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The allure of sniping has captivated audiences in both film and gaming. The stealth, the strategic thinking, and the clean, decisive kills create thrilling, edge-of-your-seat experiences. Games like Sniper Elite have tapped into this fascination, delivering unique gameplay and achieving considerable success. Following the success of Sniper Elite 4, Rebellion Developments has remastered the second installment for modern platforms like PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, bringing us Sniper Elite V2 Remastered. But does this remaster live up to the hype, or is it just a cash grab?

alt text describing the cover art of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered

As a remaster and not a remake, Sniper Elite V2 Remastered largely retains the core elements that defined the original game. Players step into the boots of elite Allied sniper Karl Fairburne, embarking on special operations deep within enemy territory. From the war-torn streets of Berlin to the V2 rocket testing facility and the Red Army’s battlefield headquarters, the mission is to secure vital intel on the Nazi’s advanced weaponry.

One of the series’ strengths lies in its open-ended gameplay. Unlike more linear sniper games like Sniper Ghost Warrior, Sniper Elite often drops players into sandbox environments, allowing for strategic freedom and creativity in completing objectives. Sniper Elite V2 Remastered continues this tradition.

alt text: A screenshot from Sniper Elite V2 remastered showing the protagonist using binoculars to survey the environment

You can choose to go in guns blazing, Rambo-style, or navigate the environment with stealth, utilizing traps, distractions, and cunning to eliminate targets like a ghost. The choice is yours. For instance, in the second mission, you can either take on a heavily armed SS convoy or strategically detonate pre-placed explosives for a quick, silent takedown. Similarly, infiltrating the V2 research facility in the third mission offers multiple approaches, from silenced Welrod takedowns to exploiting loudspeaker distractions for long-range eliminations. These choices demand keen observation, precise timing, and accurate execution, rewarding players with a sense of accomplishment.

The series’ signature X-ray kill cam remains a visceral and satisfying reward for well-placed shots, encouraging precision and pushing players to attempt more challenging and creative long-range kills. It’s a cinematic flourish that elevates the gameplay experience.

alt text: Screenshot of the x-ray kill cam in Sniper Elite V2 Remastered

Rebellion Developments has made efforts to update the visuals. Textures have been upscaled to higher resolutions, resulting in a slightly clearer environment compared to the original. However, this upscaling is subtle and might be difficult to notice without a direct comparison. The most noticeable improvements are to the weapons and vehicles, which have been remodeled with higher polygon counts and more detailed textures, bringing them closer to modern standards. Dynamic lighting has also been added, enhancing the environment and making explosions more visually appealing, though these changes are again subtle.

alt text: Comparison screenshot showcasing the improved graphics in Sniper Elite V2 Remasteredalt text: Another comparison screenshot showing the enhanced visuals in Sniper Elite V2 Remastered

The audio has also been reworked, with a more realistic and immersive soundscape. Gunshots are crisper, and the mechanical sounds of weapons are more distinct.

alt text: Promotional image of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered showcasing the gameplay

While remastering older games can be a celebration of gaming history, it can also be a cynical cash grab. Unfortunately, Sniper Elite V2 Remastered leans towards the latter. The improvements are modest and fail to impress, even for die-hard fans. If you’ve played the original, the minimal changes don’t justify the price, despite the offered discount. The new characters from the Zombie Army series, the 16-player multiplayer (plagued by server issues), and the lack of fixes for original game issues like unrealistic vehicle damage and repetitive enemy AI, all contribute to this feeling.

alt text: Image showing the multiplayer aspect of Sniper Elite V2 Remastered

For newcomers, the dated gameplay and visuals might not hold up against more modern titles, even compared to Sniper Elite 3 and 4. Ultimately, Sniper Elite V2 Remastered feels like a missed opportunity, offering too little to justify revisiting this entry in the series.