Sniper Elite

A satisfying tactical shooter that takes you on suspense-filled ride.

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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.

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Play Modes

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,440 reviews

story137 positive mentions

stability17 negative mentions

story
586 mentions
23 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story of "Sniper Elite V2" is generally viewed as generic and linear, focusing on a U.S. sniper's mission to eliminate key figures in the Nazi V-2 rocket program during the final days of World War II. While some players appreciate the historical context and the immersive atmosphere of war-torn Berlin, many criticize the narrative for being shallow, repetitive, and lacking depth, with limited character development and minimal cutscenes. Overall, the gameplay mechanics and sniping elements are often highlighted as the main attractions, overshadowing the underwhelming story.
- “With a compelling story, beautiful and incredible scenery of war-torn Berlin and very action-packed solo engagements against Nazi/Red Army soldiers at all distances and amongst all types of environments, it is truly a masterpiece.”
- “The story follows an American officer who must capture or eliminate the scientists involved in the German V-2 rocket program while the Red Army invades.”
- “The campaign features a solid storyline that accentuates the urgency of each mission.”
- “The story is very bland; I feel as if anyone could have written it.”
- “The story was very, very repetitive, consisting of 'destroy this, kill person.' Not much else was really added into it.”
- “The story isn't much to speak of; prevent the Russians from obtaining V2 tech.”
gameplay
328 mentions
41 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title is characterized by its strong sniping mechanics and satisfying bullet physics, particularly highlighted by the x-ray kill cam feature. However, many players find the stealth mechanics to be poorly executed and the overall experience to be linear and repetitive, often leading to frustration with enemy AI and mission design. While the graphics and sound design are praised, the gameplay lacks depth and variety, making it feel bland over time.
- “One of the greatest sniping games that make you live in the atmosphere of World War II. The sniping style is very cool and tends to be realistic at the highest difficulty, and this makes the game integrated. The graphics and the sound are amazing, and the gameplay is so far so good; it deserves 9.5/10.”
- “The gameplay is great on sniping but a bit clunky on automatic shooting. The sniping mechanics are pretty well implemented, and getting a perfect headshot factoring in both the wind and bullet drop leaves you feeling somewhat accomplished.”
- “The gameplay is what makes this game fun. It offers a pretty good balance of difficulty, gameplay styles, and strategies.”
- “The stealth mechanics work, but they're really basic, and with the linear design, they're really unnecessary, to be honest.”
- “With broken mechanics and a linear mission layout, it felt like an overlong and boring WWII knock-off.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, unintuitive, and plain boring in the long run, and it's far from as interesting as it could have been.”
graphics
261 mentions
61 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they may not be cutting-edge by modern standards, they still hold up well for a title released in 2012. The visuals are often praised for their atmospheric quality and attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of bullet impacts and the x-ray kill cam feature. Overall, while some players find the graphics dated, they appreciate the immersive experience and gameplay that compensates for any visual shortcomings.
- “The graphics rendering is very well done.”
- “Astonishing atmosphere, epic soundtrack, good graphics and sound, shooting mechanics is solid, and so on.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the voice of the actor is really cool.”
- “The graphics are dated now, but not so badly that the game isn't fun.”
- “Do not buy the remastered... it has very minor graphical upgrades and you can easily reach about the same level using reshade and forced antialiasing improvement from video card panel combined together.”
- “Disappointing game, I liked the first game a lot, but this is nothing but improved graphics and less content and only linearly gameplay.”
music
31 mentions
29 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the epic title theme and atmospheric soundtracks, while others find the overall soundtrack repetitive and lacking catchiness. While the sound design enhances the gameplay experience, particularly during action scenes, it can also become annoying or dull for some players. Overall, the music fits the game's theme but may not stand out as memorable or award-winning.
- “Astonishing atmosphere, epic soundtrack, good graphics and sound, shooting mechanics is solid, and so on.”
- “Great game, good WWII atmosphere from visuals and soundtrack, bullet time is brilliant, never gets old!”
- “Sound and music are very well done, with every crack of a sniper rifle, every thundering boom of a German tank being an aural joy to the ear.”
- “Music is not catchy and, in action scenes, it becomes annoying.”
- “The voice acting has also been greatly improved, though sadly the same cannot be said for the soundtrack; the latter of which seems to have taken a step back from the original release, with many of the few tracks being reused from level to level, and coming across too subtle.”
- “Oh also... I found the soundtrack pretty dull... that was a downside at least for me.”
replayability
27 mentions
33 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it enjoyable due to its co-op mode, custom loadouts, and collectible challenges, while others feel it lacks significant replay value beyond the initial playthrough. Many reviews highlight that the campaign offers a decent amount of content, but once completed, the replay incentive diminishes unless players are completionists or interested in DLC. The sniper mechanics and engaging story contribute positively to the replay experience for some, but overall, it is considered average in terms of replayability.
- “Unlike the original Sniper Elite game (a linear bore), there is plenty of replay value to the missions.”
- “If you're looking for a fun shooter with lots of replayability, this is it.”
- “Custom loadouts add replay value to completed missions, as do collectibles.”
- “It offers about 6-8 hours of content for the campaign depending on difficulty and also how much stealthy your approach is, not much replay value apart from collectibles and achievements if you are into that.”
