Sniper Elite III

More than just a showcase for slow-motion gore, Sniper Elite III shines for its open-ended approach to stealth.

Sniper Elite III can be a chore, but its gleeful X-ray kills help make up for its deficiencies.

The package as a whole is still very much a rough diamond, but it's a definite improvement over its predecessor. The gruesome kill-cam remains a deliciously wrong thrill and the unifying force that holds the game together, but it's doubtful that it would be enough to paper over the cracks in a fourth game without a major overhaul of the AI and physics code. Even with its flaws, though, Sniper Elite 3 is a solidly enjoyable mid-tier action game. It may not hit the bullseye, but it's getting closer with every shot.

Fun sniping and great mission design just barely eclipse bugs, exploitable AI, and other issues that would make a lesser game impossible to recommend.

Sniper Elite 3's focus on marksmanship over direct confrontation is admirable, but its lack of polish or any real personality keep it from standing out.

Shattering enemies' skulls with a well-placed rifle round is satisfying at first, but the see-through kill gimmick gets old quickly

I'd love to have seen Rebellion weave more WW2 history into their solo campaign, and put a bit more love and novelty into their online play modes. Other than that, mark me down as a satisfied customer.

As in life, patience is also a virtue in Sniper Elite III. Those willing to spend their time slowly crawling into position, waiting for that perfect shot, will find an engaging experience that encourages experimentation through its enormous levels. While the needlessly graphic killcam certainly won't be to everyone's tastes, you'll be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable representation of sniping elsewhere. As a result, even in the face of its general lack of polish, annoying bugs, and laughable story, there's still enough good stuff here to recommend pulling the purchase trigger.

All-in-all, it's decent enough to pick up and play through a mission when you have a little bit of spare time, but not really something worth making the time for.

The third Sniper Elite definitely hits the mark, even if it's a bit shaky.