Sniper Elite III Reviews
Same as the last one: an average, if somewhat enjoyable shooter.
Sniper Elite 3 treads that fine line between realism and fun, but it comes together well, providing cheap kicks for those who enjoy over-the-top sniper kills, and a modicum of tactical depth for players looking for something more substantial.
The package as a whole is still very much a rough diamond, but it's a definite improvement over its predecessor. The gruesome kill-cam remains a deliciously wrong thrill and the unifying force that holds the game together, but it's doubtful that it would be enough to paper over the cracks in a fourth game without a major overhaul of the AI and physics code. Even with its flaws, though, Sniper Elite 3 is a solidly enjoyable mid-tier action game. It may not hit the bullseye, but it's getting closer with every shot.
Sniper Elite III answers the perennial question of 'are video games art?' by saying, "Dude, who gives a crap? I just shot a freaking Nazi in the testicles!" It's an occasionally annoying but often enjoyable game.
There's a good amount of enjoyment and a fair old challenge to be found with Sniper Elite 3. Those who are after more than just another run-and-gun game will do well here, and the inclusion of two player co-op is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately the game is dragged down slightly by the number of glitches, which somewhat ruin the immersion. Still, if you're after something both tactical and brutal, this is well worth a look.
More than just a showcase for slow-motion gore, Sniper Elite III shines for its open-ended approach to stealth.
Perhaps a little short and a touch too narrow, but Sniper Elite 3 pretty much gives you a huge Nazi-filled playground, a sniper rifle, a satchel of explosives, and then waves its hand and lets you sort it out your own way. Which, really, is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for.
A small improvement on the last game but until the issues with the artificial intelligence and other bugs are fixed Sniper Elite will always be off target.
This, finally, feels like a game which knows how to play to its strengths and minimise its weaknesses. Anyone who enjoys a good tactical shooter, especially those with an affinity for the long-range kill, would do well to check it out.
It's too rough around the edges for awards and higher scores, but we'd recommend Sniper Elite 3 all the same. It's beset by bugs and some really strange AI, yet the core sneak and snipe gameplay is still enthralling, and the open levels and sandbox approach make for a refreshing departure from the shooter norm. You'll see slicker shooters later on this year, but will they be this much fun?
As in life, patience is also a virtue in Sniper Elite III. Those willing to spend their time slowly crawling into position, waiting for that perfect shot, will find an engaging experience that encourages experimentation through its enormous levels. While the needlessly graphic killcam certainly won't be to everyone's tastes, you'll be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable representation of sniping elsewhere. As a result, even in the face of its general lack of polish, annoying bugs, and laughable story, there's still enough good stuff here to recommend pulling the purchase trigger.
I'd love to have seen Rebellion weave more WW2 history into their solo campaign, and put a bit more love and novelty into their online play modes. Other than that, mark me down as a satisfied customer.
While not without its flaws, Sniper Elite 3 remains a compelling, tactically-rewarding shooter that fans of the genre would do well to snap up asap.
Sniper Elite 3 does provide a unique experience and it really puts forth a lot of effort in making you feel like a expert marksman. Sadly the other aspects of the game doesn't seem to have been given the same amount of care.
Shattering enemies' skulls with a well-placed rifle round is satisfying at first, but the see-through kill gimmick gets old quickly
Sniper Elite 3's focus on marksmanship over direct confrontation is admirable, but its lack of polish or any real personality keep it from standing out.
Fun sniping and great mission design just barely eclipse bugs, exploitable AI, and other issues that would make a lesser game impossible to recommend.
Sniper Elite 3 is a relatively fun niche shooter experience that improves some of the faults seen in its predecessors, particularly in regards to mission design and the open nature of levels. It's still weighed down by bugs, erratic AI, and a shoddy story, but it will certainly entertain fans of the franchise and those looking for a thinking man's shooter experience.