It's frustrating to see so much by way of weapons and skins locked out when playing the game, though it hardly seems essential. Rebellion's been smart enough to promise all future modes and maps coming post-release will be free for all players, with the season pass granting access to the likes of premium skins. It's perfectly serviceable, and once again it's No Cross in which a impassable No Man's Land is placed between teams that shines brightest. This is the video game as raw, naked and unashamed entertainment, and it's all the better for it.Īpologies for shunting multiplayer to a sidebar all of its own, but in truth competitive online here feels more like a welcome appendage rather than an integral part of the package. It's a repeating moment of Grand Guignol that wouldn't be out of place in any self-respecting VHS action epic that's grown fuzzy from one too many rentals from your local rental store.

The series' signature feature of being able to see a bullet fly in slow motion across a map before entering an enemy soldier and bursting an eyeball, shattering a spine or popping a nut returns and is as disturbingly satisfying as ever. While Sniper Elite 4 lacks the polish and poise of Metal Gear Solid 5, feeling at times like a direct-to-video counterpart, it has a plucky spirit and a schlocky flair that's all its own. It's Metal Gear Solid 5 with Reggiane fighter planes droning across azure Italian skies as you're crouched in an olive bush with a bolt action rifle slung over your shoulder. There's a levelling system in place, but XP is doled out so regularly and the tech tree is so insignificant it all kind of fades into the background.Īt this point in the series' evolution - and as part of its continuing spread to ever more open levels - this is essentially a stealth game with a vaguely open world framework. And if you haven't played a Sniper Elite beforehand, this is most definitely the right time to get acquainted. In placing a focus on the fundamentals - as well as keeping this to current generation consoles, unlike Sniper Elite 3, so that compromises aren't so commonplace - Rebellion has been able to tease out all the potential that's been bubbling under the surface for so long. Sniper Elite 4 doesn't deviate from the formula laid out by its predecessor, nor does it make any profound additions, but that's all for the best. The end result of the quickfire iteration that comes from a series that's seen five games since 2012 is Sniper Elite 4.

When Rebellion's been able to work on its own terms the results have often fared much better, as with the recent self-published Sniper Elite series knockabout action stealth games with delicious period WW2 trappings, they've quickly risen from guilty pleasure to something much more commendable.

Availability: Out February 14th on PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Sniper elite 4 for pc