Sniper Elite 5 is the latest iteration of the Sniper Elite series. This game takes the series in an entirely new direction - it's a much more expansive playstyle that allows for more creative decisions throughout its campaign. Think Hitman meets Sniper Elite.
This expansive world is full of secrets, unique ways to play, and a few exciting features - like Invasions - that we'll cover in this list of beginner tips to get you started in the game.
Sniper Elite 5 Is Very Replayable
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As you head into your first few campaign missions in Sniper Elite 5, it pays to pay attention to your surroundings. The game is replayable, much like the recent Hitman games. Memorizing enemy patterns, environmental factors, and where some of the best gear, satchels, and other tools are located will make your future runs that much more enjoyable. You can also mess around with the difficulty settings - we've noticed the AI is pretty slow on Medium and below.
Customize Your Weapons At The Workbench
This is a tool available to you almost immediately. You'll encounter a workbench in general at the start of campaign missions. They let you customize your weapons. For example, we kitted out the starter pistol with a silencer, sight, and an extended stock for stability. It turns this basic weapon into a stealthy one-shot pistol - a lot of fun, and it really feels like the attachments make a substantial difference to your gun. Don't ignore this feature. Experiment with it and see what you can get out of your rifle.
Invasions Are A LOT Of Fun
Invasions pretty much transform this largely single-player experience into an intense shooter where another player hunts you down, Enemy At The Gates-style. We get it if you don't want to turn this on - it does make things more intense - but we think it's one of the best features of the game. Either trying to survive an Invasion or heading into someone else's game to ruin their day.
- Invasions can happen at any time during your mission.
- Use the Phones dotted around the map to get a brief idea of where the enemy player is.
- Completing the main objectives will also highlight the enemy player.
- All objectives you complete while Invaded will grant you extra XP.
There Are Multiple Ways To Approach Each Mission
The game opens up as you play. Dotted throughout the levels are various campfires which can be activated to provide a new way to enter the mission. It means you need to reassess how you approach the different challenges - you might enter in front of a mansion full of enemies, or along a mountain stream with enemy snipers in the cliffs above you.
- The surrounding environment has a lot of ways to modify how you play. For example, sabotaging a truck to cause a noise distraction can let you take down enemies silently without subsonic bullets.
- Finding vantage points means you make use of the long-range capabilities of your rifle - going prone also stabilizes your aim.
- Scouting ahead is smart if you want to play a stealthy game. You can use your rifle or binoculars to tag enemies from afar before moving in.
Choose How You Want To Build Your Character
Sniper Elite 5's character ability system is quite straightforward, but there are some really impactful choices here. Big bonuses to the steadiness of your aim, for example, are ideal for a long-range full-sniper build. Or, you could take skills that boost your close-range performance. Stealth, range, and guns blazing are all viable tactics in the game.
Sniper Elite 5 Is Full Of Secrets
There are loads of secret objectives and locations to discover during each campaign mission. Taking down Officers is a great way to get keys and other intel, as these are often the guys carrying the goods. You can find safes, collectibles, hidden areas, secret bunkers, and lots more. If you're a completionist, the game keeps track of secondary and other objectives from the mission window - the more objectives you complete and the more collectibles you find, the more XP you earn for your character.