'Sniper Elite 4 (2017)' is the fourth instalment in Rebellion's 'Sniper Elite' series, in which you play as an Allied sniper tasked with various missions during the Second World War. This entry sees you take on missile manufacturers in Italy, with each level presenting an 'open world' space filled with side objectives and collectables. The story itself is fairly bare-bones and generic, even if it features a few double crosses and a couple of surprises along the way. It's serviceable but nothing more, entirely forgettable once you've finished the game. Thankfully, the gameplay makes up for this. The core loop involves you sneaking your way across a variety of environments, taking out guard patrols or blowing up sea guns as you go. The main objectives vary from simple assassinations to kidnap efforts and sabotage, keeping things feeling fresh throughout. Although they feel like they have a distinct lack of prime sniping positions this time, the eight missions are rather large and well-designed. They have a good balance of close-quarter encounters, difficult-to-sneak-though segments and long-range skirmishes. Everything feels as though it is within your control, with complete stealth being possible throughout. Maintaining that stealth is difficult, though, as you don't start any level with suppressed rounds (even when you find some, supply is short). Of course, you can mask the sound of your shot by timing it to coincide with nearby explosions or a faulty generator. The best bet is usually to take someone out, then move to another position before the enemy knows exactly where you are. This back and forth is interesting as it provides the game with a consistent risk/reward dynamic. As you'd expect, the sniping is great. It's tactile, tight and, in and of itself, rather enjoyable. Some of the other gunplay can feel a little clunky at times, though; this is especially true when it comes to the inconsistent nature of silenced pistol headshots. Also, prone movement feels decidedly restrictive - although, this may be intentional. Ultimately, the game is never so cumbersome as to be frustrating. For the most part, it's highly refined. Graphically, the piece isn't massively impressive, but it gets the job done and renders all of its elements consistently. The 'x-ray' gunshot system is probably what most people associate with the series and I'm happy to report that it looks as good as ever; you'll squirm whenever you see a baddie's testicles explode, I assure you. In the end, the game is well-made and entertaining. Its story may not be all that memorable, but its gameplay sure is fun. 8/10.
