Sniper Elite 4

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Sniper Elite 4 are quite varied. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the improvement in narrative quality compared to previous installments. CGMagazine appreciated the more interesting supporting cast and compelling female characterization, adding depth to the story. GameGrin also commended the narrative for adding depth to characters and historical context, making the story convincing and engrossing. Additionally, New Game Network praised the incorporation of real war events and locations, emphasizing the underground resistance in Italy during 1943, which added depth to the overall narrative. On the other hand, several critics pointed out various negatives in the story of Sniper Elite 4. Multiple reviewers criticized the narrative for being generic, lacking depth, and failing to stand out. COGconnected described the story as focusing on a lone wolf sniper taking on Nazis with some NPCs and allies, which felt clichéd and uninspiring. Similarly, Digital Chumps and The Digital Fix mentioned that the story was serviceable but not memorable, with shallow characters and a lack of emotional connection to the plot. Furthermore, Digitally Downloaded and DualShockers criticized the story for being underwhelming, with bland and uninteresting characters, clichés, and ungainly dialogue, lacking identity and impact. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in Sniper Elite 4. While some reviewers appreciated the improvements in character development and historical context, others found the narrative to be lacking in originality, depth, and emotional engagement. The focus on gameplay over storytelling was a common theme, with critics like Game Informer and Game Rant noting the standard World War 2 tale that did not leave a lasting impression. Despite some positive aspects, such as the incorporation of real war events and engaging supporting characters, the general sentiment suggests that the story of Sniper Elite 4 falls short of delivering a truly compelling and memorable narrative experience for players.

The gameplay of Sniper Elite 4 received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many praised the game for its satisfying sniping mechanics, strategic depth, and the variety of approaches available to players. Trusted Reviews highlighted the improved enemy AI and the option to use silenced ammunition, while Game Informer commended the cycle of marking enemies, holding breath, and firing as being particularly satisfying. The inclusion of stealth mechanics, environmental traps, and the ability to adjust difficulty settings, as noted by Digital Chumps and Impulsegamer, added layers of complexity and replay value to the gameplay experience. The sandbox nature of the game's campaign, as mentioned by TheSixthAxis and The Digital Fix, allowed for creative and diverse gameplay opportunities. On the downside, some critics pointed out areas where Sniper Elite 4 fell short. NZGamer felt that the gameplay was overbearing with too many features, detracting from the core sniping mechanic. TrueAchievements mentioned the lack of silencers and constant repositioning as drawbacks to the sniping mechanics. DualShockers criticized the AI for being lacking, and IGN Spain noted that other weapon controls felt clunky and ineffective. Destructoid highlighted the size of maps and the potential for repetitive gameplay due to the lack of scripted set-piece moments as potential drawbacks for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Sniper Elite 4 delivers a highly enjoyable gameplay experience, with its focus on sniping, stealth, and strategic decision-making resonating positively with players. The game's emphasis on methodical sharpshooting, freedom in exploration, and satisfying kill cams garnered widespread acclaim. Critics appreciated the depth of gameplay mechanics, the variety of weapons and tools available, and the challenging yet rewarding AI encounters. Despite some minor criticisms regarding specific aspects of the gameplay, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the majority of critics praising Sniper Elite 4 for its engaging and immersive gameplay that caters to fans of the series and newcomers alike.

The critics generally praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Sniper Elite 4 for its positive aspects. CGMagazine commended the game for being visually stunning with lush textures and impressive level design. Digital Chumps highlighted the colorful and interesting visuals, large maps, and detailed environments. AusGamers appreciated the attention to detail in indoor environments and vibrant colors in Mediterranean islands. These positive aspects indicate that the game excelled in creating visually appealing and immersive settings for players to explore. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Sniper Elite 4. DualShockers mentioned that the graphical presentation looked a few years old, with clunky and stiff animations affecting the overall polish. God is a Geek noted that while the environments were commendable, the character animations were fairly ugly. COGconnected highlighted areas like trees and foliage lacking in detail, impacting the overall visual experience. These criticisms suggest that there were inconsistencies in the graphics quality and animations, which detracted from the overall visual appeal of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Sniper Elite 4 leans towards the positive side. GamesRadar+ described the game as gorgeous with detailed environments and a genuine sense of place, while TrueAchievements appreciated the beautiful and unique locations in the beginning levels. Despite some criticisms about dated graphics, clumsy animations, and lack of visual variety, the majority of critics found the game visually appealing and immersive. The mix of positive comments on the detailed environments, vibrant colors, and impressive level design outweighed the negative feedback, indicating that Sniper Elite 4 succeeded in creating visually engaging gameplay experiences across different platforms.

