Sniper Elite Resistance: 10 Invasion Tips
I recently wrote 10 tips for Sniper Elite Resistance. Some simple advice and features to be aware of in the game, that hopefully proved beneficial to both old and new players alike. This time, I want to give some further guidance, specifically for Invasion mode. A few pointers to make hunting down other players easier and more fun. Invading someone else’s single player campaign is a very exciting prospect and many players rush headlong into this game mode without giving any prior consideration to who they may be up against, or how to approach the ensuing hunt. Here are 10 tips that will hopefully help Invading players and improve their overall Invasion experience. There is also a bonus tip at the end of the post for campaign players whose games get invaded.
I recently wrote 10 tips for Sniper Elite Resistance. Some simple advice and features to be aware of in the game, that hopefully proved beneficial to both old and new players alike. This time, I want to give some further guidance, specifically for Invasion mode. A few pointers to make hunting down other players easier and more fun. Invading someone else’s single player campaign is a very exciting prospect and many players rush headlong into this game mode without giving any prior consideration to who they may be up against, or how to approach the ensuing hunt. Here are 10 tips that will hopefully help Invading players and improve their overall Invasion experience. There is also a bonus tip at the end of the post for campaign players whose games get invaded.
Play the Campaign:
If you play through the single player campaign you will become familiar with the various mission maps, the different entry points where the player you are hunting may spawn and their respective mission objective locations. This information will help you identify where your prey has been and where they may be going next. You can then make educated guesses as to where they may dig in or set up an ambush for you, if they are proactive in their defense. If you do not wish to hunt your enemy, you can go to locations that they will later visit and await their arrival. A familiarity with all the mission maps makes Invasion mode an organised process, rather than a random search.
Don’t Stand Out:
When you play as a German Sniper Jäger, you have a choice of cosmetic outfits. It is tempting to pick one of the more flamboyant options but the most logical choice is that of a standard Infantryman. You have a much greater chance to blend in with the other NPCs and may not be immediately identified as the invader when approaching the player that you’re hunting.
Know Your Enemy:
When you invade a game, take the time to read the mission settings such as the difficulty and any other customisations such as health regeneration, bullet drop and wind etc. This can give you some indication as to the skill of your enemy or enemies if it’s a co-op game. Check to see what platform the other player(s) are on. Sniper Elite Resistance is currently available on PC and Xbox Game Pass, so a lot of new players are trying the game. However, remember that you may also be facing an experienced player who is playing on a lower difficulty so they can focus on the various collectibles and achievements in the game.
NPCs and the Mini Map:
When invading a game, the most obvious way to monitor activity across a mission map is to tag all NPCs. This can be done via your binoculars or the telescopic sight of your rifle. However, using the binoculars is preferable as it is permanent. You can also tag NPCs that are close, by using High Alert. This tags them and makes them extra vigilant for a short time. Tagged NPCs show on your mini map and changes in their status are denoted by the colour altering from blue, to yellow to red. If an NPC that you’ve tagged is shot, a white X shows on the map. If the enemy gets into a firefight with the NPCs their position can eventually be triangulated. This is indicated by a spinning red triangle on the minimap. These visual cues are invaluable.
Follow the Clues:
There is an element of detective work involved in Invasion mode. When you spawn into a game, look for areas without NPCs, damaged vehicles, a trail of bodies or completed objectives. If you inspect corpses with your binoculars, you’ll find a colour coding system that indicates how long they’ve been dead. White is recent, yellow is several minutes and red is over 15 minutes. Always be careful around corpses as they may be boobytrapped. As your enemy progresses through their mission you will receive notification of their progress.
Use Your Binoculars:
Use your binoculars for reconnaissance. Your sniper scope gives off a very obvious glint, while your binoculars do not. If you spot your enemy with binoculars it is not essential to tag them as this alerts them that they’ve been seen. Binoculars also reveal NPC dialogue, irrespective of your distance, which can be useful.
