Sniper Elite

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"Sniper Elite" is a third-person warfare shooter game with a focus on strategic sniping, featuring both single-player and multi-player modes. In the single-player campaign, players complete 28 missions in and around Berlin as an American OSS agent, using stealth and taking advantage of wind and background noise to line up shots. The game rewards players with a unique "bullet cam" feature for well-executed shots, adding a satisfying touch to the sniping experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,165 reviews

story54 positive mentions

graphics54 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the Sniper Elite series, showcasing the origins of the franchise.
The bullet cam feature is satisfying and adds a unique element to the sniping mechanics.
The game provides a challenging experience with realistic ballistics, requiring players to consider factors like wind and gravity.

The controls are clunky and often feel like the character is sliding on ice, making movement frustrating.
The AI can be overly aggressive and aware, often leading to cheap deaths and frustrating gameplay.
The graphics and overall presentation have aged poorly, making it difficult for modern players to enjoy.

story
333 mentions
16 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of "Sniper Elite" is set during World War II, following protagonist Karl Fairburne as he undertakes various missions to prevent Nazi technology from falling into Soviet hands. While the narrative provides a backdrop for the gameplay, many players find it lacking depth and character development, with some missions feeling repetitive and frustrating due to bugs and unclear objectives. Overall, the story serves its purpose but is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and mission design, leading to mixed reviews regarding its engagement and execution.
- “Sniper Elite’s narrative is set during World War II, following protagonist Karl Fairburne, an Allied sniper who must carry out crucial missions against enemy forces.”
- “The story is told through missions and dialogue, and provides a solid context for the player’s actions.”
- “Your mission is to prevent Nazi V2 rocket technology from falling into the hands of the encroaching Soviet forces, all while navigating the war-torn city and its numerous dangers.”
- “The story is flat and lacking (characters, dialogue, and all), and though there are some interesting things gameplay-wise, they aren’t enough to encourage much interest overall—I'm hoping the rest of the series will be more captivating.”
- “The story didn't engage me personally and it's filled with lots of exposition and voice diaries at the start of the mission (similar to the first Call of Duty game).”
- “The story is basically non-existent along with anything else that could make the game fun.”
graphics
227 mentions
21 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The graphics of Sniper Elite, released in 2005, are widely regarded as dated, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well compared to modern standards. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design reflective of its time, others criticize the visuals as muddy and lacking detail, often detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's engaging gameplay and unique mechanics, such as the bullet cam, continue to resonate with fans, making it a notable title in the sniper genre.
- “This game holds up unbelievably well in most aspects including graphics, sound and map design, and of course, gunplay.”
- “Released in 2005, Sniper Elite's graphics were impressive for its time.”
- “The graphics are surprisingly good and I was impressed; however, the character models do look a little... interesting and goofy.”
- “In my opinion, this game is very outdated not only in the graphics but in AI and gameplay.”
- “The graphics are horrible and the movement controls are just the worst.”
- “The graphics are noticeably ugly, with blurry and blocky textures everywhere you look.”
gameplay
213 mentions
27 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Sniper Elite, while innovative for its time, has not aged well, with many players noting clunky controls and outdated mechanics that detract from the overall experience. However, the game is praised for its realistic sniping mechanics and strategic gameplay elements, particularly the satisfaction of the "x-ray kill cam." Despite its flaws, some players still find enjoyment in the tactical approach and immersive atmosphere, though many recommend moving on to the sequels for a more refined experience.
- “Sniper Elite's gameplay is a sophisticated combination of tactics, strategy, and precision.”
- “The gameplay is challenging and rewarding, with a variety of weapons and tactics available.”
- “With its realistic sniping mechanics, unique x-ray kill cams, and a focus on strategic gameplay, it provided a fresh and engaging experience for fans of precision shooters.”
- “Graphics are meh, story seems flat from the start, and gameplay isn't really fun anymore.”
- “With clunky controls and very bad gameplay, Sniper Elite offers very little and I do not recommend it.”
- “The gameplay is just horrible.”
atmosphere
27 mentions
56 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and warlike qualities, effectively capturing the essence of World War II-era settings through detailed environments and impactful sound design. Despite some dated graphics and janky movement, the combination of ambient sounds, music, and level design creates a memorable and engaging experience that resonates with players. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as the game's strongest aspect, enhancing the gameplay and evoking a sense of tension and realism.
- “The atmosphere is great and the background sounds are really warlike and creepy.”
- “Sniper Elite's sound design contributes to the wartime atmosphere, with gunfire, explosions, and ambient sounds immersing players in the environment.”
- “While the visuals are indeed dated, the whole package creates an atmospheric stage consistent with bombed-out Dresden, and I would like to emphasize this accomplishment given the age of the engine.”
- “While it may not hold up to contemporary standards, the game's environments and character models are detailed enough to convey the atmosphere of World War II-era Berlin.”
- “I really liked the sound; its sudden changes from time to time create a 'scary', gloomy atmosphere, along with the loud and angry shouting of enemy soldiers.”
- “The for our times 'bad' graphics make the war atmosphere even more disgusting and real.”
music
25 mentions
36 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the atmospheric sound design and realistic audio effects that enhance the overall experience, particularly in tense moments. However, many find the soundtrack itself to be generic and not particularly memorable, often overshadowed by the environmental sounds. Additionally, issues with audio levels, especially at the main menu, have been noted as a frustrating aspect for players.
