Sniper Elite 4
- February 14, 2017
- Rebellion
- 17h median play time
Continuing the voyage out of Germany, our friendly sniper now hunts the Italian countryside in his effort to thwart the Nazis.
Sniper Elite 4 is a tactical shooter game set in WW2 Italy. As an Italian-American sniper, you must aid the Resistance in sabotaging enemy plans and preventing a new super weapon. The game features expansive environments, improved stealth mechanics, and a rewarding sniping system with satisfying X-ray kill cams.
Reviews
- story2,966 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in *Sniper Elite 4* is generally considered weak and generic, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. Players noted that while the missions are engaging and allow for various approaches, the plot lacks depth and memorable characters, often feeling cliché and predictable. Despite this, the game is praised for its gameplay mechanics and the freedom it offers in completing missions, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize action over story.
“The story is set in Italy during World War II, where you play as a spy who infiltrates and completes various missions against the Nazis.”
“The narrative, while secondary to the gameplay, provides context and motivation for the missions.”
“With its gripping storyline and impressive attention to detail, Sniper Elite 4 is a must-play for fans of the series and stealth-action enthusiasts alike.”
“The story is bland and so are all the characters, which I didn't care about at all.”
“The story is dull but who plays these titles for the story anyway?”
“The story is generic and only serves to explain why you are there in the level; don’t play this game for the story, play for the gameplay (which is really good).”
- gameplay1,655 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sniper Elite 4" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its tactical sniping mechanics, expansive maps, and the satisfying x-ray kill cam feature. Players appreciate the variety of approaches available for completing missions, allowing for both stealthy and aggressive playstyles. However, some critiques highlight repetitive gameplay, clunky mechanics, and a lack of innovation compared to previous entries in the series, suggesting that while the core gameplay is solid, it can become monotonous over time.
“If you’re a fan of tactical sniping and open-ended gameplay, this is a must-play.”
“The maps are amazing, crafted perfectly for sniper gameplay, the ballistics are the best in the franchise, the x-ray cam just received incredible upgrades and the shots are spectacular, all bundled in with cheesy story/dialogue, great sound design and incredible graphics.”
“With its engaging gameplay mechanics, detailed environments, and impressive presentation, it's a must-play for fans of stealth and tactical shooters.”
“It doesn't bring anything new to the table; the missions are forgettable, and the gameplay is 'meh'.”
“The gameplay is even better than the previous version, but like the previous game, it also follows the mainstream false narrative of 'demonized evil Germans' and a false history.”
“The gameplay loop gets repetitive after a while, and the shooting mechanics were just not fun for me.”
- graphics1,309 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Sniper Elite 4" have received widespread praise for their impressive detail and immersive environments, particularly the beautifully rendered Italian landscapes and enhanced x-ray kill cams. Many players noted that the visuals represent a significant improvement over previous entries in the series, with smooth performance even on lower-end hardware. However, some critiques mention minor graphical issues and a lack of substantial innovation compared to earlier titles, suggesting that while the graphics are strong, they may not fully meet the expectations set by modern gaming standards.
“The graphics are a step up from Sniper Elite 3, making each environment immersive and atmospheric.”
“The graphics are impressive, with detailed environments and character models. The Italian landscapes are beautifully rendered, providing a visually stunning backdrop.”
“The stunning visuals, realistic environments, and atmospheric effects create a truly immersive world.”
“Some minor graphical problems like water looking terrible.”
“I usually don't care about the graphics in games, but man this game has the worst anti-aliasing I have ever seen in my life; it is bad to the point that it is distracting me from the gameplay.”
“The graphics are terrible too.”
- replayability249 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its open-ended level design, allowing players to approach missions in various ways, whether through stealth or direct combat. Additional content, such as DLCs, challenges, and collectibles, further enhances replay value, making it appealing for completionists and those seeking different gameplay experiences. While some players note the campaign's brevity, the multitude of strategies and cooperative multiplayer options contribute to its overall enjoyment and replay potential.
“The open-ended level design allows for multiple approaches and endless replayability, giving you the freedom to tackle missions in whichever way you prefer—whether that’s stealthily sneaking past enemies or sniping them from a distance in true marksman style.”
“There is a ridiculous amount of content and replayability in this game, especially for $9.00.”
“The campaign also has endless replayability; I plan to play through the game 2-3 times solo, let alone multiple runs or consistent runs of a 'favorite mission' with various friends.”
“However, I believe that the game is too short (H&D had 29 missions in 9 campaigns) and replayability is limited.”
“The campaign is okay and tries to make it up by having 'replayability', but it can't make up how eh the missions are; there was one or two good levels but that's it, just par for the course.”
“The campaign, though, was way too short; I'm already finished with the campaign and I'm only 9 hours in. This is my first Sniper Elite game, so I had to replay maps and took very long to do a lot of things (several maps taking 1 hour+). I did some of the 'side-quests' that were present at missions, but most of the time you did 50% of them by just following the primary objective. The game is really fun and cool, but I don't think there is too much replayability, unless you really want to try specific stuff (like a ghost run).”
