When Sniper: Ghost Warrior came out for the PC and Xbox 360 way back in the far-off month of June, developer City Interactive managed to package an exceedingly gratifying sniper experience with the gorgeous visuals of the jungles of Isla Trueno. And although the game sold rather well, absurdly perceptive AI enemies and tedious run-and-gun missions tempered its reception.
Now, Sergeant Tyler Wells and the rest of his sniping team deploy into new territory on February 8, 2011 with the PlayStation 3 port of Ghost Warrior. At a preview event last week, I got the opportunity to experience the taken-to-heart changes and fixes implemented in the new version, largely gathered from player feedback and past lessons.
Extended Single-Player Campaign and More Sniping
In addition to the original campaign, three new single-player levels are added that branch off the events of the initial story. Named "Unfinished Business," this campaign centers around the events immediately following the death of General Vasquez, who led a despotic regime with a serious anti-sniper agenda.
At the same time, assault missions — where players assumed control of a Delta Force operator for direct firefights — are pruned to keep the focus squarely on what the game does best: blowing the heads off enemies from afar with carefully placed shots. (Control reverts back to the supporting sniper during assaults.)
And you'll have no dearth of targets to plink your bullets into. Unfinished Business also brings an additional set of extreme-range shots (including more sniper-on-sniper duels) designed to take advantage of the game's viscerally satisfying slow-motion bullet cam.
Hardcore Modes
Having the reliability of a HUD is always nice, but let's face it — real snipers don't have the luxury of magically floating crosshairs and heartbeat monitors. If you're itching for that extra smidgeon of realism, then set your scope for Ghost Warrior's tough-as-nails hardcore setting.
It's just you and the rifle while creeping under the jungle canopy in the campaign's hardcore challenge mode. You can only sustain a few bullet hits before keeling over. The HUD is yanked, stressing the need for relying on the sniping virtues of patience and stealth more than ever. And while wriggling through dirt to get to your nest (without a radar, natch) for that one perfect shot might sound like something only a masochist would enjoy, executing the deed is immensely satisfying — not to mention a capable stress reliever.
The game's multiplayer also features a sans-HUD hardcore setting, attributing even more intensity to the lengthy campfests of the three multiplayer modes on offer (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and VIP). Did I say three? I meant four….
Capture the Flag Multiplayer Mode and More Multiplayer Maps
Yes, everyone's favorite team-based multiplayer staple makes an exclusive appearance on the PS3 version. While City was mum on any specific details, the inherent need for mobility that CTF-style matches demand neatly eliminates the dull stretches of inaction that plagues an online shooter solely populated by snipers. (Scanning the brush for the glint of another sniper's scope can get a bit boring sometimes.)
In case that wasn't enough luck, PS3 players are also in for a twofer with the inclusion of Ghost Warrior's five downloadable multiplayer maps for free at release.
New Sniper Rifles
Two new sniper rifles join Silent Warrior's sizable armory of long-range weaponry: the L96 Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle (of Counter-Strike fame), and the CheyTac M200 Intervention (which is an unlockable weapon in Modern Warfare 2). The kicker? They're both bolt-action rifles.
Of course, bolt-operated rifles take a backseat to the efficiency of semiautomatic rifles, and City readily admits this. City explained that the inclusion of bolt-action rifles are purely because of their knack for making its wielder feel like an angel of death whenever they chamber another round, complete with the metallic ka-chunk of the bolt being pulled back.
And if that isn't the epitome of a euphoric sniping moment, I don't know what is.
