Returning as sniper Karl Fairburne, players find themselves in France in 1944, tasked with investigating Project Kraken. Sniper Elite 5 offers the familiar weapon and ability upgrade system, along with the option of a single-player campaign or online multiplayer. The enhanced Kill-cam provides a detailed, albeit graphic, depiction of bullet impact and its effects.
This is the latest iteration in the popular sniper game series, which debuted in 2005. While the original game was set at the tail end of World War II, the sequels are, in fact, prequels, with Sniper Elite 2 and subsequent titles taking place earlier in the timeline.
Having not played previous entries, my introduction to the series began with this review of Sniper Elite 5. As previously mentioned, the player character is Karl Fairburne, a highly skilled sniper who has been a series mainstay. The initial mission involves infiltrating France and establishing contact with the French resistance. While I anticipated a purely sniper-focused experience, the gameplay frequently resembles that of the Hitman games. Players can employ stealth tactics, such as sneaking up on enemies for silent takedowns with a knife or suppressed pistol, and then concealing the bodies to remain undetected.
The game also allows players to attach grenades to corpses, creating traps for unsuspecting enemies. Despite the title, the “sniper” aspect isn’t always the primary focus, with the gameplay often leaning more towards stealth action. Weapon upgrades are conveniently accessible via workbenches scattered throughout the environments. One minor issue observed was the somewhat simplistic AI of the enemies; on several occasions, enemies failed to react to nearby kills or exhibited unusual behavior, such as running directly into walls. While possibly pre-launch bugs, these occurrences were frequent enough to be noticeable.
The single-player campaign offers a well-crafted and engaging narrative. However, the multiplayer modes provide a significant draw, offering adrenaline-fueled competition. The PvP mode, while challenging due to the presence of highly skilled players, ultimately proves to be the most enjoyable aspect of the game once mastered.
A key feature distinguishing Sniper Elite 5 is its advanced kill-cam, which provides a detailed and graphic depiction of bullet impacts and their effects on enemies. This feature offers a strangely satisfying visual element. Furthermore, the game incorporates realistic bullet physics, taking into account factors such as exit velocity and distance, requiring players to carefully consider their shots.
In conclusion, Sniper Elite 5 is a worthwhile title, recommended for both newcomers and veterans of the series. Despite some differences from initial expectations, the game delivers an entertaining and engaging experience.
Note: Sniper Elite 5 is available on Xbox Game Pass on its release date (May 26).
Wendros provided a review code for this game. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial assessment.
