Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 released on June 4 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The PlayStation 5 version of the tactical sniping simulator was delayed in May because of "unforeseen technical issues." But now, it seems like developer CI Games has been able to work everything out. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 for PS5 will release on August 24. 

As one might expect, SGWC2 will take advantage of the PlayStation 5's hardware capabilities, providing faster load times, increased resolutions, and more refined textures over its PS4 counterpart. The PS5 version will also feature fidelity (visual) and performance modes, allowing players to switch between 4K 30fps and 2K 60fps respectively. 

Of course, SGWC2 will make use of the haptic feedback and adaptive trigger technology found in the DualSense controller. 

Those who already own Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 on the PlayStation 4 will be able to upgrade to the PS5 version for free. The PS5 digital upgrade will also be available starting on August 24. 

As we reported on previously, the upcoming SGWC2 DLC will also be free to all players, even those not on PlayStation platforms. The DLC doesn't have a release date just yet, but CI Games said that it will include a new region, bringing the total number of regions in the game to six, as well as new objectives and new contracts. 

We reviewed SGWC2 earlier this month and gave it high marks for its "phenomenal and realistic sniping, varied and exciting levels, and compelling progression system." While we admit that it "could have used more polish," SGWC2 is well worth the time and "so damn good." 

The military first-person shooter genre is easily one of the most saturated in gaming. There are multiple annualized franchises, and no shortage of new shooter titles released each year. It can all start to feel like a bit much. 

Enter Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 (SGWC2), itself the fifth entry in the Sniper Ghost Warrior franchise. Where other titles seem content to merely dip their toes into the depths of what military shooters can be, SGWC2 yells, "Cannonball" as it jumps in, delivering one of the most fun and engaging experiences of the year.

With polished gameplay and mechanics that play like a greatest hits collection from the best shooters of the past generation, SGWC2 aims for something great. But can it make the shot?

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 Review: Greatness in Sight

SGWC2 puts you in the role of Raven, a lone-wolf sniper dropped into a fictional Middle Eastern nation. You're tasked with assassinating, sabotaging, and liberating various targets to prevent a war that could destabilize the region, which could bring the world to the brink of economic ruin. It’s a competent, if plain, setup made better by quality voice acting and a faceless protagonist that looks like he would be the baddest man on the battlefield.

SGWC2 is often compared to the Sniper Elite series, and for good reason. Both are built around sniping mechanics and reward perfect shots with slow-motion bullet cameras that highlight the damage done to targets. What separates the two, besides Sniper Elite being presented in third-person and being set in World War 2, is the variety of content available in SGWC2 and more in-depth sniping mechanics

Levels come in two varieties. Classic maps drop you into large overworlds, with your objectives located in smaller open sandboxes. These smaller areas are all connected via branching linear pathways, very similar to those found in Metal Gear Solid 5.

You travel from area to area completing objectives in whatever way you see fit. You may assassinate a person with your knife in one section, sabotage some radio jammers in another, then snipe a bounty target and a rival sniper you’ve come across as you move to the next zone.  

The best way to complete each objective is left up to you. Do you have the skills to silently pick off every guard in a base from a distance? Or do you prefer to get up close and personal, using an arsenal of gadgets and the advanced technology in your mask to sneak into the base undetected?

Going the Distance

Long Shot maps are new and highlight just how difficult sniping can actually be. These maps tend to be smaller overall, and in each case your tasked with sneaking to a perch overlooking some sort of facility a kilometer or more away. Assassinating targets at this distance is much more challenging; the high caliber rounds take multiple seconds to reach their targets after being fired and are under considerable influence from wind and gravity.

The Long Shot maps are more akin to a long and lethal game of chess. The majority of your time is spent scouting the areas, identify targets, eliminating counter snipers, and planning out when and where to take the shot. There are electric panels, explosive barrels, and various other environmental targets that can be influenced by a well-placed shot, and a good autosave system gives the player plenty of opportunities for experimentation.