Lures and Traps:
Mining choke points, mission objectives and elevated positions that afford a wide view can often yield results. A mine will not necessarily kill an enemy outright but it will diminish their health and tag them. Combined explosions are lethal. Decoys and lures can also prove useful for drawing enemy fire and triangulating their position.
High Ground:
High ground often provides clear and far reaching views. However, the enemy will also seek these out. It should also be noted that the sniper that you’re hunting has access to armour piercing rounds and you do not. You can be shot through a brick wall. Hence, weigh up the pros and cons of seeking high ground before doing so. When using a tower or something similar, mine the steps behind you and use a decoy if possible.
Customise Your Loadout:
As a Sniper Jäger with a clear hunt and kill objective, you do not have to be especially worried about stealth. Once you spot your target you need to hit fast and hard. Hence customise your loadout accordingly. Opt for weapons that have a high rate of fire and that do heavy damage. The Gewehr 43 is a more practical rifle in this respect, than the Karabiner 98. For SMGs and pistols, customise with extended magazines as well as barrels and receivers that do higher damage. Grenades are very versatile weapons and should be included in your loadout.
Audio Cues:
Listen for gun fire, sabotaged generators and NPC dialogue as these can be invaluable clues as to your enemy’s location or passage through the map. If the enemy is close, you can often hear them use the Invasion Phone.
Bonus Tips:
If you’re the player whose game is being invaded, you may wish to cease your current activities and dig in somewhere at a location that is defendable. Or you may choose to proactively hunt the invading Sniper Jäger. Ignoring an ongoing invasion is a high risk strategy.
Use your Focus ability continuously. Too many players simply forget about it. It tells you what direction the enemy is coming from on the minimap and displays a continuous red circle when they are very close.
Pre-aim corners and swap to a SMG or trench gun for close quarters combat.
Be prepared to simply run into your opponent by chance. Sometimes there is so much going on, you can walk right past each other.
Be mindful of bravura kills. Stealth takedowns can be tricky and they sometimes glitch out if your opponent moves. A fancy knife kill or drop down melee attack may look cool but can fail. Sometimes a simple bullet to the head when the opportunity presents itself is the better option.
Sniper Elite Resistance: 10 Tips
I have played Sniper Elite for over a decade, through all its various iterations. Although the core game mechanics stay broadly the same, over time a lot of additional features have been added to the game (and some removed). As a result, from time to time I will watch someone playing Sniper Elite via a stream or YouTube and see a feature that I didn’t know existed. Often these are small things but I find that it’s these minor embellishments that tend to prove the most beneficial. Hence, I have drawn up a list of 10 tips to share with fellow Sniper Elite players. Some may be well known, others may not. Due to the recent release of Sniper Elite Resistance, there are a lot of new players joining the community and this post is essentially aimed at them. Please note this is not a tactical guide but simply a list of a few “quality of life” tips .
I have played Sniper Elite for over a decade, through all its various iterations. Although the core game mechanics stay broadly the same, over time a lot of additional features have been added to the game (and some removed). As a result, from time to time I will watch someone playing Sniper Elite via a stream or YouTube and see a feature that I didn’t know existed. Often these are small things but I find that it’s these minor embellishments that tend to prove the most beneficial. Hence, I have drawn up a list of 10 tips to share with fellow Sniper Elite players. Some may be well known, others may not. Due to the recent release of Sniper Elite Resistance, there are a lot of new players joining the community and this post is essentially aimed at them. Please note this is not a tactical guide but simply a list of a few “quality of life” tips .
Shooting Explosives: Barrels, ammunition crates, generators and such like will all explode when shot. As will Grenades and Panzerfausts carried by enemies.
Sliding Down Ladders: You can slide down ladders by pressing shift and S. Similarly you can climb upwards at a faster speed by holding the shift key and W. However, climbing upwards at an accelerated pace will increase your heart rate. Sliding down does not.
