation spiralling out of control!”

JANUARY 2025

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