Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is a tactical first-person shooter from CI Games. You play as the contract sniper Raven, operating in the fictional Kuamar in the Middle East. Instead of a rigid mission sequence, the missions take you into spacious, separate areas where observation, camouflage and carefully prepared precision shots are key. Special features include targets more than 1,000 metres away. The story is told as a single-player campaign, and missions can be replayed using different approaches.

The game was released on June 4, 2021 for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The native PlayStation 5 version was released on August 24, 2021 after a delay. CI Games offered owners of the PS4 version a digital upgrade to the PS5 version. The later PS5 release is a separate platform launch and should not be confused with backward compatibility of the PS4 version.

Native versions are available for PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Compared with the PS4 version, the PS5 adds adaptive DualSense triggers, shorter loading times and adjusted graphics modes, among other things. The PC version is available through Steam. Note the difference between native releases and simply being able to play older console games on newer hardware.

A mission starts with a clear objective but leaves room for preparation. Raven looks for vantage points, watches patrols and decides when a shot carries the lowest risk. Besides long-range attacks, quiet infiltration and closer-range combat are possible. Several approaches make the same missions replayable. Players can upgrade equipment and abilities to reach harder targets by other routes. A classic multiplayer campaign is not among the game features listed on Steam.

The larger expansion Butcher’s Banquet adds a new desert region with new missions, locations and the enemy Mahmoud Zarza. There are also smaller weapon and cosmetic packs, including Crossbow Carnage, Lock n’ Load and Dark Sky. Which extras are included depends on the edition: the PS5 Elite Edition lists Butcher’s Banquet and other content. For your purchase decision, the base game, DLC and full bundle should therefore be considered separately.

According to Steam, the minimum requirements for the Windows version are an Intel Core i5-7600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 8 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 580, and 20 GB of storage. Recommended are 16 GB RAM and a GTX 1070 or Radeon RX 5600 XT. The historical store listing for Windows 8.1/10 should not be confused with the current Steam client, which now requires at least Windows 10.

The campaign takes place in the fictional Kuamar, a conflict region in the Middle East. Instead of a single fully open map, there are five larger mission areas with different sightlines, paths and sniper positions. The environment is part of the challenge: anyone who wants to reach a target unseen must account for terrain, cover and enemy positions. The maps can be revisited later to tackle unfinished objectives or additional tasks.

Targets at distances of over 1,000 meters are a defining feature. Players have to prepare the shot, choose suitable weapons and take the environment into account in difficult positions. There are also missions with shorter distances, where the sniper rifle alone is not enough. The spectacular hits are sometimes highlighted by a cinematic projectile camera. The shooter thus deliberately combines slow precision work with situations where quick tactical decisions become necessary.

CI Games lists 20 main contracts plus additional side operations. There is no single fixed way to reach a target: firing positions, movement and equipment used can vary on the next attempt. Completed objectives earn rewards that unlock further equipment options. Players who focus only on the main contract experience the areas differently from those who try optional tasks and alternative approaches.

Raven can choose from different sniper rifles and other tactical equipment. Rewards for completed missions unlock additional weapons, tools and abilities. They open up new options for setting up a position, taking out a target from a safe distance or approaching unnoticed. Especially in repeated missions, the chosen equipment changes the approach. The shooter therefore often requires more preparation than pure reaction speed.

The PS5 version, released Aug 24, 2021, supports adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller according to CI Games, along with improved textures and shorter loading times. Two graphics modes are available: a performance mode with 60 frames per second at 2K and a graphics mode with 4K at 30 frames per second. These features apply specifically to the native PS5 version, not just the PS4 version via backward compatibility.

The game version listed on Steam is designed for single player. Voice audio is available in English, among others. German-speaking players get a German user interface and German subtitles, but no German voice-over according to the Steam language table. Achievements and cloud saves are supported for the PC version. The platform stores may differ for the editions and additional content offered.