Moving targets are extremely challenging to hit at this distance, so these zones become sniping puzzles, as you look for ways to get the target stationary and in the open. Sometimes that means shooting large machines to cause your target to inspect a malfunction or having the patience to wait until two targets meet, allowing you to take out both with one well-lined-up shot.

It is difficult to overstate how satisfying it is to carefully plan a shot, calibrate your gun, and see the camera follow the bullet into your target from 1,500 meters away.

Damn, It Feels Good to be a Sniper

All of the Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 weapons feel great. The gunplay is finely tuned, and Raven moves with a great combination of agility and weight. Multiple ammo types give you the ability to further customize your loadout for upcoming missions, and bullets land with a visceral quality.

Some of the slow-motion kills lean into the gore, but with enough of a cartoonish over-the-top quality to not seem exploitative. The gore can be turned down in the menus, which is appreciated.

Completing objectives rewards you in a few ways. Money can be used to buy equipment. This includes suppressors, optics, and larger magazines for guns. It also allows you to bring a sniper turret with you into battle, allowing you to tag enemies and have the gun take them out at your signal. This is perfect when multiple enemies are grouped together and you want them all to go down at once. Other pieces of equipment include a manned drone to help tag targets and various explosive elements.  

Objectives also reward you with tokens, allowing you to take advantage of a solid upgrade tree. This is your chance to further tailor the game to your playstyle. Upgrades can improve your sneaking and knife skills, letting you run silently and chain melee kills like a modern-day Ezio. Or you can put a dart gun on your drone, increase the effectiveness of your sniper turret, or upgrade your armor to shrug off more damage.

Return Fire

Levels also have significant replayability in the form of challenges. This mechanic feels pulled right out of the modern Hitman trilogy. You can return to previously cleared targets and earn additional tokens and money by completing the tasks in specific ways.

Maybe this time you kill your target after silently eliminating every target in the base. Or you lure them next to some explosive barrels to send them off in style. Or, perhaps, this time you give them a chance to enter their getaway vehicle, then shoot the hook holding a shipping container suspended from a crane right above them.

Completing challenges means you can purchase new upgrades, which often make it easier to complete challenges. This relationship is well balanced, and the complimentary loop is compelling. That “just one more game” pull in other games becomes “just one more challenge” in SGWC2 and is every bit as effective at making time disappear as you salivate over the next enticing upgrade.

Near Misses

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 does experience some jams, however. The Xbox Series X version runs at 4K 30FPS, which is very noticeable now that so many current generation games run at 60FPS. Since the PS5 version has been delayed, we weren't able to test performance there, though CI Games has said that it runs at 4K 30FPS there, too. Of course, some PCs will be able to outmatch that depending on build. 

It is worth noting, however, that a post-launch patch added in 2K 60fps modes for both the XSX and PS5 versions of the game, so there are options, if somewhat limited, to hit that 60fps threshold. 

There are some technical hiccups here and there worth mentioning. I found myself stuck on climbable terrain a few times and had to load prior saves. The climbing and drop-down mechanics are very hit and miss when it comes to displaying the button prompt to complete those actions.

Overall, the scope of SGWC2 often errs on the side of modesty. The game itself isn’t overly large, just a half dozen maps total. The world is moderately interactive and detailed, but not in a way that elevates the experience. The story underpinning it all is forgettable if unobtrusive. And as compelling as the upgrades system is, the trees can all be completed fairly quickly. 

The thing that makes these Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 hiccups frustrating is that the game is so damn good. Nearly every aspect of SGWC2 ranges from pretty good to extremely good, with the sniping action itself bordering on the incredible.

