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Sniper Elite 4, developed by Oxford-based Rebellion Developments, continues the series’ tradition of visceral sniping gameplay. Known for its gruesome yet oddly satisfying X-ray kill cams, the franchise has carved a niche for itself in the crowded shooter genre. This iteration expands upon the foundations laid by Sniper Elite 3, reaching for AAA status with its expansive levels and refined mechanics, but ultimately falling slightly short of true excellence.

A Sniper’s Playground

Taking inspiration from the sprawling environments of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Sniper Elite 4 boasts expansive levels that encourage exploration and strategic planning. This open-ended approach is arguably the game’s greatest strength, providing players with the freedom to tackle objectives in a variety of ways. The signature X-ray kill cams return, showcasing the destructive power of each perfectly placed shot.

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While the X-ray cams are undeniably entertaining, their limited variations can become repetitive. To combat this, Sniper Elite 4 emphasizes relocation, a mechanic carried over from Sniper Elite 3. This encourages players to move strategically after each kill, avoiding detection and setting up new vantage points. The game truly shines when embracing a dynamic playstyle, utilizing distractions and traps to outsmart the enemy.

Suppressed weapons like the Welrod pistol are useful, but the game offers a diverse arsenal of explosives and gadgets that add another layer of tactical depth. Trip mines, Teller mines, and strategically placed explosives can be combined to create devastating traps and diversions. The most effective strategy often involves picking off a few enemies with the sniper rifle, quickly relocating, and waiting for the remaining foes to stumble into carefully laid ambushes.

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The game also incorporates classic sniping elements, allowing players to find strategic overwatch positions and utilize environmental sound masking, such as aircraft flyovers or artillery fire, to conceal their shots. Generators and explosions can also be used to create temporary distractions, while a limited supply of suppressed sniper rifle ammunition adds another layer of resource management.

Several new additions enhance the gameplay experience. The larger maps accommodate multiple side objectives, offering a decent amount of variety and experience points. Karl Fairburne, the series protagonist, gains new traversal abilities, including climbing pipes and mantling ledges, adding more options for navigating the environment. Concealment in foliage, even with a sniper rifle equipped, allows for stealthy approaches and ambushes.

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A unique feature reminiscent of Watch Dogs allows players to gather intel on enemy soldiers by tagging them with binoculars. Discovering personal letters on fallen enemies adds a touch of humanity to the conflict, offering glimpses into their lives and families. While this element might seem slightly at odds with the game’s overall tone, it provides a subtle yet thought-provoking layer to the experience.

Co-op and Multiplayer Carnage

Sniper Elite 4 offers a robust multiplayer suite, including cooperative and competitive modes. The returning co-op modes, Overwatch and Survival, provide opportunities for teamwork and shared sniping experiences. Overwatch pairs two players in specifically designed missions, with one player acting as a spotter on the ground and the other providing sniper support. Survival is a classic wave-based defense mode.

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Competitive multiplayer builds upon the foundation established in Sniper Elite 3, featuring various game modes and customizable options. Distance King rewards long-range shots, while No Cross creates a divided map, preventing close-quarters combat and encouraging strategic positioning.

Frustrating Flaws

Despite its ambition and expansive content, Sniper Elite 4 suffers from several shortcomings that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The AI, while improved in some aspects, can be easily exploited. The new foliage concealment mechanic highlights this flaw, allowing players to remain undetected even while eliminating enemies at close range.

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Enemy detection is inconsistent and often slow, even on higher difficulty settings. Players can often sprint directly towards enemies and execute melee takedowns without triggering an alarm. The effectiveness of suppressed weapons also seems inconsistent, with the suppressed sniper rifle seemingly silent at longer ranges.

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A perplexing design choice is the removal of dedicated sniper nests. While the game encourages players to find their own vantage points, the level design often lacks suitable elevated positions. The expansive environments could have provided numerous opportunities for long-range sniping, but this potential is largely unrealized.

Finally, the weapon upgrade system is unnecessarily cumbersome. Unlocking upgrades requires completing specific challenges, many of which require a significant number of kills. This makes it difficult to fully utilize the upgrade system without extensive replaying.

Conclusion

Sniper Elite 4 offers a satisfying sniping experience with its expansive levels, dynamic gameplay, and visceral kill cams. However, its flawed AI, inconsistent mechanics, and questionable design choices prevent it from reaching true AAA status. Despite these shortcomings, the game provides ample content and enjoyable moments for fans of the genre.

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(Technical specifications and system requirements omitted as per instructions.)