Sniper Elite

 Xbox
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Console Gameworld
    89
    Quite simply, Sniper Elite is one of the finest World War II era shooters that I have ever played.
  2. BonusStage
    88
    Only the best of the best will see the final missions in Sniper Elite mode, but for the rest of us, Rebellion has created a remarkable, beautifully brutal WWII game that's smarter than the usual fodder lining game store shelves.
  3. XboxAddict
    86
    Rebellion did an awesome job on the sound in Sniper Elite.
  5. MS Xbox World
    85
    I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game and although its nature won't appeal to the John Rambo type players, it will appeal to the players that love sniping.
  6. VGPub
    85
    If you think by now the military shooter genre is so flooded that nothing can stand out anymore, than you must pick up Sniper Elite. It is a fresh and exciting experience that all shooter fans (sniper fans especially) should check out.
  7. Worth Playing
    81
    If you've got the means, go for the Xbox port on this one.
  8. games(TM)
    80
    Sniper Elite makes headshots a grizzly reward that becomes addictive and, because the battle is always weighted against you, filled with air-punching satisfaction every time you make a connection. Bravo. [Nov 2005, p.96]
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  9. GameZone
    80
    Aside from a few awkward moments, Sniper Elite is a perfectly entertaining game that handles sniper action as good as any other action game.
  10. TeamXbox
    80
    I can definitely see a "Splinter Cell" fan really getting into Sniper Elite. The subject matter is far different, and the sniping accent is unique, but the elements of stealth, gameplay difficulty, and general pace of play are reminiscent of many-a Fisher mission.
  11. Computer and Video Games
    80
    It really is the most accurate depiction of a scope we've seen in a game, easily outstripping "Halo's" sniper mode or the arcade nonsense of Konami's "Silent Scope." [Official UK Xbox Magazine]
  12. Xbox Solution
    80
    You will also get frustrated that the A.I seems to have an advantage but that to some just makes it more of a challenge.
  13. GamePro
    80
    If you're prepared for the deliberate nature of its gameplay, Sniper Elite is a rewarding way to fight WWII from the comfort of your couch. Just keep in mind the prerequisite degree of patience.
  14. IGN
    77
    If you're a big fan of tagging enemies with sniper bullets and watching your calculated handiwork culminate in a gore-filled, slow motion replay, then you'll definitely enjoy Sniper Elite.
  15. Official Xbox Magazine
    76
    Pacing is very slow. [Dec 2005, p.110]
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  16. Game Informer
    75
    The depth is appreciated, but the graphics, camera, and collision could use polish. [Nov 2005, p.149]
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  17. Gaming Age
    75
    The realism may turn off some run and gun gamers, but even those fans will have a hard time not appreciating what Sniper Elite brings to the table in terms of great and entertaining game play.
  18. GameSpot
    74
    It's not for those with short attention spans, but patient players who aren't squeamish should enjoy Sniper Elite's tense and methodically paced action.
  19. Eurogamer
    70
    What lies beneath its rather unspectacular veneer is a really well designed game that approaches the conflict from a different angle and provides a solid platform for a hugely entertaining game.
  20. AceGamez
    70
    The less patient and more action-oriented gamers might not warm to it so much, but if you're the kind of gamer that enjoys the chance to get a good sniping spot on your favourite online shooter, then this really is one game you must play.
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  21. DarkStation
    70
    Love 'em or hate 'em, snipers are modern combat's ninjas. Sniping your way through one whole game might be fun, if you can stand the slow pace.
  22. Play Magazine
    70
    Elite excels at creating an atmosphere of paranoia and alienation... [Nov p.93]
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  23. Gamer's Hell
    70
    The sniper-specific gameplay opportunity granted within Sniper Elite is interesting and strangely attractive; no other sniper game carries off the tension, isolation, and anxiety of war to this degree, and the arcade leanings of games like "Silent Scope" simply can't compete.
  24. GamerFeed
    70
    Things can get a bit tedious, but the game picks up in its multiplayer co-op and Xbox Live options.
  25. Xbox Evolved
    69
    It has the depth that a lot of people who love the sniping weapon have been dreaming of for quite a long time. If you can get past some AI problems, find a friend to play with, and excuse the average visuals you should have plenty of fun with Sniper Elite.
  26. My Gamer
    60
    Sniper Elite just doesn't have that much to offer your average gamer.

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best Xbox Game of 2005
80
#80 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. Mastereed
    Mar 4, 2023
    5
    IF ONLY IT WAS BLACK AND WHITE

    BEFORE WE BEGIN: Co-op and multiplayer modes have not been tested and therefore will not be explored within    IF ONLY IT WAS BLACK AND WHITE

    BEFORE WE BEGIN:
    Co-op and multiplayer modes have not been tested and therefore will not be explored within the review.