- optimization142 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on a range of hardware, including older systems, while others report issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and sluggish performance during intense action. Some users noted that the game performs well at high settings, achieving impressive frame rates, but concerns about Denuvo and its impact on performance and privacy were also highlighted. Overall, while many found the game well-optimized, there are notable exceptions where players experienced significant performance issues.
“The game runs smoothly, the mechanics of movement and combat are good.”
“It's very well optimized; I am getting 90 fps at 4K and 144 fps at 2K using an RTX 3080.”
“The optimization is really well done.”
“The only thing I dislike about the game is that it still has Denuvo even after the game has been cracked and is no longer receiving updates (latest was on August 2017), so we'll be experiencing worse performance and potentially the inability to play during a Denuvo server outage.”
“The game is not optimized at all.”
“To start off my explanation, I purchased said game and downloaded it with high-speed fiber optic cable internet. When I played it for the first time, I noticed lag in certain areas of the first level. Now that I am back with my ungodly satellite internet, I can barely move without the game stuttering, making it completely unplayable on PC.”
- stability130 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, including freezing issues and AI problems. While some users experienced significant crashes and performance issues, others noted that the game runs smoothly with minor glitches that do not detract from the overall experience. Overall, the stability appears to vary widely among players, with some enjoying a bug-free experience while others face frustrating technical difficulties.
“No glitches or bugs.”
“Gameplay is fun, smooth and polished with little to no glitches or bugs.”
“Runs great on this rig with 60 frames + with DirectX 12.”
“Runs terrible, locks computer, freezes at main screen, will not exit when quitting the game.”
“Every time I try to exit the game with the simple exit or alt + f4 it always freezes my monitor, usually requiring a manual restart and that's unfortunate for such a good game.”
“Crashing and hang-ups every 30-40 minutes, ok so I tried fixes from the community nothing worked, contacted Rebellion and got a fix from them and it broke the game worse now it doesn't run for more than a few seconds before it freezes causing the need to forcefully restart the entire computer to shut it down.”
- humor128 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is predominantly characterized by its over-the-top gore and absurd scenarios, such as shooting enemies in the testicles and witnessing comically inept AI behavior. Players find the gameplay amusing, especially in multiplayer modes, where creative kills and ridiculous situations lead to laughter. While some aspects, like voice acting and character animations, are unintentionally funny, the overall experience is described as hilariously entertaining, making it a memorable and enjoyable title for those who appreciate dark humor.
“The gameplay was funny, but it's just excessively repetitive and short.”
“Going for challenges doesn't even need to be much of a chore, and with multiplayer coop, it is a hilarious and amusing game to break.”
“The overblown drama, the cliffhanging stilted way characters interact with each other, the hilariously out of place character development, and everything that makes the bad guys the bad guys.”
- music100 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in *Sniper Elite 4* is generally described as immersive and fitting for the game's World War II setting, enhancing the atmosphere during tense gameplay moments. While some tracks are noted for their effectiveness, many players find the soundtrack to be unremarkable and occasionally forgettable, with a few even opting to mute it in favor of other audio. Overall, the sound design, including sound effects and voice acting, is praised, but the music itself receives mixed reviews, often rated around 6 to 7 out of 10.
“The music enhances the mood and adds to the immersion in various combat scenarios.”
“The game's music sets the tone effectively, enhancing the tension during stealth segments and providing a sense of triumph during intense firefights.”
“The period music and the scenery create an immersive experience that was more satisfying to me than the more far-fetched game themes I have seen in the past.”
“The music is fitting enough given the timeframe and some tracks are at least worth a re-listen, but most of them are rather forgettable and I've even had a few issues with music triggers in-game, so don't expect any 'Snake Eater's or 'Heavens Divide's here.”
“The game's soundtrack is serviceable but not particularly memorable.”
“The music is repetitive and nothing special.”
- grinding84 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 58 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting it can be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of hours to achieve upgrades and complete objectives. While some players find satisfaction in the grinding process and the achievements it offers, others criticize it as a chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the grinding experience is described as a double-edged sword, providing both a sense of accomplishment and frustration.
“Plenty of achievements to hunt that aren't too tedious or a slog.”
“The really cool thing about this is that the upgrade system is well-conceived and not tedious as you would find, say, in a COD release.”
“So, that's sort of a double edge there: on one hand, it's great that I completed the game with no grinding at all, but on the other hand, there is no motivation to do the grinding that is in the game.”
“The gameplay is good, but can get tedious.”
“It's tedious and a chore to play with its horrible mission design... even if its engine at this point is very impressive.”
“The weapon upgrade system via achievements feels boring and grindy - instead of getting to play the fun way, I need to choose between not having those upgrades and grinding them, and that is incredibly boring.”
- atmosphere58 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Sniper Elite 4" is widely praised for its immersive graphics and detailed environments that authentically represent World War II Italy. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, an engaging soundtrack, and well-designed maps that enhance the gameplay experience, creating a tense and atmospheric setting. Despite some criticisms regarding AI and pacing, the overall ambiance is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The stunning visuals, realistic environments, and atmospheric effects create a truly immersive world.”
