Game Review: Sniper Ghost Warrior 2

As you have probably guessed it’s the sequel to Sniper Ghost Warrior released way back in 2010 only this time you’re private security consultant Captain Cole Anderson, and you’re given a number of missions in different parts of the world including Sarajevo, Tibet and the jungles of Burma.

All well and good you might think but with glitches, tedious gameplay and unconvincing voice overs this game is like wading through a bath of treacle.

To be honest the first 30 minutes of gameplay is OK, yet instead of improving as it goes along it just becomes more of the same, with unconvincing AI to begin with, the actual game mechanics aren`t too bad as they are using the legendary CryEngine 3 yet the frame rate is jerky and the AI characters move like puppets from a Gerry Anderson show.

Gameplay is the usual sneaking around taking out bad guys either with a silent takedown with a knife, silenced pistol or rifle and this is where it gets silly, for example if you aim at an enemy and miss he doesn`t react at all, I have taken numerous shots at an AI enemy and he just stands there as if nothing has happened. The only time they notice you are when you become visible and then it’s all over and back to square one.

With the introduction of bullet tracking, where you follow the bullet to its target very similar to Sniper Elite V2 yet no were near as good .

The graphics themselves are nice with plenty of detail just the frame rate tends to be a bit glitchy and the voice over acting is wooden and unemotional.

It’s not all bad news for Sniper Ghost Warrior 2 though because if you play it on expert mode the game does redeem itself for a while, and it is much more lifelike as you have to take in wind direction, recoil and keeping your heart rate steady, this makes for a much more immersive experience apart from the AI characters falling around like rag dolls which does spoil it.

If on the other hand you just want to get on with it then go for the less inspiring default mode.

There is an on-line multiplayer element which is basically engaging other players in sniper duels nothing spectacular.

Summary

Sniper Ghost Warrior 2 reminds me of the sniper sections in Call Of Duty and the bullet tracking is very similar too Sniper Elite V2 and that I am afraid is where the similarity ends, the whole experience is mediocre at best with glitches ,terrible AI and mundane gameplay.

Its only redeeming feature is the expert mode that does give the game some feeling of reality, yet this isn`t enough to drag this game out of the depths of mediocrity.

If you enjoyed the first Sniper game then you won`t be disappointed with this as it is actually a better game.

If you are new to this franchise best wait until this one hits the bargain bin

Sniper Ghost Warrior 2

Developers: City Interactive

Publishers: City Interactive

Xbox 360®

Playstation3®

Genre: Stealth, FPS

Release Date: 15th March 2013

Gameplay: 2.5/5

Graphics: 3/5

Story: 2/5

Overall: 2/5

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