Yet despite that across-the-board success, I can’t help but wonder what could have been. A little more ambition, another layer of polish, an iconic narrative — really anything more. This game firmly toes the line between good and great but does not take that next step over it.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 Review — The Bottom Line

Pros

• Phenomenal and realistic Sniping
• Varied and exciting levels
• Compelling progression system

Cons

• Held back by limited ambition
• Could have used more polish

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contract 2 is so much fun to play. The action is dynamic, the levels are well crafted, and the progression system is compelling. This is a very good game, built on a strong execution of good ideas.

It is separated from games like Hitman and Metal Gear Solid 5 by more modest ambition and mediocre polish but should be at the top of the list for fans of those franchises as the next best thing. 

[Note: CI Games provided the copy of Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 used for this review.]

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 isn't far off. The sniper-sim, stealth-shooter will hit its mark on June 4 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Though the PS5 version has been delayed and won't be released until later this year, a new gameplay overview trailer gives all fans, regardless of preferred platform, the best look they've had at the game to date. 

Players take the role of Raven, a seasoned sniper, on a mission to rid the country of Kuamar from the iron grip of its dictatorial leader, Bibi Rashida. Of course, getting to Rashida won't be easy, and players will need to make it past 20 other targets to see the job done. 

Taking a page out of Agent 47's handbook, Raven will be able to find unique ways to take out guards and other targets. There are dozens of weapons available, from shotguns to assault rifles to bows, alongside a number of useful (and sometimes lethal) gadgets. A silenced turret gun, drone, and gas grenades are just a few of the options available.

Of course, bursting enemy heads like ripe watermelons is a trademark of the Sniper franchise, players will also be able to kill enemies with objects in the environment and cause distractions, as well. 

The trailer above also highlights the Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 skill tree and the type of unlockables players can expect to find by completing in-level objectives. Some skills include upgrades to knives and camouflage, and unlockables include new scopes and special ammo, for example. 

SGWC2 is available for pre order on all major storefronts for $39.99. We were able to go hands-on with the PC version of the game a few weeks ago and found it to be a fun open-world sandbox experience: "Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 feels like the marriage of tried-and-true first-person sniping and the unique experiences possible in modern open-world games."

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 aims to up the ante when it releases for most major platforms this June, taking the series' sniping and gore to an entirely new level. However, PlayStation 5 players will have to wait just a bit longer to drop behind enemy lines. Developer CI Games said that the PS5 version of SGWC2 has been delayed until later this year. 

No new release date has been shared outside of that 2021 window, and no other platforms have been affected by the delay. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 will still launch on June 4 for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. 

CI Games said that the team has encountered "unforeseen technical issues" with the PS5 version of the game, though the release announcing the delay did not mention what those problems were. The studio's Executive Producer, Tobias Heussner, alluded to an issue between the game's engine and the PS5, but did not provide specifics. 

We could not have foreseen these issues. However, we would like to assure our players that our highly experienced, professional, and dedicated team are working hard with the platform holder and engine provider to resolve the problems as soon as feasibly possible, to ensure we can bring the PS5 community the high calibre sniping game they have been waiting for.

Despite the disappointing news for PlayStation 5 fans, something good is coming of the delay for all players. CI said that because of the delay, they will be making the first DLC package for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 free to all players on all platforms. Details on the DLC are nonexistent, but the team will share more information "soon."  

On top of that, PlayStation players will be able to take advantage of a free PS4 to PS5 upgrade whether they purchase the game digitally or physically. 

We recently went hands-on with the PC version of the game and came away impressed, saying "Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 feels like the marriage of tried-and-true first-person sniping and the unique experiences possible in modern open-world games."

SGWC2 is currently available for pre order on all platforms, including PlayStation 5, for $39.99. Those who pick up the game ahead of June 4 (or later if they're doing so on PS5, presumably) will gain access to the Marcus Tactical rifle, the FFF-45 ACP luring pistol, the Rock AS100 assault rifle, and two weapon skins, Blue Servers and Warning Stripes. 

