505 Games and Rebellion have put together a Sniper simulation game that should be on the radar of every wannabe sniper in the videogame world. You’ll get realism like never before in a videogame, not even Call of Duty. You’ll actually have to use some skills to really succeed in this game at times and it will give the novice some help here and there in the lower difficulties. But for those of you that think you have what it take to be a sniper then by all means play the game on the highest difficulty.

Visually, the game looks pretty good and gives off a great World War Ii vibe throughout. Broken and war torn buildings, cities and installations litter the landscape giving you plenty of cover to remain unseen by the Germans. There are some interesting graphical enhancements to the game such the slowdown bullet time that finishes with an X-Ray kill that can be quite gruesome at times. The game does have some flaws visually here and there but overall, it’s definitely a thumbs up.

You play the role of an Elite Sniper who is tasked with taking important targets that could influence the final days of the war. Many of these targets are directly involved with the V2 program which has terrorized Western Europe. You’ll scurry through a variety of environments taking perch atop buildings and rooftops or inside windows overlooking your targets. At times you’ll infiltrate German bases taking out the enemy one by one while trying to remain undetected. You will have other weapons at your disposal for those ties you need to get out of a jam so the game isn’t always just sniping. If you are scene you’ll need whatever you can to eliminate the foes so if that requires a machine gun then by all means pick it up and use it. Or use a grenade, pistol, lands mines or even trip wires.

Early in the game you’ll have to use sound to dampen out the sound of your sniper shot which is indicated by a sound icon that appears on the screen. When this sound is taking place you’ll want to quickly fire your shot and take out your target while remaining undetected. It works, but you need to be quick and precise. There are other instances where you’ll have to use stealth take downs by sneaking up on unsuspecting targets. I can’t stress how much you want to remain undetected in this game because it actually becomes quite difficult once everyone starts shooting at you and rushing towards you.

One of the games calling cards is the bullet ballistics that take into account various real life conditions such as bullet drop, wind, distance, etc. You’ll definitely be holding your breath a lot both in the game and in real life trying to make that perfect shot. If you miss, then all hell will break loose and your chances of completing your mission at hand will greatly decrease. It’s a very interesting take on the task of sniping and really adds a sense of realism to the game that many folks are looking for when playing as a sniper in any game.

The difficulty level you have the game set on will really affect the bullet ballistics. In the casual and marksman difficulties you can play just as the difficulty suggests, pretty casually You’ll be able to line up shots pretty much with ease taking as long as you need. When you move the difficulty to Sniper Elite you’ll have to take into account so much more. Moving targets, wind and gravity really make you have to concentrate and steadying your breathing will really be key to perfecting those shots. You’ll also have to be very wary about finding a place to take your shot. The game is extremely difficult on this level but for those that master it, the game can be quite an accomplishment for completion.

Another great feature in the game is the X-Ray camera that shows your bullet penetration and kill of the intended target. It can be quite gruesome at times but its oh so cool. One of the coolest things I saw in this feature was the bullet ricochet that takes place after the shot impact the target. You’ll see the bullet come tumbling out the back and it looks really awesome when you hit a second target. Taking out two targets with one bullet is so, so satisfying. You'll notice that the X-Ray cam will remind you a lot of what we saw in Mortal Kombat. So if you liked it there, then you'll love it in this game.

There are cooperative missions that can be played with a buddy which can be fun in itself over and above the single player campaign. Unfortunately, there is no actual online versus multiplayer but I think the game offers up enough content to warrant the money you spend. You and a buddy will take on a few different scenarios and work together to eliminate the foes and complete the tasks you are instructed. It’s a break from the main campaign but it’s really nothing to get too excited about. I do wish they would have allowed a buddy to run through the normal campaign mode with you. Now that would have been a great addition.

Now the game does suffer from some iffy mechanics and scenarios. For instance, I noticed that whether you are in the light or the dark it really makes no difference as to whether enemies will see you or not. You can walk right past enemies in broad daylight and they won’t see you unless they are looking straight at you. While the game is all about stealth I found this a bit odd and it almost took away from the stealth part of the game.

My final verdict on this game is that it is definitely a solid addition to the world of shooters. Sure there are some rough spots in the game but it’s one that most folks can play through without getting to frustrating. I can think of some shooters that have been worse. I also think the fact that it is in a third person view really adds to the overall presentation and feel. You get a feel for your surroundings and you really get to enjoy the Old World scenery. The graphics at times can be a bit washed out and dated but put this whole game together as a package and you have something fun and enjoyable for any shooter fans. If you have any doubts then by all means check out the demo available online to give the game a quick run through. But let me tell you that the demo only scratches the surface of the game and you really need to play it fully to get the full experience out of it. Is this Call of Duty or Battlefield? No, but did you expect it to be? It’s just a fun game.