Sniper Elite is a 1st/3rd person shooter developed by UK based video game developer Rebellion Developments. The main character is an American OSS agent, Karl Fairburne, disguised as a German sniper inserted into war torn 1945 Berlin with the objective of obtaining Nazi weapons technology before the Soviet NKVD do.
One of the main selling points of the game was the option of realistic sniper gameplay, bringing values such as bullet drop, wind strength, breath, and heart rate when attempting a shot. All 'sniper' gameplay is in 1st person scope view, whereas movement and use of all other weapons is in 3rd person view. Possibly the most memorable highlight of the game is the fact that when the player makes an extreme sniper shot, the game shows a short 'cutscene' following the path of the bullet, in slow motion, while the camera spins around the bullet. Another fairly original feature is the ability to pick up and carry around fallen comrades in rescue missions. The game is unlike most other first- or third-person shooters in that most of the gameplay involves stealth and patience, occasionally punctuated by a sniper shot. There are no intense, blazing firefights among with a dozen soldiers, in the style of other successful games of the genre like Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
Missions
There are various kinds of missions in the game. Usually, a mission involves several objectives which must be carried out, and sometimes sub-objectives, which are optional. Common objectives include providing covering fire for certain friendly units (usually the German Resistance), assassinating certain people, and sabotaging enemy emplacements.
Factions
German Nazis
They wear green uniforms, with the ordinary soldiers wearing black helmets, the officers wearing officer caps, and the snipers wearing their hoods over their heads. The Nazis are fighting a losing battle with the NKVD for control over Berlin.
Soviet NKVD
They wear dark-brown uniforms, with the ordinary soldiers wearing grey fur-lined hats, the officers wearing officer caps, and the snipers wearing cloths wrapped around their heads to conceal their faces. They are slowly but surely bringing Berlin under their control.
German Resistance
They often wear grey jackets and carry sub-machine guns. The player aids them in their mission to repel the Nazis and the NKVD throughout the game. Many of the German Resistance agents work undercover as spies in order to gain the upper hand on their enemies.
Characters
Karl Fairburne
An American OSS agent disguised as a German sniper in order to thwart the Soviet NKVD's plans to obtain Nazi weapon technology, and to obtain it himself for the OSS. He is the game's protaginist, and the character the player controls throughout the game.
General Bormann
A Nazi general who plans to meet up with an NKVD contact at the Brandenburg Gate in order to defect to the Soviet Union, guaranteeing his safety. He knows too much, so he is assassinated by the player before he is able to do this. He wears a tan-coloured uniform and wears a red arm band sporting the Iron Cross Insignia.
Kolekov
The NKVD contact who attempts to meet with Bormann in order to organise Bormann's defection to the Soviet Union. The player has the option of either killing him or letting him live, as his assassination is only a sub-objective, and is therefore optional.
Vehicles
Tanks
Tiger I - German tank. Very dangerous, equipped with machine gun turret and 88mm cannon turret.
T-34 - Soviet tank. Similar to the Tiger I, but lighter, and therefore faster. Equipped with machine gun turret and 85mm cannon turret.
Other
Truck - Very common. Ordinary military supply trucks.
Armoured Car - Bulletproof armour plating. However, the windows are not bulletproof and are therefore the vehicles weak point.
Motorcycle with Sidecar - Very weak. Used for one thing: Fast transport for individuals (e.g. for messengers, etc.).
Multiplayer Tactics
While the single player campaign mode has an intriguing storyline, the added feature of human intelligence boosts the realism of Sniper Elite. The basis of multiplayer mode is set in either a deathmatch, team deathmatch, or the unique assassination mode. (Under Construction...)