Shooting Padlocks: Padlocks can be shot off with armour piercing rounds. This is faster than picking the lock although it will generate noise that may be detected. This tactic is most useful when you encounter a door locked from the otherside.
Active Reload: When reloading your weapon by pressing R, you will see a circular animated icon on screen. If you press R again at the right time (when the animation passes over the thicker part of the circle circumference), your weapon will reload faster.
Scope and Binocular Glint: Scopes on secondary weapons do not have any glint. Neither do binoculars.
Decoys: Decoys are useful against Tanks and other vehicles. They can also be deployed with a countdown timer that then generates noise. Enemies that shoot at the decoy are then tagged. Decoys are invaluable distractions for flanking or a quick escape.
Drop Takedowns: When climbing a wall, if you position yourself above an enemy you can press E to perform a drop down melee kill.
Booby Trapped Corpses: Booby trapped corpses can be thrown or dropped onto enemies and will explode.
Combining Explosives: Setting a Schü-mine near to a block of TNT is a good alternative to a regular mine. The combined explosion is fatal.
Rolling While Prone: You can roll to the left or right when prone by pressing either the left or right arrow keys and the spacebar. This can be effectively used to roll out of cover to shoot and then immediately back.
Sniper Elite Resistance
Let me start by stating what Sniper Elite Resistance isn’t. It is not the next iteration of the franchise. It is a tangential sequel to Sniper Elite 5 with a story that runs in parallel with the events of that game. While Karl Fairburne is tackling “Operation Kraken” in Sniper Elite 5, Sniper Elite Resistance sees fellow SOE operative Harry Hawker assisting the French Resistance uncover a new German “Wunderwaffe” (wonder weapon). Sniper Elite Resistance shares the same setting, game mechanics and soundtrack with its predecessor. There are seven new missions, set in pre D-Day France, which take place in very expansive maps. There is more to explore, a greater degree of choice with regard to how you tackle each mission and increased scope for long range sniping. The game also benefits from a lot of new weapons along with established favourites.
Let me start by stating what Sniper Elite Resistance isn’t. It is not the next iteration of the franchise. It is a tangential sequel to Sniper Elite 5 with a story that runs in parallel with the events of that game. While Karl Fairburne is tackling “Operation Kraken” in Sniper Elite 5, Sniper Elite Resistance sees fellow SOE operative Harry Hawker assisting the French Resistance uncover a new German “Wunderwaffe” (wonder weapon). Sniper Elite Resistance shares the same setting, game mechanics and soundtrack with its predecessor. There are seven new missions, set in pre D-Day France, which take place in very expansive maps. There is more to explore, a greater degree of choice with regard to how you tackle each mission and increased scope for long range sniping. The game also benefits from a lot of new weapons along with established favourites.
The phrase “more of the same” can be used positively with regard to Sniper Elite Resistance. All the elements that make this franchise popular are front and centre and have been further refined. The new Gestapo Officer NPCs have superior AI to regular soldiers and are far more proactive investigating any sort of disturbance the player may make. Grenades have a non-lethal stun setting which opens a lot of new tactical options. There is a greater degree of verticality in the map design, affording the player more opportunities to reconnoitre and attempt long distance shots. As always, you can decide how they proceed through a map and tackle objectives. The franchise is very good at updating mission elements based upon reading letters, intel reports and other collectibles. If you fail to collect a satchel charge to open a secure door, there is often an alternative means to access the room behind.
Like its predecessor, Sniper Elite Resistance has a surprising amount of additional gameplay modes. You can play the entire campaign in co-op if you so desire and there are various permutations of multiplayer. The best being “no cross” where two teams play via a substantive map but are confined to their own specific area via. Hence the focus is on spotting and sniping. “Invasion” mode also makes a welcome return where another player can enter your ongoing campaign mission and attempt to hunt you down. Developers Rebellion have also added “Propaganda Missions”. These are timed instances where the player takes on the guise of a resistance fighter and has to complete as many stealth kills or long distance snipes in a minute. For those who’ve bought the season pass there is another “Target Führer” mission to kill Hitler.