The mission was quickly becoming a disaster. I’d managed to assassinate my first target, an Arms Dealer named Antwan Zarza, in a large industrial area at the northwest edge of the map. My journey to the next target took me right through a makeshift military base. I eliminated an enemy overlooking the camp but failed to notice his friend, who managed to raise the alarm before I could put him down.

Now I was pinned down by fire from below. I picked off a few of the soldiers with my sniper rifle, but at the center of the base, a soldier was preparing to fire a mortar. The explosive shell would almost certainly end my life.

I drew my rifle, calibrated the scope to accommodate for bullet drop, and took aim at his chest. That’s when I saw it, the gleam of a grenade hooked to his belt. Quickly adjusting my aim, I took note of a slight crosswind, held my breath, and fired. The grenade erupted in a white-hot flash of fire and shrapnel; the power of the explosion tore through the surrounding men, ending the skirmish in an instant. I was on to my next target.

When I went hands-on with CI Games' upcoming Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, the sixth installment in the Sniper Ghost Warrior franchise, I was expecting another solid sniper game, with quality gunplay and over-the-top Bullet-Cam kills. What I found was a game with the potential to deliver some of the best emergent gameplay of the year, where every player’s unique adventure exceeds anything a scripted encounter could ever hope to deliver.

Contract Killer

In Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, you are Raven, an expert sniper dropped into enemy territory, tasked with eliminating key cogs as you work to topple a corrupt head of state. Along the way, you must complete certain objectives, such as freeing prisoners, destroying special equipment, and more.  

Right from the beginning, it was clear that SGWC2 is more than just a point-to-point sniping game. The first mission dropped me into a large map, with three potential targets, each in a different area. The overall lack of direction was refreshing, as I was free to make my own however I saw fit. In this case, I headed South, pursuing expert hacker Fyodor Novikov, who had taken refuge at a military facility.  

The journey to my destination wasn’t easy. I had to work past multiple groups of guards by way of intuitive first-person stealth. Keeping to shadows, I was able to get behind a guard and ambush him. The goon found himself more than willing to divulge where the rest of his allies were in hopes I would spare him (I didn’t). With this newfound information, I plotted a route around the group's perimeter and made my way to the target zone.

Cerebral Assassin

There are five total levels in Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2, each filled with targets, missions, and challenges. Three are built as hubs, with Extreme-Range Sniping assignments scattered around. The other two levels are pure sandboxes, more akin to previous SGW titles, where you can take the perfect shot from afar or make a stealthy approach for an up-close and personal assassination.

Novikov was in an Extreme-Range Sniping zone. Previous games have you eliminating targets from a maximum range of around 600M. This time, you fire from up to 3X that. In this case, I was roughly a kilometer from the target, and I set to work.

One of the great strengths of this series is the balance between realism and fun gameplay. CI Games consulted with actual snipers of GROM, the Polish Special Forces. These conversations lead the team to focus on strategy through observation and planning before taking any shots. In practice, this meant I spent several minutes watching the target zone through my binoculars, tagging enemies and points of interest.

To have the best chance of success, I needed to plan out an entire series of moves and attempt to visualize the sequence of events before taking a shot. It was chess from a kilometer away, with a .50 caliber sniper rifle.  

I decided to play it defensively. First, I eliminated an opposing sniper on a rooftop. This would give some margin of error should I miss my shot. At this range, no one would hear the sound of my rifle firing. I could try and lead the target by a few steps, catching him in stride, but I found a spot where he liked to greet one of the guards. I sat patiently, trigger finger at the ready.

Taking the Longshot

At 1,200 meters, there were many factors to consider, all of which were readily visible in the thorough but unobtrusive UI.

First, I calibrated my scope for distance. This would center my crosshairs at an elevation that accounts for the effect of gravity on the bullet over the distance. There was a slight crosswind, illustrated by the Dynamic Reticle System, which drew a line trailing off the side of the crosshairs, reflecting the bullet's path. The bullet would take more than a second to travel this far, so I needed to line up my shot for where the target would be at that time. He entered my field of view, and I fired.  

