Sniper Elite V2 Reviews - PC Friday, 11 May 2012 23:08 Written by Joey E

Sniper Elite V2

Publisher: Rebellion Developments

Developer: Rebellion Developments

System: PC, PS3, 360

Release Date: May 01, 2012

Sniper Elite was a 2005 World War II shooter that came out when many were tired of similarly themed shooters such as Day of Defeat and Call of Duty 2. Despite that Sniper Elite received great scores and was praised for its it's lengthy campaign and realistic bullet physics. Can Sniper Elite V2 live up to its predecessor?

Sniper Elite V2 was originally only for the PS3 and 360. Thanks to an outcry from fans, Rebellion stated it would release the PC version along with the PS3 and 360 version. This game features many options a great port would have, such as optimized graphics and mouse optimization, along with options for the AI and bullet physics.

Sniper Elite V2 is set at the end of World War II. You're an American sniper trying to stop the Soviets from taking the Nazi rocket scientists. Each level starts out with your location as unknown. You have the choice to stealth it up, but eventually you'll have to start taking out everyone you see. In some levels you can time your shots to loud ambiance sounds to cover the sound of your rifle. I find it way more satisfying to start shooting first. The gameplay is solid but repetitive. I found that I could only take the game in short bursts. I find that turning the bullet cam frequency all the way will help. Rebellion stated that they worked with World War II rifle experts to fine-tune the physics of bullets. Although they also stated that Sniper Elite V2 is meant to be a sniper game, not a sniper simulation, so the physics are intensified to make for a more challenging experience.

The bullet cam is one of the best features in this game. With a good aim, the game takes control of the camera and zooms it on the bullet you fire. As you see the spiraling bullet rip the air around it, it enters the target. You can watch as the bullet cracks open the bone on the entry wound, possibly hit a vital organ in the highly detailed skeletal model, and exit cracking more bone, leaving a nice wound as you see the damaged bullet flying in the air like a bat. If you aren't lucky enough to hit an organ, you'll still see a nice bullet cam as you see the bullet enter and exit the target in real time.

Fans of the original Sniper Elite may not like this game. Sniper Elite V2 (play off words from the German V2 rocket) is thought of as a modern reboot instead of a sequel. Because of this, features such as regenerating health and enemy marking. Sniper Elite V2 also features much shorter and linear levels. Although those modern features are subjective to the player, I think a dumb AI is a frustrating part that no one likes. After clearing out an area, you can go into the next, which may be only a few feet away, making new enemies spawn and act like a big firefight never happened.

PC gamers will be happy to know this this isn't just another crappy port. The graphics are toned way up from the console versions, and optimized as well. Although you don't need a necessarily high FPS to play this game, one never hurts. One thing you like to hear are soldiers screaming in different languages when they aren't able to find you. You won't find this hear. The dialogue is very bland with a few words repeated often.

With many features such as trip mines, remote detonations, and scope shine this makes up for a solid game. The repetitive nature of this game could be a turn off to some though.

Rating