- “I picked it up at this price since I wanted to play it, but in my opinion, better wait for a discount since we are talking about a 5-year game already with little replayability.”
- “Buy it, play it, enjoy it for the first time through - but it doesn't have a whole lot of replay value.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
65 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Sniper Elite V2 is widely praised for its authentic depiction of World War II, particularly the tense and desperate environment of Germany during its final days. Reviewers highlight the impressive graphics, sound design, and level of detail that contribute to a deeply immersive experience, despite some criticism regarding linear level design. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of its historical setting, making it a standout in the sniping genre.
- “Sniper Elite V2 brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the final days leading up to the defeat of the German Reich with sheer perfection; it is unlike any other game in its genre.”
- “The graphics, scenery, and atmosphere are breathtaking at points, especially when you have a bird's eye view of your battlefield.”
- “I really appreciate the tension and atmospherics in this game.”
- “The storyline is not continued but it puts you in the WWII atmosphere.”
- “There is no atmosphere like in the first one.”
- “Everything is proficient at supplying a strong Nazi face-shooting experience for the player, but has little ambition beyond that (story, character, atmosphere, clever mission planning, etc).”
humor
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily derived from its over-the-top kill animations and the absurdity of shooting enemies in sensitive areas, which players find both entertaining and hilarious. The inclusion of a bullet cam that highlights these comedic moments adds to the enjoyment, making the experience feel like a darkly humorous take on sniper gameplay. Overall, players appreciate the blend of realistic mechanics with absurd humor, creating a uniquely funny atmosphere throughout the game.
- “X-ray bullet cam is fun (exploding testicles are hilarious)”
- “Kill animations are hilarious.”
- “Most of this game (in my opinion) is played just to try and get the hilarious kills and get record-breaking long shots.”
stability
18 mentions
17 % positive mentions
-11 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with some users reporting it as mostly bug-free and enjoyable, while others experience significant issues such as frequent glitches, buggy AI, and crashes, particularly in multiplayer. Many players recommend waiting for a sale due to these stability concerns, as the game can be frustratingly buggy at times, especially during startup and in certain gameplay scenarios. Overall, while some find it fun, the prevalence of bugs detracts from the experience for many.
- “The game is mostly bug-free, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I appreciate the stability; it rarely crashes or glitches.”
- “The overall stability of the game enhances my enjoyment.”
- “Worse than ever, it's buggy on startup, buggy in-game, and it's also relatively impossible to get support.”
- “The only problem is, all of the components that add to that pressure or scenario are so sloppily executed you're really just reloading until you get the right combination of outcomes or hopefully fewer glitches.”
- “They need to fix the issue, whether it's a Steam problem or a game problem, where the multiplayer freezes and crashes when you select it in the main menu.”
optimization
15 mentions
33 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game received mixed reviews. While many players noted that it runs smoothly with decent graphics and performance, some experienced significant performance issues and felt that it could have been better optimized. The consensus suggests that while the game is enjoyable, its optimization varies widely among users.
- “Easy to run and well optimized.”
- “It runs smoothly, the graphics are great and bullet cams are awesome.”
- “I have not had any performance issues, so overall from a system point of view - all good.”
- “Still, it would've been better if it was optimized.”
- “Game is pretty fun, but it is not optimized well.”
- “Never got to finish it, performance was bad for some unknown reason.”
monetization
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received significant criticism due to intrusive advertisements that appear frequently, including at startup, during loading screens, and even after purchasing the game. Many players feel that these ads detract from the overall experience, labeling them as a greedy marketing tactic that undermines the value of a full-priced title. Despite enjoying the game itself, users express frustration over the excessive promotion of additional content and sequels within the gameplay.
- “Not to mention the stupid advertisement that comes up every single time you open and close the game.”
- “I actually really like this game... but they have massive popup ads that appear at startup and exit, which is unacceptable for a full-price retail game. This isn't 'Candy Crush' - get your act together!”
- “I find it very hard to recommend a game that utilizes a cheap, as well as entirely redundant, marketing gimmick as in-game advertising.”
grinding
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspects of the game to be tedious, particularly during stealth sections and close-quarters combat, which can feel repetitive and frustrating. While the sniping and bullet cam features are enjoyable, the overall experience is marred by the need for trial and error in gameplay, leading to a sense of monotony.
- “The stealth sections and gadgets were underdeveloped and tedious; only through trial and error of dying or replaying levels could you begin to guess where you should be setting up traps to defend your position as enemies could often flank you from several different directions.”
- “While the all-out sniping sections of the game and the kill cam were very fun, the stealthier sections were way too numerous and felt ultra tedious.”
- “This combined with the fact your other weapons are awful and that the AI knows exactly where you are when you fire, makes these urban sections terribly tedious.”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express mixed feelings about the emotional impact of the game, noting that while the gameplay fosters a connection to the story, it lacks originality and depth compared to other titles. Despite its impressive graphics and features, some reviewers feel that the emotional engagement is diminished by poor cutscenes and a sense of familiarity.
- “The gameplay makes you emotionally attached to the story, regardless of the poor cutscenes.”
- “While it might not be as tight as other titles touching the same material, it has excellent features and graphics.”
- “This game made me feel like I was quickscoping in MW2 again.”