There is immediate feedback when you find a well-aimed shot. The camera exits the first-person perspective and follows the bullet on its course in a cinematic follow-view. A rifle of this power strikes with unbelievable force. My bullet struck the side of my target's head, just above the ear.  

At player request, the gore has been turned up from previous entries in this series, and it was on full display here. The concussive power was enough to shatter the skull. A crimson explosion erupted, with anatomical details similar to what you would find in Mortal Kombat. It was at once disgusting and exhilarating, striking the right balance of violent enough to not diminish the violence of what you, a sniper, are doing, yet exaggerated enough to avoid being excessive or gratuitous.

Gore can be turned down in the menus to an extent if you prefer.

Another Round of Shots

Now that my target was eliminated, I made a hasty retreat. My successful kill earned me money and upgrade tokens, which are used to buy new equipment and upgrades. There are several upgrade trees that you can customize to your style. Gadgets include spy drones, special ammo, and even a remote-control sniper you can use as a second gunman.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 missions are designed to be repeatable. You can return to try different strategies for eliminating your target. As you progress and upgrade your equipment, you can start honing some of the more creative ways to eliminate your targets.  

In addition to your rifle, there are environmental hazards to take advantage of. In one case, I saw a crane with a heavy load suspended conveniently above the path one of the targets likes to walk. Another had an escape vehicle that I could destroy once my quarry was inside. These emergent sections give the game a Hitman-like replayability, with challenges and achievements to match. 

As I continued playing, I found each encounter to be dynamic. Once, I was spotted and had to snipe the driver of an armored vehicle. Another time, I carefully circled an enemy until he was aligned with another soldier, and I was rewarded with two kills for a single shot. I shot circuit breakers to lure a target into the open in one assassination attempt and blew up a parked helicopter to create a distraction in another. Everything I did felt dynamic, and every encounter had to potential to be unique.

Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 feels like the marriage of tried-and-true first-person sniping and the unique experiences possible in modern open-world games. As much as I am looking forward to playing the final release, I am more excited to see and hear the unique experiences of other players. Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 might just be a shot worth taking when it releases on June 4. 

Fans of sniping digital heads from interminable distances while taking bullet drop and other physics into account got their first look at Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 today, courtesy of developer CI Games.

Alongside that, the developer announced the latest game in the series will release on June 4 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S for $39.99. Physical console pre orders are live now, though it can only be added to your wishlist on Steam.  

For those who pre order the physical console editions of the game, there are four bonuses available: 

• Marcus Tactical: A light sniper rifle with great stability

• FFF-45 ACP Luring Pistol: A sidearm with special luring ammo

• Two weapon skins

These pre orders are available from:

• Amazon (U.S., Australia)
• GameStop (U.S.)
• Best Buy (U.S., Canada)
• JB Hi-Fi (Australia, New Zealand)
• EB Games (Australia, New Zealand)
• The Gamesmen (Australia)
• Mighty Ape (New Zealand)
• Konsoleigry (Poland)

The age-restricted trailer below (which will take you to YouTube when clicked), is full of bloody, gory action. Staying true to its immediate predecessor, the violence rivals that of the series' cousin-by-association, Rebellion's Sniper Elite franchise.

Alongside turning heads into goo, players will face "an entirely new level of challenge" with increased sniping distances of up to 1,000 meters. Each of the game's five massive levels will be displayed in 4K for compatible platforms and displays, and those who play the game on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S will see "improved loading times." 

Though we haven't yet gotten our hands on Contracts 2 to see for ourselves, CI Games says that the game's enemies are smarter and deadlier than ever before. 

We mostly enjoyed Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts when we reviewed it back in November 2019, giving it a 7 out of 10. Despite some pesky bugs and "inconsistent enemy AI," we praised the tactical shooter for "intricately authored levels [that are] worth replaying," and "combat mechanics, both near and far, [being] the best they've been."