Sniper Rifles are something you love and hate at the same time. You love it when you own someone halfway across the map with a headshot, and you hate it when your on the...well receiving end. Sniper Rifle's have existed since the dawn of FPS's and beyond and this article examines the god like weapon. It's history, its ups and downs, and a list of some of the best of these beastly weapons every to grace a game are all present here.

The Sniper Rifle is a powerful, if misunderstood beast. For the special breed of action junkie, who is blessed with enough patience to wield it, the weapon says the following: “Provided you sacrifice all of your peripheral vision, I solemnly swear to destroy – not wound or incapacitate, destroy – any son of a bitch you dislike from half a world away, using a bullet longer than most ballpoint pens. That is why they designed me. That is why this multiplayer map has a book depository building in it. That’s how I roll.”

The user responds thusly: “I accept the fact that I will most likely get raped by anyone who sneaks up on my position – even if said interloper is armed with a rolled up newspaper – but I am willing to trade this situational awareness for the ability to smite people quicker than a semi-automatic God. Without further ado, let’s line up a very distant, very unsuspecting bastard and with one shot turn his head into a canoe.”

Ever since Goldeneye on Nintendo 64 we’ve been fascinated with the sneaky, awesome force that is the Sniper rifle. But what is it that makes it so McAwesome? It's because they’re a delicate balance between immense vulnerability and ultimate power. When you have someone else in your telescopic sights, you’re pretty much running the show, especially if your victim is unaware of your presence. From here, all you need to do is squeeze the trigger – squeeze it, don’t pull it like your special place – and watch that sucker drop like a bag of shit.

Bale Fire via gameplayer.com.au »