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Sniper Elite 3

Third title in a series of multiplayer sniping style games

7.5

203 Votes

  • Category Action
  • Program license Paid
  • Works under: Windows 8
  • Program available in English
  • Program by 505 Games Srl

Does this World War II game hit the target?

A third person tactical shooting game, Sniper Elite III is developed by Rebellion Oxford and published by 505 Games. As the name suggests, it is the third instalment in the Sniper Elite video game series, although it is actually a storyline prequel to Sniper Elite V2, with events taking place a few years prior.

Boasting expanded level designs, re-worked stealth mechanics and less linear gameplay, it offers players greater choice, while retaining the over-the-top gore and arcade feel of its predecessor. But have Rebellion Oxford really created a superior offering to the previous instalments in the series, or does the game miss the mark?

Gameplay Basics

Sniper Elite III places players in control of Karl Fairburne, an American OSS officer involved in the Second World War's North African conflict. This setting ends up being one of the game's plus points, as it provides a familiar enemy (The Nazis), yet explores a less obvious theatre of operations during World War II.

Users navigate their way through numerous battlefields, which are considerably larger than in previous games in the series. The main weapon in the game is, of course, a sniper rifle, although players are also able to utilise grenades, tripwire, land mines, pistols and machine guns at various times.

Most gameplay aspects will be easy to get to grips with for newcomers, or for those who have played Sniper Elite I or II. The X-Ray kill cam is back, complete with slow-motion bullet tracking and extremely gruesome results, while players must consider aspects like wind direction and speed before taking their shot.

Improvements and Weaknesses

Perhaps the biggest improvement from previous entries in the franchise is the move away from completely linear gameplay, with a new focus on player decisions. The expanded levels are also a major step forward, taking much longer to complete, and the new weapons bring new tactical considerations with them.

Furthermore, the stealth aspect of the game has been revamped, with new icons indicating how easy a player is to detect and how aware enemies are of them.

On the flip side, the storyline is thin, animations are awkward and enemy AI is ludicrous at times. In addition, for many players, the game will simply be a little bit too easy. However regardless of these criticisms, Sniper Elite III is an enjoyable experience, which improves the series and will entertain anyone who likes gory shooting games.

Pros

  • Expanded levels keep players entertained for longer
  • New stealth mechanics work well
  • Non-linear gameplay is a welcome addition to the series
  • Retains the gore and fun of earlier instalments

Cons

  • Animation is slightly disappointing
  • Storyline is weak, despite an interesting setting
  • Enemy AI can be fairly poor at times
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