- “The music (one of the best in the series in my opinion), the screams in the background, the commanders shouting orders in the distance, the firing katyushas, and fighting planes flying over your head... it is just amazing and, in my opinion, by far, the most realistic audio depiction of WWII.”
- “Atmosphere from the original Sniper Elite never gets old; ambient sound still gives a nightmare, epic soundtrack, memorable enemy chatter.”
- “The music, while usually silent, will give you a taste of heavy atmosphere during each small introduction (camera shows you the surroundings) and action.”
- “Nothing special, just a generic WWII soundtrack; sounds neat, I guess.”
- “The music volume is gratingly loud when you first load to the main menu, making you prioritize audio options before anything else.”
- “The soundtrack is the same as in v2 or Nazi Zombies.”
stability
18 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is highly variable among users; while some report smooth performance with minimal glitches, others experience frequent crashes, significant bugs, and frustrating gameplay interruptions. Many players note issues with AI behavior and mission design, leading to a mixed reception regarding overall stability. Despite these problems, some still find enjoyment in the game, particularly for its nostalgic value and engaging mechanics.
- “Ran great with no glitches or bugs.”
- “Runs great on my 5-year-old laptop.”
- “This game runs great on modern systems!”
- “Buggy, crashes a lot, and the gameplay is pretty cheap.”
- “This game is really annoying; first I had to delete all the cutscene video files to even start the game (otherwise the game freezes at the start of the intro movie). Controls are 'slippery' like you are walking on ice, and the game tips just stop the gameplay from time to time, sometimes in the middle of action.”
- “Also, too many bugs and glitches.”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of intentional comedy and unintentional campiness, with players finding amusement in quirky character movements, laughably poor voice acting, and absurd scenarios like tanks ignoring each other. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its ridiculous mechanics and visuals, making it an enjoyable experience despite its flaws. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, contributing to the game's charm and entertainment value.
- “Voice acting is laughably bad and even hilarious at times.”
- “It made me laugh that the German tank and the Russian tank passed without firing even though they could see each other.”
- “The cinematic wide angle shots that open each stage that are, hilariously, totally normal aspect ratio with big black PNGs just barely not totally covering the top and bottom of the screen.”
replayability
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered high due to its variety of missions, strategic options, and additional challenges, although some reviews note a moderate level of replay value due to its linear structure. Players appreciate the opportunity to revisit missions for improved performance and hidden objectives, contributing to a satisfying gameplay experience. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and voice acting, the game is recognized for its longevity and replay potential.
- “The game's replayability is high due to the variety of missions, the ability to try out different strategies, and the presence of additional challenges and achievements.”
- “Loads of replayability, and very satisfying gameplay.”
- “The graphics and voice acting are the weakest links in this otherwise fun game, and it has great longevity as well as replay value.”
- “While players can revisit missions to improve their performance and discover hidden objectives, the overall linear structure limits extensive replayability.”
- “Sniper Elite offers moderate replay value.”
- “Replayability: ★★★☆☆”
optimization
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, as it runs smoothly even on low-end PCs with minimal loading times. However, players have noted issues with graphics optimization, particularly regarding the 4:3 aspect ratio on modern monitors, which can detract from the visual experience. While the linear structure limits replayability, the performance remains consistent, making it accessible for a wide range of hardware.
- “Additionally, the game rewards players with seamless performance and virtually non-existent loading times.”
- “About the technical state of the game - it runs smoothly even on the most basic PCs on the market, so don't worry about that.”
- “The plus side is you'll have no performance problems.”
- “The only problem is the bad graphics optimization, which I can't complain too much about, considering the time when the game was developed.”
- “Is it so the 4:3 stretch is optimized for 1080p 16:9 monitors? I guess they did a goddamn job of doing it because in the only 13 minutes of the game I played, I stared at a goddamn stretched-out port.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially when attempting to progress through missions on higher difficulties. Many suggest that the experience can feel overly repetitive and time-consuming, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the story and gameplay.
- “I did a full run on the lowest difficulty to replay the full story and explore the levels; however, I did one or two missions on Sniper Elite difficulty - it's just way more tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's tedious if you try to run and gun your way through.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is heavily criticized due to intrusive ads that disrupt gameplay, pausing the game frequently. While there are additional weapons available, they are not linked to ads, and their effectiveness is questioned, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
- “At first, missions provide a little information about the game, but then ads pop up constantly, pausing the game 40 times!”
- “There are other weapons you can use, but you cannot use ads with them, and they are very inaccurate.”
- “I don't recall seeing any advertisements for this game during that time either.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that while the game features character development, it falls short compared to other titles with more compelling narratives and missions that are better interconnected.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, with each character evolving in meaningful ways throughout the story.”
- “I love how the game allows for deep character arcs, making every decision feel impactful on their growth.”
- “The relationships between characters are well-crafted, adding layers to their development and making the narrative more engaging.”
- “Yes, there are better stories with character development and missions that are more closely linked.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
- “I was disappointed by how one-dimensional the characters were; they didn't evolve or change in any significant way.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional impact of the game to be significant, particularly during intense moments of sniping and assault, which evoke strong feelings despite some frustrations with the stealth mechanics.