Some fans are disappointed with Sniper Elite Resistance, claiming it is simply DLC for Sniper Elite 5. It is fair to say that Sniper Elite Resistance is certainly a continuation of Sniper Elite 5, rather than a totally new game. However, Rebellion has a history of releasing interim entries in the franchise such as Sniper Elite V2 Remastered and Sniper Elite VR. Sniper Elite Resistance follows that business model. However, criticism that this latest game is light on plot, cutscenes and new ideas are valid. Where the game excels is in its map design which allows players to approach gameplay in a variety of ways. I can spend several hours methodically working through a map, changing tactics as I go, depending on what I encounter. It is this adaptive quality that is one of the franchise’s greatest strengths and a welcome change from the usual breakneck pace of the FPS genre.
N.B. For players who have concerns over the respective value for money that Sniper Elite Resistance offers, it is available on Microsoft PC and Xbox Game Pass.
Sniper Elite 5: The Trap
“Invasion” is a unique gameplay mode featured in the Sniper Elite 5 single player campaign. It allows another player to enter your game as a German Sniper Jäger. While you are busy playing through the campaign mission, dealing with the various objectives and enemy NPCs, the Sniper Jäger tries to hunt you down. Once another player “invades” your game, you can no longer load a previously saved game. You either turn the tables on the enemy Sniper Jäger and kill them, complete your mission which ends the game, or they kill you. Both teams can use invasion phones to learn about the other players’ locations. The phones are located at various key points on the map. However, using them to find the enemy will also tip them off to your whereabouts. The invading Sniper Jäger has a different set of skills to the main player. They do not have the focus ability which shows hidden enemies as silhouettes. However, the Sniper Jäger can tag other German NPCs and use them as an alarm system.
“Invasion” is a unique gameplay mode featured in the Sniper Elite 5 single player campaign. It allows another player to enter your game as a German Sniper Jäger. While you are busy playing through the campaign mission, dealing with the various objectives and enemy NPCs, the Sniper Jäger tries to hunt you down. Once another player “invades” your game, you can no longer load a previously saved game. You either turn the tables on the enemy Sniper Jäger and kill them, complete your mission which ends the game, or they kill you. Both teams can use invasion phones to learn about the other players’ locations. The phones are located at various key points on the map. However, using them to find the enemy will also tip them off to your whereabouts. The invading Sniper Jäger has a different set of skills to the main player. They do not have the focus ability which shows hidden enemies as silhouettes. However, the Sniper Jäger can tag other German NPCs and use them as an alarm system.
Invasion mode is a purely optional game mechanic that can be toggled on or off. However, leaving it offers a completely new dynamic to Sniper Elite 5 and this asymmetrical form of PVP can be extremely tense and enjoyable. An onscreen message clearly alerts a player to an enemy invasion and it is then up to them as to how they address the situation. I always make a conscious decision to cease progress with the mission and to find a defensive location. The enemy Sniper Jäger can often determine where you are on the map without using the invasion phones. This can be done by checking what objectives have been completed (e.g. has a specific target been killed or destroyed) as well as whether any NPCs are dead or on alert. Often simply using the binoculars or listening for gun fire will prove useful. Too many players make the mistake of not addressing an invasion threat and just continuing with their mission. Situational awareness is paramount.
There are many YouTube videos about invasion mode. All too often, the invaders are successful mainly because the player they’re hunting is too focused upon proceeding through their campaign and not using their full range of skills. As mentioned previously, the Allied player has a skill called focus which quietens ambient noise and allows them to perceive enemies close by. These appear as silhouettes if there is an object blocking them from direct line of sight. This skill, if used properly, means that it is very difficult for an enemy Sniper Jäger to sneak up on you. Hence an Allied player in a strong defensive position can see any approaching Sniper Jäger and shoot them through a door or the floor. The Sniper Jäger does not have a comparable skill. There are also restrictions on their loadouts which limits how much explosives they can carry and prohibits them from armour piercing ammunition. However, they can place German NPCs on alert and they will aid the Sniper Jäger if a firefight begins.
