Rebellion, 505 Games
Sniper Elite V2 for Xbox 360
Rating:
5 Stars
Back in 2005, a small studio from the UK named Rebellion released a game that was an instant cult hit. Sniper Elite caught the attention of sniping enthusiasts and gamers alike, and fans desperately wanted a sequel. Seven years later, they’ve finally got their wish… sort of. Not actually a direct sequel, but really more of a reimagination, Sniper Elite V2 hit the scenes on May 1, 2012 in the states.
Set during World War II, Officer Karl Fairburne is on a mission to eliminate the scientists involved in the German V-2 rocket program. He’ll also have a few run-ins with the Soviet Army and quite a few other German Snipers. Going at it alone, it’s a lot to take on, made more difficult by the twists and turns he uncovers throughout his journey.
This third-person-shooter focuses on stealth gameplay and a hefty dose of sniping. If you’ve got the guts to take it on, there’s even realistic physics to deal with. Bullet drop and wind will affect trajectories; and all the while you’ll need to remember to watch your heart-rate and steady yourself by kneeling or lying down. Sniper Elite V2 can be as challenging as you want it to be with the ability to choose a custom difficulty level by determining which factors you want to take into consideration and which you’d rather ignore. No matter how you decided to play, it’s time to dust off the old Springfield.
The Fun Stuff:
In a game that’s supposed to be somewhat of a sniping simulator, it’s important they do sniping justice. Having to account for bullet drop, wind resistance, and the trajectory of moving targets is a key part of the appropriately titled “sniper elite” difficulty level; and it’s exactly what makes Sniper Elite V2 so exhilarating. Nothing is more satisfying than putting all of these key ingredients together and landing the perfect shot. All of these physics are done very consistently and after playing for a while, you’ll find yourself drifting into a nice rhythm where what was once “random guess work” becomes instinct.
The best snipers look for cover to conceal themselves as much as possible while still finding small areas they can squeeze shots through. Those with a keen eye and steady hand can find themselves landing shots between broken floorboards, the axle and body of a truck, or through a hole left by a single missing brick in a wall. What’s most shocking is if you twitch off to the side slightly, your shot won’t make it to its target.
All of these narrow passageways were neatly crafted and are not simply the result of sloppy work by the artists. As you explore the remains of bombed-out Berlin, you’ll find just how perfectly crafted all the hit boxes were for items in the environment. The attention to detail is simply stunning. This level of detail is carried over to the rest of the game mechanics as well. With the right physics in play, you can find your miscalculated shot turned into a winning headshot as it careens off the roof of the car the enemy was using for cover and banks straight into their skull. Bullets can also be stopped by the body of an LMG but still pass through a thin wood board or the canvas of a covered vehicle. With all of these things combined, getting kills suddenly changes from a chore to a reward, which is amplified by the most exciting trick Sniper Elite V2 has up its sleeve.
When a particularly difficult or gruesome shot is made, it’s accented by the incredible slow-motion x-ray kill cam. Time slows down as you watch your bullet zip across a courtyard, through a window, and straight toward your enemy. Right before entering the body, portions of your next victim become see-through so you can watch in excruciatingly graphic detail all of the damage you’re about to inflict. As the bullet passes through the neck, you can watch it rupture the trachea and shatter the spine before tearing out the backside and continuing on. Likewise, vital organs will be punctured, brain matter will be splattered, and fragments of the skull will be blown away. None of this is canned either, so a headshot doesn’t always cut to the same video over and over again. The slow-mo also gives you the chance to appreciate more of the life-like details applied to the bullet. After passing through the body, you may notice that the bullet has become deformed and its trajectory has changed.
These close-ups aren’t the only thing that look nice either. The rest of the game has beautiful graphics and have certainly come a long way from what the first Sniper Elite looked like. Environments have much richer detail, and everything just looks so much sharper. Enemies seem very copy and paste, but they’re not really intended to be the highlight of the game. The graphics are just as nicely crafted as the core mechanics of the game.
The Frustrating Stuff:
Despite beautiful graphics, the rest of the game’s presentation is somewhat lacking. The story is fairly weak at best and the supporting characters are anything but memorable. There’s no CGI cut scenes between missions and the soundtrack creates nice accents and compliments to the gameplay, but doesn’t demand you download a copy of your favorite tracks. All of this is really OK though, because it’s overshadowed by the outstanding gameplay and sheer level of excitement generated by landing the perfect shot.
What’s most disappointing is the lack of ability to sit down on the couch with a friend and play a little co-op just like you could with the original Sniper Elite. It’s made even more frustrating thanks to a misprint by a first party on the box art that claims its 1-2 players local. Unfortunately, co-op is only supported online at the moment, although there have been rumors that local play will be added in a later update.
Bottom Line:
In a category that seems incredibly oversaturated, you really have to do something special to stand out. Sniper Elite V2 does a fantastic job by passing on the traditional staples of the modern shooter and bringing out the best of your problem-solving skills. The game really forces you to throw away the run-and-gun tactics instilled in most gamers thanks to games like Call of Duty by severely crippling your ammunition supply for your side arms. At first, it may seem like a burden, but with time it’s obvious that they’re just coaxing you in the right direction for playing the game with stealth as your main weapon.
One taste of the game and it’s easy to see that already, Sniper Elite V2 has carved out a spot in the list of best games of the year. Unfortunately, those willing to try it out seem far and few between, so it’s likely that it’s going to be the number one sleeper-hit of 2012. Before you’re quick to dismiss it as just another shooter or budget game, try out the demo available on Live and PSN. Rebellion has put together one heck of a teaser, and it’s sure to get you hooked.
Sniper Elite V2 was developed by Rebellion and published by 505 Games. It was released in North America on May 1, 2012 with an M rating from the ESRB and an MSRP of $49.99. This review was based on a copy of the game provided courtesy of 505 Games.
Anthony Ortale writes news and reviews on behalf of Examiner.com. He does so much gaming in his spare time, it’s practically a full time job! If you like what you read here, please subscribe to his articles! You can also follow Tony on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to email Tony any time at ortale.anthony@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you
