The history of video games features some long-lasting series, particularly in the field of first-person shooters that release new versions annually (you’re familiar with these). Among the less flashy series in this category is Rebellion’s Sniper Elite. It debuted in 2005 and has maintained a steady presence since then, introducing fresh installments, DLC, spin-offs, and additional content. As its latest title, Sniper Elite: Resistance, is set to launch on January 30th for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, let’s explore the top games in this franchise together.
11. Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army 2
Following the destruction caused by the Nazi Zombies in the initial independent expansion of Sniper Elite V2, who would have anticipated they’d come back for a sequel? In Nazi Zombie Army 2, you’ll embark on a new adventure with unique settings and types of enemies, and as before, you can eliminate hordes of the undead either alone or with up to three other players. While it doesn’t necessarily improve upon its predecessor, when it starts to feel repetitive, one might question its value. However, for those who enjoy slaughtering zombies, more maps means more opportunities to do so.
10. Sniper Elite VR: Winter Warrior
In a subsequent review, the game “Winter Warrior” – created by Just Add Water, known for their work on “Oddworld”, doesn’t quite live up to its predecessor’s standard. Despite the initial title’s success, it appears that the momentum wasn’t sustained. A forgettable storyline and questionable controls later, it becomes clear that this isn’t the case. The sequel fails to significantly alter the formula or enhance the graphics. While the gunplay remains strong, there simply isn’t enough content to warrant a playthrough. In summary, it’s a bit of a letdown overall.
9. Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army
In an alternate World War II setting, the initial endeavor by Original and Rebellion to create a spinoff of Left 4 Dead, featuring Karl Fairburne as the protagonist, takes on an undead theme. The transition from tactical sniping and stealth to massacring zombie swarms is a significant change for the series, which Nazi Zombie Army manages effectively. It merges realistic gunplay and X-Ray Kill Cam with novel threats, while also incorporating cooperative play. Although it may not surpass the top co-op zombie shooters in the genre, it offers a good time, if nothing else.
8. Sniper Elite V2
In the initial sequel titled “Sniper Elite V2,” the story revolves around Fairburne’s mission to halt the development of the V-2 rocket project in Berlin. This is why the title doesn’t follow the typical number sequence. The game garnered some appreciation for its accurate bullet physics, but the AI performance was inconsistent, sometimes displaying competence and other times acting foolishly. Criticisms were raised regarding enemy respawning and stealth mechanics, yet the sniping aspect was well-received. This is mainly due to the introduction of a feature that would become a signature element in the series for over a decade – the X-Ray Kill Cam, which provides a gory demonstration upon successful kills.
7. Zombie Army Trilogy
There’s not much difference in quality between “Sniper Elite V2” and “Zombie Army Trilogy,” but the latter has a slight edge because it refurbishes the initial expansions of “Nazi Zombie Army” and adds an extra campaign. You can engage in these campaigns with up to four companions, selecting from among eight unique characters (with the casts from “Left 4 Dead 1” and “2” being added later for an additional eight options). The difficulty level is customizable as well. Both games feature the signature ballistics and X-Ray Kill Cam, along with dismemberment for a more tactical experience. Despite being somewhat repetitive and lacking some of the series’ depth, it’s still enjoyable for casual, cooperative play with friends.
6. Sniper Elite VR
Sniper Elite VR” – This initial release has its drawbacks, such as a weak narrative and peculiar barriers obstructing your progress on certain missions toward the end. It lacks autosaves, has bugs, and the melee combat leaves something to be desired, making it somewhat challenging to fully embrace. However, it shines in the harmonious blend of arcade-style shooting and realistic bullet physics. The gameplay is responsive enough that you can rack up points with imaginative kills, which makes it an enjoyable experience. Although it’s not the best in the series, it offers a decent choice for those seeking an engaging sniping title in VR.
6. Sniper Elite 3
Following the somewhat disappointing reception of Sniper Elite V2, Sniper Elite 3 arrived and made some incremental enhancements (but continued to struggle in other areas). Essentially a prequel, it featured Karl Fairburne’s journey into North Africa, introducing expansive desert landscapes for players to strategize various tactics. Regrettably, the narrative wasn’t particularly compelling, and the AI still demonstrated its shortcomings. However, where Sniper Elite 3 excelled was in offering larger, more open stages for players to devise multiple strategies.
Experimenting with disrupting generators for noise cover during your shots, utilizing enhanced stealth techniques to strategically neutralize threats, scavenging for gun components, and laying traps – it all seemed so empowering (and of course, the sharpshooting remained top-notch). Notably, enhancements to the X-Ray Kill Cam have been made to include details on shattered organs and bones, making Sniper Elite 3 an enjoyable gaming experience.
4. Sniper Elite 1
It’s somewhat surprising that one of the finest games in the series is actually its debut title – Sniper Elite, which was released back in 2005. In the realm of sniping-centric games set during World War II, it stood out uniquely. The game’s realistic ballistics simulation, taking into account factors like wind, felt innovative and engaging. Although it didn’t offer the gory detail of the X-Ray Kill Cam, watching your bullet slowly hit its mark was still rewarding. Given the introduction of new strategies such as employing louder sounds to conceal shots, it’s not surprising that it garnered attention despite some initial flaws.
3. Zombie Army 4: Dead War
Despite the potential lack of high expectations for Zombie Army 4, it surprisingly delivered on multiple fronts. The goofy narrative featuring zombie sharks and a zoo, along with the X-Ray Kill-Cam that triggered both explosions and precise shots, was well executed. Each character offers significant advancement and entertaining skills, while the weaponry exceeded expectations by incorporating unique elements to counteract the new, outlandish enemies such as a zombie tank. However, it’s worth noting that the game does feature overpriced DLC, and at times, the gameplay can feel repetitive. Regardless, Zombie Army 4 stands as one of the series’ best installments, and arguably among the top offerings from Sniper Elite.
2. Sniper Elite 5
As a devoted fan, I must say that Sniper Elite 5 truly elevated the series to new heights for me. It’s where the franchise really found its stride with the expansive sandbox levels and diverse playstyles. The game continues to excel in delivering the realistic sniping we’ve come to appreciate, while also offering some of the best stages the series has seen. There’s even a new mode called Axis Invasion, where an enemy sniper can intrude upon your game, adding another layer of tension to the already thrilling encounters. Although some of the series’ lingering issues were still present, it felt like Sniper Elite finally nailed its winning formula in this installment.
1. Sniper Elite 4
The adventure truly kicked off with the release of Sniper Elite 4, expanding upon the open-ended maps found in Sniper Elite 3 and making them even larger. The protagonist, Fairburne, was more nimble than before, able to climb structures for better sniping positions. Night missions added new challenges to the stealth gameplay, offering players unprecedented freedom to choose their approach – whether it be a silent takedown, a full-on assault, or anything in between. Despite some lingering issues with storytelling and AI, Sniper Elite 4 reached new heights of enjoyment, elevating the series to an incredibly fun level.
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2025-01-27 12:14