After watching numerous videos where the invading Sniper Jäger was victorious, I decided to devise a strategy that would potentially wrongfoot anyone invading my game. The idea was to create an environment which favoured my defensive gameplay and to booby trap all the locations that an invading Sniper Jäger would go to for intelligence. So I chose mission 6, Libération, which has three French villages located at the South, West and North of the map. I systematically cleared out all NPCs but purposely left three objectives incomplete, inferring that I’m moving towards the North of the map to complete the mission. I placed decoys at several vantage points, to draw enemy fire and thus give away their position. I also booby trapped key invasion phones and buildings, as well as setting numerous non-lethal schu mines along key routes. These will not kill an enemy but will tag them, making them visible on the game map.
Having set my trap I have saved the game multiple times at different locations. I then load a save of my choice, turn on invasion mode and wait for an enemy player to arrive. The results have been most interesting. Less experienced players will often spawn and immediately go to specific locations expecting me there. The radio room in the Southern village, the Grande Maison to the South West or to the army camp at the Eastern bridge. More often than not, these players walk right into a booby trap. A single mine is insufficient for a kill but if you leave a block of TNT in the vicinity, the chain reaction is lethal. The experienced player is more cautious and will either hunt using cover continuously, or instead sit tight and wait for me to come to them. Sometimes it’s a waiting game to see who gets bored first. It is here that focus and armour piercing rounds certainly give the Allied player an advantage.
Some popular YouTubers don’t like players adopting a more defensive approach to invasion mode. Some will make spurious moral judgements about it not being in the “spirit of the game”. Others object because it makes them look bad when the tables are turned against them. Hence, you seldom see a video in which the content creator dies. I take the attitude that if you have the hubris to invade another player’s game then you don’t get to choose the rules of engagement. So far I have over sixty kills against invading Sniper Jägers. Half of those have been by using my “trap” method. I may in the next few days, pick a different mission and devise a new means to funnel invading Sniper Jägers into a suitable bottleneck. All of which keeps Sniper Elite 5 interesting while we await the sixth instalment of the game in spring 2025.
Sniper Elite 5: Invasion
I was playing Sniper Elite 5 on launch day, slowly working my way through the single player campaign, when I came face to face with the new “invasion mode” that’s been added to the game. It is enabled by default and allows for another player to enter your game and hunt you down. The game does inform you of this mechanic and gives you the option to disable it if you so wish. However, I was so focused on fighting my way through the hedgerows of Normandy, I really didn’t pay attention to any of these prompts. Hence, when a message popped up stating “Axis Invasion”, I just assumed that reinforcements had been called after I alerted enemy NPCs to my presence. The next thing I knew, I was cut down in a hail of SMG fire only to be informed that I had been killed by another player. It didn’t take me long to figure out what happened and despite my initial surprise, I couldn’t help but feel that this is a pretty cool game mechanic.
I was playing Sniper Elite 5 on launch day, slowly working my way through the single player campaign, when I came face to face with the new “invasion mode” that’s been added to the game. It is enabled by default and allows for another player to enter your game and hunt you down. The game does inform you of this mechanic and gives you the option to disable it if you so wish. However, I was so focused on fighting my way through the hedgerows of Normandy, I really didn’t pay attention to any of these prompts. Hence, when a message popped up stating “Axis Invasion”, I just assumed that reinforcements had been called after I alerted enemy NPCs to my presence. The next thing I knew, I was cut down in a hail of SMG fire only to be informed that I had been killed by another player. It didn’t take me long to figure out what happened and despite my initial surprise, I couldn’t help but feel that this is a pretty cool game mechanic.
