Silent Scope

"Superb arcade sniper game - as addictive as they come"

[Note that I’m reviewing this game after I have given Silent Scope 2 8/10 so I will be comparing the games on a few occasions.]

Developed and published by Konami, Silent Scope is the classic example of arcade conversion. It offers big shiny graphics, addictive gameplay but sadly limited substance, although I feel that any arcade lovers will be in for a treat with this title, as well as any others who like the look! Overall the addictive gameplay really makes up for the slightly short game and is worth the price of admission, especially as the game can be found cheap nowadays.

There is a basic story to the game in which the president and his family are kidnapped by armed terrorists whilst travelling to Chicago for a political campaign. The terrorists demand the release of their leader from prison in return for the safe release of the president and his family, however the release of the leader would greatly increase the power within the terrorist group. As not to put the captives in any more danger the government has not sent in any armed forces, instead to gain the control of the situation an elite professional sniper (i.e.: you) has been drafted in undercover. His orders: save the president and his family.

The basic gameplay consists on sniping targets in the form of moving terrorists within a time limit. All you see is the circular scope on the screen, which is an enlargement of the area you’re pointing at – as if you’re looking down a scope, hence the name Silent Scope. This may sound complicated but in fact it’s very easy to use.

Moreover you can increase the speed in which the scope moves at in game making it faster or slower (which for some strange reason was taken out of the second game). You can also quickly remove the scope to see a normal view and you’re next target (which again isn’t available in the sequel) but this isn’t essential as little red arrows in the scope guide you to the next target. The targets are also highlighted on screen inside red circles.

Whilst sniping against the clock you pick up points for shooting terrorists, and gain extra points for a head shots, double kills (killing 2 men with one bullet) and also spotting a life up girl (you will also get an extra life as well as extra points). You loose points for hitting an innocent civilian. At the end of each stage you will get an accuracy and time so you can check how well you did. You will loose a life if you get hit by a foe, and if you loose all your life it’s game over.

The basic game modes are as follows:

Story: In which you save the president and his loved ones, in a total of six different stages using a branching path system (which was removed from the sequel, although there were 2 snipers with 2 different paths). Silent Scope (1) has only one sniper but you can choose where to go next, which I feel is better anyway. You will incur damage from enemy fire and will be penalised for shooting innocent by standers. Each time you are hit you will loose a life.

Shooting Range: In this mode practise you’re sharp shooting either in or out doors in a range. You score points for speed and accuracy but loose points for gunning down the innocent. You get a ranking at the end as well, but all I seem to be is a public nuisance!

Time Attack: Complete certain stages the defeat a boss at the end of the stage within a time limit. You will not incur damage from enemy fire nor will you be penalised for shooting innocent by standers.

There may not seem to be a lot of modes but the gameplay is addictive and of course you can set the difficulty and number of lives etc. in options. Also there are tables of records for each mode.

Gameplay: 10
Solid arcade action in a well-converted game. As mentioned it becomes addictive and the graphics compliment the game well. Overall a fun if not short lived game which is a true classic.

Graphics: 7
Pretty darn good! Solid chunky arcade style graphics with impress and add to the overall realism of the game.

Life Span: 7
A short game in essence but you will probably keep wanting to come back again and again to it. Brilliant arcade snipe em up which is a brilliant rental but really worth a purchase unless you’re one of those people who doesn’t want to keep coming back for the same thing – even if it is class.

Sound: 7
Enough to keep the atmosphere with occasional voice-overs, and the sound of bullet firing and crys of pain are all included.

Box, Disk and Manual Art: 5/5
The regularly superb Konami art here, a pleasure to the eyes – one of the factors which made me buy this game. Attractive blue with an image of a sniper for the box and manual and for the disk – a cross hair and sniper. Monet or Van Gough would have been truly proud! {Does not contribute to final score}.

Overall: 8/10
Superb arcade snip em up, offers too little and some may prefer a rental but worth the purchase. Rather falls into the same category as 18-Wheeler, superb but just a tad short.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/21/03, Updated 02/21/03