The majority of critics praised the sound design and music of Sniper Elite 4 for its immersive and authentic experience. COGconnected appreciated the music, stating it was suitable and authentic to the setting, enhancing gameplay mechanics like alerting enemies with rifle shots. GameGrin also commended the sound and music, highlighting the return of the series theme in a different orchestration, which enhanced the overall experience. The Digital Fix specifically mentioned the sound effects during kill-cams as a standout feature, showcasing the attention to detail in the sound design. However, there were notable criticisms regarding the sound design of Sniper Elite 4. Digitally Downloaded and PlaySense both criticized the voice acting, with Digitally Downloaded mentioning that apart from Karl, the voice acting was usually pretty terrible, impacting the overall experience. PlaySense also noted that voice acting and context delivery between missions could be better, further detracting from the overall immersion. AusGamers mentioned that while the sound design was good, it did not offer a significant improvement over its predecessor, Sniper Elite 3, with some elements like generators being too noisy. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the sound design and music of Sniper Elite 4 leans towards the positive side. NZGamer and New Game Network highlighted the significant role sound plays in gameplay, with features like sound-masking tools and advanced warning cues enhancing the stealth experience. Despite some inconsistencies in the sound-masking mechanic mentioned by Game Informer across different platforms, the overall sentiment is that the sound design effectively contributes to the immersive and engaging gameplay experience in Sniper Elite 4.

The voice acting in Sniper Elite 4 received mixed reviews from critics. GameGrin praised Tom Clarke Hill's portrayal of Karl Fairburne, noting that he effectively brought the gruff veteran to life and added depth to the narrative through meaningful interactions with other characters. PlayStation Universe also appreciated the voice acting for contributing to the immersive experience by adding a layer of humanity to the game through conversations with various characters and enemy troops. On the other hand, several critics highlighted significant drawbacks in the voice acting of Sniper Elite 4. Digitally Downloaded and AusGamers both criticized the overall quality of the voice acting, with Digitally Downloaded specifically mentioning that aside from Karl, the voice acting was often subpar. DualShockers found the dialogue ungainly, lacking identity, and at times disjointed, indicating a lack of consistency in the voice performances. PCWorld also noted that while some characters gave convincing performances, others came across as melodramatic and hammy, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the voice acting in Sniper Elite 4. While some, like GameGrin and PlayStation Universe, appreciated certain performances and the impact they had on the game's immersion and narrative depth, others, such as DualShockers and PCWorld, pointed out inconsistencies and subpar delivery that hindered the overall experience. The varying opinions suggest that while there were standout moments and performances, the voice acting as a whole did not consistently meet the expectations of all critics, resulting in a divisive aspect of the game's presentation.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4, several critics noted positive aspects. Digital Chumps highlighted the game's high frame rate on PS4 Pro, while Metro GameCentral mentioned improved graphics with fewer bugs. Additionally, New Game Network praised the smooth gameplay experience on PC, citing fast load times and open levels contributing to a seamless performance. On the Nintendo Switch, critics like Comicbook.com and Nintendo Life commended the bug-free experience and strong performance in both handheld and docked modes. However, there were some negative aspects regarding technical performance across platforms. DualShockers and PlaySense pointed out clunky animations and technical issues with animations on the PS4. PlayStation Universe and Polygon highlighted glitches such as soldiers shooting through objects and inconsistent AI behavior on the PS4. On the PC, GRYOnline.pl noted issues with the 'killcam' feature, and New Game Network mentioned occasional AI problems and audio glitches. On the Nintendo Switch, Impulsegamer reported minor slowdowns, and NintendoWorldReport mentioned frame rate dips and stuttering issues. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Sniper Elite 4 is mixed. While some platforms like the Nintendo Switch received praise for being bug-free and offering a smooth experience, others like the PS4 and PC faced issues such as clunky animations, glitches, and occasional performance hiccups. Despite some technical shortcomings, critics like GameGrin appreciated the game's overall production values and polish, indicating that while there were minor issues, they did not significantly detract from the overall experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Sniper Elite 4 are generally positive. Many critics highlight the various gameplay modes and features that contribute to the game's replayability. CGMagazine praises the fun replays of maps and side content, while COGconnected mentions the co-op campaign, survival mode, and multiplayer modes as elements that enhance replay value. Digital Chumps appreciates the additional collectibles, sub-objectives, and co-op mode that provide variety and depth to the gameplay experience. We Got This Covered also acknowledges the massive sandbox-style levels, collectibles, secret side objectives, and customizable difficulty options that contribute to the game's replayability. On the other hand, some critics point out certain drawbacks that may affect the overall replay value of Sniper Elite 4. DualShockers mentions that collectibles serve as filler and may not add much to the experience, while Easy Allies finds the rewards and upgrades inconsequential, and optional activities tedious. NZGamer notes that the optional objectives are not rewarding enough to justify replaying levels, which may deter players from engaging in multiple playthroughs. Additionally, Game Informer on both PC and XBOX ONE versions highlights the lack of a meaningful progression system, which could impact long-term engagement for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Sniper Elite 4 offers a solid replay value due to its diverse gameplay modes, large maps, co-op opportunities, and customization options. Critics like GameGrin commend the depth of gameplay mechanics and level design that encourage multiple playthroughs, while Nintendo Life appreciates the variety of content such as side objectives, collectibles, and customization options that enhance replayability. Despite some criticisms regarding certain aspects like collectibles and progression systems, the majority of critics find Sniper Elite 4 to be a worthwhile title for fans of the franchise looking for an engaging and replayable experience.