Every now and then, I like to step outside of my comfort zone when gaming. Technically, “invasion mode” in Sniper Elite 5 is PVP and usually that’s Kryptonite to me. Yet I decided to try it myself so I invaded someone else's game and I must admit I found the experience compelling. Other players are not predictable like AI controlled NPCs plus there are lots of other factors that make this a more subtle affair. If I invade another player’s game, they not only have to fend off the German NPCs but they also have to deal with me. I have one job to do, where they have to contend with the mission goals, hostile NPCs and another player. However, to balance that situation, developer’s Rebellion has given the player’s being invaded a wider set of abilities. This includes “focus” which temporarily highlights close by enemies. They can also carry a wider range of weapons. So with this in mind, it may come as a surprise that I’ve been playing the shit out of “invasion mode” in Sniper Elite 5 over the last few weeks.
As I’ve been having such fun as well as achieving a degree of success, I feel sufficiently emboldened to offer a few tips regarding “invasion mode”. Firstly, let us consider playing as an Axis player (German), invading a single player campaign in Sniper Elite 5.
To begin with, although you can unlock a variety of uniforms as you play, it makes a lot of sense to select a standard German infantry uniform, so that you blend in with all the NPCs. Pick something less common and you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.
As soon as you join someone else's game, press the escape key and see if they’re playing in co-op mode. If that is the case, you’ll have two enemies to hunt. Forewarned is forearmed.
Tag all friendly NPCs that you encounter, either by using your binoculars or pressing the left alt key and invoking focus. Tagged NPCs remain marked on your map as blue triangles. When they encounter the enemy their colour changes reflecting their status. Yellow for on alert and red for actively engaging the enemy.
Investigate alarms as and when they occur, as they’ll indicate where your enemy is.
Each map has specific objectives for the allied sniper to complete. Once you become familiar with these, you can sometimes anticipate where your enemy is heading. If you arrive ahead of them, it is worthwhile to tag all NPCs and boobytrapping key targets.
Familiarise yourself with the terrain and make use of cover. Do not camp but it does pay to stake out certain areas.
Take advantage of high ground. Cover routes that are likely to be used.
Become proficient with using an SMG as often you will encounter the enemy in a confined space or environment that doesn’t lend itself to using a rifle and scope.
Listen out for voice dialogue that plays when the allied player completes specific tasks. If you hear it, then you’re close to the other player. Cutscenes can also provide clear clues as to an enemies location.
When invading another player’s game, remember that they have set the difficulty setting. Health regeneration, weapon difficulty and HUD details may vary from game to game.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Until you become competent you will more than likely die when initially playing “invasion mode”. You will get better with practice.
Remember that the player whose game you’re invading may complete the level before you find them. They may also die at the hands of NPCs. Therefore, be prepared to have a few games of cat and mouse that end without a kill.
Secondly, if you are playing as an allied player whose game is invaded, bear in mind the following.
The moment you’re notified that your game has been invaded, focus on hunting down the enemy player. If you try to juggle the ongoing mission objectives, while risking aggravating enemy NPCs, you’ll inevitably lead your enemy to your location.
Use focus regularly to determine who and what is nearby.
Don’t camp but choose carefully an appropriate area to face down your foe. Again high ground offers much advantage. If you retrace your footsteps you stand a good chance of tracking down the invader.
As an allied player you have a greater variety of explosives at your disposal. You can also loot bodies which the invader cannot do, so you can replenish your supply. Therefore lay boobytraps around choke points or anticipated routes.
Create distractions to attract enemy NPCs. You may also draw out the invading player.
Finally, here’s some general advice for both players. When you spot your enemy, take time to set up your shot. Do not panic fire.
If using an SMG, fire in short controlled bursts.
Avoid showboating such as melee kills or using grenades.
Use your binoculars for general reconnaissance. Remember that the scope on your rifle glints and that can give away your position.
