Sniper Elite VR: Winter Warrior, published by Rebellion and developed by Just Add Water, offers an immersive new VR experience set in World War II Germany during the winter of 1944-45. As ‘The Partisan,’ an Italian resistance soldier, players embark on a mission to liberate the place in which they were born and raised from Nazi forces. The game’s campaign unfolds through a mix of stealth and combat, with varied missions involving sabotaging artillery, tracking high-value targets, and destroying secret Nazi weapons. After having enjoyed the first Sniper Elite VR, we were eager to dive into this one, which we did on a Meta Quest headset.
The most important feature of any first person shooter in VR is the authentic gunplay, where the developers have to make sure that the VR mechanics elevate the experience. Here, loading weapons involves taking realistic steps, adding a layer of immersion. The arsenal includes sniper rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, SMGs, and grenades, each requiring specific handling and making use of motion controls in different ways. Next to shooting, stealth is encouraged, utilizing environmental sounds to mask gunfire or resorting to close-quarter takedowns.
The visual presentation on both Meta Quest 2 and 3 is commendable, with detailed level designs and impressive snowy environments, though the first person shooter genre isn’t one that’s kind to VR. The graphics feel at least two console generations behind, though compared to other VR games it fares fairly well. The x-ray kill cam, a hallmark of the Sniper Elite series, adds a satisfying touch to every successful shot – and in this shorter campaign it doesn’t overstay its welcome either. The three main modes in the game (the campaign, Sniper Hunt, and Last Stand) all provide diverse gameplay experiences, with Last Stand offering a particularly enjoyable wave-based challenge where you can see how long you can last.
However, some drawbacks include occasional AI alertness issues, awkward fist combat mechanics (which outside of boxing games has proved to be hard to get right in VR), and save points that are too far and few between, leading to potential frustration. There are plenty of good aspects that make up for this though, like the freedom in weapon selection and handling, with unique mechanics associated with each firearm that add depth to the gameplay.
As you’d hope, the sniper rifles shine in Winter Warrior, delivering intense moments when navigating enemy lines as you hold your breath and line up the perfect shot. The focus feature, slowing time and enhancing zoom, enhances the precision required for well-timed shots. The missions feature varied objectives, from high-value assassinations to planting explosives, offering engaging gameplay variety. However, how well the sniping works also highlights how head-on combat doesn’t quite compare, and it always feels like a bit of a shame when you get drawn into it.
Winter Warrior provides comfort options, including a belt adjustor for wider waistlines that we felt was a novel touch, various movement styles, snap turning, and colorblind modes. And while the game isn’t flawless, it marks a significant improvement from the previous Sniper Elite VR iteration. As long as you play to its strengths, this one delivers a visceral and satisfying VR stealth-action shooter experience.
Score: 7.8/10
Press Play Media 