The anticipatedSniper Elite 5is set to launch later on this month for consoles and PC. While it is set to retain a lot of its already established formula, the title will bring many changes that fans will be eager to explore.
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The Plot and Setting of Sniper Elite 5
As expected,Sniper Elite 5will see players take control oflong-time protagonist Karl Fairburne, a highly specialized and lethal operator who thrives as a lone wolf. Set during World War 2,Sniper Elite 5will offer the same calculated stealth-based gameplay that the franchise has become known for.
Sniper Elite 5will take place in 1944’s France, offering a gritty contrast to the sunnyItalian setting ofSniper Elite 4. Players will join forces with enclaves of the French resistance to help weaken the intimidating “Atlantikwall” fortifications of Brittany, aiding the Allied invasion of Europe. To further compound the high-stakes nature of the missions players will undergo, a mysterious and potentially catastrophic Nazi plot called “Operation Kraken” must also be uncovered. With the detailed maps ofSniper Elite 5’s missions reportedly being based on real-life locations, players will likely enjoy some of the most breathtaking landscapes the franchise has seen yet while conducting their assassinations.
The Unique Difficulty Scaling of Sniper Elite 5
One of the more unique aspects of the recent titles withintheSniper Elitefranchiseis their high level of replayability thanks to difficulty options in the campaigns. In total,Sniper Elite 4had five difficulty levels, with each subsequent difficulty offering higher enemy AI intelligence, but also altering the core sniping mechanics.
On cadet difficulty, the easiest mode, there is no bullet ballistics or wind resistance that need to be taken into account when sniping from afar. The hardest mode is authentic plus, which offers noHUDor mini-map and requiring realistic long-range marksmanship techniques such as bullet drop estimation and range adjustment. With this system likely coming back with the upcomingSniper Elite 5, dedicated players should be able to work their way through the difficulty tiers to refine their abilities.
Sniper Elite 5 on Xbox Game Pass and Multiplayer Modes
An important aspect ofSniper Elite 5is that the game is set to release on thehighly successful Xbox Game Pass service. With the increased playerbase that this is likely to foster on Xbox, multiplayer modes inSniper Elite 5could be more popular than ever.
Players can experience adversarial online matches over a variety of modes and ranges of combat with comprehensive 12-player multiplayer, or engage in co-op throughSniper Elite 5’s PvE survival mode. In addition to this, there is set to be a franchise-first"Invasion Mode" inSniper Elite 5, akin to the invasions ofFromSoftwaretitles. This mode will allows players who opt in to invade, or be invaded by, another player during the campaign. The invading player acts as a hidden Axis sniper, attempting to hunt down the host through a test of vigilance and wits.
Sniper Elite 5releases for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on July 18, 2025.