Maintaining a Standard
I do not advocate that mindset that some gamers pursue, where they don’t see game publishers as a company selling them a product, but instead see their vendor/consumer relationship in a more personal light. I think it is both wise and healthy to see things as they are; namely that buying a game is a transactional relationship governed by consumer law. That is not to say that we should by default, think ill of all video games publishers, but it is pertinent to reflect upon what we know about the business practises of such companies as Riot Games, Blizzard- Activision and more recently BioWare. To be concise, some video games companies are shitty to both their customers and their staff. Others are not. Let the buyer beware and all that.
I do not advocate that mindset that some gamers pursue, where they don’t see game publishers as a company selling them a product, but instead see their vendor/consumer relationship in a more personal light. I think it is both wise and healthy to see things as they are; namely that buying a game is a transactional relationship governed by consumer law. That is not to say that we should by default, think ill of all video games publishers, but it is pertinent to reflect upon what we know about the business practises of such companies as Riot Games, Blizzard- Activision and more recently BioWare. To be concise, some video games companies are shitty to both their customers and their staff. Others are not. Let the buyer beware and all that.
Is this ramble going anywhere, I hear you ask? Yes, it is. I want to reference the British video games developers and publishers Rebellion Developments Limited. They are practical and realistic regarding their franchises and the scope of their projects. The games they produce are polished, well made and cater to their customers needs. And as far as I’m aware, the company doesn’t treat their staff like a Dickensian Mill owner. Furthermore, Rebellion doesn’t take liberties with the monetisation of their games. Their base game and season pass policy is not excessively priced. Furthermore, in the case of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered which is due to be released on 14th May, the price reflects that this is an overhaul of an existing game. It cost £29.99 but if you pre-order, there’s a 10% reduction to £26.99, applicable regardless of platform. If you happen to own the original game, then £6.99 will secure you an upgrade to the remastered version.
Rebellion have some great franchises in their back catalogue. As well as the Sniper Elite series, which improves and becomes more streamlined with each iteration, the company also holds the rights to publish 2000 AD. It has released in the past both a Rogue Trooper game which has since been remastered, along with a Judge Dredd title. Hopefully this too will be retooled or perhaps a new project will manifest itself. Strange Brigade is also one of its newer titles which was well received upon release last year. The company seems to consider very carefully what it does and doesn’t over extend itself or take unnecessary risks. It appears to know its market well and understand its customers needs. From the live streams I seen along with the interviews I’ve read, the developers along with founders Jason (CEO) and Chris (CTO) Kingsley strike me as being grounded and unburdened with the hubris shown by other larger companies.
At a time when it is common place to read about the iniquities of games publishers, it is easy to become very cynical of the entire industry and paint a negative picture with broad strokes. However, there are some good companies out there which seem to conduct themselves with decorum, as well as producing good games. I wrote recently about a lack of excitement that seems to blight some quarters of the gaming community at present. However, when pre-ordering Sniper Elite V2 Remastered, I was reminded that it can be found and not always where you expect it. So I guess the moral of this rambling narrative is that some companies still do maintain a standard and that gaming per se hasn’t quite totally gone to the dogs. I just hope that in the next few days there isn’t an expose that revels that Rebellion are a bunch of bastards.
Sniper Elite 4
I first discovered the Sniper Elite franchise back in 2014, when Steam gave away free keys for Volume 2 as part of a promotion. I enjoyed the game so much I purchased all the available DLC. Having regularly played both Call of Duty and Battlefield, it was a pleasant change at the time, for a game to be set during World War II. Later that year I bought, Sniper Elite 3, as it offered a far more polished gaming experience, compared to earlier instalments. Furthermore, the story was set in North Africa; a theatre of war that is often neglected in multimedia. Although the plot was somewhat arbitrary, Sniper Elite 3, like its predecessor, still offered an immersive gaming experience with an emphasis on situational awareness and stealth. The franchise has never been about “running and gunning” and favours the patient and methodical player.