    DISCOVERING HISTORY:
    Sniper Elite, as the firstborn of the long Saga that lives on to this day, left the seeds from which great titles such as Sniper Elite 4 were born. Unfortunately, whether due to technical and monetary problems or a lack of experience on the part of the then-young team, this first title did not excel in many respects, but it certainly gave birth to mechanics unknown to the video game world of its time. The early stages of the game, as usual, are a series of actual recordings, dating back to the Second World War, that set the tone of the game and explain, partly through a handy task letter, the ultimate goal of the protagonist Karl Fairburne, a young German sniper who switched to the American faction. The game has no real tutorial but explains the basic mechanics to the player with extremely intrusive messages; fortunately these can be disabled from the settings, since they will tend to appear at critical stages of the game, breaking the atmosphere and often leading to unjust deaths.

    ICE SKATING:
    Explaining the gameplay of one of the latest Sniper Elite games would be redundant, but as this is the first occasion where some of the saga's iconic mechanics are introduced, it seems fair to go into them in detail. The two basic mechanics of the game are, or at least they should be, sniping and stealth; sniping is focused on a bullet decay system based on the range of the target (this is only in difficulties above beginner), a system of scoop oscillation based on the character's breathing, which increases with certain actions such as running, and a bullet travel system when making a particularly spectacular kill, built on a camera attached to the bullet that makes the player see exactly the path of the bullet before hitting the enemy. The famous X-rays, a focal point of later titles, have not yet been added. Of course, numerous other weapons are also present, but they can only be used in hipfire, that is, without aiming, and therefore the shots will go randomly; this was obviously done specifically to avoid the abuse of these weapons, which, even with these devices, are quite strong. The stealth mechanics, on the other hand, revolve all around moving while lying down and using the silenced gun; the problem with all this is that the game was rarely developed to be approached in silent mode, and doing so by running and being discovered always results in a more efficient as well as fun approach. As for the story and the various missions, they turn out to be very long-winded and well-structured, with missions divided by micro-quests and various optional ones. The story also turns out to be quite long, offering around 10 hours of gameplay. Story-wise, on the other hand, it comes down to the plot of a typical American action B movie.

    I FEEL LIKE I’VE ALREADY BEEN THERE:
    Graphically the original Sniper Elite does not turn out to be a top in any aspect except for the HUD, like the map. Comparing it to great games released in the same year such as Call of Duty 2 or Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the graphics, art side, and level design come across as poorly detailed, poorly structured, and decidedly repetitive; the variation in aesthetics between missions is mainly about changing coloration and lighting of environments, giving a sense of fatigue and boredom when playing multiple missions consecutively. On the animation side, the game also fails to hold a candle to works published several years before its release, with clunky and extremely unnatural animations.

    HEARING TANK TRACKS:
    On the audio side, Sniper Elite has neither great merits nor flaws, settling on average. The only major flaw lies in the dubbing, which, at least for the Italian one, is extremely desyncato and qualitatively poor.

    BUT WHY 5?

    CONS:
    The cons of this game are varied and are mostly already mentioned in the part above. The slowness of the game, the unengaging shooting feel, the story not at all appealing, the repetitive and tiresome aesthetics, and the extremely clunky movements do not result in a positive mix. An unmentioned detail is that of running, which gives the impression of constantly being on a frozen surface, leading any movement to be slippery and increasing the difficulty in climbing stairs or making turns. Finally, the game's AI is rather silly, making certain missions completable extremely quickly.

    PROS:
    The pros of this title are mainly based on the main roots for this saga, since aside from the shooting which can be fun, the rest remains below the standard of games of that era, and even some games released even earlier.

    RATING
    Gameplay: 6
    Music: 4
    Story: 4
    Shooting: 7
    _    … Full Review »
  2. JamesM.
    Apr 21, 2007
    10
    Wow, what a challenging game!! The sound, weapons, and all around graphics were awesome. I just want to know if they will come out with a Wow, what a challenging game!! The sound, weapons, and all around graphics were awesome. I just want to know if they will come out with a second one or at least a sniper game that is just or more challenging?… Full Review »
  3. RomanT.
    Jun 12, 2006
    9
    Sniper Elite is simply the best World War 2 game I've ever played, period. I am playing it right now with my roommate in a co-op mode Sniper Elite is simply the best World War 2 game I've ever played, period. I am playing it right now with my roommate in a co-op mode and it's totally awesome. The whole post war atmosphere, the music, the graphics, the sound effects, and most importantly addicting gameplay are all there. I would strongly recommend anyone to check this game out; it's definitely a jewel of gamming. Sniping is just awesome: my personal best record is 305 yard head shot (I had to aim about 6 notches above the targets head just to hit him)… Full Review »
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