“The beautiful graphics, scenic terrain, and atmospheric soundscape allow for complete immersion into the game world, making your heart rate increase along with Karl's when the enemy group hears your shots and comes looking for you.”
“Outstanding game, very atmospheric, graphics are fantastic, the towns and villages are just what you would expect to see in this era, very authentic imagery and the dioramas are just outstanding.”
“In my personal opinion, it's complete dog shit, very slow-paced which creates a boring atmosphere, similar to Ghost Recon (which is a lousy copy).”
“Silly reverb movie sounds the whole time distract from the immersion; quite frankly, I find them childish. You don't need loads of effects to create atmosphere; gameplay, level design, AI response, etc., create atmosphere, not weird movie reverb noises like you're in the bowels of a creaky ship in a shark horror movie.”
“The story wasn't that strong, but it doesn't matter as long as the gameplay and co-op atmosphere cover that up.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Sniper Elite 4" elicits mixed responses from players. While some appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of guilt and reflection through poignant letters from fallen soldiers, others criticize the overall narrative as boring and repetitive, detracting from the emotional engagement. The game's mechanics, particularly the graphic kill scenes, create a complex emotional experience, balancing feelings of empowerment with remorse for the violence depicted.
“The game guilt trips you with heartbreaking letters home written to/by the soldiers you mercilessly shoot.”
“There's also some interesting little touches from the designers, the touching notes home you collect from the dead enemy soldiers, a sobering reminder that your enemy is still human beings despite being twisted by a lunatic and his demented ideology.”
“I'm very pleased that I took the plunge and purchased Sniper Elite 4; simply put, it's a great game and it's been emotional.”
“Lifeless world, boring story, and dumb AI. I can't find the fun, even in hardcore mode. Sorry, Rebellion, I can't play it after the first mission; I don't find this game fun anymore.”
“A boring story doesn't always ruin a game for me, but Sniper Elite 4's was just endlessly grating.”
“If somebody asks me what Sniper Elite 4 is, I will answer that for me it is a boring story about a soldier with good graphics and a lot of nice x-ray kills.”
- monetization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has received significant criticism for its reliance on microtransactions and additional paid content, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience. Users express frustration over locked weapons and upgrades that require extra purchases, despite having already paid for the game. Additionally, the presence of in-game ads and a perceived lack of value in the content offered has led to feelings of being ripped off, especially when discounts are applied shortly after purchase.
“There is a level-based progression system that will allow you to upgrade your skills like better stamina or taking less damage on explosions, etc., and then tons of weapons that are locked behind DLC and digital in-game purchases.”
“The appear in the loadout before each level, yet you can't have them unless you part with more money. This is not a free game; it is a fully paid game with 'in-app purchases,' which basically leaves you with just the basic weapons.”
“There are a fair amount of rifles to pick and choose from; however, many of them are locked behind microtransactions.”
“Combine that with the ugly visual stylization, complete lack of immersion, confusingly prevalent microtransactions, and busywork that's transparently padding, and the adjective 'bland' is too high a compliment.”
“- a disgusting monetization system.”
“The appear in the load out before each level, yet you can't have them unless you part with more money, yet this is not a free game, it is a paid for in full game with 'in app purchases' which basically leaves you with just the basic weapons.”
- character development6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the reviewed games is generally seen as lacking, with some titles offering only minimal progression and poorly executed interactions. While a few games feature decent storylines, they often fall short in providing meaningful character arcs or depth, leaving players wanting more. Overall, those seeking rich character development may be disappointed.
“While it won't win any accolades anytime soon, the campaign has a good storyline and decent character development, yet could do with a couple more missions to fully flesh things out.”
“I may have gotten used to Ubisoft’s character design, where every trinket hangs and dangles differently on your body, but I did feel the protagonist’s design was a tad stiff in this regard.”
“- no character development or even an introduction.”
“- I may have gotten used to Ubisoft’s character design, where every trinket hangs and dangles differently on your body, but I did feel the protagonist’s design was a tad stiff in this regard.”
“The overblown drama, the cliffhanging stilted way characters interact with each other, the hilariously out of place character development, and everything that makes the bad guys the bad guys.”
Critic Reviews
Sniper Elite V4 PS4 Review
Continuing the voyage out of Germany, our friendly sniper now hunts the Italian countryside in his effort to thwart the Nazis.
90%Sniper Elite 4 (Xbox One) – Review
Landing the perfect snipe on someone in a moving vehicle from miles away, locating a crane hovering ominously above a busy area of Nazi’s at a dangerous stage in your mission – these are all scenarios that you play a game like Sniper Elite 4.
80%Sniper Elite 4 Review
Enormous, open levels augment Sniper Elite 4 with some of the best long-distance shootouts that the series has seen thus far. The under-the-hood improvements – paired with the idyllic Italian backdrop – do give this entry the edge over its predecessor, but if you've played one of these games before then you'll know more or less what to expect. Nevertheless, as far as ball busters go, it doesn't get much better (or wince-inducing) than this.
70%