Sniper Elite V2

I think a lot of gamers(especially those into war sims like ARMA) would agree with me when I say that a game with a "license to camp", is a great game.  Sigh no more because Sniper Elite 2 is that game!

I am a stone...I breathe slowly...

Rebellion has veered off the main road with the release of "Sniper Elite V2".  This is the sequel to the original Sniper Elite, which was one of many underrated PC titles back in 2005/2006.

SE2 as the name suggests concentrates on sniping.  You play as an American sniper who has to kill a few generals and save nuclear tech in war-torn Berlin just before the end of WW2.  Your role in the game will supposedly be significant for the future wars.

Game play
Basically you crawl around Berlin , on a linear map, while shooting enemy soldiers.  For each kill, you get points and there are also some bonus items you can collect if you feel like exploring the linear map.  Each mission has its own objectives: from assassinating a general to stealing important information about rockets from German scientists.

Doing the above mentioned objectives in a stealthy manner is in your best interests, but occasionally, hordes of enemies will have to be mowed down  as the map does not give enough space to sneak by.
With your sniper(Kar, Springfield and SVG...or something Russian like), you also get a SMG( usually MP40 or Thomson) and pistol.

Mowing down countless enemies with your sniper is fun, but close quarters combat with your secondary loadout can prove glitchy and too inaccurate at times.  Your enemies will also sometimes get as close to you as possible to kill you from point-blank.  Moving around also feels sticky and you will be unable to crawl in some open spaces. 

The core of the game though is the sniping.  With spot on shots you are rewarded with a "kill cam" which shows you where the bullet hits and also the anatomy the bullet penetrates.  This feature really aids your skills, but also gets a bit too repetitive as time progresses.  

X-ray goggles! Awesome!

Graphics:
The graphics of SE are decent.  You'll see blood splatter and lots of detail on the "kill cam".  The surroundings looks a bit unpolished at times, but for the most graphics won't be a problem.

Sound:
With accurate weapon sounds, German voices , explosions and a decent soundtrack you'll enjoy the game audibly.

Replayability: 
Unless you're looking to collect an extra item, SE is best off left as an once-off experience.  The story and gameplay itself does not provoke nostalgia and the linear map limits a dynamic experience.

Difficulty:
The game is more arcade style, but it has some features such as ballistics and wind which come into play with higher difficulty levels. 

Overall:
Sniper Elite is a decent and unique shooter.  SE is not to be compared to CoD or Battlefield, but rather to its promise, namely providing a Sniper game to the masses.  Some of the concepts of SE can be worked on for a future title and the game would also be better off if they balance everything out.
I would recommend this game to anyone interested in slower paced game play and sniping.

Get it from friends.
8/10