I first discovered the Sniper Elite franchise back in 2014, when Steam gave away free keys for Volume 2 as part of a promotion. I enjoyed the game so much I purchased all the available DLC. Having regularly played both Call of Duty and Battlefield, it was a pleasant change at the time, for a game to be set during World War II. Later that year I bought, Sniper Elite 3, as it offered a far more polished gaming experience, compared to earlier instalments. Furthermore, the story was set in North Africa; a theatre of war that is often neglected in multimedia. Although the plot was somewhat arbitrary, Sniper Elite 3, like its predecessor, still offered an immersive gaming experience with an emphasis on situational awareness and stealth. The franchise has never been about “running and gunning” and favours the patient and methodical player.
This spring saw the release of Sniper Elite 4 which offers yet another refined and improved version of the game. The action this time is set in Italy, leading up the Allied Invasion. Like the previous three games, Sniper Elite 4 is based around completing a series of missions through stealth, sniping and guerrilla tactics. The x-ray killcam is still present in all its gory glory, as well as the option to set booby traps. The weapons are authentic and varied. Customisations are unlocked by progress and there’s a rudimentary skills tree. However, developer Rebellion, have made two significant changes. The maps are now much larger and have an open world format. Objectives can be done in any order. Furthermore, climbing now plays a bigger role in the game, allowing a greater use of the environment.
Where Call of Duty goes to great length to offer players a complex narrative in campaign mode, Sniper Elite has always favoured a more simplistic approach. That’s not to say the story driving the game is bad, as it is not. It just not anything special. The character animations are effectively motion captured and the voice acting is adequate. It’s the gameplay experience that generates the excitement and fun. At times Sniper Elite 4 feels like a virtual sixties war movie. The music cues are well timed and certainly increase the tension as you stalk your prey. Conversely, if you make a mistake and blow your cover, the ambient atmosphere really creates a sense of fear. Remember this is a game where the enemy will triangulate your position if you fire more than three shots from the same place. Also, if you kill a stray guard, don’t forget to hide the body. Unless you want to booby trap it.
Although there are only eight missions to the main campaign, they are substantive, varied and replayable. The maps include such diverse locations as a hillside village, a naval base and an underground factory. With a competent graphics card the game does look rather handsome. There are also more in-depth co-op and multiplayer elements to Sniper Elite 4 that address the campfest problems that featured in earlier versions of the game. Another novel feature is the ability to play through the campaign collaboratively, with another player. I would recommend new players to spend some time at the in-game firing range to test each weapon, before committing to a loadout. The rifles all handle differently and it’s important to find one that suits your style and methodology.
Sniper Elite 4 is a refreshing change of scene and pace for games of this genre. If you approach the game with a traditional FPS mentality then you will often fail the missions and not experience the best elements of the game. There are still bugs here and there with some of the gunshot ballistics being over powered. Vehicle and enemy AI is sometimes questionable and you may find yourself raising the difficulty setting to overcome them. However, biding one’s time can still provide great game play experiences. Luring enemies into a booby-trapped chokepoint can be especially satisfying. Plus, the new melee stealth kills are great fun. However, I still get a big kick out of long range rifle shots while masking the gunfire with environmental noise. My best Ghost kill is 239 metres.
Overall Sniper Elite 4 is a superior third person stealth game due to its atmosphere, tactical elements and nominal sandbox approach. This latest instalment is certainly the best version of the game to date. Developers Rebellion have successfully improved both its performance and accessibility, very much like CD Projekt Red have refined The Witcher series. Sniper Elite 4 at times reminds me of Hidden and Dangerous 2, which is a game I hold in high esteem. As I previously mentioned, the game draws heavily from big budget sixties and seventies war movies. Think Where Eagles Dare, Operation Crossbow and The Guns of Navarone. Sniper Elite 4 exudes these sorts of vibes. If you’re feeling quite adventurous, try playing while listening to the soundtrack of a classic war movie as it really adds to the game play.