Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is, in my opinion, the greatest Sniper simulation ever made. Take my word on it : I'm a great fan of all things Sniper related, and I've played just about every game that features realistic (and not so realistic) Sniping, from the bottom of the barrel "CTU Marine Sharp Shooter", to the high-caliber "Operation Flashpoint". Nothing even comes close. The PC version is also MUCH better than the console versions -- the graphics are crisper and the mouse is a god send when compared to console hand controllers, allowing a level of accuracy that you simply cannot obtain on a console.
The bullet physics, which are the "meat and potatoes" of any Sniper game, are incredibly realistic. When taking a shot (on the highest difficulty level) you must account for wind speed, posture, heart rate and, most importantly, gravity.
A long range target will be impossible to hit unless you account for the distance by aiming above the mark's head (the further away the target, the higher you must aim). Wind means that you must also compensate your shot by aiming to the left or right of a target, depending on the actual speed of the wind present in the level. Scoring a head shot on a long-range moving target is incredibly satisfying, as it takes quite a lot of skill to accomplish.
Also, a word of warning : this game is pretty gruesome (mostly because of the headshots), and its most certainly not for the squeamish.
The game physics calculates whether or not your round will be a headshot as soon as you fire and headshot rounds are shown from a slow-motion trailing perspective which follows the bullet to the target.
A direct headshot rewards the player with a fountain of blood, brains and skull fragments which sprays from the target's head.
The entrance wound is also present, so you know exactly where your shot landed -- I still wince and exclaim over a round when it blows through a targets eye or mouth.
Sniper rifles are not the only weapons you can utilize - for close combat, there are a variety of weapons, such as silenced pistols, MP40's, MG42's, grenades, trip mines, time bombs and so on. The close combat is not as fun as Sniping, but it is necessary in some areas of the game, and it does give a welcome change from constant sniping.
The game is no prize pig in the graphics compartment, especially when you compare it to the superb visuals of other games such as Call of Duty 2, but it is adequate for the genre, and it is definitely better than any other Sniper orientated game I've played. The Bloom effect, which is used in many games these days, spices things up a bit, and improves the graphics tenfold.
The environments are also well done, although once again they are not overwhelmingly impressive, but they do suit the style of gameplay that is present. Bombed out buildings and debris is scattered throughout the levels -- the perfect environment for a sniper.
My one complaint when it comes to the levels is that, with a few exceptions, they do seem a little similar, and many objects, such as burning vehicles and debris shelters, are reused throughout the maps. This isn't a huge problem, and it does not reduce the superb gameplay in major way.
The sound in any Sniper game is an important factor, and I'm pleased to say that Sniper Elite features some of the best sound samples I've ever heard in a war game. The gun shots sound brutal, and the background ambiance is great, with mortar explosions, gunfire and occasional distant screams increasing the feeling of danger. One fun feature is the ability to mask your fire when a mortar explodes, ala Jude Law's character in one of the sequences in Enemy at the Gates. You wait for the sound of an incoming mortar (a Vwaaarrrrgghhh kind of sound), and fire just when the mortar lands. Very cool!
The AI is well done and very challenging, but not without a few bugs that do need fixing. Enemies, on the highest difficulty level, occasionally and magically know where you are positioned as soon as you fire a shot. This can detract from the immersion somewhat, but you can set custom difficulty levels, and taking the AI Difficulty down one notch seems to remedy the problem, at least until they patch the game.
Another problem that (thankfully) rarely presents itself is that a single enemy will sometimes ignore your presence completely, even when you are standing right in front of them or firing upon them. This has only happened to me twice thus far, and I've played through half of the game, so it's not a major problem - again, a future patch will probably fix this.
It must be said that if you are a fairly casual gamer and if you are not a fan of the Sniper genre of games, you should give this game a pass. To you, you will probably find this game to be frustrating and boring. However, if you do enjoy Sniper games, you will no doubt squeeze many hours of enjoyment from Sniper Elite. Highly recommended for Sniper fan boys!
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