REVIEW: Sniper Elite 4

Introduction

Sniper Elite 4 is a thrilling adventure which takes place across Italy. You traverse snow-covered mountains to arid hills as you help the resistance fight the Nazi-backed government. The title is a definite jump over Sniper Elite 3. The best comparison between the two games can be summarized by a conversation I had with one of our writers recently. We were talking about how Sniper Elite 3 was more like a “AA game” when it came to performance and visuals. However, Sniper Elite 4 is “definitely AAA” because it excels on all fronts. While the plot may be a little convoluted due to copious sub-objectives, the overall game is an absolute joy to play.

Campaign

Sniper Elite 4’s campaign takes place over eight vast areas which require you to complete various missions. The overall plot revolves around Karl Fairburne preventing Nazis from using an advanced missile system to destroy American military interests. The game takes place on the sidelines of the main struggle against Adolf Hitler but instead of taking place in Germany, it takes place in Italy.

I’m not sure how accurate Sniper Elite 4 is to historical events but the narrative has tenuous connections to real-life occurrences so it seems plausible. From what I understood, you have to take out Hitler’s top officers in the country and uncover the secrets pertaining to an upcoming attack. You follow the clues across the region until you find the nexus. There’s deception, heartbreak and much more drama that unfolds throughout your journey. I just wish it were a little more clear and concise.

Multiplayer

There are multiple ways to experience Sniper Elite 4 with your friends. You can either invite someone to a co-op campaign or additional challenges. Survival mode is an intense as ever and you fight waves of soldiers over the course of a dozen rounds. My favorite has to be the co-op campaign because not only does it make the game easier, it also introduces a new tactical element. For example, you and your friend can take up different positions on opposite sides of an enemy encampment. Making sure you time your shots and take out as many enemies during your initial attack becomes a challenge. It also makes the game more competitive.

I played the campaign with another writer, Xian, and we starting making our own challenges. Who could take out the tank first. Who could take out the sniper first without being detected. These are just some examples of what we tried to do. Camaraderie adds another dimension to Sniper Elite 4. You have to play this game with friends!

Sniper Elite 4’s competitive multiplayer mode offers your standard gameplay which you can expect in other multiplayer shooters. Unlike other titles however, there’s a definite emphasis on stealth given the fact that all of your opponents are snipers. While I wouldn’t say that Sniper Elite 4’s multiplayer mode is mind-blowing or supremely addictive, it does offer another reason to return to the game. Spotting enemies effectively and staying in cover at all times is necessary. While the first few matches might be frustrating, you’ll eventually get the hang of it.

Upgrades

I don’t remember if Sniper Elite 3 had meaningful upgrades for your character and weapons but Sniper Elite 4 takes them to the next level. You can unlock faster cooldowns for elements such as your heart rate and other attributes. While they aren’t game-changing by any means, they do give you that much more control over how you play the title. The more you level up, the more you can adopt an aggressive playstyle.

Weapons are also upgradeable so the more you use a particular sniper rifle or other device, the better you become at it. It’s not that simple though, you have to meet certain objectives like getting a certain number of headshots.

Levels

The levels can be compared to a game like Hitman but they’re considerably larger. It’s almost like an open world game (which I fully expect from Rebellion for the next iteration of the franchise). It’ll take you a few hours to explore each one if you employ stealth and try to complete all the miscellaneous challenges like shooting Nazi insignias. On lower difficulty levels, Sniper Elite 4 does allow you to adopt the infamous run-and-gun approach so you can play it like a traditional action game but that presents its own challenges. Dozens of enemies swarm your location and it always ends poorly.

There are a few basic rules you have to follow in Sniper Elite 4. Firstly, you should always remain in cover or try to stick to the shadows. Secondly, mark enemies with your binoculars so you know which way they’re facing. Lastly, never take two shots from the same location because you’ll be spotted. I can’t stress how important the last rule is because patience is key in this game.

Visuals

Sniper Elite 4 is a gorgeous game with high-resolution textures and great lighting. The crepuscular rays and shadows, along with the vibrant colors, make it a visual treat. I would go as far as to say that it’s one of the best looking games on the console. For those wondering, the title runs at 1080p 30 FPS on Xbox One. While I did encounter some instances where the frame rate fluctuated, they didn’t impact gameplay and resolved on their own. My only complaint would have to be that characters’ faces aren’t as detailed as other games.

Camera

The most satisfying element in the Sniper Elite franchise has to be the X-ray camera. There’s something oddly enjoyable in the way the bullet travels through the air, distorting light, and hitting your target in the eye…or nether regions. Seeing bones shatter and organs burst gives you an estimation of the power housed in your sniper rifle. While getting headshots might be particularly difficult if you ramp up the difficulty, the thrill never subsides.

Summary

Overall, Sniper Elite 4 is a remarkable achievement for Rebellion. It’s an expansive and detailed experience which pushes the stealth genre forward. The gameplay is exhilarating and in order to properly complete the game, you can easily spend around forty hours on it. The sheer number of collectibles and the stories they tell is incredible. The multiplayer mode is stellar and much more frantic than the campaign. In my opinion, Sniper Elite 4 is best played with a friend in co-op. That’s when the title truly shines.