Sniper Elite V2

When Sniper Elite: Berlin 1945 came out in 2005, it became one of the most interesting World-War II shooters. The creators belonging to the British Rebellion studio managed to combine elements of first-person and third-person perspectives together, bringing several innovations to the shooter genre in so doing. The game is a step forward - the creators put an even larger emphasis on realism and a large portion of adrenaline.

Plot & Mechanics

In Sniper Elite V2 for PC, X360 and etc., the player takes on the role of a sniper working for the US government. The action takes place in Berlin, 1945, when the city is being torn apart by German and Soviet armies. The key mechanics of the game are based on sniping tactics combining stealth and avoiding unnecessary contact with being able to choose from several ways of achieving victory in a mission. The AI-controlled forces are aimed at making the player's objectives as difficult to complete as it is possible. This was achieved through application of realistic behaviours, such as hiding or communicating to discover the protagonist's position.

The creators implemented a set of mechanics adding to the authenticity of sniping missions. In order for the bullet to reach the target, not only an eagle eye is required, but also ballistics-related weapon parameters and weather conditions have to be taken into account. Apart from that, an ability to control one's body is required (to slow down the heart rate for instance). One's victory or failure may depend on a single bullet here.

An improved killcam system is both an innovation and the biggest feature of the game (camera follows the bullet in slow motion to depict the target's death once the bullet reaches them). The slow-mo x-ray animation depicts precisely what effects the bullet has on the body of the victim. This dynamic system is capable of calculating about 500 different death animations, depending on different factors influencing the bullet's flight path, such as weather conditions, speed on launch, shooting angle, bullet deformation or the trajectory changing after hitting the target.

Sniper Elite V2 for PC, X360 and etc. offers a wide set of co-op missions. When cooperating, two players overcome different difficulties side by side. The players have to repair a tank for example, after they collected the parts required, which are scattered throughout the map. Also, the players can complete the entire story campaign together.

The experience is complemented by a specific multiplayer component for up to 12 players, offering mainly team deathmatch and deathmatch modes. Contrary to other shooter games available, the multiplayer gameplay is slow-paced and requires patience. Recklessness and charging on enemy positions both result in quick and spectacular death.

Last updated on 19 April 2012