When you begin one of the game’s missions, you are able to customize your difficulty in a way that allows you to pick how realistic you want the experience to be. Sniping in Sniper Elite is the main focus and thus has plenty of intricate options tied to it. However, Rebellion Developments decided to make their military shooter primarily based around the thrill of sniping, Sniper Elite able to play to the power fantasy tied to using sniper rifles while also pursuing a more realistic approach to their usage than most games would be willing to go for. However, the sniper rifle is just part of an arsenal in most shooters and often a niche choice due to its slow speed and reliance on careful aim. The immediate satisfaction afforded by a well aimed shot instantly killing a target makes a player feel like they’re a skilled marksman, these games often playing into the fantasy of an eagle-eyed killer able to eliminate a target from across the map.
In many shooting games, the sniper rifle emerges as one of the most satisfying weapons to use.